Home Energy Control Using Battery Range and Hydrogen Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current domestic energy systems are expensive, complex, and often fail to meet safety requirements, with inefficient methods leading to oversizing and irregular use of regenerative energy sources, and there is a growing need for self-sufficient energy systems that can cover both electrical and thermal energy needs in a CO2-neutral manner.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for operating a home energy system that includes predictive energy management, using a PV generator, fuel cell unit, electrolysis unit, storage battery unit, and hydrogen tank, with a control module to optimize energy balance and switch between energy sources based on expected load and yield profiles, ensuring self-sufficiency and CO2-neutral operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional domestic energy systems are used, then energy supply is provided, but the systems are expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The energy system is divided into functional modules: PV generator for electricity generation, fuel cell unit for thermal and electrical supply, electrolysis unit for hydrogen production, storage battery unit for energy storage, and hydrogen tank for long-term storage. Each module operates semi-independently under centralized control, allowing simplified design and maintenance of individual components while achieving reliable overall energy supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cell unit serves multiple functions: generating electrical energy, producing thermal energy for heating, and storing hydrogen. The storage battery unit provides both short-term energy storage and voltage stabilization. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate systems needed, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Productivity
If conventional operating methods are used, then energy generation is provided, but the methods are insufficiently efficient leading to oversizing
Solution Approach 1:
The control module continuously calculates expected load profiles and yield profiles in advance, determining the temporal range of the storage battery unit and optimal operating points for the fuel cell and electrolysis units before actual energy demands occur. This predictive approach allows the system to be optimally sized without oversizing, while maintaining high efficiency through pre-planned operational strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating points of the fuel cell unit and electrolysis unit based on real-time conditions and predicted requirements. The control module continuously optimizes the temporal range of the storage battery unit and switches between different energy sources (PV, fuel cell, battery) to maintain peak efficiency across varying load and generation conditions, preventing the need for oversized static components.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used, then CO2-neutral energy supply is achieved, but the energy sources are not available consistently or regularly
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolysis unit operates during periods of high renewable energy availability to produce and store hydrogen in advance of periods when renewable energy is scarce. The control module calculates expected yield profiles to determine optimal electrolysis operation timing, ensuring hydrogen is stored before needed, thus maintaining reliable energy supply while utilizing intermittent renewable sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen tank serves as an intermediary energy storage medium between the intermittent PV generator and the continuous energy demands of the fuel cell unit and electrical consumers. Hydrogen stores excess renewable energy when available and provides energy when PV generation is insufficient, decoupling the intermittency of renewable sources from the continuity of energy supply.
4Adaptability or versatility
If self-sufficiency is pursued, then energy independence is achieved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell unit provides multiple functions (electrical generation, thermal supply, hydrogen storage) within a single system component, reducing the total number of separate systems needed for self-sufficiency. The storage battery unit simultaneously provides energy storage and voltage stabilization, further reducing component count and overall system cost while achieving complete energy independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as the temporal range of the storage battery unit, the operating points of the fuel cell and electrolysis units, and the switching between different energy sources based on real-time conditions. This optimization ensures the system achieves self-sufficiency at minimum cost by avoiding unnecessary oversizing and maximizing the utilization of each component.
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 system achieves complete coverage of energy requirements from renewable sources, providing a CO2-free and autonomous energy supply for homes, optimizing energy storage and usage to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
an expected yield profile of the renewable energy source in the at least one expectation period, preferably an electrical PV power of a PV generator
Implementation Method 2
operating the fuel cell unit with a fuel cell power depending on the determined temporal range of the storage battery unit
Implementation Method 3
operating the electrolysis unit, in particular with a calculated electrolysis power, depending on the determined energy balance
Implementation Method 4
a storage battery unit, in particular as a short-term energy storage device, which is electrically connected or to be connected to the DC feed-in point
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a domestic energy generation installation, which method comprises the following steps: (S1) ascertaining or prespecifying at least one expectation time period, (S2) ascertaining an expected load profile of an electrical consumer (610), (S3) ascertaining an expected yield profile of the regenerative energy source in the at least one expectation time period, (S4) ascertaining or prespecifying a minimum consumption power (V_VB) which should at least be available for withdrawal from the storage battery unit (440) at any one time, (S5) ascertaining an energy balance over at least one expectation time period from the expected yield profile and the expected load profile, (S6) ascertaining a time range of the storage battery unit (440) from the expected load profile, the expected yield profile and the minimum consumption power, which should not be undershot at any time, and from a currently ascertained state of charge of the storage battery unit (440), (S7) operating the fuel cell unit (200) depending on the ascertained time range of the storage battery unit (440), and (S8) operating the electrolysis unit (300) depending on the ascertained energy balance.