[0001] The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems. In particular, it pertains to a minor irrigation system with intelligent power management and water resource management features.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Irrigation is a method in which a controlled amount of water is supplied to the land at regular intervals for agriculture. It is used to assist in growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and re-vegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.
[0004] Typically, irrigation requires irrigation pump that pumps up the groundwater to the field. The mechanical drive to the irrigation pump is supplied power for its operation by various power sources such as diesel engines and electric motors. The use of diesel engines is highly polluting and expensive and as such electric motor is increasingly being used to operate the pump.
[0005] Irrigation requirements vary widely. Minor irrigation denotes irrigation of upto 2000 hectares of agriculture land. Requirement of water is dependant of crop and varies accordingly. Sometimes less water is required while at times, large amounts of water may be required in a short time period. At the same time, it is critical that such requirements be met in time else serious damage to plants may result. The supply of electric power from the grid though reliable but its supply is not dependable in remote villages. Added to that carbon footprint of grid is high since power generation for the grid mostly uses fossil fuels. Besides, it is expensive. Renewable energy sources such as sunlight, on the other hand, are inexpensive but are unreliable. For example, on a day with little sunlight or clouds, enough solar power may simply not be available to run the irrigation pump at all or for the required duration. There could be times, similarly, when power available at a PV panel may be in excess of that required by the connected irrigation pump and such power may simply go waste, for example when irrigation is not required.
[0006] Existing hybrid systems use only one power source at a time with grid-tie changeover. Such systems fail when, for example, grid is not available and solar radiation is also low. In such scenario the water pump shall not function and irrigation system shall fail causing a loss of crops.
[0007] Minor irrigation systems are widely dispersed over geographical locations and hence are difficult to diagnose in case a fault occurs in them.
[0008] Hence there is need for an irrigation system that can use different power sources in such a fashion so as to reduce to the minimum consumption of power from the grid (and its consequent carbon generation and expenses) and instead make maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy, saves power when not required, and wherein plurality of such systems can be remotely diagnosed.
[0009] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0010] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0011] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0012] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0013] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system with intelligent power management that reduces to a minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy.
[0016] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun or wind is not lost but instead is stored to be used when required.
[0017] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun or wind can also be used to generate revenue.
[0018] It is another object of the present disclosure that provides for an irrigation system that can be diagnosed for its electrical, electronic and mechanical faults remotely using cloud based systems and applications and wherein plurality of such systems can be so remotely diagnosed.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system that uses gird power only at lowest possible tariff rates.
[0020] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system that uses a self-contained solar tracker system to generate maximum solar energy.
[0021] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system that intelligently analyzes a crop behavior pattern vis a vis rainfall and humidity; and proactively performs water resource management to avoid waste of ground water and conserve the electricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems. In particular it pertains to an irrigation system with intelligent power management features that reduces to the minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy.
[0023] In an aspect, an irrigation system is proposed that can include an irrigation pump, at least one Photo Voltaic(PV) panel, at least one battery, an Intelligent Power Management System(IPMS), and a grid, wherein the system uses power from at least one element selected from a group consisting of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel is used to charge the at least one battery or is transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0024] In another aspect, proposed system can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required and can then supply power available at the at least one PV panel to the grid through reverse metering.
[0025] In another aspect, the proposed system can further include at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery as at least one additional option.
[0026] In yet another aspect, the at least one PV panel of the proposed system can be configured with a self-contained solar tracker system.
[0027] In an aspect, at least one proposed system’s health can be diagnosed using an upgradable algorithm via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In another aspect, a plurality of such systems can be connected to a central control system and so monitored.
[0028] In an aspect, the upgradable algorithm can evaluate data that can be generated by various sensors configured in the system against thresholds that can be fixed or set by a user and accordingly diagnose the system health. Such data can include, for example, data regarding any or a combination of power available at the PV panel, power available at the battery, power available at the grid, charge/discharge status of battery, electric power required by the irrigation pump, fault at any of the system’s components, alarms and alerts being generated at any of the system’s components and present and forecasted weather conditions at the irrigation system’s location etc., and the like.
[0029] In another aspect, the data can be transferred to a server configured in cloud and can in turn be received by an Internet enabled device. The user of the Internet enabled device can accordingly determine health of the system and can give appropriate instructions back to the system via the cloud itself. In another aspect, in case internet connectivity is not available at any time, system data can be stored offline at the system itself and loaded on to the cloud when internet connectivity is available. In yet another aspect, local data being stored at the system can be accessed by any NFC or Bluetooth enabled device and loaded on to the cloud from internet connectivity zone.
[0030] In yet another aspect, the thresholds being used by the upgradable algorithm can include performance levels expected from the system. The thresholds can be configured as different tiers, for example, poor performance, average performance, top performance etc. These thresholds can be set by a user of system proposed or can be automatically set by the system itself using, for example, historical data of past performance, and the like.
[0031] In an aspect, the algorithm can be upgraded by the user(s) of the proposed system to consider revised parameters including any or a combination of performance expected from the system, data regarding system’s and its components as elaborated above, environmental data, historical system performance data, crop behavior pattern and the like.
[0032] In an aspect, crop behavior pattern can include irrigation requirements of a crop during various times of its sowing, growth and harvesting. Such requirements vary across different crops. For example, water requirement during sowing of potato can be different from that of, for example, rice. Algorithm of system proposed can be set to the crop need pattern by a farmer for example, by making appropriate selections on user interface of proposed system or online and offline message instruction/selection from time to time with change of crop.
[0033] In another aspect, the proposed system can draw power from the grid only at lowest power tariff rates and can use the grid to charge the at least one storage battery in the night in case required.
[0034] An Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) is proposed that can be operatively connected to at least one PV panel, at least one battery, and a grid, wherein the IPMS can supply power to its connected load from any or a combination of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel can be used to charge the at least one battery or can be transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0035] In an aspect, the proposed IPMS can further be operatively connected to at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery.
[0036] In yet another aspect, the proposed IPMS can be configured with an upgradable algorithm to diagnose at least one of the connected load’s health via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, proposed IPMS can monitor a plurality of connected loads in this fashion.
[0037] In an aspect, a method of operating an irrigation system using an intelligent power management system (IPMS) is proposed wherein the method can include steps of operating an irrigation pump through at least one PV panel, wherein the PV panel can be configured to charge a battery that it is operatively coupled with such that when power available at the PV panel is not sufficient to power the irrigation pump, said battery can be used to supply balance power to the irrigation pump and wherein the IPMS can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required based on crop behavior pattern of crop being grown, and can then supply power available at the PV panel to a grid or to the battery.
[0038] In yet another aspect, proposed method can include configuring the grid to power the irrigation pump when power available at the at least one PV panel added to that available at the battery is not sufficient to power to the irrigation pump.
[0039] In an aspect, proposed method can include supplying balance power to the grid when the battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is greater than that required to power the irrigation pump.
[0040] In an aspect, proposed method can include supplying balance power to the grid when battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is not required for the irrigation pump.
[0041] In an aspect, proposed method can include discontinue supplying power to the pump in circumstances when the agriculture field is saturated with natural rain water and thereby avoid wastage of ground water.
[0042] In an aspect, proposed system can use renewable energy sources, especially solar energy via Photo Voltaic (PV) panels as a primary source of power and a storage battery (interchangeably termed as battery herein) as an auxiliary source of power to drive an irrigation pump. It can use power from a grid only when the primary and auxiliary sources are not sufficient. In this fashion, proposed system can enable transition to carbon free and renewable energy system. Proposed system can be used in minor irrigation and accelerated irrigation project requirements, particularly in areas with low solar irradiation. Various control aspects of the proposed system can be enabled using an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS).
[0043] In another aspect, proposed system can enable use of power available from the grid for the irrigation pump only when it is available at the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company.
[0044] In yet another aspect, any excess power available at the PV panels can be used to charge the storage battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be of prismatic energy density Lithium Ion Phosphate type and use a BMS (battery management system) for battery cell management.
[0045] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel is not sufficient to drive the pump, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery and only if the two sources of power put together are still not sufficient for the pump, supply power to the pump from the grid instead, while using the excess power now available at the PV panels to charge the battery. In this fashion, proposed system can ensure constant delivery of water to the field being served by the irrigation pump.
[0046] As can be understood from above, proposed system enables operation of the irrigation pump from PV panels, while using any excess power available at the PV panels to charge the storage battery, and further uses both the PV Panels and the storage battery to run the irrigation pump if power available at the PV panels is not sufficient. In this way proposed system enables bidirectional use of energy between a primary source (PV panels) and an auxiliary source (storage battery) and use of grid being minimal it enables transition to carbon free energy system.
[0047] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use the grid to charge the storage battery in the night in case required and can have an optional wind energy system to charge the storage battery at any time needed.
[0048] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use an intelligent water resource management system in conjunction with crop behavior pattern, rainfall and humidity to avoid wastage of water during irrigation when not required and thus minimizing its power requirements.
[0049] In an aspect, proposed system can divert any excess power being generated by the PV panels to the grid using reverse metering techniques and in this fashion, can generate revenue for its owners. In an exemplary embodiment, such revenue generation can be done at higher slab rate of power under the environmental /global warming norms of various Governments / electricity distribution authorities available for renewable energy such as , for example, COP22.
[0050] In another aspect, proposed system can use highly efficient products and techniques to optimize its operation efficiency and compensate the effect of low solar irradiation. In an exemplary embodiment, such products and techniques can use using direct, diffused and lost light with bifacial PV modules, using permanent magnet motor for the irrigation pump and using timer based forced water spray cooling system for the PV panel to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of PV panel on account of dust accumulation.
[0051] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be equipped with a solar tracker system that is totally self-contained. That is, it can use solar heat only to position the panels to always face the sun and thereby generate maximum solar power without needing any additional power supply.
[0052] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be nano coated with hydrophobic chemical on the top surface facing the sky such that dust and bird faeces do not stick on the panel top and get withered off with the blowing wind to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of the PV panel on account of such accumulation that hinders the light to the PV cells.
[0053] In an aspect, the motor of water pump of proposed system can be coupled with grid-tie inverter that can enable running of the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel and if that is not sufficient, draw power from the grid, in the event of an emergency breakdown or when IPMS is shut down/ bypassed.
[0054] In another aspect, proposed system can be integrated with a solar fencing system for safety of wild life and school going kids as well as its components such as PV Panels, IPMS, storage battery etc. Further, PV panels can be equipped with Early Streamer Emission lightning protection system to reduce risk of and damage from lightning strikes.
[0055] In an aspect, proposed system can be configured to have its faults and errors diagnosed remotely using applications and devices configured to send and receive data from the system using the cloud as well as offline. Such data can include, for example, operational instructions as well as fault alerts and diagnosis of various components for prompt corrective measures.
[0056] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be well integrated with a water harvesting system to “charge back” the geo hydrology. In an exemplary embodiment, a rain water/irrigation water harvesting system can be created using a circular/square zone of about 20 feet and depth of 10 feet around the irrigation pump. Any rain water within and surrounding this zone can be harvested back to increase the ground water level.
