Hybrid Renewable Plant Control for Stable Power and Lower Overprovisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy systems are typically managed in isolation, leading to overprovisioning and inefficiencies due to variations in energy generation, such as sunlight and wind, and lack of integration between different energy sources and storage systems, resulting in unstable power supply and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid plant system that integrates multiple renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) systems with battery energy storage (BESS and LDES), controlled by a unified controller to optimize energy distribution and storage based on real-time and forecasted data, ensuring stable power supply and reducing overprovisioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If renewable energy systems are managed in isolation, then each system can operate independently with simple control, but the overall system efficiency decreases and overprovisioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple renewable energy systems (PV, wind, CSP) and storage systems into a unified hybrid plant managed by a central controller. The controller integrates real-time data from all sources and implements coordinated control strategies, merging previously isolated systems into a synergistic whole that optimizes overall efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through automated management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple renewable energy sources are integrated without unified control, then energy diversity increases, but system complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The central controller is designed as a universal management system that handles multiple types of renewable energy sources (PV, wind, CSP) and storage systems through standardized interfaces and protocols. This multi-functional controller reduces integration complexity by providing a unified control architecture that adapts to different energy sources without requiring separate control systems for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller acts as an intermediary between diverse energy sources and the grid/load, mediating coordination and optimization. It receives data from all sources, processes information through standardized communication protocols, and implements control decisions that balance the diverse inputs, thereby managing complexity through a centralized mediating layer.
3Reliability
If energy storage capacity is increased to compensate for generation variations, then power supply stability improves, but system cost and overprovisioning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic control strategies that adjust storage charging/discharging operations in real-time based on forecasted generation and load conditions. The controller optimizes storage utilization by coordinating multiple storage systems (batteries, thermal storage) to provide stability only when necessary, thereby reducing the total storage capacity needed compared to static overprovisioning approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time monitoring and forecasting feedback to dynamically adjust energy dispatch and storage operations. By continuously analyzing generation forecasts, load predictions, and actual system state, the controller optimizes storage usage to maintain stability while minimizing the amount of storage capacity required, avoiding unnecessary overprovisioning.
4Productivity
If real-time control and forecasting are implemented, then energy distribution optimization improves, but computational requirements and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements forecasting capabilities that predict future generation and load conditions in advance. By performing preliminary analysis of weather patterns, historical data, and current system state, the controller can pre-plan energy distribution strategies and storage operations, reducing the need for complex real-time decision-making while maintaining high distribution efficiency.
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 integrated system enhances energy stability and efficiency by leveraging the strengths of different renewable sources, reducing costs through optimized energy management and storage, and providing a reliable power supply even in off-grid conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic (PV) system configured to directly convert solar irradiation to generate a first source of energy
Implementation Method 2
a concentrated solar power (CSP) system configured to concentrate solar energy to generate a second source of energy
Implementation Method 3
a battery system configured to store at least a part of the first source of energy
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for integrated control of a first renewable energy system, a second renewable energy system, and a load system to implement a hybrid plant system. A first renewable energy system is configured to generate a first source of energy and to store at least a part of the energy generated by the first source of energy. A second renewable energy system is configured to generate a second source of energy and to store at least a part of the energy generated by the second source of energy. At least one controller is configured to receive a respective status for the first renewable energy system, the second renewable energy system, and the one or more loads and determine and perform common control of at least two of: the first renewable energy system; the second renewable energy system; and the one or more loads.