Battery Storage Power Buffering for Startup In-Rush Currents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power distribution systems face challenges in managing instantaneous startup and in-rush electrical currents, which can cause voltage swings and affect electrical equipment loads, often requiring additional generators or spinning reserves, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The Battery Energy Storage Supplemental Power (BESSP) platform, comprising a battery storage plant, bidirectional power conversion unit, and circuit breakers, controlled by an electrical controller, mitigates these currents by discharging and charging batteries to maintain a steady state electrical current, eliminating the need for extra generators and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional generators or spinning reserves are used to manage instantaneous startup and in-rush currents, then power reliability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the energy storage system with the existing power distribution system, merging two previously separate functions (power generation and energy storage) into a unified platform. The BESSP platform integrates batteries, bidirectional power conversion, and control systems to simultaneously provide both spinning reserve capability and in-rush current mitigation, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides spinning reserve power, mitigates in-rush currents during motor startup, and maintains voltage stability. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby reducing system complexity while improving overall power reliability
2Reliability
If additional generators or spinning reserves are deployed to manage instantaneous startup currents, then power reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the energy storage system, specifically optimizing the power rating and capacity of the battery system to match the specific in-rush current mitigation requirements. By right-sizing the energy storage system rather than deploying oversized generators, the solution achieves cost-effectiveness while maintaining the necessary power reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an energy storage system that provides short-duration power support (typically seconds to minutes) rather than continuous long-term generation. This approach uses cost-effective battery technology designed for transient power delivery rather than expensive conventional generators optimized for sustained operation, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining power reliability
3Device complexity
If conventional power distribution systems are used without energy storage, then system simplicity is maintained, but voltage swings affect electrical equipment loads
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system acts as an intermediary component between the power source and the electrical loads. It buffers and isolates the loads from voltage swings caused by in-rush currents, providing a stable power interface without requiring fundamental changes to the existing power distribution architecture, thus maintaining relative system simplicity while eliminating harmful voltage variations
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
The BESSP platform effectively manages startup and in-rush currents, preventing voltage swings and reducing the need for additional power sources, thereby enhancing power reliability and cost-effectiveness in off-grid systems with heavy electrical loads.
Implementation Method 1
a bidirectional power conversion unit
Implementation Method 2
a set of batteries making up a battery storage plant
Data Source
AI summary
A BESSP platform mitigates power changes from instantaneous i) startup electrical currents and/or ii) other in-rush electrical currents compared to a steady state electrical current. An electrical controller electrically connects to a remote electrical tap and sensor to sense characteristics of power coming from a main power source. The electrical controller is configured to discharge the batteries to mitigate a swing past the threshold amount from the steady state electrical current caused by the instantaneous i) startup electrical currents and/or ii) other in-rush electrical currents back up to the steady state electrical current; and thus, prevent the swing from the steady state electrical current caused by the instantaneous i) startup electrical currents and/or ii) other in-rush electrical currents from reaching and affecting electrical equipment loads connected to the BESSP platform.