Heat Pump Scheduling Around Peak Photovoltaic Reverse Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems fail to effectively manage reverse power from photovoltaic devices, leading to grid instability and waste of generated power due to fluctuating energy production and inefficient energy consumption patterns.

Innovation Solution

An operation planning method for a system including a photovoltaic device, a heat generation unit, and a heat storage unit, which predicts peak reverse power periods and optimizes the operation of the heat pump to store and radiate heat, reducing the amount of reverse power flowing back into the grid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If solar power generation is expanded to increase renewable energy supply, then energy self-sufficiency is improved, but reverse power causes grid instability and power waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy self-sufficiencyVSAvoidgrid stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by predicting future power generation and consumption patterns, then pre-scheduling heat pump operation during periods of high reverse power generation. This allows the system to proactively manage reverse power before it causes grid instability, rather than reacting after problems occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful reverse power into a beneficial resource by scheduling heat pump operation specifically during periods when reverse power is highest. What was previously a grid-stabilizing problem becomes the optimal operating condition for the heat pump, transforming waste energy into useful heating while simultaneously stabilizing the grid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Loss of energy

If solar power generation is increased to reduce electricity costs, then energy efficiency is improved, but reverse power causes voltage increase and power waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidreverse power

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful reverse power into a beneficial resource by scheduling heat pump operation during periods of high reverse power generation. This transforms waste energy into useful heating while simultaneously reducing the harmful effects of reverse power on the grid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring actual power generation and consumption data, comparing it against predictions, and adjusting future schedules accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the system adapts to changing conditions and optimizes reverse power utilization over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If heat pump operation is scheduled during peak reverse power periods, then reverse power utilization is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereverse power utilizationVSAvoidoperation planning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the operation planning into distinct functional modules: power prediction, consumption prediction, reverse power calculation, and schedule optimization. Each module handles a specific aspect of the problem independently, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach reduces grid damage by predicting peak reverse power periods and optimizing heat pump operation, thereby minimizing the impact of reverse power on the grid and promoting local energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

Solar power is generated by transforming solar energy into electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

heats a refrigerant by absorbing heat from the atmosphere and compressing the refrigerant using electricity, and then transfers the heat to the water via a heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption and compression: Heating

Implementation Method 3

a heat storage unit which stores heat generated by the heat generation unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 4

a first radiator unit which radiates heat stored in the heat storage unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9261284B2Operation planning method, and heat pump hot water supply and heating system operation method

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An operation planning method performed in a system including a power generation device, a first electric load operating using power generated by the power generation device, and a second electric load which generates heat using power generated by the power generation device. The operation planning method is performed to design an operation plan for the second electric load and includes: predicting, for individual unit time periods, a power generation amount by the power generation device and a power consumption amount by the first and second electric loads; and designing the operation plan for the second electric load to operate during an operation period including the time period with the largest amount of reverse power, calculated by subtracting the first and second power consumption amounts from the power generation amount.