Elevator Energy Storage Allocation for Backup and Peak Shaving
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries associated with passenger transport installations, such as elevators, are often underutilized as they are primarily reserved for backup power during rare power failures, failing to optimize their capacity for other useful applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for dynamically allocating energy storage capacity based on performance data and external data sources, including traffic forecasts, weather data, and grid measurements, to optimize usage for peak power shaving, renewable energy optimization, and backup power, among other applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery capacity is reserved exclusively for backup power during power failures, then reliability of critical systems is ensured, but energy storage utilization rate deteriorates due to underutilization during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is designed to perform multiple functions: primary backup power function and secondary energy arbitrage function. During normal operation, the battery charges when electricity prices are low and discharges when prices are high, while still maintaining its backup power capability when needed, thus achieving multi-functionality and improved utilization without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts battery charge/discharge operations based on real-time electricity pricing signals and grid conditions. The battery management system continuously monitors price differentials and automatically optimizes charge/discharge cycles, making the system adaptive and dynamic rather than static, thereby maximizing utilization while preserving backup functionality
2Productivity
If battery capacity is allocated for multiple uses such as peak power shaving and demand response, then energy storage utilization improves, but system complexity increases due to multiple data sources and control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
An energy management system acts as an intermediary between the battery and multiple external data sources (electricity markets, grid operators, building management systems). This intermediary consolidates and processes information from various sources, translating complex external signals into simplified charge/discharge control decisions, thereby managing complexity while enabling multiple applications
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management system is segmented into modular functional components: data acquisition module, price signal processing module, charge/discharge control module, and monitoring module. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function and simplifies the overall system architecture by breaking down complex control logic into manageable, interchangeable modules
3Productivity
If real-time monitoring and dynamic allocation of energy storage capacity is implemented, then optimization of multiple applications is achieved, but loss of time for data processing and decision making increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing electricity price data and identifying favorable charge/discharge opportunities in advance. When price differentials exceed predetermined thresholds, the system pre-authorizes charge or discharge operations, reducing real-time decision latency and enabling faster response to market conditions without extensive real-time computation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for allocating capacity of an energy storage associated with at least one passenger transport installation includes continuously monitoring performance data of the energy storage; obtaining first data associated with operating the at least one passenger transport installation; identifying different uses for the energy stored in the energy storage; determining an allocation of energy storage capacity available for the different uses based on the performance data and the first data; and applying the determined allocation.