HVDC-Connected PV Generator Using Bare Conductors and Direct Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photovoltaic power systems face limitations in voltage capacity, system complexity, and efficiency due to the use of fully electrically insulated components, which are costly and inefficient for high-voltage direct current transmission.

Innovation Solution

A high-voltage PV generator directly connected to a high-voltage direct current transmission line without intermediate power conversion equipment, utilizing bare conductors and series-parallel connections to reduce series resistance losses and integrate production and transmission efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fully electrically insulated components are used in conventional PV systems, then safety and reliability are improved, but system complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the insulation layer from conductors, transitioning from fully insulated components to bare conductor configuration. This extraction eliminates unnecessary insulation materials and simplifies the system while maintaining safety through the inherent insulation provided by air and the controlled electrical configuration of the PV string connected to the HVDC transmission line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing insulation only where absolutely necessary (at connection points and interfaces) rather than along the entire conductor length. The bare conductors are used in regions where air provides sufficient insulation, optimizing the balance between safety and system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If fully electrically insulated components are used in conventional PV systems, then safety and reliability are improved, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcosts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the insulation layer from conductors, eliminating the cost of insulation materials and their installation. This extraction of unnecessary insulation components directly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining safety through the controlled electrical configuration and selective insulation at critical points only.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive continuous insulation with a more economical approach using bare conductors with minimal insulation only where required. This substitution of expensive insulation materials with cheaper bare conductor configuration reduces overall system costs while maintaining adequate safety levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If PV modules are connected via insulated conductors, then electrical safety is improved, but series resistance losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoidseries resistance losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the insulation layer from conductors used to connect PV modules. This removal of insulation reduces the overall resistance of the conductor, thereby reducing series resistance losses and improving energy efficiency while maintaining electrical safety through the controlled electrical configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Power

If intermediate power conversion equipment is used between PV generator and HVDC line, then voltage matching is improved, but system complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage matchingVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the PV generator directly with the HVDC transmission line, eliminating intermediate power conversion equipment. This direct connection integrates generation and transmission functions, reducing system complexity and costs while maintaining voltage compatibility through the inherent voltage characteristics of the PV string configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional direct connection that simultaneously serves as both the electrical connection and the voltage matching interface between the PV generator and HVDC line. This universal connection eliminates the need for separate voltage matching equipment, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Power

If intermediate power conversion equipment is used between PV generator and HVDC line, then voltage matching is improved, but power conversion efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage matchingVSAvoidpower conversion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the PV generator directly with the HVDC transmission line, eliminating intermediate power conversion equipment that would cause energy losses. This direct integration preserves power conversion efficiency by removing conversion steps while maintaining voltage compatibility through the PV string configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system complexity and costs while enhancing efficiency and flexibility by eliminating the need for additional insulation materials and optimizing power transmission.

Implementation Method 1

a high-voltage (HV) photovoltaic (PV) generator connected to the high-voltage direct current transmission line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

the PV modules are electrically connected via bare conductors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4576483A1System for the generation and transmission of high-voltage direct current
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP4576483A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4576483A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4576483A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a system comprising a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line (10) carried by pylons (20), a high-voltage PV generator (30) connected to the high-voltage direct current transmission line (10), a power conversion equipment (40) with an input connected to the high-voltage direct current transmission line (10) and an output connectable to an AC or DC grid (50), comprising at least one of a point-source, a load and a network. A high-voltage output of the high-voltage PV generator (30) is directly connected (11) to a transmission pole (12) of the high-voltage direct current transmission line (10).