[0057] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0058] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0059] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall architecture of proposed system to illustrate its functioning, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of working of proposed system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0062] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0063] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.
[0064] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0065] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0066] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0067] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0068] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0069] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named element.
[0070] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0071] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0072] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0073] The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems. In particular it pertains to an irrigation system with intelligent power management features that reduces to the minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy and avoids wastage of ground water as well as renewable energy.
[0074] In an aspect, an irrigation system is proposed that can include an irrigation pump, at least one Photo Voltaic(PV) panel, at least one battery, an Intelligent Power Management System(IPMS), and a grid, wherein the system uses power from at least one element selected from a group consisting of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel is used to charge the at least one battery or is transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0075] In another aspect, proposed system can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required and can then supply power available at the at least one PV panel to the grid through reverse metering.
[0076] In another aspect, the proposed system can further include at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery when power generated by the at least one wind energy system is not sufficient to be transferred to the grid.
[0077] In yet another aspect, the at least one PV panel of the proposed system can be configured with a self-contained solar tracker system.
[0078] In an aspect, at least one proposed system’s health can be diagnosed using an upgradable algorithm via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In another aspect, a plurality of such systems can be connected to a central control system and so monitored.
[0079] In an aspect, the upgradable algorithm can evaluate data that can be generated by various sensors configured in the system against thresholds that can be fixed or set by a user and accordingly diagnose the system health. Such data can include, for example, data regarding any or a combination of power available at the PV panel, power available at the battery, power available at the grid, charge/discharge status of battery, electric power required by the irrigation pump, fault at any of the system’s components, alarms and alerts being generated at any of the system’s components and present and forecasted weather conditions at the irrigation system’s location, field moisture data etc., and the like.
[0080] In another aspect, the data can be transferred to a server configured in cloud and can in turn be received by an Internet enabled device. The user of the Internet enabled device can accordingly determine health of the system and can give appropriate instructions back to the system via the cloud itself. In another aspect, in case internet connectivity is not available at any time, system data can be stored offline at the system itself and loaded on to the cloud when internet connectivity is available. In yet another aspect, local data being stored at the system can be accessed by any NFC or Bluetooth enabled device and system health can be diagnosed locally and loaded on to the cloud from internet connectivity zone.
[0081] In yet another aspect, the thresholds being used by the upgradable algorithm can include performance levels expected from the system. The thresholds can be configured as different tiers, for example, poor performance, average performance, top performance etc. These thresholds can be set by a user of system proposed or can be automatically set by the system itself using, for example, historical data of past performance, and the like.
[0082] In an aspect, the algorithm can be upgraded by the user(s) of the proposed system to consider revised parameters including any or a combination of performance expected from the system, data regarding system’s and its components as elaborated above, environmental data, historical system performance data, crop behavior pattern and the like.
[0083] In an aspect, crop behavior pattern can include irrigation requirements of a crop during various times of its sowing, growth and harvesting. Such requirements vary across different crops. For example, water requirement during sowing of potato can be different from that of, for example, rice. Algorithm of system proposed can be set to crop need pattern by a farmer for example, by making appropriate selections on user interface of proposed system or online and offline message instruction/selection from time to time with change of crop.
[0084] In another aspect, the proposed system can draw power from the grid only at lowest power tariff rates and can use the grid to charge the at least one storage battery in the night in case required.
[0085] An Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) is proposed that can be operatively connected to at least one PV panel, at least one battery, and a grid, wherein the IPMS can supply power to its connected load from any or a combination of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel can be used to charge the at least one battery or can be transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0086] In an aspect, the proposed IPMS can further be operatively connected to at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery.
[0087] In yet another aspect, the proposed IPMS can be configured with an upgradable algorithm to diagnose at least one of the connected load’s health via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, proposed IPMS can monitor a plurality of connected loads in this fashion.
[0088] In an aspect, a method of operating an irrigation system using an intelligent power management system (IPMS) is proposed wherein the method can include steps of operating an irrigation pump through at least one PV panel, wherein the PV panel can be configured to charge a battery that it is operatively coupled with such that when power available at the PV panel is not sufficient to power the irrigation pump, said battery can be used to supply balance power to the irrigation pump and wherein the IPMS can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required based on crop behavior pattern of crop being grown, and can then supply power available at the PV panel to a grid or to the battery.
[0089] In yet another aspect, proposed method can include configuring the grid to power the irrigation pump when power available at the at least one PV panel added to that available at the battery is not sufficient to power to the irrigation pump.
[0090] In an aspect, proposed method can include supplying balance power to the grid when the battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is greater than that required to power the irrigation pump.
[0091] In an aspect, proposed method can include discontinue supplying power to the pump in circumstances when the agriculture field is saturated with natural rainfall and thereby avoid wastage of ground water.
[0092] In an aspect, proposed system can use renewable energy sources, especially solar energy via Photo Voltaic (PV) panels as a primary source of power and a storage battery (interchangeably termed as battery herein) as an auxiliary source of power to drive an irrigation pump. It can use power from a grid only when the primary and auxiliary sources are not sufficient. In this fashion, proposed system can enable transition to carbon free and renewable energy system. Proposed system can be used in minor irrigation and accelerated irrigation project requirements, particularly in areas with low solar irradiation. Various control aspects of the proposed system can be enabled using an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS).
[0093] In another aspect, proposed system can enable use of power available from the grid for the irrigation pump only when it is available at the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company.
[0094] In yet another aspect, any excess power available at the PV panels can be used to charge the storage battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be of prismatic energy density Lithium Ion Phosphate type and use a BMS (battery management system) for battery cell management.
[0095] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel is not sufficient to drive the pump, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery and only if the two sources of power put together are still not sufficient for the pump, supply power to the pump from the grid instead, while using the excess power now available at the PV panels to charge the battery. In this fashion, proposed system can ensure constant delivery of water to the field being served by the irrigation pump.
[0096] In an aspect, system proposed can determine irrigation requirement at any time based upon any or a combination of crop behavior pattern of crop being grown and field moisture data, and operate the irrigation pump to meet the irrigation requirement optimally, using non-polluting, renewable sources of energy to the maximum and carbon generating sources such as grid power to the minimum.
[0097] As can be understood from above, proposed system enables operation of the irrigation pump from PV panels, while using any excess power available at the PV panels to charge the storage battery, and further uses both the PV Panels and the storage battery to run the irrigation pump if power available at the PV panels is not sufficient. In this way proposed system enables bidirectional use of energy between a primary source (PV panels) and an auxiliary source (storage battery) and enables transition to carbon free energy system.
[0098] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use the grid to charge the storage battery in the night in case required and can have an optional wind energy system to charge the storage battery at any time needed.
[0099] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use an intelligent water resource management system to avoid wastage of water during irrigation when not required and thus minimizing its power requirements.
[00100] In an aspect, proposed system can divert any excess power being generated by the PV panels to the grid using reverse metering techniques and in this fashion, can generate revenue for its owners. In an exemplary embodiment, such revenue generation can be done at higher slab rate of power under the environmental /global warming norms of various Governments / electricity distribution authorities available for renewable energy such as , for example, COP22.
[00101] In another aspect, proposed system can use highly efficient products and techniques to optimize its operation efficiency and compensate the effect of low solar irradiation. In an exemplary embodiment, such products and techniques can use using direct, diffused and lost light with bifacial PV modules, using permanent magnet motor for the irrigation pump and using timer based forced water spray cooling system for the PV panel to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of PV panel on account of dust accumulation.
[00102] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be equipped with a solar tracker system that is totally self-contained. That is, it can use solar heat only to position the panels to always face the sun and thereby generate maximum solar power without needing any additional power supply.
[00103] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be nano coated with hydrophobic chemical on the top surface facing the sky such that dust and bird faeces do not stick on the panel top and get withered off with the blowing wind to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of the PV panel on account of such accumulation that hinders the light to the PV cells.
[00104] In an aspect, the motor of water pump of proposed system can be coupled with grid-tie inverter that can enable running of the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel and if that is not sufficient, draw power from the grid, in the event of an emergency breakdown or when IPMS is shut down/ bypassed.
[00105] In another aspect, proposed system can be integrated with a solar fencing system for safety of wild life and school going kids as well as its components such as PV Panels, IPMS, storage battery etc. Further, PV panels can be equipped with Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning protection system to reduce risk of and damage from lightning strikes.
[00106] In an aspect, proposed system can be configured to have its faults and errors diagnosed remotely using applications and devices configured to send and receive data from the system using the cloud as well as offline. Such data can include, for example, operational instructions as well as fault alerts and diagnosis of various components for prompt corrective measures.
[00107] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be well integrated with a water harvesting system to “charge back” the geo hydrology. In an exemplary embodiment, a rain water/irrigation water harvesting system can be created using a circular/square zone of about 20 feet and depth of 10 feet around the irrigation pump. Any rain water within and surrounding this zone can be harvested back to increase the ground water level.
[00108] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be configured with a self-contained solar tracker system that can follow the sun using solar heat intensity and inclination data that can be made available via the cloud to detect performance error, if any.
[00109] In yet another aspect, the proposed IPMS can be configured and upgraded with new versions of algorithm via the cloud based on real time feedback, demand and ongoing research and development to improve the system and make it adaptable to real time need of the crop agriculture behavior pattern and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions.
[00110] In an aspect, proposed system can use renewable energy sources, especially solar energy via Photo Voltaic (PV) panels as a primary source of power and a storage battery (interchangeably termed as battery herein) as an auxiliary source of power to drive an irrigation pump ( interchangeably termed as water pump or pump herein). It can use power from a grid only when the primary and auxiliary sources are not sufficient. In this fashion, proposed system can enable transition to carbon free and renewable energy sources. Proposed system can be used for minor irrigation and accelerated irrigation project requirements, particularly in areas with low solar irradiation. Various control aspects of the proposed system can be enabled using an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS).
[00111] In another aspect, proposed system can enable use of power available from the grid only when it is available at the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company.
[00112] In yet another aspect, any excess power available at the PV panels can be used to charge the storage battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be of prismatic energy density Lithium Ion Phosphate type and use a BMS (battery management system) for battery cell management.
[00113] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel is not sufficient to drive the pump, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery and only if the two sources of power put together are still not sufficient for the pump, supply power to the pump from the grid instead, while using the excess power now available at the PV panels to charge the battery. In this fashion, proposed system can ensure constant delivery of water to the field being served by the irrigation pump.
[00114] As can be understood from above, proposed system enables operation of the irrigation pump from PV panels, while using any excess power available at the PV panels to charge the storage battery, and further uses both the PV Panels and the storage battery to run the irrigation pump if power available at the PV panels is not sufficient. In this way proposed system enables bidirectional use of energy between a primary source (PV panels) and an auxiliary source (storage battery).
[00115] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use the grid to charge the storage battery in the night in case required and can have an optional wind energy system to charge the storage battery at any time needed.
[00116] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use an intelligent waste water resource management system to avoid wastage of water in irrigation when the agriculture field is saturated with rainfall and not use the water pump in such times or use the irrigation pump less based on crop behavior pattern feedback thus minimizing its power requirements and save ground water resource.
