DC Link Grid Feeding System with Waste Heat Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for feeding electrical energy into power supply networks are inefficient in managing energy from various carriers, requiring significant equipment and external control, and lack high availability, especially when energy sources like solar radiation are intermittent.

Innovation Solution

A DC voltage intermediate circuit system that connects multiple power generators and storage devices via converters, utilizing waste heat for heating and optimizing energy storage, with centralized control and autonomous operation, including a controllable inverter for grid-synchronous AC voltage and a heating circuit for thermal energy management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple power generators and storage devices are connected via separate converters to feed electrical energy into the power supply network, then energy from various carriers can be integrated, but the equipment outlay and system complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of energy from various carriersVSAvoidequipment outlay and system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate converter systems into a single centralized converter that handles power from multiple generators and storage devices. Instead of having individual converters for each photovoltaic system, wind turbine, or storage device, one centralized converter consolidates these connections, reducing equipment outlay while maintaining the ability to integrate energy from various carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized converter is designed with multi-functionality to handle different types of power inputs (photovoltaic, wind, storage) and perform multiple functions including conversion, buffering, and grid synchronization. This universal design eliminates the need for specialized equipment for each energy carrier, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If photovoltaic systems operate independently with individual inverters, then each system can function autonomously, but the overall system availability decreases when solar radiation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidenergy source flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple energy sources (photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, storage devices) into a unified system through a centralized converter. This merging allows the system to switch between different energy carriers seamlessly, ensuring that when solar radiation is insufficient, other sources like wind or stored energy can maintain system operation, thereby improving overall availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized converter acts as an intermediary between various energy sources and the power supply network. It buffers and manages power from different carriers, enabling smooth transitions between sources and maintaining stable grid connection even when individual sources like photovoltaics are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If waste heat from system components is dissipated without utilization, then system operation is simplified, but energy efficiency and performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste heat utilizationVSAvoidheating circuit integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by converter and inverter components into a beneficial resource by integrating it into a heating circuit. This heating circuit can provide thermal energy for domestic hot water or space heating, thereby reducing overall energy loss and improving system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is enhanced with multi-functionality by adding heating circuit integration to the power conversion system. The converter and inverter components serve dual purposes: electrical power conversion and thermal energy provision, allowing the system to simultaneously supply electricity and heat without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This system efficiently integrates energy from diverse sources, minimizing converter losses and ensuring high availability by enabling centralized control and autonomous operation, even during low solar radiation, and utilizes thermal energy for enhanced performance and energy storage.

Implementation Method 1

the waste heat from components of the system, the power converter or the inverter is fed into the heating circuit. Heat exchangers can be fed from the heating circuit, for example to heat rooms or to heat up tap water.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaste heat recovery: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3146608B1System for feeding electricity to an electrical grid
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 AMK ARNOLD MUELLER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3146608B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3146608B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) for feeding electricity to an electrical grid (2), said system (1) comprising an electrical DC link (10), to the input side of which a plurality of generators (12, 14) and/or current accumulators (16) can each be connected via one respective electronic power converter (22, 24, 26), and the output side of which can be connected to the electrical grid (2) via an inverter (20).