Battery Inverter Loading Schedule for Low-Loss ESS Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery inverters in energy storage systems experience efficiency losses due to heat production and no-load losses, especially at low power levels, and managing multiple energy storage units and inverters to meet varying load requirements while balancing state of charge is challenging.

Innovation Solution

A system that groups energy storage units with inverters and operates them in parallel, using a round-robin technique or switched battery method to maximize efficiency by ensuring each inverter operates at its maximum efficiency point and minimizing no-load losses, with a processor controlling the switching to balance charge states and adjust to load requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple inverters are used to meet varying load requirements, then the system can adapt to different power levels, but no-load losses increase due to multiple inverters operating at low efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload requirement adaptationVSAvoidno-load losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple energy storage units with multiple inverters into an integrated system where inverters can share loading. By implementing load sharing mechanisms, the system allows inverters to operate more efficiently even when total load is low, reducing no-load losses while maintaining adaptability to varying power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts inverter operation modes based on real-time load conditions. When load is high, multiple inverters operate in parallel; when load is low, the system switches to single inverter operation or standby mode, optimizing efficiency across different operating conditions and minimizing no-load losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If energy storage units operate at low power levels, then the system can meet low load requirements, but efficiency losses increase due to heat production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower output levelVSAvoidheat production losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a system where multiple energy storage units and inverters work continuously in an optimized configuration. By maintaining inverters in active but optimized states rather than switching them on/off, the system reduces efficiency losses while meeting varying power demands through coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters dynamically, adjusting which energy storage units are active and how inverters are configured based on load requirements. This allows the system to operate at optimal efficiency points across different power levels by changing the operational state of individual components rather than operating all components at fixed parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If multiple inverters are operated simultaneously, then the system can provide sufficient power for high loads, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal power outputVSAvoidinverter management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the energy storage system into multiple independent units, each with its own inverter. This modular segmentation allows the system to provide high power output when needed while managing complexity through standardized, independent modules that can be controlled individually or in groups based on load requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If energy storage units are discharged at different rates, then individual unit performance can be optimized, but balancing state of charge becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual unit performanceVSAvoidcharge state balancing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the state of charge of all energy storage units and adjust discharge/charge rates accordingly. This feedback control allows individual units to operate at optimized performance levels while automatically balancing charge states across the system, managing complexity through intelligent control rather than rigid uniform operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11764597B1Systems and methods for optimized loading of battery inverters

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 8ME NOVA LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for optimizing loading of battery inverters. A method may include determining a required power for a load, the load coupled to a plurality of inverters, the plurality of inverters coupled to a plurality of energy storage units in an energy storage system (ESS); determining a number of the plurality of energy storage units in the ESS needed to provide the required power; establishing a schedule for the determined number of the plurality of energy storage units, wherein the schedule includes a plurality of time periods for power delivery; and sending a first control signal to engage a first grouping of energy storage units for a first time period and a second control signal to engage a second grouping of energy storage units for a second time period of the plurality of time periods.