Hybrid Energy Facility Control with Dynamic Power Source Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hybrid renewable energy facilities face inefficiencies and accelerated degradation due to manual/fixed enabling/disabling of power sources with different response rates, leading to undesired operating conditions and suboptimal power generation.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop control system with dynamic mode switching logic that enables individual, group, and farm-level power regulation, allowing seamless transitions between power sources based on set points, interface types, and operational conditions to optimize efficiency and extend asset life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual/fixed enabling/disabling of power sources is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but power generation efficiency deteriorates and asset degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mode switching logic that automatically transitions between different operating modes (individual power source control, group control, farm-level control) based on real-time conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power generation efficiency by selecting the most appropriate control mode for current operational requirements, while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates closed-loop control with continuous monitoring of power source status, grid demands, and operational conditions. The mode switching logic receives feedback from these monitoring systems and automatically adjusts the operating mode accordingly, enabling the system to respond optimally to changing conditions without manual intervention, thus improving efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If dynamic mode switching is implemented, then power generation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into distinct hierarchical levels: individual power source control mode, group control mode, and farm-level control mode. Each segment handles specific control functions at its level, allowing the complex control tasks to be distributed and managed in modular fashion. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by organizing control functions into manageable, independent modules that can operate autonomously within their designated scope.
Solution Approach 2:
The mode switching logic serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors system conditions, determines optimal operating modes, executes mode transitions, and coordinates control actions across different hierarchical levels. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized systems into a single integrated controller, improving efficiency while managing complexity through functional integration.
3Ease of operation
If power sources with different response rates are operated manually, then system simplicity is maintained, but response time to grid demands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational status of different power sources based on their individual response characteristics and current grid demands. The mode switching logic identifies which power sources can respond quickly to changing demands and prioritizes their activation, automatically adapting the system's response strategy to match the temporal requirements of grid demands while maintaining simple operation through automated decision-making.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating a renewable energy facility having a plurality of power sources includes defining a plurality of modes of operation for each of the plurality of power sources. The method also includes receiving one or more required active power set points for the renewable energy facility and/or groups of the plurality of power sources. Further, the method includes determining an operating mode command that defines which of the plurality of modes of operation to use for each of the plurality of power sources to reach the one or more required active power set points. Moreover, the method includes dynamically switching into the plurality of modes of operation defined in the operating mode command.