[00117] In an aspect, proposed system can divert any excess power being generated by the PV panels to the grid using reverse metering techniques and in this fashion, can generate revenue for its owners. In an exemplary embodiment, such revenue generation can be done at higher slab rates of power under the norms of local State Govt.
[00118] In another aspect, proposed system can use highly efficient products and techniques to optimize its operational efficiency and compensate the effect of low solar irradiation. In an exemplary embodiment, such products and techniques can use using direct, diffused and lost light with bifacial PV modules, using permanent magnet motor for the irrigation pump to achieve energy efficiency, and using timer based forced water spray cooling system for the PV panel to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of PV panel on account of dust accumulation.
[00119] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be equipped with a solar tracker system that is totally self-contained. That is, it can use the solar heat only to position the panels to always face the sun and thereby generate maximum solar power without needing any additional power supply.
[00120] In an aspect, the motor of water pump of proposed system can be coupled with grid-tie inverter that can enable running of the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel and if that is not sufficient, proposed system can instead draw power from the grid, in the event of an emergency breakdown or when IPMS is shut down/ bypassed.
[00121] In another aspect, proposed system can be integrated with a solar fence for safety of wild life and school going kids as well as its components such as PV Panels, IPMS, storage battery etc. Further, PV panels can be equipped with Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning protection system to reduce risk of and damage from lightning strikes.
[00122] In an aspect, proposed system can be diagnosed remotely using applications and devices configured to send and receive data from the system using the cloud. Such data can include, for example, operational instructions as well as fault alerts and diagnosis of various components for prompt corrective measures.
[00123] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be well integrated with a water harvesting system to “charge back” the geo hydrology. In an exemplary embodiment, a rain water/irrigation water harvesting system can be created using a circular/square zone of about 20 feet and 10 feet depth around the irrigation pump. Any rain water surrounding in and around this zone can be harvested back to increase the ground water level.
[00124] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.
[00125] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall architecture of proposed system to illustrate its functioning, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00126] In an aspect, proposed system can include an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) 102 operatively connected to a Photo Voltaic (PV) Panel 106, a battery 108, a power grid 110 and irrigation (water) pump 104.
[00127] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be operatively configured to communicate with a remote server using GSM enabled features of IPMS 102. The remote server can be configured in the cloud/server 112. Such communications can include sending of all relevant data for operation and diagnostics of proposed system online.
[00128] Likewise, proposed system can receive via IPMS 102 various control instructions for its operation and rectification of any defects /faults from a user that can use a computing device 114 to connect to server 112 for the purpose online. In an exemplary embodiment, proposed system can include a website accessible by any internet enabled computing device, the website providing necessary user interfaces for receiving and sending data to various sub-systems of the proposed system, using IPMS 102. In another exemplary embodiment, proposed system can include a mobile application that can be downloaded and installed on any internet enabled mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet to communicate data to and from IPMS 102 via Bluetooth offline where GSM connectivity is not available and upload the data to cloud 112 from internet connectivity area and make inaccessible data thus available.
[00129] In this fashion, system proposed can enable remote monitoring and diagnosis of various items connected to it. In alternate exemplary embodiments this can include but is not limited to, power available at the PV panel 106, battery 108 and grid 110, charge/discharge status of battery 108, electric power required by irrigation pump 104, any fault at any of these components, enabling diagnostics and optimization of the complete system etc.
[00130] In an aspect, cloud 112 can be integrated with a customer service application that can record all fault conditions and pass information regarding them to service executives for their prompt and appropriate action.
[00131] In another aspect, proposed system can automatically select and dynamically change electric power supply source for irrigation pump 104 depending upon power available at each source, with priority being given to solar power available at PV panel 106 as elaborated hereunder.
[00132] In an aspect, if power available at PV panel 106 is sufficient to drive pump 104, proposed system can take power only from PV panel 106. Excess power available at PV panel 106 can be used firstly to charge battery 108 and once the battery 108 is fully charged (or charged beyond a first threshold) can be transferred via reverse metering techniques to grid 110.
[00133] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel 106 is not sufficient to drive pump 104, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery 108. In an exemplary embodiment, if PV panel 106 can supply only 60% of power required and battery 108 can supply the remaining 40 %, proposed system will enable such an addition and so, still avoid taking any power from grid 110. When power available at PV panel 106 added to that available at battery 108 is more than that needed by pump 104, excess power can be transferred using reverse metering techniques to grid 110.
[00134] In yet another aspect, if the sum total of power available at PV panel 106 and battery 108 is not sufficient for pump 104, IPMS 102 can instead take complete power from grid 110 and start using power available at PV panel 106 to charge battery 108. Once the battery 108 is fully charged, power available at PV panel 106 can be transmitted via reverse metering techniques to grid 110.
[00135] In this fashion, proposed system can take power firstly from a group comprising any or a combination of PV panel 106 and battery 108, and, if such power is not sufficient, take complete power required by pump 104 from grid 110. As can be appreciated, proposed system minimizes energy off take from fossil based energy systems and instead maximizes energy off take from green and renewable energy systems.
[00136] In another aspect, as soon as sum total of power available at PV panel 106 and battery 108 becomes sufficient for pump 104, proposed system can stop drawing power from grid 110 and instead enable pump 104 to take its power requirements from a combination of PV panel 106 and battery 108.
[00137] In an exemplary embodiment, a wind energy source can also be integrated with proposed system to provide wind energy to battery 108 when available and provide such energy back to grid 110 via reverse metering once battery 108 is fully charged (or charged beyond a second threshold).
[00138] In this way, proposed system can ensure least possible intake of energy from fossil based power systems such as the grid 110 and maximum possible intake of energy from ‘green’ and ‘renewable’ sources such as solar energy, wind energy and battery, while enabling the irrigation pump 104 to operate under all conditions such as cloudy days etc.
[00139] In an aspect, proposed system can enable dynamic regulated power intake from grid 110, limiting such energy intake only up to a predetermined number of energy units and then stopping any further intake from grid 110. In an exemplary embodiment, if at a place energy tariffs go up if energy taken from grid goes beyond 600 units a month, proposed system can monitor such intake from the grid in dynamic manner not exceeding 20 units/day and the unused units of the day, if any, can be added back for availability in any other day of the month, if required, in a manner that energy intake from the grid consumption does not exceed 600 units in the month and allow only other sources of energy as elaborated above for pump 104 for rest of the month if the permissible units are exhausted before the month ends. Such a plan can for example, intelligently utilize the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company and accordingly debt liability of farmers can be restricted to minimum, if any, at all times.
[00140] It can be readily appreciated that pumping systems utilizing proposed system consume much less fossil based energy. Put other way, they are highly energy efficient. Energy supplied from the grid can be substantially reduced by 60 – 80% at least.
[00141] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of working of proposed system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00142] In an aspect, the method can include, at step 202, operating an irrigation pump using power available at a PV panel.
[00143] In another aspect, the method can include, at step 204, determining whether power available at the PV panel is greater than that required by the irrigation pump.
[00144] In yet another aspect, the method can include going back to step 202 when power available at the PV panel is not greater than that required by the irrigation pump.
[00145] In an aspect, the method can include, at step 206, using the excess power to charge a battery operatively connected to the PV panel when power available at the PV panel is greater than that required by the irrigation pump.
[00146] In another aspect, the method can include, at step 208, determining whether power available at the PV panel added to that available at the battery is sufficient to power the irrigation pump.
[00147] In yet another aspect, the method can include, at step 210, operating the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel added to that available at the battery when power available at the PV panel added to that available at the battery is sufficient to power the irrigation pump
[00148] In an aspect, the method can include, at step 212, operating the irrigation pump using power from a grid when power available at the PV panel added to that available at the battery is not sufficient to power the irrigation pump.
[00149] In an aspect, the method can include, at step 214, stopping operation of the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required based on crop behavior pattern and then supplying power available at the PV panel to charge the battery or to the grid, as necessary. In an exemplary embodiment, this can be, for example, when rainfall has sufficiently irrigated the agriculture field or crop behavior pattern requires less water for irrigation. This avoids wastage of water and conserves energy.
[00150] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other or in contact each other). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.
[00151] Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[00152] While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those are completely exemplary in nature. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as elaborated herein only and it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. All such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents are completely within the scope of the present disclosure. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[00153] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system with intelligent power management that reduces to the minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy.
[00154] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun or wind is not lost but instead is stored to be used when required.
[00155] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun can also be used to generate revenue.
[00156] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system that can be diagnosed for its electrical, electronic and mechanical faults remotely using cloud based systems and applications and wherein plurality of such systems can be so remotely diagnosed.
[00157] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system that uses grid power only at lowest possible tariff rates.
[00158] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system that uses a self-contained solar tracker system to generate maximum solar energy.
[00159] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system that intelligently analyzes a crop behavior pattern vis a vis rainfall and humidity; and proactively performs water resource management to avoid waste of ground water and conserve the electricity.
[0001] The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems. In particular, it pertains to a minor irrigation system with intelligent power management and water resource management features.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Irrigation is a method in which a controlled amount of water is supplied to the land at regular intervals for agriculture. It is used to assist in growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and re-vegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.
[0004] Typically, irrigation requires irrigation pump that pumps up the groundwater to the field. The mechanical drive to the irrigation pump is supplied power for its operation by various power sources such as diesel engines and electric motors. The use of diesel engines is highly polluting and expensive and as such electric motor is increasingly being used to operate the pump.
[0005] Irrigation requirements vary widely. Minor irrigation denotes irrigation of upto 2000 hectares of agriculture land. Requirement of water is dependant of crop and varies accordingly. Sometimes less water is required while at times, large amounts of water may be required in a short time period. At the same time, it is critical that such requirements be met in time else serious damage to plants may result. The supply of electric power from the grid though reliable but its supply is not dependable in remote villages. Added to that carbon footprint of grid is high since power generation for the grid mostly uses fossil fuels. Besides, it is expensive. Renewable energy sources such as sunlight, on the other hand, are inexpensive but are unreliable. For example, on a day with little sunlight or clouds, enough solar power may simply not be available to run the irrigation pump at all or for the required duration. There could be times, similarly, when power available at a PV panel may be in excess of that required by the connected irrigation pump and such power may simply go waste, for example when irrigation is not required.
[0006] Existing hybrid systems use only one power source at a time with grid-tie changeover. Such systems fail when, for example, grid is not available and solar radiation is also low. In such scenario the water pump shall not function and irrigation system shall fail causing a loss of crops.
[0007] Minor irrigation systems are widely dispersed over geographical locations and hence are difficult to diagnose in case a fault occurs in them.
[0008] Hence there is need for an irrigation system that can use different power sources in such a fashion so as to reduce to the minimum consumption of power from the grid (and its consequent carbon generation and expenses) and instead make maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy, saves power when not required, and wherein plurality of such systems can be remotely diagnosed.
[0009] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0010] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0011] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0012] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0013] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system with intelligent power management that reduces to a minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy.
[0016] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun or wind is not lost but instead is stored to be used when required.
[0017] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun or wind can also be used to generate revenue.
