Heat Pump Power-Follow Control for PV Surplus Fluctuations
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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 fluctuates, leading to inefficient energy use and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump operation method that adjusts power consumption based on surplus power generated, reducing the extent of power follow-up during rapid fluctuations to stabilize the grid and minimize reverse power flow, while ensuring efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the heat pump operates using power adjusted to follow photovoltaic power generation output, then the use of renewable energy is improved and electricity costs are reduced, but reverse power flow occurs when power consumption drops below generated power, causing power grid instability
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors the difference between photovoltaic power generation output and heat pump power consumption, and dynamically adjusts the heat pump operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond to changing power generation conditions while maintaining grid stability by preventing excessive reverse power flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the heat pump (such as heating capacity, operating mode) based on the real-time difference between power generation and power consumption. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes renewable energy utilization while maintaining power grid stability.
2Productivity
If the heat pump power consumption closely follows the surplus power from photovoltaic generation, then energy efficiency is improved, but abrupt fluctuations in load power occur during rapid changes in surplus power, causing unstable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device predicts or anticipates rapid changes in surplus power and adjusts the heat pump operation in advance or with damping. This cushioning effect prevents abrupt load power fluctuations by smoothing out the response to rapid changes in photovoltaic generation, thereby maintaining stable heat pump operation while still achieving high energy efficiency.
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 stabilizes the power grid by allowing a small reverse power flow or purchase of power, preventing abrupt heat pump load power fluctuations, and maintaining cost-effectiveness.
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
A heat pump hot water supply device heats a refrigerant by absorbing heat from the atmosphere
Implementation Method 4
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, an amount of the power generated by the power generation device, an amount of the power consumed by the electric load, and surplus power which is a difference between the generated power and the load power; and controlling operation of the heat pump to cause the heat pump to generate heat using power adjusted to follow a per time unit increase or decrease in the surplus power. In the controlling, when an amount of change in the surplus power remains greater than a predetermined threshold value for a given period of time extending back from a present time, an extent to which the power consumed by the heat pump follows the surplus power is reduced.