Hybrid Power Management for Surplus-to-Hydrogen Conversion Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems face challenges in stably and efficiently managing and utilizing surplus power generated from both conventional power sources and renewable energy sources, with issues such as performance degradation of energy storage devices and instability in power supply due to dependence on environmental factors, leading to risks like power disruptions and hydrogen explosion risks in water electrolysis systems.
Innovation Solution
A power management system comprising a power source, a renewable energy generation part, a power conversion part, a water electrolysis part, a hydrogen storage system, and a control part that synchronizes power to convert surplus power into both DC power and hydrogen, with independent power supply to the water electrolysis device and balance-of-plant components to maintain stability and minimize power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If surplus power is converted into hydrogen using water electrolysis, then energy storage capacity is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to explosion risks and operational instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the power conversion path into separate channels: one for converting surplus power to hydrogen via water electrolysis, and another for direct DC power conversion. This segmentation allows the system to store energy in multiple forms (hydrogen and electrical energy) independently, reducing the risk associated with any single conversion process while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a DC power conversion system as an intermediary mechanism between the surplus power source and the water electrolysis device. This intermediary provides a stable, controlled power conversion path that reduces operational instability and explosion risks associated with direct electrolysis, while still enabling hydrogen production when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If renewable energy sources are used to provide auxiliary power, then sustainability is improved, but power supply stability deteriorates due to environmental dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges conventional power sources with renewable energy sources into a hybrid power system. The conventional power source provides stable baseline power, while renewable sources supplement with auxiliary power when available. This combination allows the system to benefit from the sustainability of renewable energy while maintaining the stability of conventional sources, effectively resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all power is converted through DC/DC and AC/DC converters, then power conversion flexibility is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to converter failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water electrolysis device from the conventional converter-based power conversion chain and provides it with a dedicated power supply path. This separation removes the electrolysis process from dependency on DC/DC and AC/DC converters, eliminating the risk that converter failures will disrupt hydrogen production. The electrolysis device can now operate independently with its own power management, improving overall system reliability while maintaining conversion flexibility.
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 system effectively stabilizes and maximizes the utilization of surplus power by dualizing it into DC power and hydrogen, improving energy storage stability and ensuring continuous power supply, even during disruptions, while minimizing power loss and reducing the risk of hydrogen explosion.
Implementation Method 1
a water electrolysis part including a water electrolysis device configured to be driven by the surplus converted by the power conversion part
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a power management system including: a power source that includes a power system for providing main power to a load and a renewable energy generation part for providing auxiliary power; a power conversion part that converts a surplus of at least one of the main power and the auxiliary power; a water electrolysis part that includes a water electrolysis device configured to be driven by the surplus converted by the power conversion part, a balance-or-plant (BOP) configured to be driven by a portion branched from the main power, and a hydrogen storage; and a control part that synchronizes power applied to the power conversion part and power applied to the water electrolysis device to exchange direct current (DC) power between the power conversion part and the water electrolysis device.