[0018] It is another object of the present disclosure that provides for an irrigation system that can be diagnosed for its electrical, electronic and mechanical faults remotely using cloud based systems and applications and wherein plurality of such systems can be so remotely diagnosed.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system that uses gird power only at lowest possible tariff rates.
[0020] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system that uses a self-contained solar tracker system to generate maximum solar energy.
[0021] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system that intelligently analyzes a crop behavior pattern vis a vis rainfall and humidity; and proactively performs water resource management to avoid waste of ground water and conserve the electricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems. In particular it pertains to an irrigation system with intelligent power management features that reduces to the minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy.
[0023] In an aspect, an irrigation system is proposed that can include an irrigation pump, at least one Photo Voltaic(PV) panel, at least one battery, an Intelligent Power Management System(IPMS), and a grid, wherein the system uses power from at least one element selected from a group consisting of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel is used to charge the at least one battery or is transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0024] In another aspect, proposed system can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required and can then supply power available at the at least one PV panel to the grid through reverse metering.
[0025] In another aspect, the proposed system can further include at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery as at least one additional option.
[0026] In yet another aspect, the at least one PV panel of the proposed system can be configured with a self-contained solar tracker system.
[0027] In an aspect, at least one proposed system’s health can be diagnosed using an upgradable algorithm via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In another aspect, a plurality of such systems can be connected to a central control system and so monitored.
[0028] In an aspect, the upgradable algorithm can evaluate data that can be generated by various sensors configured in the system against thresholds that can be fixed or set by a user and accordingly diagnose the system health. Such data can include, for example, data regarding any or a combination of power available at the PV panel, power available at the battery, power available at the grid, charge/discharge status of battery, electric power required by the irrigation pump, fault at any of the system’s components, alarms and alerts being generated at any of the system’s components and present and forecasted weather conditions at the irrigation system’s location etc., and the like.
[0029] In another aspect, the data can be transferred to a server configured in cloud and can in turn be received by an Internet enabled device. The user of the Internet enabled device can accordingly determine health of the system and can give appropriate instructions back to the system via the cloud itself. In another aspect, in case internet connectivity is not available at any time, system data can be stored offline at the system itself and loaded on to the cloud when internet connectivity is available. In yet another aspect, local data being stored at the system can be accessed by any NFC or Bluetooth enabled device and loaded on to the cloud from internet connectivity zone.
[0030] In yet another aspect, the thresholds being used by the upgradable algorithm can include performance levels expected from the system. The thresholds can be configured as different tiers, for example, poor performance, average performance, top performance etc. These thresholds can be set by a user of system proposed or can be automatically set by the system itself using, for example, historical data of past performance, and the like.
[0031] In an aspect, the algorithm can be upgraded by the user(s) of the proposed system to consider revised parameters including any or a combination of performance expected from the system, data regarding system’s and its components as elaborated above, environmental data, historical system performance data, crop behavior pattern and the like.
[0032] In an aspect, crop behavior pattern can include irrigation requirements of a crop during various times of its sowing, growth and harvesting. Such requirements vary across different crops. For example, water requirement during sowing of potato can be different from that of, for example, rice. Algorithm of system proposed can be set to the crop need pattern by a farmer for example, by making appropriate selections on user interface of proposed system or online and offline message instruction/selection from time to time with change of crop.
[0033] In another aspect, the proposed system can draw power from the grid only at lowest power tariff rates and can use the grid to charge the at least one storage battery in the night in case required.
[0034] An Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) is proposed that can be operatively connected to at least one PV panel, at least one battery, and a grid, wherein the IPMS can supply power to its connected load from any or a combination of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel can be used to charge the at least one battery or can be transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0035] In an aspect, the proposed IPMS can further be operatively connected to at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery.
[0036] In yet another aspect, the proposed IPMS can be configured with an upgradable algorithm to diagnose at least one of the connected load’s health via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, proposed IPMS can monitor a plurality of connected loads in this fashion.
[0037] In an aspect, a method of operating an irrigation system using an intelligent power management system (IPMS) is proposed wherein the method can include steps of operating an irrigation pump through at least one PV panel, wherein the PV panel can be configured to charge a battery that it is operatively coupled with such that when power available at the PV panel is not sufficient to power the irrigation pump, said battery can be used to supply balance power to the irrigation pump and wherein the IPMS can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required based on crop behavior pattern of crop being grown, and can then supply power available at the PV panel to a grid or to the battery.
[0038] In yet another aspect, proposed method can include configuring the grid to power the irrigation pump when power available at the at least one PV panel added to that available at the battery is not sufficient to power to the irrigation pump.
[0039] In an aspect, proposed method can include supplying balance power to the grid when the battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is greater than that required to power the irrigation pump.
[0040] In an aspect, proposed method can include supplying balance power to the grid when battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is not required for the irrigation pump.
[0041] In an aspect, proposed method can include discontinue supplying power to the pump in circumstances when the agriculture field is saturated with natural rain water and thereby avoid wastage of ground water.
[0042] In an aspect, proposed system can use renewable energy sources, especially solar energy via Photo Voltaic (PV) panels as a primary source of power and a storage battery (interchangeably termed as battery herein) as an auxiliary source of power to drive an irrigation pump. It can use power from a grid only when the primary and auxiliary sources are not sufficient. In this fashion, proposed system can enable transition to carbon free and renewable energy system. Proposed system can be used in minor irrigation and accelerated irrigation project requirements, particularly in areas with low solar irradiation. Various control aspects of the proposed system can be enabled using an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS).
[0043] In another aspect, proposed system can enable use of power available from the grid for the irrigation pump only when it is available at the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company.
[0044] In yet another aspect, any excess power available at the PV panels can be used to charge the storage battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be of prismatic energy density Lithium Ion Phosphate type and use a BMS (battery management system) for battery cell management.
[0045] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel is not sufficient to drive the pump, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery and only if the two sources of power put together are still not sufficient for the pump, supply power to the pump from the grid instead, while using the excess power now available at the PV panels to charge the battery. In this fashion, proposed system can ensure constant delivery of water to the field being served by the irrigation pump.
[0046] As can be understood from above, proposed system enables operation of the irrigation pump from PV panels, while using any excess power available at the PV panels to charge the storage battery, and further uses both the PV Panels and the storage battery to run the irrigation pump if power available at the PV panels is not sufficient. In this way proposed system enables bidirectional use of energy between a primary source (PV panels) and an auxiliary source (storage battery) and use of grid being minimal it enables transition to carbon free energy system.
[0047] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use the grid to charge the storage battery in the night in case required and can have an optional wind energy system to charge the storage battery at any time needed.
[0048] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use an intelligent water resource management system in conjunction with crop behavior pattern, rainfall and humidity to avoid wastage of water during irrigation when not required and thus minimizing its power requirements.
[0049] In an aspect, proposed system can divert any excess power being generated by the PV panels to the grid using reverse metering techniques and in this fashion, can generate revenue for its owners. In an exemplary embodiment, such revenue generation can be done at higher slab rate of power under the environmental /global warming norms of various Governments / electricity distribution authorities available for renewable energy such as , for example, COP22.
[0050] In another aspect, proposed system can use highly efficient products and techniques to optimize its operation efficiency and compensate the effect of low solar irradiation. In an exemplary embodiment, such products and techniques can use using direct, diffused and lost light with bifacial PV modules, using permanent magnet motor for the irrigation pump and using timer based forced water spray cooling system for the PV panel to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of PV panel on account of dust accumulation.
[0051] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be equipped with a solar tracker system that is totally self-contained. That is, it can use solar heat only to position the panels to always face the sun and thereby generate maximum solar power without needing any additional power supply.
[0052] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be nano coated with hydrophobic chemical on the top surface facing the sky such that dust and bird faeces do not stick on the panel top and get withered off with the blowing wind to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of the PV panel on account of such accumulation that hinders the light to the PV cells.
[0053] In an aspect, the motor of water pump of proposed system can be coupled with grid-tie inverter that can enable running of the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel and if that is not sufficient, draw power from the grid, in the event of an emergency breakdown or when IPMS is shut down/ bypassed.
[0054] In another aspect, proposed system can be integrated with a solar fencing system for safety of wild life and school going kids as well as its components such as PV Panels, IPMS, storage battery etc. Further, PV panels can be equipped with Early Streamer Emission lightning protection system to reduce risk of and damage from lightning strikes.
[0055] In an aspect, proposed system can be configured to have its faults and errors diagnosed remotely using applications and devices configured to send and receive data from the system using the cloud as well as offline. Such data can include, for example, operational instructions as well as fault alerts and diagnosis of various components for prompt corrective measures.
[0056] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be well integrated with a water harvesting system to “charge back” the geo hydrology. In an exemplary embodiment, a rain water/irrigation water harvesting system can be created using a circular/square zone of about 20 feet and depth of 10 feet around the irrigation pump. Any rain water within and surrounding this zone can be harvested back to increase the ground water level.
[0057] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0058] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0059] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall architecture of proposed system to illustrate its functioning, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of working of proposed system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0062] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0063] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.
[0064] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0065] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0066] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0067] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0068] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0069] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named element.
[0070] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0071] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0072] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0073] The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems. In particular it pertains to an irrigation system with intelligent power management features that reduces to the minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy and avoids wastage of ground water as well as renewable energy.
[0074] In an aspect, an irrigation system is proposed that can include an irrigation pump, at least one Photo Voltaic(PV) panel, at least one battery, an Intelligent Power Management System(IPMS), and a grid, wherein the system uses power from at least one element selected from a group consisting of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel is used to charge the at least one battery or is transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0075] In another aspect, proposed system can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required and can then supply power available at the at least one PV panel to the grid through reverse metering.
[0076] In another aspect, the proposed system can further include at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery when power generated by the at least one wind energy system is not sufficient to be transferred to the grid.
[0077] In yet another aspect, the at least one PV panel of the proposed system can be configured with a self-contained solar tracker system.
[0078] In an aspect, at least one proposed system’s health can be diagnosed using an upgradable algorithm via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In another aspect, a plurality of such systems can be connected to a central control system and so monitored.
[0079] In an aspect, the upgradable algorithm can evaluate data that can be generated by various sensors configured in the system against thresholds that can be fixed or set by a user and accordingly diagnose the system health. Such data can include, for example, data regarding any or a combination of power available at the PV panel, power available at the battery, power available at the grid, charge/discharge status of battery, electric power required by the irrigation pump, fault at any of the system’s components, alarms and alerts being generated at any of the system’s components and present and forecasted weather conditions at the irrigation system’s location, field moisture data etc., and the like.
[0080] In another aspect, the data can be transferred to a server configured in cloud and can in turn be received by an Internet enabled device. The user of the Internet enabled device can accordingly determine health of the system and can give appropriate instructions back to the system via the cloud itself. In another aspect, in case internet connectivity is not available at any time, system data can be stored offline at the system itself and loaded on to the cloud when internet connectivity is available. In yet another aspect, local data being stored at the system can be accessed by any NFC or Bluetooth enabled device and system health can be diagnosed locally and loaded on to the cloud from internet connectivity zone.
