Grid Adapter Harmonic Filtering for EV Charging and Nano-Grids
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of renewable energy sources and electric vehicle charging systems into distribution grids leads to harmonic pollution and reduced grid inertia, causing wear and tear on distribution assets and requiring substantial upgrades to maintain power quality.
Innovation Solution
A power system device, referred to as a grid adapter, is used to manage electrical power by reducing noise in the electrical waveform through power conversion and control, allowing for the flexible adoption of distributed energy resources and electric vehicle stations while minimizing network upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large quantities of EV charging stations are added to the distribution grid, then electricity consumption capacity is improved, but harmonic pollution increases causing wear and tear on distribution assets
Solution Approach 1:
The grid adapter serves as an intermediary device between EV charging stations and the distribution grid. It includes power processing units with converters that interface with both the charging stations and the grid, filtering and conditioning the electrical signals to prevent harmonic pollution from reaching the distribution assets while still enabling high-capacity EV charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid adapter extracts harmful harmonic components from the electrical signals generated by EV charging stations. The power processing units identify and separate the harmonic pollution from the useful power flow, removing the harmful frequencies before they can affect the distribution grid infrastructure.
2Productivity
If the number of intermittent inverter-based generators is increased, then renewable energy generation capacity is improved, but distribution grid inertia is reduced exposing the power system to low frequency oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The grid adapter acts as a mediator between intermittent renewable generators and the distribution grid. The power processing units with advanced control systems provide virtual inertia and frequency regulation services, simulating the stabilizing effects of traditional synchronous generators while allowing high penetration of inverter-based renewable energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid adapter changes the electrical parameters of power flow from renewable generators. It adjusts frequency, voltage, and phase characteristics to maintain grid stability, effectively transforming the output of intermittent inverter-based generators into stable, grid-compatible electrical parameters that preserve system inertia.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If grid adapters with power processing units are deployed to block harmonics, then power quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grid adapter is designed as a multi-functional device that performs multiple operations through integrated power processing units. It simultaneously provides harmonic filtering, power conversion, energy storage management, and grid synchronization capabilities, reducing the need for separate specialized devices and simplifying overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid adapter combines multiple power processing functions into a single integrated unit. The bidirectional converters, energy storage systems, and control mechanisms are merged into one cohesive device that handles both harmonic blocking and power management tasks, reducing device complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
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 grid adapter effectively blocks unwanted harmonics, maintaining power quality and reducing the need for extensive upgrades, enabling stable operation and efficient energy management in micro- and nano-grids, and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources and EV charging systems.
Implementation Method 1
The first power processing unit includes a bidirectional converter for converting input electricity or output electricity according to according to an operational instruction indicating a power flow direction
Implementation Method 2
A power system device, referred to as a grid adapter, is used to manage electrical power by reducing noise in the electrical waveform through power conversion and control
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for managing electrical power among various energy generation, storage, and consumption systems, including micro-grids or nano-grids. Computing systems and electrical hardware send and receive electrical power, to or from various energy storage, transfer, and consumption sites, particularly where certain nano-grids are not electrically wired to the energy generation and storage subsystems. A grid adapter receives energy from various sources, reduces noise in the electrical waveform (e.g., harmonics), and determines an amount of power to deliver to nano-grids via electrical connections or delivery vehicles to achieve acceptable operation according to grid codes or other operational configurations. A storage system may include a flow battery that exchanges electricity, based on required power or surplus power, with delivery vehicles according to an electrolyte swap for the flow battery.