Heat Pump Power Control to Reduce Reverse Flow and Grid Instability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump hot water supply systems with integrated photovoltaic power generation face instability in the power grid due to reverse power flow when photovoltaic power generation falls below consumption levels, leading to potential grid instability and increased electricity costs.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump operation method that adjusts power consumption based on surplus power generated, allowing the heat pump to consume power from the grid when reverse flow impact is significant and utilizing surplus power when feasible, thereby minimizing reverse power flow and reducing daytime electricity purchases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the heat pump operates using photovoltaic power generation, then electricity costs are reduced, but reverse power flow occurs when generation exceeds consumption causing power grid instability
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors the relationship between photovoltaic power generation and heat pump consumption, and dynamically adjusts heat pump operation accordingly. When generation exceeds consumption, the system reduces heat pump operation to prevent reverse power flow; when consumption exceeds generation, the system increases operation to utilize available power, thereby maintaining grid stability while optimizing electricity cost
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump operation is made dynamic rather than static, continuously adapting to changing photovoltaic generation conditions. The system adjusts heating output in real-time based on the balance between power generation and consumption, transforming the rigid operation mode into a flexible one that responds to varying environmental and operational conditions
2Reliability
If the heat pump operates at full capacity, then hot water supply reliability is improved, but power consumption increases leading to greater reverse power flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters of the heat pump based on photovoltaic generation status. When generation is high, the heat pump operates at reduced capacity or is temporarily stopped; when generation is low or absent, the system increases operation capacity or extends operation duration to ensure hot water supply requirements are met, thereby balancing reliability with energy efficiency
3Loss of energy
If the heat pump operates during daytime when photovoltaic power is available, then daytime electricity purchases are reduced, but reverse power flow increases impacting the energy supplier
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by predicting photovoltaic generation trends and pre-adjusting heat pump operation to prevent excessive reverse power flow. The control device monitors generation patterns and proactively modulates heat pump capacity before reverse power flow becomes problematic, thereby preventing harm to the energy supplier while still utilizing daytime photovoltaic power
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 effectively reduces reverse power flow to the grid, lowers electricity costs by optimizing power consumption according to available surplus power, and stabilizes the power grid by managing power flow efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
A photovoltaic device generates power by transforming solar energy into electricity
Implementation Method 2
A heat pump hot water supply device heats a refrigerant by absorbing heat from the atmosphere and compressing the refrigerant using electricity
Implementation Method 3
The heat is then transferred to the water via a heat exchanger, creating hot water
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump operation method includes: obtaining, on a per time unit basis, generated power, load power, surplus power, and an impact magnitude; and controlling operation of the heat pump to cause the heat pump to consume an amount of power for generating heat adjusted to follow the surplus power obtained on a per unit time basis. In the controlling, when the impact magnitude is greater than a predetermined first threshold value, the operation of the heat pump is controlled to permit consumption of the power supplied from an energy supplier and approximate a reverse flow of the surplus power to zero, and when the impact magnitude is less than or equal to a predetermined second threshold value, the operation of the heat pump is controlled to permit the reverse flow of the surplus power and approximate the consumption of power supplied from the energy supplier to zero.