Hybrid Power Plant Grid Segmentation for Stable Power-to-Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind-based power-to-gas systems face challenges due to unsteady wind and fluctuating electrical energy generation, leading to costly oversized storage and complex control strategies to stabilize gas production.
Innovation Solution
An electrical network with two distinct sections: a first section for energy transport with a wide frequency range and a second section for voltage and frequency-sensitive aids with a narrow range, connected via a network converter to ensure robust and cost-effective operation in isolated hybrid power plants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electrical network section is used for both energy transport and voltage/frequency-sensitive auxiliary equipment, then the system structure is simple, but the stability and reliability of voltage- and frequency-sensitive equipment deteriorates due to wind-induced fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical network is divided into two distinct sections: a first network section with wide frequency range for energy transport between wind turbines and gas generation plants, and a second network section with narrow frequency range for voltage- and frequency-sensitive auxiliary equipment. This segmentation isolates sensitive equipment from wind-induced fluctuations while maintaining overall system simplicity.
2Reliability
If oversized electrical storage systems and complex control strategies are used to counteract wind fluctuations, then the stability of gas production is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into two sections with different frequency ranges, the patent avoids the need for oversized storage systems and complex control strategies. The first section absorbs wind fluctuations with its wide frequency range, while the second section provides stable operation for gas production equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter (frequency range) of different network sections to match their functional requirements. The first section operates with a wide frequency range to accommodate wind variability, while the second section operates with a narrow frequency range to ensure stable operation of voltage- and frequency-sensitive equipment, eliminating the need for expensive stabilization measures.
3Ease of operation
If the network frequency is tightly controlled for sensitive equipment, then the operation of voltage- and frequency-sensitive aids is improved, but the flexibility and adaptability of the energy transport section deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into two sections with different frequency control characteristics. The first section maintains flexibility with a wide frequency range for adaptive energy transport, while the second section provides tight frequency control for reliable operation of sensitive equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the network are assigned different frequency range characteristics according to their specific functional requirements. The energy transport section has wide frequency adaptability, while the auxiliary equipment section has narrow frequency range for stable operation, optimizing each section's performance for its intended purpose.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical network (1100), in particular for a standalone hybrid power plant (1000), comprising: a first network section (1110) which is configured to: be connected to at least one wind turbine, to be connected to at least one gas generating plant, and to transport electrical power generated by the wind turbine to the at least one gas generating plant; a second network section (1120) which is configured to: be connected to the at least one gas generating plant;and a network converter or network inverter (1130) electrically connecting the first network section (1110) and the second network section (1120) and configured to: exchange electrical power bidirectionally between the first electrical network section (1110) and the second electrical network section (1120), wherein the first network section (1110) has a first nominal network frequency (fN1) and a first nominal network voltage (UN1) and can be operated with a first network frequency (f1) and a first network voltage (U1); and the second network section (1120) has a second nominal network frequency (fN2) and a second nominal network voltage (UN2) and can be operated with a second network frequency (f2) and a second network voltage (U2); and wherein the first network section (1110) is designed for a first frequency range (Δf1) around the nominal network frequency (fN1) in which the first network frequency (f1) moves;and the second network section (1120) is designed for a second frequency range (Δf2) around the nominal network frequency (fN2), in which the second network frequency (f2) moves; wherein the first frequency range (Δf1) is larger than the second frequency range (Δf2).