Hot Water Tank Charging Using Surplus Home Generator Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for using electrical power from in-house generators, such as photovoltaic systems, to charge hot water storage tanks face challenges in efficiently utilizing generated power, especially when the generator does not produce enough electricity, leading to unnecessary draw from the public grid and compatibility issues with existing hot water systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a hot water storage tank with sensors and an electric heating unit connected via a hydraulic circuit and a controller that measures power output from the home network to the public grid, allowing for optimal conversion of excess electrical power into heat and maintaining a usable temperature, preventing public grid energy draw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrical power from in-house generator is converted to heat for hot water storage, then energy utilization is improved, but additional power must be drawn from public grid when generator output is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a power sensor to continuously monitor the electrical power output from the in-house generator and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts the heating operation based on real-time generator output, ensuring that heating only occurs when sufficient power is available from the generator, thereby preventing additional grid energy draw.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on variable generator output conditions. The controller modulates the heating process in real-time according to the instantaneous power availability from the in-house generator, allowing the system to adapt to changing energy supply conditions and optimize self-consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If connection to existing hot water system is made, then system integration is improved, but major conversion is required and heat temperature level may not be usable
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary electric heating unit with hydraulic circuit that connects between the power supply and the existing hot water storage tank. This intermediary device converts electrical energy to thermal energy at the appropriate temperature level, serving as a bridge that integrates the in-house generator with the existing hot water system without requiring major modifications to the tank or piping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the heat supply by using an electric heating unit that can generate heat at the specific temperature level required by the existing hot water system. This allows direct connection to the existing system without conversion, as the heating unit outputs heat at the appropriate temperature parameters.
3Productivity
If excess electrical power is converted to heat, then self-consumption is improved, but heat must be stored for later use when generator does not produce electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating action during periods when the in-house generator produces excess electricity. By proactively storing thermal energy in the hot water storage tank during high-generation periods, the system prepares energy for later use when generation is insufficient, thereby maximizing self-consumption and reducing grid dependency during off-peak hours.
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 system optimally uses electrical power from in-house generators by converting excess energy into heat at a usable temperature, reducing public grid dependency and ensuring efficient energy utilization without requiring separate connections to the generator.
Implementation Method 1
an electric instantaneous water heater...arranged in a hydraulic circuit...for converting electrical energy into heat
Implementation Method 2
a circulation pump...arranged in a hydraulic circuit...for circulating water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for using the electrical power provided by an in-house energy generator to charge a hot water storage tank, comprising an electric heating unit with a hydraulic circuit that can be connected to a heat storage tank, in which a circulation pump, an electric flow heater and a target temperature sensor are arranged. and a controller that can be connected to a power sensor that is arranged between a home network to which the home energy generator and one or more home consumers are connected and a public power grid, and which measures at least the power output from the home network to the public power grid , wherein the controller has a heating control function for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electric instantaneous water heater based on the measured values of the power sensor and a pump control function for controlling the circulation pump based on de r includes target temperature sensor readings.