Integrated Backup Power Panel for Whole-Home Load Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy control systems for solar electric systems lack flexibility in energy system sizing and load management, often requiring multiple subpanels and limited controls, and do not offer whole home and partial home backup with integrated breaker spaces and metering.
Innovation Solution
The development of an energy control system that includes a microgrid interconnection device, remotely-controllable electrical switches, and a controller to manage energy distribution between grid power, backup power sources, and loads, allowing for seamless switching between on-grid and backup modes, and integrating metering and control for photovoltaic, storage, and electric vehicle charging systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing energy control systems use multiple subpanels for backup power, then backup power functionality is provided, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple subpanel functions into a single integrated backup power panel that includes integrated breaker spaces and metering capabilities. This consolidation maintains backup power functionality while reducing the number of separate components needed in the electrical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup power panel is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a backup power distribution panel and incorporating metering functions. This universal design eliminates the need for separate subpanels and dedicated metering equipment, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If existing energy control systems require separate subpanels for generation and loads, then power distribution is achieved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges generation interconnection, load distribution, and metering functions into a single integrated panel structure. This consolidation significantly reduces the number of installation steps and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to assembling multiple separate subpanels.
3Device complexity
If existing energy control systems provide limited controls, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability and control functionality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality, providing both basic on-grid/backup mode switching and advanced load management capabilities. This includes the ability to selectively control different loads during backup mode and integrate with electric vehicle charging systems, offering high adaptability without requiring multiple separate control devices.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing energy control systems lack integrated metering, then installation is simpler, but measurement precision and energy management are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates metering functions directly into the backup power panel structure, combining measurement capabilities with power distribution. This integration maintains installation simplicity while providing precise energy measurement and management functionality that would be difficult to achieve with separate external metering devices.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides energy control systems for whole home and partial home backup with integrated breaker spaces and metering. The energy control system includes a grid interconnection electrically coupled to a utility grid, a backup power interconnection electrically coupled to a backup power source, a backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one backup load, and a non-backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one non-backup load. The energy control system includes a microgrid interconnection device that switches between an on-grid mode to electrically connect the grid interconnection and the backup power interconnection with the backup and non-backup load interconnections and a backup mode to electrically disconnect the grid interconnection and the non-backup load interconnection from the backup power interconnection.