Hybrid Power Control Architecture for Off-Grid Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid power systems for off-grid facilities are costly to install and maintain, require significant space, and experience downtime when individual units malfunction, due to the need for multiple units and complex integration.
Innovation Solution
A power management control system that includes a hybrid power control architecture with a microcontroller unit, maximum power point tracker, and multiplexers to regulate power flow from various sources, including renewable energy sources, and allows for bi-directional communication and hot-swappable components to maintain system functionality even when units are replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate power units are used to provide diverse power sources, then power supply reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power conversion functions (solar charge controller, inverter, battery charger) into a single integrated hybrid power unit. This consolidation maintains power supply reliability by incorporating diverse power sources while reducing system complexity through unified control and shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid power unit performs multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as a solar charge controller, inverter, and battery charger within a single device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate units while maintaining comprehensive power supply capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate power units are deployed, then power source diversity is improved, but installation and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging solar charging, battery charging, and inverter functions into one unit, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be installed and maintained. This single-unit approach maintains power source diversity while significantly lowering installation and maintenance costs compared to multiple separate units.
3Power
If multiple separate power units are used, then power generation capacity is improved, but space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates solar panels, battery bank, charge controller, inverter, and generator into a single compact hybrid power unit. This consolidation maintains full power generation capacity from multiple sources while minimizing the physical space required compared to distributed separate units.
4Adaptability or versatility
If individual power units operate independently, then system modularity is improved, but system reliability decreases when one unit malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid power unit incorporates multiple power generation and storage systems (solar, battery, generator) within a single integrated device. This ensures that if one power source malfunctions, the others can continue operating, maintaining system reliability while preserving modular design benefits.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are system and method embodiments for a power tracking and control architecture. An embodiment operates by compiling a data telegram, wherein the data telegram comprises a plurality of blocks; sending, by a first communication path of the controller, the data telegram to a second tier of the tiered network, wherein at least one power asset of the second tier of the tiered network is configured to update a power profile according to at least one block of the data telegram; and receiving, by a second communication path of the tiered network, an update from the at least one power asset of the second tier of the tiered network.