Hybrid Power Plant Energy Output Evaluation Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting and evaluating the output of hybrid power plants are insufficient in calculating the operating costs, as they do not account for the time profile and variability of renewable energy generation, leading to uncertainties in guaranteeing operating costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that detect the expected energy contributions from renewable and conventional sources as a function of time and load at different tariffs, allowing for proportional assignment of current load to multiple tariffs, enabling precise evaluation of the hybrid power plant's performance and adherence to cost guarantees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If detection is performed only by integrating over the time profile of the load (conventional electricity metering), then the measurement method remains simple, but the precision of operating cost calculation deteriorates because it cannot distinguish between different energy sources and their varying costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of operating cost calculationVSAvoidcomplexity of detection method

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection method segments the total load into different tariff categories (RE tariff and CE tariff) based on time profiles and load characteristics. By dividing the energy detection into separate segments with different cost assignments, the system achieves precise operating cost calculation without requiring complete redesign of the metering infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and classification of energy contributions from renewable and conventional sources before final cost calculation. By pre-identifying which energy quantities originate from which sources during the detection phase, the system enables accurate operating cost evaluation without adding complexity to the subsequent calculation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the current load is assigned to exactly one tariff at any instant, then the detection method remains simple, but the adaptability deteriorates because it cannot reflect the proportional contribution of multiple energy sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to distribute load to multiple tariffsVSAvoidcomplexity of tariff assignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of tariff assignment from discrete (single tariff per instant) to continuous (proportional distribution across multiple tariffs). By allowing the load to be distributed in any proportions to different tariffs based on the actual energy contributions from renewable and conventional sources, the system achieves high adaptability while maintaining manageable detection complexity through software-based calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11482865B2Method and device for recording and evaluating an output of electrical energy of a hybrid power plant

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

A method and device which operates to record and evaluate an output of electrical energy of a hybrid power plant, wherein, in accordance with time and/or load, at least one expected generable and usable energy contribution resulting from the utilization of renewable energy sources and one expected energy contribution resulting from the utilization of convention energy carriers are recorded with different tariffs.