Bidirectional Power Converter for Renewable Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an energy storage device and power management system that efficiently stores and manages energy from renewable sources, such as solar power, to reduce reliance on depleting fossil fuels and stabilize energy supply during power failures.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage device with a battery pack, communication module, and power converter that converts AC to DC and vice versa, coupled with a power management device that generates charge or discharge commands based on solar, commercial, and load power information to optimize energy storage and distribution within a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If energy storage devices are used to store renewable energy, then energy supply stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is divided into multiple independent battery packs, each with its own controller. This segmentation allows the system to maintain stability through modular architecture while managing complexity by distributing control functions across multiple simpler units rather than one complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
A power management device acts as an intermediary between the battery packs and the power network. This mediator coordinates charging/discharging commands, manages power flow, and handles communication, thereby stabilizing energy supply while keeping individual battery pack designs relatively simple.
2Loss of energy
If bidirectional power conversion is implemented, then energy storage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter is designed with bidirectional capability, serving multiple functions: converting AC to DC for charging, converting DC to AC for discharging, and potentially providing power factor correction and voltage regulation. This multi-functionality improves energy storage efficiency by optimizing power flow in both directions while consolidating what would otherwise require separate devices into one universal converter.
3Measurement precision
If real-time power monitoring is implemented, then power management precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time monitoring of solar power generation, commercial power prices, and battery charge levels. This feedback information is continuously fed to the power management device, which adjusts charging/discharging commands accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise power management decisions while using relatively simple monitoring circuits and communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management device automatically makes decisions based on monitored power information without requiring complex external control systems. It self-adjusts charging/discharging operations based on real-time conditions such as solar availability and electricity prices, thereby achieving precise power management through autonomous operation rather than complex external intervention.
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 enables efficient energy storage and distribution, reducing commercial power consumption and costs by utilizing renewable energy, ensuring stable power supply even during outages, and allowing for remote monitoring and control through a mobile terminal.
Implementation Method 1
information about solar power generated by a photovoltaic module
Implementation Method 2
convert the AC power from the internal power network into direct current (DC) power based on the charge command
Implementation Method 3
convert DC power stored in the at least one battery pack into AC power based on the discharge command
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage device including at least one battery pack; a communication module configured to transmit power-on information or energy storage amount information to a power management device and to receive a charge command or discharge command from the power management device; a connector configured to receive alternating current (AC) power, supplied to an internal power network through a photovoltaic module, from the internal power network based on the charge command or to output AC power to the internal power network based on the discharge command; and a power converter configured to, when the charge command is received from the power management device, convert the AC power from the internal power network into direct current (DC) power based on the charge command, or, when the discharge command is received from the power management device, convert DC power stored in the at least one battery pack into AC power based on the discharge command.