Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25

INTRODUCTION
This project aims to make the watering system in agriculture easier and smarter by transitioning
from manual to smart irrigation using smart sensors and electrical equipment. The soil moisture
sensor detects soil moisture levels, allowing farmers to turn on/off the pumping motor, resulting
in water and time savings. Agriculture contributes to significant industrial and financial growth
in our country, but the main issue is water, as plants need it regularly. In some areas, there is a
high-water demand, and technology has improved significantly. To address this, a smart
irrigation idea has been implemented, detecting soil moisture levels and allowing farmers to
delay pumping the field accordingly.
The rain sensor detects readings of soil moisture levels, and if they exceed a threshold, the
pump remains shut, saving water and time. Smart water system innovations can be used to
invest outside water funds, with smart water system regulators and sensors reducing open-air
water use by inundating plant water needs. This innovative approach helps in reducing water
waste and allows for reinvestment in better-designed, economical, and reliable water systems
over the long haul. Overall, this project aims to improve the watering system in agriculture and
ensure sustainable growth.
A survey by the Ministry of Agriculture found that in 2018–19, Bangladesh used 1,87,188,
numbers of low-lift pumps, 13,57,532 numbers of shallow tube wells, and almost forty
thousand deep tube wells to irrigate their crops. Surface water is used to irrigate around 26.91%
of the total cultivated land, while groundwater is used to water about 73.09% of the total. About
15,85,413, pieces of irrigation equipment are employed throughout the irrigation season, with
78.45 per cent other 21.55 percent powered by electricity and solar energy. Besides, in 2011,
the Bureau of Electrical Energy in India performed a study and found over 18 million pump
sets used for agricultural purposes. Also, an average of 0.5 million new connections were
established each year, each having a capacity of 5 horsepower (HP)

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Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25

LITERATURE SURVEY AND COMPARISON TABLE

Literature Survey

• N. K. Arora and I. Mishra, “Progress of sustainable development goal 7: Clean and

green energy for all as the biggest challenge to combat climate crisis,” 2022,
Environmental Sustainability, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. There are abundant renewable energy
sources around the universe. The world's most plentiful energy source is solar energy and wind
energy. In addition to being a solution to the current energy issue, combining solar and wind
power-based hybrid power generation systems is also a clean kind of energy.

• B. Radley and P. Lehmann-Grube, “Off-grid solar expansion and economic

development in the Global South: A critical review and research agenda,” 2022 Energy
Research & Social Science, vol. 89, The wind is a source of solar energy that isn't
directly from the sun but is constantly refilled by the sun. The sun's rays warm the
planet's surface at varying rates, resulting in temperature differences that may generate
wind. The amount of energy continually accessible from the earth's wind is thought to
be about 10 million MW.

• P. Abhilash, R. Nanda Kumar, and R. Praveen Kumar, “Solar powered water pump
with single axis tracking system for irrigation,” 2021 Materials Today: Proceedings,
vol. 39, pp. 553–557, 2021. Earlier, various types of renewable energy-based solar
irrigation systems were implemented. Still, most are single-axis or fixed system, solar
tracker based, and all are moisture sensor based. But systems are varied in using
microcontroller.

• N. Sudharshan, A. K. Karthik, J. S. Kiran, and S. Geetha, “Solar Energy for future

world: - A Review,” Single-Chip Node MCU and PID controllers, But wind energy
along with dual axis solar tracker hybrid energy-based system, is uniquely proposed in
this research. That helps the farmer, and this system will be a part of energy production
in this crucial situation.

The comparison table of the literature survey is as shown in table 1.

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Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25

Table 1: Comparison of literature survey

Sl Author’s Title and publication Working Merits Demerits

no. name Year Principle
/Method

1. N. K. Arora “Progress of Photovoltaic Improved High initial

and I. sustainable effect. energy cost,
Mishra, development goal 7: efficiency, weather
Clean and green enhanced dependence.
energy for all as the quality of life.
biggest challenge to
combat climate crisis,”
2022[2]

2. B. Radley “Off-grid solar Photovoltaic Increased Complexity,

and P. expansion and effect. energy limited
Lehmann- economic development capture, low power
Grube, in the Global South: A maintenance. output.
critical review and
research agenda,” 2022
[3]

