Generator Set Power Augmentation for Frequency Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional generator sets face challenges in maintaining constant frequency during power surges due to internal combustion engines' lack of control dynamics, leading to oversized engines, increased maintenance costs, and complex exhaust gas treatment systems.
Innovation Solution
A generator set design incorporating a primary power unit and a connectable secondary power unit, featuring an electric motor and energy storage, allows for temporary power augmentation without increasing internal combustion engine nominal power, optimizing engine and generator design for continuous operation and simplifying exhaust after-treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the internal combustion engine is oversized to provide mass inertia and control reserves for frequency stability, then frequency stability during power surges is improved, but the nominal power of the internal combustion engine becomes significantly higher than the nominal power of the generator, leading to increased maintenance costs and complex exhaust gas treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The power unit is segmented into a primary internal combustion engine and a secondary electric motor that can be connected or disconnected independently. This allows the internal combustion engine to be optimally sized for continuous operation and exhaust treatment, while the electric motor provides additional power and inertia only when needed during power surges or startup sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between operating modes: the internal combustion engine operates alone at nominal power for continuous operation, or connects with the electric motor when additional power is required. This dynamic configuration allows the internal combustion engine to maintain optimal operating conditions for exhaust gas treatment while providing frequency stability when needed.
2Reliability
If the internal combustion engine is oversized to provide mass inertia for frequency constancy, then frequency constancy during sudden load variation is improved, but the exhaust gas temperature required for proper after-treatment is not reached, increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The power unit is divided into a primary internal combustion engine optimized for continuous operation and a secondary electric motor for temporary power augmentation. This segmentation allows the internal combustion engine to operate at its nominal power continuously, maintaining optimal exhaust gas temperatures for after-treatment systems while providing frequency constancy through the combined mass inertia of both units when connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the internal combustion engine by operating it continuously at or near its nominal power point rather than being oversized. This parameter optimization ensures the exhaust gas temperature remains sufficient for proper after-treatment while the electric motor supplements power when additional frequency stability is required.
3Ease of operation
If the internal combustion engine is oversized to provide control reserves for frequency stability, then power distribution control is improved, but the nominal power of the internal combustion engine is significantly higher than the generator nominal power, requiring more complex and additional exhaust gas treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The power unit is segmented into a primary internal combustion engine and a secondary electric motor that can be independently controlled and connected. This allows the internal combustion engine to be sized appropriately for continuous power generation with proper exhaust treatment, while the electric motor provides additional control flexibility and power reserves for frequency stability without increasing exhaust gas treatment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor serves multiple functions: it provides additional power during power surges, contributes to frequency stability through its mass inertia, and can be connected or disconnected based on operational requirements. This multi-functionality provides power distribution control flexibility without requiring the internal combustion engine to be oversized with associated complex exhaust treatment systems.
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
This design enables efficient power management, maintaining optimal exhaust gas temperatures for effective after-treatment, reducing maintenance costs, and eliminating the need for complex exhaust systems by allowing the internal combustion engine to operate near its nominal power.
Implementation Method 1
an alternating current generator (3) rotationally coupled to the primary power unit (2), the alternating current generator (3) being configured to convert a primary power provided by the primary power unit (2) into an electric power
Implementation Method 2
the secondary power unit (4) has an electric motor (40) and a secondary energy store (41) in electrical contact with the electric motor (40)
Data Source
AI summary
A generator set for generating an alternating current, includes a primary power unit, an alternating current generator, and a secondary power unit. The alternating current generator is rotationally coupled to the primary power unit, and converts power provided by the primary power unit into an electric power. The secondary power unit is connectable to the alternating current generator so as to increase the power generated by the alternating current generator.