Hybrid Energy System Sizing for Unreliable Grid Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sizing energy supply systems with renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic systems, fail to account for the reliability of renewable energy sources and public grids, leading to inefficiencies and potential energy failures, especially in regions with unreliable grid connections.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that determines technical sizing parameters for energy supply systems comprising photovoltaic electricity generation units, energy storage units, and thermal engine-driven electricity generation units, taking into account electricity consumption chronology, photovoltaic module production curves, and grid reliability to optimize energy production and prevent failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing sizing methods are used that do not account for reliability, then the system design is simpler and less expensive, but the energy supply reliability deteriorates and failures may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer-implemented method as an intermediary tool that calculates and determines optimal sizing parameters for energy supply systems. This method acts as a mediator between the complex reliability requirements and the design process, automatically computing the necessary photovoltaic power, battery capacity, and generator sizing to meet reliability targets without requiring the designer to manually handle the complexity of reliability analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional manual sizing methods with a computer-based computational approach. Instead of using simplified rules of thumb or manual calculations that ignore reliability, the system uses automated software to perform complex reliability-based optimization calculations, substituting the mechanical/manual sizing process with an intelligent computational system that can handle reliability constraints
2Reliability
If the photovoltaic power is increased to ensure energy production during cloudy days, then the energy production reliability improves, but the initial investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies key parameters including photovoltaic power capacity, battery storage capacity, and generator sizing to identify optimal combinations that meet reliability requirements. By changing these parameters in the computer model and evaluating different scenarios, the method finds the minimum photovoltaic power needed to achieve target reliability levels while minimizing excess capacity and associated costs
3Duration of action of moving object
If the battery storage capacity is increased to extend autonomous operation duration, then the self-sufficiency improves, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computer-based calculations to determine the optimal battery capacity needed to achieve desired autonomous operation duration and reliability targets. By pre-calculating the required storage capacity through simulation and optimization algorithms, the system avoids both undersizing (which would fail to meet duration requirements) and oversizing (which would increase unnecessary cost and complexity)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent seeks to achieve the minimum necessary battery capacity that provides sufficient autonomous operation duration without excessive storage capacity. The optimization process identifies the point where additional battery capacity no longer provides proportional reliability improvements, avoiding the complexity and cost of oversized battery systems while still meeting the required duration of action
4Reliability
If multiple energy sources are integrated to improve reliability, then the energy supply stability improves, but the system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a hybrid energy system where multiple energy sources (photovoltaic panels, battery storage, and diesel generator) work together in an integrated manner. Each component serves multiple functions: photovoltaic panels provide primary power and charge batteries, batteries provide backup power and smooth fluctuations, and generators provide reliable backup when other sources are insufficient. This multi-functional integration improves reliability while the computer-based sizing method manages the complexity by optimizing the interaction between these universal components
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 method ensures optimal energy production and self-sufficiency for installations by considering energy production and grid reliability, providing multiple configurations that balance costs and reliability, thereby preventing energy failures and optimizing energy supply systems.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic electricity generation unit (101) having at least one photovoltaic module (102)
Implementation Method 2
an energy storage unit (103)
Implementation Method 3
at least one thermal engine driven electricity generation unit (105)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method of providing technical sizing parameters for an energy supply system supplying electrical energy to an installation connected to a public grid subject to potential service interruptions, said computer-implemented method comprising the steps of: ⋅entering electricity consumption chronology (S1) of said installation; ⋅entering photovoltaic production capacity limits and energy storage unit capacity limits (S9); ⋅estimating a ratio (S11) of self-sufficiency or of self-consumption, or of internal rate of return; ⋅displaying (S13) a plurality of energy supply system configurations on user interface means; wherein each configuration is associated to a sensitivity parameter, said sensitivity parameter enabling to determine the optimized technical sizing parameters of the energy supply system regarding the reliability of the public grid. The present invention further relates to a computer program product aimed at being executed on a computer system to implement this computer-implemented method.