Hybrid Generator Inverter Load Sharing Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Generator sets struggle to respond to sudden changes in power demand, leading to abrupt frequency changes in electrical power output, especially in smaller systems, which can be costly and inefficient to mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A power system comprising a prime mover, generator, and an energy storage device, controlled by a hysteresis-like controller that discharges power to supplement the generator's output when frequency drops below a threshold, maintaining a constant discharge rate until the frequency stabilizes, allowing for a smaller, more efficient generator set.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a larger prime mover and generator are implemented to minimize frequency changes, then frequency stability is improved, but cost, size, and weight increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the generator set with an energy storage device (battery) to create a hybrid power system. The energy storage device supplements the generator during sudden load changes, enabling frequency stabilization without requiring an oversized generator. This merging allows the system to achieve the frequency stability of a large generator while maintaining the cost and size benefits of a smaller generator.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device acts as an intermediary between the generator and the electrical load. During sudden load increases, the energy storage device provides supplemental power to the generator, preventing frequency drops without requiring the generator itself to be oversized. This intermediary component absorbs the transient demands that would otherwise require a larger generator capacity.
2Weight of stationary object
If a smaller generator set is used to reduce cost and size, then cost and weight are reduced, but the system cannot respond immediately to sudden changes in power demand, causing frequency changes
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is pre-charged and held in readiness to provide supplemental power. When sudden load changes occur, the energy storage device can immediately discharge to support the generator, enabling the smaller generator set to respond to power demand changes without frequency instability. This preliminary preparation of the energy storage device eliminates the response time limitation of smaller generators.
3Device complexity
If the generator set operates alone without energy storage, then device complexity is reduced, but abrupt frequency changes occur during load transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the electrical output of the generator and the state of charge of the energy storage device. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically manages the charging and discharging of the energy storage device to maintain frequency stability. This feedback mechanism enables the system to respond dynamically to load changes while maintaining simple operation and achieving frequency stability that would otherwise require a much more complex oversized generator.
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 solution effectively limits frequency variations and supports continuous operation with a smaller, less costly generator set, ensuring consistent power supply by leveraging energy storage to stabilize frequency during demand changes.
Implementation Method 1
a power storage device configured to store electrical power or to discharge electrical power to the external load
Data Source
AI summary
A power system includes a prime mover configured to generate a drive force, a generator configured to receive the drive force and be driven by the prime mover to produce electrical power for an external load. The system includes a power storage device configured to store electrical power or to discharge electrical power to the external load. The system further includes a controller configured to control the power storage device to discharge power to supplement the electrical power from the generator directed to the external load.