Energy Storage Control Using Time-Variant SoS Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power systems face inefficiencies in managing energy storage, particularly in determining optimal charging and discharging strategies based on time-variant state-of-storage thresholds, leading to potential power dissipation and suboptimal energy utilization.

Innovation Solution

A power management system that includes a controller to determine a time-variant state-of-storage upper threshold (SUT) and state-of-storage (SoS) for energy storage, enabling dynamic charging and discharging decisions based on power source output, load demand, and energy storage capacity, using a power manager with a maximum output power level and an interface to interact with both the power source and grid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a fixed state-of-storage threshold is used for charging and discharging decisions, then the control logic is simple, but power dissipation increases and energy utilization becomes suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower dissipationVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed state-of-storage threshold to a time-variant state-of-storage upper threshold (SUT) that dynamically adjusts based on predicted power production, load demand, and energy storage capacity. This dynamic threshold allows the system to optimize charging and discharging decisions in real-time, minimizing power dissipation while adapting to changing system conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by using power production predictions, load demand predictions, and energy storage capacity assessments to determine the time-variant SUT in advance. This predictive approach enables the controller to proactively optimize energy storage utilization before suboptimal conditions occur, reducing power dissipation while maintaining manageable control logic through structured prediction algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If energy storage is continuously charged to maximum capacity, then energy utilization is maximized, but power dissipation occurs when excess power cannot be stored or used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy utilizationVSAvoidpower dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring actual power production, load demand, and energy storage capacity, then using this feedback to adjust the time-variant SUT and optimize charging/discharging decisions. This closed-loop control ensures energy is stored when useful and discharged when needed, maximizing energy utilization while preventing power dissipation from excess stored energy that cannot be utilized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the state-of-storage threshold parameter based on varying system conditions including power production levels, load demand patterns, and energy storage capacity. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between energy utilization and power dissipation by changing the threshold parameter in response to real-time conditions rather than using a fixed value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4254710A1System and methods for controlling the charging and discharging of an energy storage device
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 SOLAREDGE TECH LTD
  • EP4254710A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4254710A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4254710A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A system which may comprise an energy storage, a storage interface and a controller. The energy storage may have a fining energy capacity. The storage interface may be coupled to the energy storage and may be configured to charge or discharge the energy storage. The controller may be configured to determine a state-of-storage (SoS) of the energy storage. The controller may further be configured to control the storage interface to charge and discharge the energy storage based on the state-of-storage of the energy storage, and based on a time-variant state-of-storage upper threshold.