Generator Control Parameters for Fuel Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling multiple electric generators in micro-networks do not efficiently account for the efficiency curve and temperature of generators, leading to suboptimal fuel consumption and potential overheating, and lack consideration for reserve power needs.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining control parameters of electric generators that takes into account the requested power, reserve power, efficiency, and temperature, optimizing fuel consumption by determining the optimal power distribution that minimizes fuel consumption per unit of electrical energy produced while ensuring a reserve power is available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If manual control or simple threshold-based automation is used for generator activation, then the control system is simple and easy to operate, but fuel consumption is not optimized and generator efficiency is not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors generator efficiency curves, temperature, and power demand, using this feedback to dynamically adjust activation decisions and power distribution to optimize fuel consumption while considering generator constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the activation threshold and power distribution based on real-time conditions such as generator efficiency curves, temperature, and power demand, rather than using fixed simple thresholds
2Reliability
If generator activation is based solely on power demand thresholds, then the control process is simple, but generator temperature is not monitored leading to potential overheating and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates temperature monitoring feedback from each generator, using this information to adjust activation decisions and prevent overheating while maintaining simple operational procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively monitors generator temperature before critical thresholds are reached, preparing to adjust power distribution or activate reserve generators in advance to prevent overheating and safety issues
3Power
If all available generators are activated to meet high power demand, then power supply is sufficient, but fuel consumption increases and reserve power capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts generator activation based on power demand parameters, using efficiency curves to determine the optimal combination of generators that meets power requirements while minimizing fuel consumption and preserving reserve capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control system treats each generator individually, considering its specific efficiency curve and characteristics to determine optimal power distribution across the fleet rather than treating all generators uniformly
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining the control parameters of N electric generators at a time t, said method comprising, for a power demand Ptott=∑i=1NPiT at a time t with Pi(t) the electrical power supplied by the electric generator i at time t and a reserve power Preservet≤∑i=1NPimax−Pit×δit at a time t with Pimax the maximum power that can develop the electric generator i and δi(t) the activation coefficient of the electric generator i which is 1 when said electric generator is on and 0 when said electric generator is off, a step of determining the optimal power Pioptt at time t associated with each electric generator i so as to minimize the fuel consumption per unit of electrical energy produced sfct=1Ptott∑i=1NfiPit×Pit with fi(x) the function giving the fuel consumption of the electric generator i for the electrical power x.