3. P. Abhilash, “Solar powered water MPPT Improved Weather

R. Nanda pump with single axis method quality of life, dependence.
Kumar, and tracking system for
R. Praveen irrigation,” 2021[9]
Kumar,

4. N. “Solar Energy for Photovoltaic Environment More space

Sudharshan, future world: - A effect. sustainability, required,
A. K. Review,” 2016 [10] zero technology
Karthik, J. S. emission. limitation.
Kiran, and
S. Geetha,

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Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25

EXISTING SYSTEM AND LIMITATIONS

Existing System
Traditional irrigation systems rely heavily on manual operations or time-based schedules, often
leading to water wastage and inefficient energy usage. In many rural areas, irrigation systems are
powered by diesel generators or grid electricity, which can be costly, unreliable, and harmful to
the environment. Additionally, farmers may lack real-time insights into soil moisture and
environmental conditions, resulting in over-irrigation or under-irrigation, which affects crop
yields.
In recent years, research has introduced smart irrigation systems powered by renewable energy,
leveraging solar and wind energy to run water pumps and sensor-based networks to automate
watering processes. These systems use microcontrollers (like Arduino or Raspberry Pi) to collect
data from soil moisture sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors. The data is processed
to determine whether irrigation is required, and the system can autonomously activate the water
pump when needed.
Conventional irrigation systems commonly rely on manual operations or fixed timers, leading to
inefficient water usage and higher energy costs. Many farms, especially in remote areas, depend
on grid electricity or diesel-powered pumps, which can be unreliable, expensive, and harmful to
the environment.
To address some of these issues, modern systems have started integrating renewable energy
sources primarily solar energy to power irrigation pumps. Additionally, sensor-based systems
have been developed to monitor soil moisture and weather conditions, helping automate
irrigation. These systems use microcontrollers to process sensor data and trigger water pumps
when soil moisture falls below a predefined threshold. The block diagram of the existing system
of smart irrigation system is as shown in figure 1 given below.

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Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25

Figure 1: Block diagram of the existing smart irrigation system.

Limitations

1. Single Source Dependency: Many systems rely only on solar energy, making them
ineffective during cloudy or nighttime conditions.
2. Limited Connectivity: Some solutions lack remote monitoring and control features,
restricting farmers' ability to manage irrigation off-site.
3. Manual or Basic Automation: Traditional systems often use timers or simple moisture
thresholds, leading to over-irrigation or under-irrigation.
4. Inaccurate Decision-Making: Basic systems might not account for factors like crop type,
weather forecasts, or soil characteristics, reducing irrigation efficiency.
5. High Initial Cost: The installation of smart irrigation systems can be expensive due to the
cost of sensors, controllers, and other hardware. This can be prohibitive for small-scale
farmers or those with limited budgets.
6. Energy Consumption: Some advanced smart irrigation systems use power-hungry
components, such as sensors, pumps, and automation devices, which can result in increased
energy costs. This is especially problematic in remote areas where energy supply may be
limited or expensive.

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Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25

PROBLEM DEFINITION WITH OBJECTIVES

Problem Definition
In rural and remote areas, farmers often more on conventional irrigation systems powered by
grid electricity or diesel generators, both of which are costly, unsustainable, and subject to
supply interruptions. Moreover, many current systems lack advanced automation and remote
monitoring features, forcing farmers to manually control irrigation on simplistic moisture
thresholds that may not account for changing environmental factors.

Objectives
1. Water Conservation: Smart irrigation systems aim to optimize water usage by delivering
the right amount of water based on real-time data (e.g., soil moisture, weather forecasts).
This reduces water wastage.
2. Improved Crop Yields: By ensuring that plants receive consistent and adequate water,
these systems help maintain optimal growing conditions, leading to better crop health and
higher yields.
3. Energy Efficiency: These systems optimize water pumping, reducing energy consumption
associated with irrigation processes, thus lowering energy costs.
4. Environmental Sustainability: By minimizing water wastage, they help preserve water
resources, reduce runoff, and prevent soil erosion, contributing to overall environmental
sustainability.

BLOCK DIAGRAM AND DISCRIPTION

Block Diagram

The block diagram for the 'Hybrid renewable energy based smart irrigation system,' as
shown in Figure 2, represents the following key components:

Components Required

1. Solar Panels (20W–50W) — To capture solar energy.

2. Wind Turbine (optional, 12V) — For additional energy generation.
3. Charge Controller (PWM/MPPT) — Regulates power flow to the batter
4. Microcontroller & Processing Unit:
5. Soil Moisture Sensor (FC-28 or capacitive type) — Monitors soil water content.

