Energy Storage Power Distribution Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage systems face inefficiencies in power distribution due to uniform power allocation across multiple energy storage devices, neglecting individual device characteristics such as state of charge, temperature, and aging, leading to suboptimal performance and potential premature aging.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining a relative power component for each energy storage device by forecasting its maximum charging and discharging power, considering voltage, current, and energy limits, and using these values to optimize power distribution based on device-specific parameters, ensuring proportional allocation according to predicted performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If uniform power distribution is applied across all energy storage devices, then the control and operation is simple, but the individual device characteristics such as state of charge, temperature, and aging are not considered leading to suboptimal performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution controlVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by determining individual power components for each energy storage device based on its specific characteristics (state of charge, temperature, aging) rather than uniform distribution. The control unit calculates device-specific maximum charging and discharging powers and uses these to allocate power proportionally, ensuring each device operates within its optimal performance envelope while contributing to the overall system power requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If individual device characteristics are considered for power distribution, then the system performance is optimized, but the calculation complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the power distribution based on real-time device parameters (state of charge, temperature, aging). The control unit continuously monitors these parameters and recalculates the individual power components and proportional allocation factors, enabling adaptive optimization without requiring complex control algorithms. The system transforms static uniform power distribution into dynamic parameter-based distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If maximum power is allocated to each device without considering individual limits, then the total power output is maximized, but device lifespan is reduced due to premature aging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal power outputVSAvoiddevice lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the power allocation flexible and adaptive rather than static. The control unit determines the maximum charging and discharging powers for each device based on current operating conditions and device state, then dynamically adjusts the individual power components and proportional allocation. This dynamic approach allows the system to maximize power output when devices are healthy while automatically reducing stress on aging devices, thereby extending overall system lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If proportional allocation based on predicted performance is used, then device lifespan is extended and performance is optimized, but the forecasting and calculation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice lifespanVSAvoidforecasting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing forecasts of maximum charging and discharging powers before actual power distribution. The control unit predicts the capabilities of each energy storage device based on their current state (state of charge, temperature, aging) and uses these predictions to determine proportional allocation factors in advance. This preliminary forecasting enables the system to make informed power distribution decisions that extend device lifespan while maintaining computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3787141A1Method for determining a power component, operating method, control unit, energy storage assembly and power network
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 HOCHSCHULE FUR ANGEWANDTE WISSENSCHAFTEN MUNCHEN
  • EP3787141A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3787141A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3787141A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a relative power share (Pk; k = 1, ..., n) of an electrical energy storage device (10-k; k = 1, ..., n) of an energy storage arrangement (10) of a plurality of electrical energy storage devices (10-k; k = 1, ..., n), in particular at an externally requested and/or provided electrical power (pPsoll), in which (i) for the and in particular for each electrical energy storage device (10-k; k = 1, ..., n) of the energy storage arrangement (10) a currently available maximum electrical charging power and/or a currently available maximum electrical discharging power and/or at a characteristic value is determined, in particular by prediction, (i) the determined currently available maximum electrical charging power (Pch,k, k = 1, ..., n) and/or discharge power (Pdch,k, k = 1, ..., n) of the electrical energy storage device (10-k; k = 1, ..., n) is related to the currently available total electrical charging power (Pch,total) and/or total discharge power (Pdch,k,total) of all electrical energy storage devices (10-k; k = 1, ..., n) of the energy storage arrangement (10) in sum and (iii) a respective determined ratio as relative electrical power share (Pk; k = 1, ..., n) of the respective electrical energy storage device (10) and in particular as control variable for a power distribution and/or for a distribution of a power flow is provided and/or output.