Behind-the-Meter Flow Control for Renewable-Only Load Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy power plants (REPPs) face challenges in ensuring that only renewable energy is supplied to behind-the-meter loads while connected to the grid, as grid power often contains non-renewable sources, leading to undesirable energy delivery and wasted capacity when separating from the grid.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with flow meters and state of charge monitoring to track renewable and non-renewable energy, using switches to control the flow of power and ensure that only renewable energy is delivered to sensitive destinations, and maintaining a unidirectional flow from renewable energy-only storage systems to prevent non-renewable energy from reaching these loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the REPP is connected to the grid to sell excess energy, then productivity is improved, but non-renewable energy from the grid may reach the BTM load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy storage system into separate circuits: a first circuit for renewable energy storage and a second circuit for grid energy storage. This segmentation prevents non-renewable grid energy from contaminating the renewable energy supply to the BTM load, while still allowing the REPP to sell excess renewable energy to the grid through the first circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that monitors energy flows and manages the separation between renewable and grid energy circuits. The controller ensures that only renewable energy from the first circuit is delivered to the BTM load, while excess renewable energy can be transferred to the grid through the second circuit.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the REPP disconnects from the grid to ensure only renewable energy reaches the load, then energy purity is improved, but excess renewable energy capacity is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates separate energy pathways: one dedicated to renewable energy storage and delivery to the BTM load, and another for grid interaction. This allows the system to maintain pure renewable energy supply to the load while simultaneously enabling excess renewable energy to be exported to the grid through the second circuit, eliminating waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The first energy storage circuit serves multiple functions: it stores renewable energy for local consumption and simultaneously acts as a source for exporting excess renewable energy to the grid. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between maintaining energy purity and avoiding waste.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If flow control equipment is added to separate renewable and grid energy, then energy purity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements energy separation through distinct electrical circuits rather than complex flow control equipment within a single circuit. The first circuit handles renewable energy and the second circuit handles grid energy, achieving separation through system architecture rather than additional control components, thus minimizing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first renewable energy source (RES) configured to provide electrical energy, a first circuit including a first energy storage system (ESS) and a point of interconnection (POI) coupled to a power grid, a second circuit including a second ESS and a source-sensitive destination, and a first switch configured to selectively connect one of the first circuit or the second circuit to the first RES.