[0081] In yet another aspect, the thresholds being used by the upgradable algorithm can include performance levels expected from the system. The thresholds can be configured as different tiers, for example, poor performance, average performance, top performance etc. These thresholds can be set by a user of system proposed or can be automatically set by the system itself using, for example, historical data of past performance, and the like.
[0082] In an aspect, the algorithm can be upgraded by the user(s) of the proposed system to consider revised parameters including any or a combination of performance expected from the system, data regarding system’s and its components as elaborated above, environmental data, historical system performance data, crop behavior pattern and the like.
[0083] In an aspect, crop behavior pattern can include irrigation requirements of a crop during various times of its sowing, growth and harvesting. Such requirements vary across different crops. For example, water requirement during sowing of potato can be different from that of, for example, rice. Algorithm of system proposed can be set to crop need pattern by a farmer for example, by making appropriate selections on user interface of proposed system or online and offline message instruction/selection from time to time with change of crop.
[0084] In another aspect, the proposed system can draw power from the grid only at lowest power tariff rates and can use the grid to charge the at least one storage battery in the night in case required.
[0085] An Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) is proposed that can be operatively connected to at least one PV panel, at least one battery, and a grid, wherein the IPMS can supply power to its connected load from any or a combination of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel can be used to charge the at least one battery or can be transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0086] In an aspect, the proposed IPMS can further be operatively connected to at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery.
[0087] In yet another aspect, the proposed IPMS can be configured with an upgradable algorithm to diagnose at least one of the connected load’s health via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, proposed IPMS can monitor a plurality of connected loads in this fashion.
[0088] In an aspect, a method of operating an irrigation system using an intelligent power management system (IPMS) is proposed wherein the method can include steps of operating an irrigation pump through at least one PV panel, wherein the PV panel can be configured to charge a battery that it is operatively coupled with such that when power available at the PV panel is not sufficient to power the irrigation pump, said battery can be used to supply balance power to the irrigation pump and wherein the IPMS can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required based on crop behavior pattern of crop being grown, and can then supply power available at the PV panel to a grid or to the battery.
[0089] In yet another aspect, proposed method can include configuring the grid to power the irrigation pump when power available at the at least one PV panel added to that available at the battery is not sufficient to power to the irrigation pump.
[0090] In an aspect, proposed method can include supplying balance power to the grid when the battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is greater than that required to power the irrigation pump.
[0091] In an aspect, proposed method can include discontinue supplying power to the pump in circumstances when the agriculture field is saturated with natural rainfall and thereby avoid wastage of ground water.
[0092] In an aspect, proposed system can use renewable energy sources, especially solar energy via Photo Voltaic (PV) panels as a primary source of power and a storage battery (interchangeably termed as battery herein) as an auxiliary source of power to drive an irrigation pump. It can use power from a grid only when the primary and auxiliary sources are not sufficient. In this fashion, proposed system can enable transition to carbon free and renewable energy system. Proposed system can be used in minor irrigation and accelerated irrigation project requirements, particularly in areas with low solar irradiation. Various control aspects of the proposed system can be enabled using an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS).
[0093] In another aspect, proposed system can enable use of power available from the grid for the irrigation pump only when it is available at the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company.
[0094] In yet another aspect, any excess power available at the PV panels can be used to charge the storage battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be of prismatic energy density Lithium Ion Phosphate type and use a BMS (battery management system) for battery cell management.
[0095] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel is not sufficient to drive the pump, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery and only if the two sources of power put together are still not sufficient for the pump, supply power to the pump from the grid instead, while using the excess power now available at the PV panels to charge the battery. In this fashion, proposed system can ensure constant delivery of water to the field being served by the irrigation pump.
[0096] In an aspect, system proposed can determine irrigation requirement at any time based upon any or a combination of crop behavior pattern of crop being grown and field moisture data, and operate the irrigation pump to meet the irrigation requirement optimally, using non-polluting, renewable sources of energy to the maximum and carbon generating sources such as grid power to the minimum.
[0097] As can be understood from above, proposed system enables operation of the irrigation pump from PV panels, while using any excess power available at the PV panels to charge the storage battery, and further uses both the PV Panels and the storage battery to run the irrigation pump if power available at the PV panels is not sufficient. In this way proposed system enables bidirectional use of energy between a primary source (PV panels) and an auxiliary source (storage battery) and enables transition to carbon free energy system.
[0098] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use the grid to charge the storage battery in the night in case required and can have an optional wind energy system to charge the storage battery at any time needed.
[0099] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use an intelligent water resource management system to avoid wastage of water during irrigation when not required and thus minimizing its power requirements.
[00100] In an aspect, proposed system can divert any excess power being generated by the PV panels to the grid using reverse metering techniques and in this fashion, can generate revenue for its owners. In an exemplary embodiment, such revenue generation can be done at higher slab rate of power under the environmental /global warming norms of various Governments / electricity distribution authorities available for renewable energy such as , for example, COP22.
[00101] In another aspect, proposed system can use highly efficient products and techniques to optimize its operation efficiency and compensate the effect of low solar irradiation. In an exemplary embodiment, such products and techniques can use using direct, diffused and lost light with bifacial PV modules, using permanent magnet motor for the irrigation pump and using timer based forced water spray cooling system for the PV panel to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of PV panel on account of dust accumulation.
[00102] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be equipped with a solar tracker system that is totally self-contained. That is, it can use solar heat only to position the panels to always face the sun and thereby generate maximum solar power without needing any additional power supply.
[00103] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be nano coated with hydrophobic chemical on the top surface facing the sky such that dust and bird faeces do not stick on the panel top and get withered off with the blowing wind to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of the PV panel on account of such accumulation that hinders the light to the PV cells.
[00104] In an aspect, the motor of water pump of proposed system can be coupled with grid-tie inverter that can enable running of the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel and if that is not sufficient, draw power from the grid, in the event of an emergency breakdown or when IPMS is shut down/ bypassed.
[00105] In another aspect, proposed system can be integrated with a solar fencing system for safety of wild life and school going kids as well as its components such as PV Panels, IPMS, storage battery etc. Further, PV panels can be equipped with Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning protection system to reduce risk of and damage from lightning strikes.
[00106] In an aspect, proposed system can be configured to have its faults and errors diagnosed remotely using applications and devices configured to send and receive data from the system using the cloud as well as offline. Such data can include, for example, operational instructions as well as fault alerts and diagnosis of various components for prompt corrective measures.
[00107] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be well integrated with a water harvesting system to “charge back” the geo hydrology. In an exemplary embodiment, a rain water/irrigation water harvesting system can be created using a circular/square zone of about 20 feet and depth of 10 feet around the irrigation pump. Any rain water within and surrounding this zone can be harvested back to increase the ground water level.
[00108] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be configured with a self-contained solar tracker system that can follow the sun using solar heat intensity and inclination data that can be made available via the cloud to detect performance error, if any.
[00109] In yet another aspect, the proposed IPMS can be configured and upgraded with new versions of algorithm via the cloud based on real time feedback, demand and ongoing research and development to improve the system and make it adaptable to real time need of the crop agriculture behavior pattern and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions.
[00110] In an aspect, proposed system can use renewable energy sources, especially solar energy via Photo Voltaic (PV) panels as a primary source of power and a storage battery (interchangeably termed as battery herein) as an auxiliary source of power to drive an irrigation pump ( interchangeably termed as water pump or pump herein). It can use power from a grid only when the primary and auxiliary sources are not sufficient. In this fashion, proposed system can enable transition to carbon free and renewable energy sources. Proposed system can be used for minor irrigation and accelerated irrigation project requirements, particularly in areas with low solar irradiation. Various control aspects of the proposed system can be enabled using an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS).
[00111] In another aspect, proposed system can enable use of power available from the grid only when it is available at the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company.
[00112] In yet another aspect, any excess power available at the PV panels can be used to charge the storage battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be of prismatic energy density Lithium Ion Phosphate type and use a BMS (battery management system) for battery cell management.
[00113] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel is not sufficient to drive the pump, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery and only if the two sources of power put together are still not sufficient for the pump, supply power to the pump from the grid instead, while using the excess power now available at the PV panels to charge the battery. In this fashion, proposed system can ensure constant delivery of water to the field being served by the irrigation pump.
[00114] As can be understood from above, proposed system enables operation of the irrigation pump from PV panels, while using any excess power available at the PV panels to charge the storage battery, and further uses both the PV Panels and the storage battery to run the irrigation pump if power available at the PV panels is not sufficient. In this way proposed system enables bidirectional use of energy between a primary source (PV panels) and an auxiliary source (storage battery).
[00115] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use the grid to charge the storage battery in the night in case required and can have an optional wind energy system to charge the storage battery at any time needed.
[00116] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use an intelligent waste water resource management system to avoid wastage of water in irrigation when the agriculture field is saturated with rainfall and not use the water pump in such times or use the irrigation pump less based on crop behavior pattern feedback thus minimizing its power requirements and save ground water resource.
[00117] In an aspect, proposed system can divert any excess power being generated by the PV panels to the grid using reverse metering techniques and in this fashion, can generate revenue for its owners. In an exemplary embodiment, such revenue generation can be done at higher slab rates of power under the norms of local State Govt.
[00118] In another aspect, proposed system can use highly efficient products and techniques to optimize its operational efficiency and compensate the effect of low solar irradiation. In an exemplary embodiment, such products and techniques can use using direct, diffused and lost light with bifacial PV modules, using permanent magnet motor for the irrigation pump to achieve energy efficiency, and using timer based forced water spray cooling system for the PV panel to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of PV panel on account of dust accumulation.
[00119] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be equipped with a solar tracker system that is totally self-contained. That is, it can use the solar heat only to position the panels to always face the sun and thereby generate maximum solar power without needing any additional power supply.
[00120] In an aspect, the motor of water pump of proposed system can be coupled with grid-tie inverter that can enable running of the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel and if that is not sufficient, proposed system can instead draw power from the grid, in the event of an emergency breakdown or when IPMS is shut down/ bypassed.
[00121] In another aspect, proposed system can be integrated with a solar fence for safety of wild life and school going kids as well as its components such as PV Panels, IPMS, storage battery etc. Further, PV panels can be equipped with Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning protection system to reduce risk of and damage from lightning strikes.
[00122] In an aspect, proposed system can be diagnosed remotely using applications and devices configured to send and receive data from the system using the cloud. Such data can include, for example, operational instructions as well as fault alerts and diagnosis of various components for prompt corrective measures.
[00123] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be well integrated with a water harvesting system to “charge back” the geo hydrology. In an exemplary embodiment, a rain water/irrigation water harvesting system can be created using a circular/square zone of about 20 feet and 10 feet depth around the irrigation pump. Any rain water surrounding in and around this zone can be harvested back to increase the ground water level.
[00124] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.
[00125] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall architecture of proposed system to illustrate its functioning, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00126] In an aspect, proposed system can include an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) 102 operatively connected to a Photo Voltaic (PV) Panel 106, a battery 108, a power grid 110 and irrigation (water) pump 104.
[00127] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be operatively configured to communicate with a remote server using GSM enabled features of IPMS 102. The remote server can be configured in the cloud/server 112. Such communications can include sending of all relevant data for operation and diagnostics of proposed system online.
