Storage Battery Management Device Optimizing Discharge Schedules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques lack an effective method for controlling the discharging schedule of storage batteries based on rate plans that vary by time, leading to inefficiencies in power usage and increased costs for consumers.

Innovation Solution

A storage battery management device determines an upper limit of power discharged for each discharging time period based on remaining discharge capacity information, optimizing power usage by aligning discharges with lower purchasing prices and minimizing peak demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If storage batteries discharge power during peak demand periods without optimization, then power supply reliability is improved, but energy costs increase due to peak pricing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidenergy costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary charging of storage batteries during off-peak periods when electricity prices are low, and then utilizes this pre-stored energy during peak periods. The management device calculates optimal charging schedules in advance based on predicted power prices and battery capacity, ensuring power availability during peaks without incurring high costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the discharging schedule based on real-time power price fluctuations, load demand changes, and battery state of charge. The management device continuously recalculates optimal discharge timing and power levels, transforming the static battery operation into a dynamic response to varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If storage batteries discharge at maximum capacity during high price periods, then energy costs are reduced, but battery durability deteriorates due to excessive stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy costsVSAvoidbattery durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operational parameters of battery discharge by adjusting both the timing and power level based on multiple factors including power price predictions, battery temperature, state of charge, and degradation models. Instead of simple maximum power discharge, the management device calculates optimal discharge power levels that balance cost reduction with durability preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial discharge action by releasing only the necessary amount of power during peak periods rather than maximum capacity. The management device calculates the precise discharge amount needed to meet load requirements and price optimization goals, avoiding excessive discharge that would accelerate battery degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of energy

If discharging schedule is optimized based on power prices, then energy costs are lowered, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy costsVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management device implements self-service control by autonomously monitoring power prices, battery status, and load demands, then automatically calculating and executing optimal discharging schedules without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by making real-time decisions based on integrated data from multiple sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the management device continuously monitors actual power prices, battery performance, and discharge outcomes, then uses this feedback to refine future discharge schedules. The feedback loop enables the system to learn from past operations and optimize control strategies over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3051652B1Power-storage-cell management device, power-storage cell, method for managing power-storage cell, and program
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 NEC CORP
  • EP3051652B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3051652B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3051652B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a storage battery management device (10) including a price information acquisition unit (11) that acquires power purchasing price information indicating a power purchasing price for each time period of power supplied from an electric power system, a remaining discharge capacity information acquisition unit (12) that acquires remaining discharge capacity information indicating the amount of power that can be discharged to a load from a storage battery, and a discharging schedule generation unit (13) that generates a discharging schedule in which an upper limit of the amount of power discharged from the storage battery is determined for each of a plurality of discharging time periods divided for each unit time, using the power purchasing price information and the remaining discharge capacity information.