Anti-Backfeed Power Allocation System for Solar Inverters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electricity installations face challenges in efficiently integrating onsite renewable energy generation without backfeeding into the grid, requiring costly upgrades and complex metering changes, which are time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

The system employs intelligent control of series inverters with dynamic load controllers and active anti-backfeed circuitry, allowing for dynamic assignment and power control to prevent backfeeding, enabling efficient distribution of energy to multiple loads without requiring service size or metering changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If service size and metering capacity are increased to handle potential backfeed conditions, then system safety and grid protection are improved, but installation cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid safetyVSAvoidmetering infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device between the onsite generation system and the utility meter that actively monitors and controls power flow direction. This intermediary prevents backfeed without requiring changes to the utility meter or service infrastructure, thus maintaining grid safety while avoiding complex metering upgrades

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the power flow control function into a separate, dedicated anti-backfeed device that operates independently from the main utility metering infrastructure. This segmentation allows the anti-backfeed function to be implemented without modifying the existing meter or service equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If utility infrastructure upgrades are implemented to accommodate backfeed, then backfeed handling capability is improved, but installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackfeed handlingVSAvoidinstallation lead time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a standalone, self-contained anti-backfeed device that can be quickly installed and removed without permanent modifications to utility infrastructure. This approach enables rapid deployment with minimal lead time compared to permanent utility upgrades

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-backfeed device is designed to be pre-configured and tested before installation, allowing for quick deployment at the customer site without requiring lengthy utility coordination or infrastructure preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If meter rate plans and infrastructure are upgraded for backfeed, then renewable energy integration is improved, but customer expense and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy integrationVSAvoidwiring and metering

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-backfeed device is designed as a self-contained unit that autonomously manages the integration of renewable energy systems without requiring changes to customer wiring, meters, or utility rate structures. The device handles all necessary control functions internally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal anti-backfeed device that can interface with various types of renewable energy systems (solar, wind, etc.) and different metering configurations without requiring system-specific modifications, thereby simplifying renewable energy integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for seamless integration of onsite energy generation, reducing costs and lead times, enabling efficient energy delivery to multiple loads while preventing backfeeding, thus maximizing the utilization of locally generated power.

Implementation Method 1

active anti-backfeed circuitry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical current detection: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11531079B2Multi-meter energy allocation system with no back feed

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 POWERTREE SERVICES

AI summary

A power generation allocation and measurement device has an inverter assignment matrix fed by one or more inverter load controllers, the controllers connected to respective inverters. The device includes multiple unit controllers associated with respective metered distribution panels of a multi-unit or multi-panel power installation. A group controller is in communication with each unit controller and the inverter assignment matrix. The device is fed by a power generator such as a photovoltaic panel. The device allocates power to the metered distribution panels via the group controller, based on feedback from the discrete unit controllers.