[00128] Likewise, proposed system can receive via IPMS 102 various control instructions for its operation and rectification of any defects /faults from a user that can use a computing device 114 to connect to server 112 for the purpose online. In an exemplary embodiment, proposed system can include a website accessible by any internet enabled computing device, the website providing necessary user interfaces for receiving and sending data to various sub-systems of the proposed system, using IPMS 102. In another exemplary embodiment, proposed system can include a mobile application that can be downloaded and installed on any internet enabled mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet to communicate data to and from IPMS 102 via Bluetooth offline where GSM connectivity is not available and upload the data to cloud 112 from internet connectivity area and make inaccessible data thus available.
[00129] In this fashion, system proposed can enable remote monitoring and diagnosis of various items connected to it. In alternate exemplary embodiments this can include but is not limited to, power available at the PV panel 106, battery 108 and grid 110, charge/discharge status of battery 108, electric power required by irrigation pump 104, any fault at any of these components, enabling diagnostics and optimization of the complete system etc.
[00130] In an aspect, cloud 112 can be integrated with a customer service application that can record all fault conditions and pass information regarding them to service executives for their prompt and appropriate action.
[00131] In another aspect, proposed system can automatically select and dynamically change electric power supply source for irrigation pump 104 depending upon power available at each source, with priority being given to solar power available at PV panel 106 as elaborated hereunder.
[00132] In an aspect, if power available at PV panel 106 is sufficient to drive pump 104, proposed system can take power only from PV panel 106. Excess power available at PV panel 106 can be used firstly to charge battery 108 and once the battery 108 is fully charged (or charged beyond a first threshold) can be transferred via reverse metering techniques to grid 110.
[00133] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel 106 is not sufficient to drive pump 104, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery 108. In an exemplary embodiment, if PV panel 106 can supply only 60% of power required and battery 108 can supply the remaining 40 %, proposed system will enable such an addition and so, still avoid taking any power from grid 110. When power available at PV panel 106 added to that available at battery 108 is more than that needed by pump 104, excess power can be transferred using reverse metering techniques to grid 110.
[00134] In yet another aspect, if the sum total of power available at PV panel 106 and battery 108 is not sufficient for pump 104, IPMS 102 can instead take complete power from grid 110 and start using power available at PV panel 106 to charge battery 108. Once the battery 108 is fully charged, power available at PV panel 106 can be transmitted via reverse metering techniques to grid 110.
[00135] In this fashion, proposed system can take power firstly from a group comprising any or a combination of PV panel 106 and battery 108, and, if such power is not sufficient, take complete power required by pump 104 from grid 110. As can be appreciated, proposed system minimizes energy off take from fossil based energy systems and instead maximizes energy off take from green and renewable energy systems.
[00136] In another aspect, as soon as sum total of power available at PV panel 106 and battery 108 becomes sufficient for pump 104, proposed system can stop drawing power from grid 110 and instead enable pump 104 to take its power requirements from a combination of PV panel 106 and battery 108.
[00137] In an exemplary embodiment, a wind energy source can also be integrated with proposed system to provide wind energy to battery 108 when available and provide such energy back to grid 110 via reverse metering once battery 108 is fully charged (or charged beyond a second threshold).
[00138] In this way, proposed system can ensure least possible intake of energy from fossil based power systems such as the grid 110 and maximum possible intake of energy from ‘green’ and ‘renewable’ sources such as solar energy, wind energy and battery, while enabling the irrigation pump 104 to operate under all conditions such as cloudy days etc.
[00139] In an aspect, proposed system can enable dynamic regulated power intake from grid 110, limiting such energy intake only up to a predetermined number of energy units and then stopping any further intake from grid 110. In an exemplary embodiment, if at a place energy tariffs go up if energy taken from grid goes beyond 600 units a month, proposed system can monitor such intake from the grid in dynamic manner not exceeding 20 units/day and the unused units of the day, if any, can be added back for availability in any other day of the month, if required, in a manner that energy intake from the grid consumption does not exceed 600 units in the month and allow only other sources of energy as elaborated above for pump 104 for rest of the month if the permissible units are exhausted before the month ends. Such a plan can for example, intelligently utilize the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company and accordingly debt liability of farmers can be restricted to minimum, if any, at all times.
[00140] It can be readily appreciated that pumping systems utilizing proposed system consume much less fossil based energy. Put other way, they are highly energy efficient. Energy supplied from the grid can be substantially reduced by 60 – 80% at least.
[00141] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of working of proposed system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00142] In an aspect, the method can include, at step 202, operating an irrigation pump using power available at a PV panel.
[00143] In another aspect, the method can include, at step 204, determining whether power available at the PV panel is greater than that required by the irrigation pump.
[00144] In yet another aspect, the method can include going back to step 202 when power available at the PV panel is not greater than that required by the irrigation pump.
[00145] In an aspect, the method can include, at step 206, using the excess power to charge a battery operatively connected to the PV panel when power available at the PV panel is greater than that required by the irrigation pump.
[00146] In another aspect, the method can include, at step 208, determining whether power available at the PV panel added to that available at the battery is sufficient to power the irrigation pump.
[00147] In yet another aspect, the method can include, at step 210, operating the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel added to that available at the battery when power available at the PV panel added to that available at the battery is sufficient to power the irrigation pump
[00148] In an aspect, the method can include, at step 212, operating the irrigation pump using power from a grid when power available at the PV panel added to that available at the battery is not sufficient to power the irrigation pump.
[00149] In an aspect, the method can include, at step 214, stopping operation of the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required based on crop behavior pattern and then supplying power available at the PV panel to charge the battery or to the grid, as necessary. In an exemplary embodiment, this can be, for example, when rainfall has sufficiently irrigated the agriculture field or crop behavior pattern requires less water for irrigation. This avoids wastage of water and conserves energy.
[00150] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other or in contact each other). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.
[00151] Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[00152] While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those are completely exemplary in nature. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as elaborated herein only and it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. All such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents are completely within the scope of the present disclosure. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[00153] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system with intelligent power management that reduces to the minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy.
[00154] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun or wind is not lost but instead is stored to be used when required.
[00155] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun can also be used to generate revenue.
[00156] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system that can be diagnosed for its electrical, electronic and mechanical faults remotely using cloud based systems and applications and wherein plurality of such systems can be so remotely diagnosed.
[00157] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system that uses grid power only at lowest possible tariff rates.
[00158] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system that uses a self-contained solar tracker system to generate maximum solar energy.
[00159] The present disclosure provides for an irrigation system that intelligently analyzes a crop behavior pattern vis a vis rainfall and humidity; and proactively performs water resource management to avoid waste of ground water and conserve the electricity.
[0001] The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems. In particular, it pertains to a minor irrigation system with intelligent power management and water resource management features.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Irrigation is a method in which a controlled amount of water is supplied to the land at regular intervals for agriculture. It is used to assist in growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and re-vegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.
[0004] Typically, irrigation requires irrigation pump that pumps up the groundwater to the field. The mechanical drive to the irrigation pump is supplied power for its operation by various power sources such as diesel engines and electric motors. The use of diesel engines is highly polluting and expensive and as such electric motor is increasingly being used to operate the pump.
[0005] Irrigation requirements vary widely. Minor irrigation denotes irrigation of upto 2000 hectares of agriculture land. Requirement of water is dependant of crop and varies accordingly. Sometimes less water is required while at times, large amounts of water may be required in a short time period. At the same time, it is critical that such requirements be met in time else serious damage to plants may result. The supply of electric power from the grid though reliable but its supply is not dependable in remote villages. Added to that carbon footprint of grid is high since power generation for the grid mostly uses fossil fuels. Besides, it is expensive. Renewable energy sources such as sunlight, on the other hand, are inexpensive but are unreliable. For example, on a day with little sunlight or clouds, enough solar power may simply not be available to run the irrigation pump at all or for the required duration. There could be times, similarly, when power available at a PV panel may be in excess of that required by the connected irrigation pump and such power may simply go waste, for example when irrigation is not required.
[0006] Existing hybrid systems use only one power source at a time with grid-tie changeover. Such systems fail when, for example, grid is not available and solar radiation is also low. In such scenario the water pump shall not function and irrigation system shall fail causing a loss of crops.
[0007] Minor irrigation systems are widely dispersed over geographical locations and hence are difficult to diagnose in case a fault occurs in them.
[0008] Hence there is need for an irrigation system that can use different power sources in such a fashion so as to reduce to the minimum consumption of power from the grid (and its consequent carbon generation and expenses) and instead make maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy, saves power when not required, and wherein plurality of such systems can be remotely diagnosed.
[0009] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0010] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0011] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0012] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0013] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system with intelligent power management that reduces to a minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy.
[0016] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun or wind is not lost but instead is stored to be used when required.
[0017] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system wherein any excess power from renewable sources such as sun or wind can also be used to generate revenue.
[0018] It is another object of the present disclosure that provides for an irrigation system that can be diagnosed for its electrical, electronic and mechanical faults remotely using cloud based systems and applications and wherein plurality of such systems can be so remotely diagnosed.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system that uses gird power only at lowest possible tariff rates.
[0020] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system that uses a self-contained solar tracker system to generate maximum solar energy.
[0021] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide for an irrigation system that intelligently analyzes a crop behavior pattern vis a vis rainfall and humidity; and proactively performs water resource management to avoid waste of ground water and conserve the electricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems. In particular it pertains to an irrigation system with intelligent power management features that reduces to the minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy.
[0023] In an aspect, an irrigation system is proposed that can include an irrigation pump, at least one Photo Voltaic(PV) panel, at least one battery, an Intelligent Power Management System(IPMS), and a grid, wherein the system uses power from at least one element selected from a group consisting of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel is used to charge the at least one battery or is transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0024] In another aspect, proposed system can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required and can then supply power available at the at least one PV panel to the grid through reverse metering.
[0025] In another aspect, the proposed system can further include at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery as at least one additional option.
[0026] In yet another aspect, the at least one PV panel of the proposed system can be configured with a self-contained solar tracker system.
[0027] In an aspect, at least one proposed system’s health can be diagnosed using an upgradable algorithm via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In another aspect, a plurality of such systems can be connected to a central control system and so monitored.
[0028] In an aspect, the upgradable algorithm can evaluate data that can be generated by various sensors configured in the system against thresholds that can be fixed or set by a user and accordingly diagnose the system health. Such data can include, for example, data regarding any or a combination of power available at the PV panel, power available at the battery, power available at the grid, charge/discharge status of battery, electric power required by the irrigation pump, fault at any of the system’s components, alarms and alerts being generated at any of the system’s components and present and forecasted weather conditions at the irrigation system’s location etc., and the like.
[0029] In another aspect, the data can be transferred to a server configured in cloud and can in turn be received by an Internet enabled device. The user of the Internet enabled device can accordingly determine health of the system and can give appropriate instructions back to the system via the cloud itself. In another aspect, in case internet connectivity is not available at any time, system data can be stored offline at the system itself and loaded on to the cloud when internet connectivity is available. In yet another aspect, local data being stored at the system can be accessed by any NFC or Bluetooth enabled device and loaded on to the cloud from internet connectivity zone.
