Flow Battery Power Density Control for Energy Arbitrage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow battery systems operate at constant round trip efficiencies, failing to account for fluctuations in energy costs, which can lead to increased operational costs due to variations in electrical energy demand and surplus.
Innovation Solution
A flow battery system with a controller that adjusts power density and round trip efficiency based on energy cost schedules, using flow regulators and a power converter to optimize energy storage and discharge operations in response to changing energy costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If flow battery system operates at constant high round trip efficiency, then operational costs are minimized, but energy cost fluctuations are not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power density based on real-time energy cost signals. The controller receives energy cost information and modulates the power density of the flow battery system accordingly, transitioning from static high-efficiency operation to dynamic operation that adapts to varying energy prices, thereby capturing arbitrage opportunities while managing operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter (power density) in response to energy cost fluctuations. When energy costs are low, the system increases power density to charge at higher rates; when energy costs are high, it decreases power density to reduce operational costs, thus optimizing the balance between energy acquisition and operational expenditure
2Productivity
If flow battery system increases power density during low-cost periods, then energy storage rate increases, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs energy storage actions in advance during low-cost periods when energy prices are favorable. By charging the flow battery during off-peak hours when both energy costs and operational costs are low, the system prepares stored energy for later discharge during high-cost periods, maximizing arbitrage benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors energy cost signals and uses this feedback to adjust power density operations. When low energy costs are detected, the system increases power density for charging; when high costs are detected, it reduces power density for discharge operations, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes both productivity and cost management
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 system dynamically adjusts power density and efficiency to minimize operational costs by increasing efficiency during low-cost periods and decreasing it during high-cost periods, thereby maximizing net revenue.
Implementation Method 1
a flow battery system, for example, can convert electrical energy generated by a power source into chemical energy, which is stored within a pair of anolyte and catholyte solutions. The flow battery system can later convert the stored chemical energy back into an electrical energy form
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for storing and/or discharging electrical energy that has a cost, which method includes steps of: (a) providing a flow battery system comprising at least one flow battery cell and a controller; (b) operating the flow battery cell at a power density having a first value; and (c) changing the power density at which the flow battery cell is operated from the first value to a second value as a function of the cost of the electrical energy, wherein the power density is changed using the controller, and wherein the second value is different than the first value.