Heat Pump Operation Planning for Peak Reverse Power Periods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for solar power generation and heat pump hot water systems do not effectively manage reverse power flow, leading to grid instability and energy wastage, as they do not account for fluctuating photovoltaic device output and consumer load, resulting in inefficient energy usage and increased conversion losses.
Innovation Solution
An operation planning method that predicts peak reverse power periods and optimizes the operation of heat generation and storage units to store and radiate heat during these times, using a heat pump and storage system integrated with a photovoltaic device, to minimize reverse power flow and enhance energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solar power generation is increased to reduce energy costs, then power generation amount increases, but reverse power flow increases causing grid instability
Solution Approach 1:
The operation planning device predicts future reverse power amounts and schedules heat pump operations in advance during periods when reverse power is expected to be high, preventing grid instability before it occurs rather than reacting after the problem arises
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual reverse power flow and compares it with predicted values, using this feedback to adjust and optimize heat pump operation timing and duration to maintain grid stability while maximizing solar power utilization
2Object-generated harmful factors
If heat pump operation is increased to consume excess power, then reverse power reduction improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts heat pump operation parameters (timing, duration, intensity) based on predicted reverse power amounts, operating the heat pump at optimal moments when excess solar power is available, thereby reducing reverse power flow without unnecessarily increasing energy consumption during periods when solar power is abundant
3Reliability
If heat storage capacity is increased to store more heat, then heat supply reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a large fixed heat storage capacity, the system dynamically adjusts heat storage and consumption based on real-time and predicted reverse power conditions, allowing a smaller heat storage unit to achieve the same reliability by being optimally controlled rather than statically oversized
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 operating the heat pump during peak reverse power periods, effectively utilizing generated power and reducing energy wastage, thereby maintaining low-energy performance characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
Solar power is generated by transforming solar energy into electricity
Implementation Method 2
A heat pump hot water heater 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
Implementation Method 3
a heat storage unit which stores heat generated by the heat generation unit
Implementation Method 4
a first radiator unit which radiates heat stored in the heat storage unit, and a second radiator unit which directly radiates heat generated by the heat generation unit
Data Source
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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 (S103) and a power consumption amount by the first and second electric loads (S101, S102); 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 (S104 through S106).