Flow Battery Controller Integrating Power and Peripheral Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage systems, particularly those using flow batteries, suffer from inefficiencies due to inadequate interaction between control units managing energy store peripherals and current converter devices controlling power flow direction, leading to energy losses.
Innovation Solution
A current converter device with a bidirectional voltage converter and a controller that manages power flow direction, electrolyte circulation, temperature, and pressure, enhancing interaction with energy store peripherals to optimize energy conversion and storage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional control units and current converter devices operate independently, then device complexity is reduced, but energy conversion efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control unit and current converter device into a single integrated control system. The controller now manages both the power flow direction in voltage converters and the operation of energy store peripherals (pumps, flow regulators, temperature controllers), replacing the previous independent operation of separate control units and converter devices. This integration enables coordinated control that optimizes energy conversion efficiency while managing system complexity through unified architecture.
2Loss of energy
If the controller precisely controls power flow direction and peripherals, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional universal control unit that performs multiple tasks: controlling power flow direction in voltage converters, managing pumps for electrolyte circulation, operating flow regulators, controlling temperature regulation, and managing pressure control. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single controller, the system achieves precise coordination for optimized energy efficiency without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Loss of energy
If conventional systems use separate control units for energy store peripherals and current converter devices, then ease of operation is improved, but energy losses increase due to insufficient interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated controller implements feedback mechanisms that monitor system state and adjust control actions accordingly. By coordinating power flow direction control with peripheral device operation (pumps, regulators, temperature control) through a unified control loop, the system optimizes energy conversion processes and minimizes losses. The feedback-enabled coordination allows the controller to dynamically adjust operations based on real-time system conditions, achieving energy efficiency improvements while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
The controller's precise control of power flow direction and peripherals significantly increases energy conversion efficiency, effectively handling rapid power grid fluctuations and reducing losses by optimizing the operation of energy storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
A current converter device comprises at least one bidirectional voltage converter (2, 5, 6) that can be connected to a power grid (3) and to at least one electrochemical energy converter (7-10)
Implementation Method 2
a flow battery, in particular as a redox flow battery
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power conversion device for charging and discharging energy storage devices having at least one bidirectional voltage converter which can be connected to a power supply network and to at least one electrochemical energy converter for an energy storage device that is configured as a flow battery and has a circulation arrangement for electrolytes. The electric power conversion device has a controller connected to the voltage converter and is designed to control the voltage converter with regard to the power flow direction thereof. The controller is designed to control one or more energy storage peripheral devices associated with the electrolytes depending on the power flow direction of the voltage converter specified by the controller. The controller has at least one control port for connection of at least one of these energy storage peripheral devices.