AC/AC Converter Control for Unbalanced Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connection points in alternating voltage networks face overloading and stability issues due to decentralized energy production and high, volatile power demands from electric vehicles and other consumers, leading to unbalanced loads and peak loads that cannot be effectively managed by current control methods.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for controlling electrical power flow through a connection point, using a control device to set maximum power consumption and adjust energy production/storage to balance loads, measure phase-specific currents, and manage unbalanced loads by dynamically adjusting power distribution across phases, ensuring operation within predefined specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional connection points are used to transmit electrical power from the alternating voltage network to the subnetwork, then the network can operate with simple infrastructure, but the connection point and alternating voltage network become heavily loaded and risk overloading due to decentralized energy production and volatile power demands
Solution Approach 1:
The connection point is equipped with dynamic control capabilities that allow real-time adjustment of power transmission parameters. The control device monitors power flows from decentralized energy producers and demands from consumers, dynamically modulating the connection point's operation to prevent overloading while maximizing power transmission capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism is implemented where the control device continuously monitors the electrical power flows, voltage levels, and load conditions at the connection point. Based on this feedback, the control device adjusts operational parameters to maintain stability, preventing overloading by responding to actual network conditions rather than operating with fixed capacity limits.
2Ease of operation
If electric vehicles are charged with high power in the subnetwork, then charging time is reduced and convenience is improved, but peak loads occur that endanger the stability of the connection point and alternating voltage network
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary assessment of network capacity and load conditions before authorizing high-power charging operations. By predicting peak load scenarios and pre-adjusting power distribution parameters, the system enables convenient high-power charging when network conditions permit while preventing stability-endangering peak loads through advance control measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters including power transmission limits, voltage levels, and current distribution based on real-time network conditions. This allows charging power to be adjusted continuously, providing high power when network capacity is available while maintaining stability by reducing power when approaching critical load thresholds.
3Productivity
If photovoltaic installations feed electrical power into the subnetwork, then decentralized energy production is utilized, but temporally volatile electrical power causes high and unstable loads on the connection point
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements feedback control that monitors power injection from photovoltaic installations in real-time. When volatile power feeds cause connection point loads to approach critical thresholds, the control device responds by adjusting power transmission parameters or activating storage systems, thereby maintaining stable operation while maximizing utilization of decentralized energy production.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary control mechanism is introduced between the photovoltaic installations and the connection point. This control device acts as a mediator that smooths out power volatility by coordinating power injection timing, utilizing energy storage systems to buffer fluctuations, and adjusting transmission parameters to maintain stable loads on the connection point while preserving decentralized energy production benefits.
4Reliability
If current control methods are used to manage peak loads, then some overload protection is provided, but the methods cannot effectively handle sudden base loads and cross-phase boundary conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with multi-functional capabilities that enable it to handle diverse load conditions including sudden base loads, cross-phase boundary conditions, and various peak load scenarios. By integrating multiple control functions and monitoring parameters simultaneously, the system provides comprehensive overload protection while adapting to the full range of operational conditions that conventional single-function control methods cannot address.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an electrical power which flows into or out of an electrical subnetwork via a connection point is disclosed. The subnetwork has at least one electrical load, and the electrical load is connected to a control device via a communication connection, the electrical power flowing via the connection point is measured and a maximum power consumption of the electrical load is set by means of the control device on the basis of the electrical power flowing via the connection point. A device for connecting a multiphase subnetwork, which has an energy production installation and an energy store, to a superordinate multiphase alternating voltage network is configured to transmit electrical power between the alternating voltage network and the subnetwork and comprises an AC/AC converter having a network connection, two inverter bridge circuits with an interposed intermediate circuit and a subnetwork connection. The device also comprises a control device which is configured to set the electrical powers flowing via the individual phases of the subnetwork connection on the basis of power values of the energy production installation and/or of the energy store by suitably controlling the inverter bridge circuits of the AC/AC converter.