[0030] In yet another aspect, the thresholds being used by the upgradable algorithm can include performance levels expected from the system. The thresholds can be configured as different tiers, for example, poor performance, average performance, top performance etc. These thresholds can be set by a user of system proposed or can be automatically set by the system itself using, for example, historical data of past performance, and the like.
[0031] In an aspect, the algorithm can be upgraded by the user(s) of the proposed system to consider revised parameters including any or a combination of performance expected from the system, data regarding system’s and its components as elaborated above, environmental data, historical system performance data, crop behavior pattern and the like.
[0032] In an aspect, crop behavior pattern can include irrigation requirements of a crop during various times of its sowing, growth and harvesting. Such requirements vary across different crops. For example, water requirement during sowing of potato can be different from that of, for example, rice. Algorithm of system proposed can be set to the crop need pattern by a farmer for example, by making appropriate selections on user interface of proposed system or online and offline message instruction/selection from time to time with change of crop.
[0033] In another aspect, the proposed system can draw power from the grid only at lowest power tariff rates and can use the grid to charge the at least one storage battery in the night in case required.
[0034] An Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) is proposed that can be operatively connected to at least one PV panel, at least one battery, and a grid, wherein the IPMS can supply power to its connected load from any or a combination of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel can be used to charge the at least one battery or can be transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0035] In an aspect, the proposed IPMS can further be operatively connected to at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery.
[0036] In yet another aspect, the proposed IPMS can be configured with an upgradable algorithm to diagnose at least one of the connected load’s health via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, proposed IPMS can monitor a plurality of connected loads in this fashion.
[0037] In an aspect, a method of operating an irrigation system using an intelligent power management system (IPMS) is proposed wherein the method can include steps of operating an irrigation pump through at least one PV panel, wherein the PV panel can be configured to charge a battery that it is operatively coupled with such that when power available at the PV panel is not sufficient to power the irrigation pump, said battery can be used to supply balance power to the irrigation pump and wherein the IPMS can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required based on crop behavior pattern of crop being grown, and can then supply power available at the PV panel to a grid or to the battery.
[0038] In yet another aspect, proposed method can include configuring the grid to power the irrigation pump when power available at the at least one PV panel added to that available at the battery is not sufficient to power to the irrigation pump.
[0039] In an aspect, proposed method can include supplying balance power to the grid when the battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is greater than that required to power the irrigation pump.
[0040] In an aspect, proposed method can include supplying balance power to the grid when battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is not required for the irrigation pump.
[0041] In an aspect, proposed method can include discontinue supplying power to the pump in circumstances when the agriculture field is saturated with natural rain water and thereby avoid wastage of ground water.
[0042] In an aspect, proposed system can use renewable energy sources, especially solar energy via Photo Voltaic (PV) panels as a primary source of power and a storage battery (interchangeably termed as battery herein) as an auxiliary source of power to drive an irrigation pump. It can use power from a grid only when the primary and auxiliary sources are not sufficient. In this fashion, proposed system can enable transition to carbon free and renewable energy system. Proposed system can be used in minor irrigation and accelerated irrigation project requirements, particularly in areas with low solar irradiation. Various control aspects of the proposed system can be enabled using an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS).
[0043] In another aspect, proposed system can enable use of power available from the grid for the irrigation pump only when it is available at the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company.
[0044] In yet another aspect, any excess power available at the PV panels can be used to charge the storage battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be of prismatic energy density Lithium Ion Phosphate type and use a BMS (battery management system) for battery cell management.
[0045] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel is not sufficient to drive the pump, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery and only if the two sources of power put together are still not sufficient for the pump, supply power to the pump from the grid instead, while using the excess power now available at the PV panels to charge the battery. In this fashion, proposed system can ensure constant delivery of water to the field being served by the irrigation pump.
[0046] As can be understood from above, proposed system enables operation of the irrigation pump from PV panels, while using any excess power available at the PV panels to charge the storage battery, and further uses both the PV Panels and the storage battery to run the irrigation pump if power available at the PV panels is not sufficient. In this way proposed system enables bidirectional use of energy between a primary source (PV panels) and an auxiliary source (storage battery) and use of grid being minimal it enables transition to carbon free energy system.
[0047] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use the grid to charge the storage battery in the night in case required and can have an optional wind energy system to charge the storage battery at any time needed.
[0048] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use an intelligent water resource management system in conjunction with crop behavior pattern, rainfall and humidity to avoid wastage of water during irrigation when not required and thus minimizing its power requirements.
[0049] In an aspect, proposed system can divert any excess power being generated by the PV panels to the grid using reverse metering techniques and in this fashion, can generate revenue for its owners. In an exemplary embodiment, such revenue generation can be done at higher slab rate of power under the environmental /global warming norms of various Governments / electricity distribution authorities available for renewable energy such as , for example, COP22.
[0050] In another aspect, proposed system can use highly efficient products and techniques to optimize its operation efficiency and compensate the effect of low solar irradiation. In an exemplary embodiment, such products and techniques can use using direct, diffused and lost light with bifacial PV modules, using permanent magnet motor for the irrigation pump and using timer based forced water spray cooling system for the PV panel to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of PV panel on account of dust accumulation.
[0051] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be equipped with a solar tracker system that is totally self-contained. That is, it can use solar heat only to position the panels to always face the sun and thereby generate maximum solar power without needing any additional power supply.
[0052] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be nano coated with hydrophobic chemical on the top surface facing the sky such that dust and bird faeces do not stick on the panel top and get withered off with the blowing wind to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of the PV panel on account of such accumulation that hinders the light to the PV cells.
[0053] In an aspect, the motor of water pump of proposed system can be coupled with grid-tie inverter that can enable running of the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel and if that is not sufficient, draw power from the grid, in the event of an emergency breakdown or when IPMS is shut down/ bypassed.
[0054] In another aspect, proposed system can be integrated with a solar fencing system for safety of wild life and school going kids as well as its components such as PV Panels, IPMS, storage battery etc. Further, PV panels can be equipped with Early Streamer Emission lightning protection system to reduce risk of and damage from lightning strikes.
[0055] In an aspect, proposed system can be configured to have its faults and errors diagnosed remotely using applications and devices configured to send and receive data from the system using the cloud as well as offline. Such data can include, for example, operational instructions as well as fault alerts and diagnosis of various components for prompt corrective measures.
[0056] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be well integrated with a water harvesting system to “charge back” the geo hydrology. In an exemplary embodiment, a rain water/irrigation water harvesting system can be created using a circular/square zone of about 20 feet and depth of 10 feet around the irrigation pump. Any rain water within and surrounding this zone can be harvested back to increase the ground water level.
[0057] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0058] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0059] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall architecture of proposed system to illustrate its functioning, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of working of proposed system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0062] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0063] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.
[0064] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0065] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0066] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0067] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0068] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0069] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named element.
[0070] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0071] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0072] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0073] The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems. In particular it pertains to an irrigation system with intelligent power management features that reduces to the minimum consumption of power from the grid and instead makes maximum use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy and avoids wastage of ground water as well as renewable energy.
[0074] In an aspect, an irrigation system is proposed that can include an irrigation pump, at least one Photo Voltaic(PV) panel, at least one battery, an Intelligent Power Management System(IPMS), and a grid, wherein the system uses power from at least one element selected from a group consisting of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel is used to charge the at least one battery or is transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0075] In another aspect, proposed system can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required and can then supply power available at the at least one PV panel to the grid through reverse metering.
[0076] In another aspect, the proposed system can further include at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery when power generated by the at least one wind energy system is not sufficient to be transferred to the grid.
[0077] In yet another aspect, the at least one PV panel of the proposed system can be configured with a self-contained solar tracker system.
[0078] In an aspect, at least one proposed system’s health can be diagnosed using an upgradable algorithm via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In another aspect, a plurality of such systems can be connected to a central control system and so monitored.
[0079] In an aspect, the upgradable algorithm can evaluate data that can be generated by various sensors configured in the system against thresholds that can be fixed or set by a user and accordingly diagnose the system health. Such data can include, for example, data regarding any or a combination of power available at the PV panel, power available at the battery, power available at the grid, charge/discharge status of battery, electric power required by the irrigation pump, fault at any of the system’s components, alarms and alerts being generated at any of the system’s components and present and forecasted weather conditions at the irrigation system’s location, field moisture data etc., and the like.
[0080] In another aspect, the data can be transferred to a server configured in cloud and can in turn be received by an Internet enabled device. The user of the Internet enabled device can accordingly determine health of the system and can give appropriate instructions back to the system via the cloud itself. In another aspect, in case internet connectivity is not available at any time, system data can be stored offline at the system itself and loaded on to the cloud when internet connectivity is available. In yet another aspect, local data being stored at the system can be accessed by any NFC or Bluetooth enabled device and system health can be diagnosed locally and loaded on to the cloud from internet connectivity zone.
[0081] In yet another aspect, the thresholds being used by the upgradable algorithm can include performance levels expected from the system. The thresholds can be configured as different tiers, for example, poor performance, average performance, top performance etc. These thresholds can be set by a user of system proposed or can be automatically set by the system itself using, for example, historical data of past performance, and the like.
[0082] In an aspect, the algorithm can be upgraded by the user(s) of the proposed system to consider revised parameters including any or a combination of performance expected from the system, data regarding system’s and its components as elaborated above, environmental data, historical system performance data, crop behavior pattern and the like.
[0083] In an aspect, crop behavior pattern can include irrigation requirements of a crop during various times of its sowing, growth and harvesting. Such requirements vary across different crops. For example, water requirement during sowing of potato can be different from that of, for example, rice. Algorithm of system proposed can be set to crop need pattern by a farmer for example, by making appropriate selections on user interface of proposed system or online and offline message instruction/selection from time to time with change of crop.
[0084] In another aspect, the proposed system can draw power from the grid only at lowest power tariff rates and can use the grid to charge the at least one storage battery in the night in case required.
[0085] An Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) is proposed that can be operatively connected to at least one PV panel, at least one battery, and a grid, wherein the IPMS can supply power to its connected load from any or a combination of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel can be used to charge the at least one battery or can be transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
[0086] In an aspect, the proposed IPMS can further be operatively connected to at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery.
[0087] In yet another aspect, the proposed IPMS can be configured with an upgradable algorithm to diagnose at least one of the connected load’s health via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, proposed IPMS can monitor a plurality of connected loads in this fashion.
[0088] In an aspect, a method of operating an irrigation system using an intelligent power management system (IPMS) is proposed wherein the method can include steps of operating an irrigation pump through at least one PV panel, wherein the PV panel can be configured to charge a battery that it is operatively coupled with such that when power available at the PV panel is not sufficient to power the irrigation pump, said battery can be used to supply balance power to the irrigation pump and wherein the IPMS can stop the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required based on crop behavior pattern of crop being grown, and can then supply power available at the PV panel to a grid or to the battery.
[0089] In yet another aspect, proposed method can include configuring the grid to power the irrigation pump when power available at the at least one PV panel added to that available at the battery is not sufficient to power to the irrigation pump.