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Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25
6. Water Level Sensor — Detects water level in the reservoir.
7. Relay Module (1/2/4 Channel, 5V) — Switches the pump and valves on or off.

Figure 2: Block diagram of hybrid renewable energy based smart irrigation system.

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Hardware Components
1. Solar panels
Solar panels are devices that convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells. They are
environmentally friendly, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions. Solar
panels are made of silicon and work by harnessing sunlight to generate DC (direct current)
electricity, which is then converted to AC (alternating current) for use in homes and businesses.

2. Wind turbines

A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from wind into mechanical power,
which is then used to generate electricity. It consists of large blades mounted on a rotor, which
spins when the wind blows, driving a generator. Wind turbines are a clean, renewable energy
source that helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions.
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Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25
3. Battery storage
Battery storage refers to the technology that stores electrical energy for later use, often used in
conjunction with renewable energy systems like solar or wind power. These systems store
excess energy generated during peak production times (e.g., sunny or windy days) and release
it when demand is high or when renewable sources aren’t generating power.

4. Temperature control sensor

A temperature control sensor is a device used to measure and regulate the temperature in a
specific environment or system. These sensors detect temperature changes and send signals to
a controller to adjust heating or cooling mechanisms to maintain a desired temperature.

5. Humidity Sensor
Humidity sensors measure the amount of water vapor in the air. Common types include
capacitive, resistive, and electrochemical sensors. They are used in various applications like
weather forecasting, HVAC systems, and industrial processes.

6. Water pump
A water pump is a device used to move water from one place to another, typically by
mechanical action. It is commonly used for irrigation, water supply, drainage, and in various
industrial and domestic applications. Water pumps come in different types, including
centrifugal pumps, submersible pumps, and diaphragm pumps, each suited for specific needs.

7. LCD Display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) has liquid crystal material sandwiched between two sheets
of glass. Without any voltage applied between transparent electrodes, liquid crystal
molecules are aligned in parallel with the glass surface.

Software Requirements

1. Programming & Development Platforms:

Arduino IDE For writing and uploading code to microcontrollers.

2. IoT & Cloud Platforms

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Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25

EXPECTED RESULT
The hybrid renewable energy based smart irrigation system is expected to achieve the following
outcomes of results.
• Optimize Water Usage: Automatically irrigate fields based on real-time soil moisture and
environmental conditions, reducing water waste.
• Ensure Energy Efficiency: Reliably power the system using solar and wind energy,
minimizing dependency on grid electricity or fossil fuels.
• Provide Continuous Operation: Use a hybrid energy setup with battery storage to
keep the system running even during low sunlight or wind conditions.
• Promote Sustainability: Support eco-friendly farming practices by reducing carbon
emissions and conserving natural resources.
• Reduce Operational Costs: Lower long-term expenses by cutting down water usage,
fuel costs, and manual labor.

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Hybrid Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System 2024-25

REFERENCES
[1] Dipta Ghosh, Arajit Saha and Harun Ar Rashid “Design and Development of Hybrid
Renewable Energy Based Smart Irrigation System” 2023 11th International
Conference on Smart Grid Engineering.
[2] N. K. Arora and I. Mishra, “Progress of sustainable development goal 7: Clean and
green energy for all as the biggest challenge to combat climate crisis,” Environmental
Sustainability, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 395–399, 2022. doi:10.1007/s42398-022-00257-2.
[3] B. Radley and P. Lehmann-Grube, "Off-grid solar expansion and economic
development in the Global South: A critical review and research agenda," Energy
Research & Social Science, vol. 89, p. 102673, 2022.
doi:10.1016/[Link].2022.102673
[4] P. Abhilash, R. Nanda Kumar, and R. Praveen Kumar, "Solar powered water pump with
single axis tracking system for irrigation purpose," Materials Today: Proceedings, vol.
39, pp. 553–557, 2021. doi:10.1016/[Link].2020.08.336
[5] N. Sudharshan, A. K. Karthik, J. S. Kiran, and S. Geetha, "Renewable energy based
Smart Irrigation System," Procedia Computer Science, vol. 165, pp. 615–623, 2019.

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