Energy Storage Control Device for Grid-Connected Residential Solar
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Solution Overview
Problem
The misalignment between solar energy production and consumer demand in residential grids leads to excess energy being curtailed or unreimbursed, necessitating a solution to optimize energy storage and usage to reduce electricity bills and increase renewable energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A control device manages the electric power flow of a stationary energy storage system, using algorithms to shift energy from peak production times to peak demand times, optimizing charging and discharging based on grid supply conditions, state of charge, and total unit load, ensuring efficient use of renewable energy and minimizing battery damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If excess solar energy is fed into the grid, then renewable energy is utilized, but customers receive no reimbursement and the grid becomes overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by charging the battery storage with excess solar energy during daytime hours before the grid becomes overloaded. This allows the energy to be stored and utilized later during evening peak demand, preventing curtailment while avoiding grid overload issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery storage system acts as an intermediary between the solar energy source and the grid. It buffers the mismatch between solar production and consumer demand, absorbing excess energy when production exceeds demand and releasing it when demand exceeds production, thus protecting the grid from overload while utilizing renewable energy.
2Productivity
If battery storage is used to shift energy from daytime to evening, then electricity bills are reduced, but battery damage may occur from excessive cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors the state of charge, supply conditions, and demand patterns to intelligently manage battery cycling. This feedback mechanism optimizes charge/discharge cycles to achieve energy shifting goals while preventing excessive cycling that would damage the battery, thus extending battery lifespan while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by only cycling the battery when it provides net benefit - charging when solar energy is excess and evening rates are high, and avoiding charging when it would lead to unnecessary discharge cycles. This selective partial cycling reduces battery wear while still achieving the primary goal of reducing electricity bills through energy shifting.
3Productivity
If multiple operation logics are implemented for different supply conditions, then energy optimization is improved, but control device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic is segmented into distinct operation modes (e.g., charge mode, discharge mode, idle mode) that are activated based on specific supply conditions and state of charge thresholds. This segmentation allows the complex optimization problem to be broken down into simpler, condition-specific decision rules that are easier to implement and manage while still achieving high energy optimization efficiency.
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 approach effectively increases the utilization of renewable energy, reduces electricity bills, and prevents battery damage by intelligently managing energy storage and flow according to varying grid supply conditions, ensuring maximum energy efficiency and cost savings.
Implementation Method 1
The energy storage may comprise at least one rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 2
at least one array of capacitors
Data Source
AI summary
A method operates an electric energy storage that is provided for an electric consumption unit, wherein the electric consumption unit is additionally coupled to an electric power grid. The method is characterized in that the control device performs the following steps of a) providing different operation logics for controlling the power flow as a function of the state of charge and of a total unit load, b) observing a status signal that is signaling the present and/or the next supply condition of the grid, c) selecting one of the operation logics as an active operation logic depending on a current value of the status signal, and d) operating the power converter according to the active operation logic.