[0090] In an aspect, proposed method can include supplying balance power to the grid when the battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is greater than that required to power the irrigation pump.
[0091] In an aspect, proposed method can include discontinue supplying power to the pump in circumstances when the agriculture field is saturated with natural rainfall and thereby avoid wastage of ground water.
[0092] In an aspect, proposed system can use renewable energy sources, especially solar energy via Photo Voltaic (PV) panels as a primary source of power and a storage battery (interchangeably termed as battery herein) as an auxiliary source of power to drive an irrigation pump. It can use power from a grid only when the primary and auxiliary sources are not sufficient. In this fashion, proposed system can enable transition to carbon free and renewable energy system. Proposed system can be used in minor irrigation and accelerated irrigation project requirements, particularly in areas with low solar irradiation. Various control aspects of the proposed system can be enabled using an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS).
[0093] In another aspect, proposed system can enable use of power available from the grid for the irrigation pump only when it is available at the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company.
[0094] In yet another aspect, any excess power available at the PV panels can be used to charge the storage battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be of prismatic energy density Lithium Ion Phosphate type and use a BMS (battery management system) for battery cell management.
[0095] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel is not sufficient to drive the pump, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery and only if the two sources of power put together are still not sufficient for the pump, supply power to the pump from the grid instead, while using the excess power now available at the PV panels to charge the battery. In this fashion, proposed system can ensure constant delivery of water to the field being served by the irrigation pump.
[0096] In an aspect, system proposed can determine irrigation requirement at any time based upon any or a combination of crop behavior pattern of crop being grown and field moisture data, and operate the irrigation pump to meet the irrigation requirement optimally, using non-polluting, renewable sources of energy to the maximum and carbon generating sources such as grid power to the minimum.
[0097] As can be understood from above, proposed system enables operation of the irrigation pump from PV panels, while using any excess power available at the PV panels to charge the storage battery, and further uses both the PV Panels and the storage battery to run the irrigation pump if power available at the PV panels is not sufficient. In this way proposed system enables bidirectional use of energy between a primary source (PV panels) and an auxiliary source (storage battery) and enables transition to carbon free energy system.
[0098] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use the grid to charge the storage battery in the night in case required and can have an optional wind energy system to charge the storage battery at any time needed.
[0099] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use an intelligent water resource management system to avoid wastage of water during irrigation when not required and thus minimizing its power requirements.
[00100] In an aspect, proposed system can divert any excess power being generated by the PV panels to the grid using reverse metering techniques and in this fashion, can generate revenue for its owners. In an exemplary embodiment, such revenue generation can be done at higher slab rate of power under the environmental /global warming norms of various Governments / electricity distribution authorities available for renewable energy such as , for example, COP22.
[00101] In another aspect, proposed system can use highly efficient products and techniques to optimize its operation efficiency and compensate the effect of low solar irradiation. In an exemplary embodiment, such products and techniques can use using direct, diffused and lost light with bifacial PV modules, using permanent magnet motor for the irrigation pump and using timer based forced water spray cooling system for the PV panel to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of PV panel on account of dust accumulation.
[00102] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be equipped with a solar tracker system that is totally self-contained. That is, it can use solar heat only to position the panels to always face the sun and thereby generate maximum solar power without needing any additional power supply.
[00103] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be nano coated with hydrophobic chemical on the top surface facing the sky such that dust and bird faeces do not stick on the panel top and get withered off with the blowing wind to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of the PV panel on account of such accumulation that hinders the light to the PV cells.
[00104] In an aspect, the motor of water pump of proposed system can be coupled with grid-tie inverter that can enable running of the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel and if that is not sufficient, draw power from the grid, in the event of an emergency breakdown or when IPMS is shut down/ bypassed.
[00105] In another aspect, proposed system can be integrated with a solar fencing system for safety of wild life and school going kids as well as its components such as PV Panels, IPMS, storage battery etc. Further, PV panels can be equipped with Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning protection system to reduce risk of and damage from lightning strikes.
[00106] In an aspect, proposed system can be configured to have its faults and errors diagnosed remotely using applications and devices configured to send and receive data from the system using the cloud as well as offline. Such data can include, for example, operational instructions as well as fault alerts and diagnosis of various components for prompt corrective measures.
[00107] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be well integrated with a water harvesting system to “charge back” the geo hydrology. In an exemplary embodiment, a rain water/irrigation water harvesting system can be created using a circular/square zone of about 20 feet and depth of 10 feet around the irrigation pump. Any rain water within and surrounding this zone can be harvested back to increase the ground water level.
[00108] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be configured with a self-contained solar tracker system that can follow the sun using solar heat intensity and inclination data that can be made available via the cloud to detect performance error, if any.
[00109] In yet another aspect, the proposed IPMS can be configured and upgraded with new versions of algorithm via the cloud based on real time feedback, demand and ongoing research and development to improve the system and make it adaptable to real time need of the crop agriculture behavior pattern and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions.
[00110] In an aspect, proposed system can use renewable energy sources, especially solar energy via Photo Voltaic (PV) panels as a primary source of power and a storage battery (interchangeably termed as battery herein) as an auxiliary source of power to drive an irrigation pump ( interchangeably termed as water pump or pump herein). It can use power from a grid only when the primary and auxiliary sources are not sufficient. In this fashion, proposed system can enable transition to carbon free and renewable energy sources. Proposed system can be used for minor irrigation and accelerated irrigation project requirements, particularly in areas with low solar irradiation. Various control aspects of the proposed system can be enabled using an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS).
[00111] In another aspect, proposed system can enable use of power available from the grid only when it is available at the low tariff plan schedule of electric supply company.
[00112] In yet another aspect, any excess power available at the PV panels can be used to charge the storage battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be of prismatic energy density Lithium Ion Phosphate type and use a BMS (battery management system) for battery cell management.
[00113] In another aspect, if power available at PV panel is not sufficient to drive the pump, proposed system can first attempt to take balance power from battery and only if the two sources of power put together are still not sufficient for the pump, supply power to the pump from the grid instead, while using the excess power now available at the PV panels to charge the battery. In this fashion, proposed system can ensure constant delivery of water to the field being served by the irrigation pump.
[00114] As can be understood from above, proposed system enables operation of the irrigation pump from PV panels, while using any excess power available at the PV panels to charge the storage battery, and further uses both the PV Panels and the storage battery to run the irrigation pump if power available at the PV panels is not sufficient. In this way proposed system enables bidirectional use of energy between a primary source (PV panels) and an auxiliary source (storage battery).
[00115] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use the grid to charge the storage battery in the night in case required and can have an optional wind energy system to charge the storage battery at any time needed.
[00116] In yet another aspect, proposed system can use an intelligent waste water resource management system to avoid wastage of water in irrigation when the agriculture field is saturated with rainfall and not use the water pump in such times or use the irrigation pump less based on crop behavior pattern feedback thus minimizing its power requirements and save ground water resource.
[00117] In an aspect, proposed system can divert any excess power being generated by the PV panels to the grid using reverse metering techniques and in this fashion, can generate revenue for its owners. In an exemplary embodiment, such revenue generation can be done at higher slab rates of power under the norms of local State Govt.
[00118] In another aspect, proposed system can use highly efficient products and techniques to optimize its operational efficiency and compensate the effect of low solar irradiation. In an exemplary embodiment, such products and techniques can use using direct, diffused and lost light with bifacial PV modules, using permanent magnet motor for the irrigation pump to achieve energy efficiency, and using timer based forced water spray cooling system for the PV panel to minimize the effect of efficiency losses of PV panel on account of dust accumulation.
[00119] In yet another aspect, PV panels used in proposed system can be equipped with a solar tracker system that is totally self-contained. That is, it can use the solar heat only to position the panels to always face the sun and thereby generate maximum solar power without needing any additional power supply.
[00120] In an aspect, the motor of water pump of proposed system can be coupled with grid-tie inverter that can enable running of the irrigation pump using power available at the PV panel and if that is not sufficient, proposed system can instead draw power from the grid, in the event of an emergency breakdown or when IPMS is shut down/ bypassed.
[00121] In another aspect, proposed system can be integrated with a solar fence for safety of wild life and school going kids as well as its components such as PV Panels, IPMS, storage battery etc. Further, PV panels can be equipped with Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning protection system to reduce risk of and damage from lightning strikes.
[00122] In an aspect, proposed system can be diagnosed remotely using applications and devices configured to send and receive data from the system using the cloud. Such data can include, for example, operational instructions as well as fault alerts and diagnosis of various components for prompt corrective measures.
[00123] In yet another aspect, proposed system can be well integrated with a water harvesting system to “charge back” the geo hydrology. In an exemplary embodiment, a rain water/irrigation water harvesting system can be created using a circular/square zone of about 20 feet and 10 feet depth around the irrigation pump. Any rain water surrounding in and around this zone can be harvested back to increase the ground water level.
[00124] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.
[00125] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall architecture of proposed system to illustrate its functioning, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claims:1. An irrigation system comprising an irrigation pump, at least one Photo Voltaic(PV) panel, at least one battery, an Intelligent Power Management System(IPMS), and a grid, wherein the system uses power from at least one element selected from a group consisting of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel is used to charge the at least one battery or is transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system stops operation of the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required and then supplies power available at the at least one PV panel to the grid through reverse metering.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery when power generated by the at least one wind energy system is not sufficient to be transferred to the grid.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one PV panel is configured with a self-contained solar tracker system.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said system’s health is diagnosed using an upgradable algorithm via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system draws power from the grid only at lowest power tariff rates.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system uses the grid to charge the at least one storage battery in the night in case required.
8. An Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) operatively connected to at least one PV panel, at least one battery, and a grid, wherein the IPMS supplies power to its connected load from any or a combination of the at least one PV panel and the at least one battery, and the grid, and in that order; and wherein any excess power available at the at least one PV panel is used to charge the at least one battery or is transferred to the grid after the at least one battery is charged beyond a first threshold.
9. The IPMS of claim 7, wherein the IPMS is further operatively connected to at least one wind energy system to charge the at least one battery.
10. The IPMS of claim 7, wherein the IPMS is configured with an upgradable algorithm to diagnose at least one of the connected load’s health via any or a combination of cloud and offline using at least one computing device employing any or a combination of Internet, GPS, GPRS, GSM, NFC and Bluetooth and using data comprising any or a combination of operational instructions, fault alerts, diagnostic data and corrective instructions.
11. A method of operating an irrigation system using an intelligent power management system (IPMS), the method comprising the steps of:
operating an irrigation pump through at least one PV panel, wherein the PV panel is configured to charge a battery that it is operatively coupled with such that when power available at the PV panel is not sufficient to power the irrigation pump, said battery is used to supply balance power to the irrigation pump and wherein the IPMS stops the irrigation pump when irrigation is not required based on crop behavior pattern of crop being grown, and then supplies power available at the PV panel to a grid or to the battery.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein if power available at the at least one PV panel added to that available at the battery is not sufficient to power to the irrigation pump, the grid is configured to power the irrigation pump.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein if the battery is fully charged and power available at the at least one PV panel is greater than that required to power the irrigation pump, balance power is supplied to the grid.