Hybrid Power Conversion Apparatus Server Load Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In aggregation systems where an aggregator controls the charging and discharging of power apparatuses for consumers, a heavy load is exerted on the server apparatus, necessitating a solution to reduce this load.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a hybrid power conversion apparatus that autonomously controls the charging and discharging of power apparatuses based on operation modes and control instructions received from an aggregation server, allowing the server to allocate power input and output amounts without needing to manage each individual power apparatus directly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the aggregator directly controls the charging and discharging of each power apparatus for each consumer, then the control precision and responsiveness are improved, but the load on the server apparatus increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidserver load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the control function into two segments: the aggregation server performs high-level power allocation and coordination, while the hybrid power conversion apparatus performs detailed autonomous control of individual power devices. This segmentation reduces the server's processing load while maintaining control precision through the autonomous control unit's ability to make real-time decisions based on power apparatus status and control instructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hybrid power conversion apparatus is equipped with autonomous control capability that allows it to self-manage the charging and discharging of power apparatus without requiring direct server intervention for each operation. The autonomous control unit receives control instructions from the server and independently determines the optimal control strategy, reducing the server's computational burden while ensuring reliable control through the apparatus's own decision-making capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the server manages each individual power apparatus directly, then the control authority is centralized and coordination is simplified, but the communication load and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the detailed control function from the aggregation server and relocates it to the hybrid power conversion apparatus. The server retains centralized authority for power allocation and coordination, while the autonomous control unit at the apparatus level handles the complex real-time control decisions. This extraction reduces communication load on the server while maintaining centralized coordination through the control instructions issued by the server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local autonomous control capability at the hybrid power conversion apparatus, enabling it to make control decisions independently based on local conditions such as power apparatus status and received control instructions. This local quality allows the apparatus to handle complex control tasks locally without requiring constant server intervention, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of centralized operation through the server's allocation authority.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3506446B1Aggregation system, and control method and control device for same
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3506446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3506446B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3506446B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an aggregation system comprising a control apparatus which is provided for each consumer and controls charging and discharging of each power apparatus of the consumer and power I/O to/from a system, and a server apparatus which sends a control instruction to the control apparatus of each of the consumers, the server apparatus calculates, for each of the consumers and as an allocation amount of the consumer, an upper limit value for the power which the consumer inputs from the system or a lower limit value for the power which the consumer is to output to the system, according to a requested power provision amount, and sends the respective control instructions designating the calculated allocation amount of each consumer to the control apparatus of the consumer, and the control apparatuses each control the charging and discharging of the corresponding power apparatus so that the power input from the system is equal to or smaller than the allocation amount designated in the control instruction or so that power equal to or larger than the allocation amount is output to the system.