Generator Set Control Using Battery SOC and Night Consumption Profiles

Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid electrical energy production sites face inefficiencies in fuel consumption due to the inability of existing methods to adapt to weather vagaries and consumption patterns, leading to excessive generator use and high fuel costs.

Innovation Solution

A method that predicts battery energy availability and consumption profiles to determine the necessity and timing of generator startup, ensuring sufficient backup energy while optimizing battery recharge, thereby minimizing fuel consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the generator operates continuously to ensure energy availability, then energy supply reliability is improved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy supply availabilityVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary predictions of battery energy availability and network consumption profiles before the night period begins. Based on these predictions, it pre-determines the optimal generator start time and shutdown criterion, allowing the generator to operate only when necessary and for the minimum required duration, thus reducing fuel consumption while ensuring energy availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the predicted initial state of charge and expected consumption patterns to create a closed-loop control system. The generator operation is continuously optimized based on feedback from battery status and consumption predictions, adjusting the shutdown criterion dynamically to balance reliability and fuel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing control methods are used, then generator operation is simplified, but adaptation to weather and consumption variations is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to weather and consumption patternsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary predictions of battery energy availability and network consumption profiles before the night period begins. Based on these predictions, it pre-determines the optimal generator start time and shutdown criterion, allowing the generator to operate only when necessary and for the minimum required duration, thus reducing fuel consumption while ensuring energy availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the generator shutdown parameter (state of charge threshold) based on predicted consumption patterns and battery initial state. Instead of using a fixed shutdown criterion, the system calculates an optimized shutdown state of charge for each night based on weather conditions and expected consumption, improving adaptability without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4175160A1Optimization of the use of a power generator

Publication Date: 2023.05.03 SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS

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AI summary

A method for optimizing the use of a generator set in a hybrid production station, comprising the steps of: - predicting, based on an initial state of charge (SOCi) of the battery at the end of a day, an initial energy in the battery; - predicting an expected consumption and an expected consumption profile of the network during the night, and estimating the need for a generator set to start during the night; - determining a final state of charge (SOCf) of the battery, which constitutes a criterion for stopping the generator set.