Inverter Power Factor Control for Renewable Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variable energy sources like solar and wind energy disrupt electrical distribution networks, leading to degraded power factors and penalties when not managed effectively, as existing technologies fail to optimize self-consumption and energy supply in electrical facilities connected to distribution networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that control an electrical energy inverter to determine and supply controllable active and reactive powers, ensuring a network power factor greater than or equal to a target power factor, minimizing network-supplied active power and maximizing inverter-supplied active power, while maintaining an inverter power factor above a minimum threshold, thereby optimizing energy flows and avoiding penalties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If variable energy source supplies active power to the electrical network, then energy production from renewable source is improved, but power factor seen by the electrical distribution network is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter dynamically changes the reactive power parameter to compensate for the power factor degradation caused by active power injection from the variable energy source. By adjusting the reactive power component, the system maintains the overall power factor within acceptable ranges while continuing to produce active power from renewable sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverter acts as an intermediary device between the variable energy source and the electrical distribution network. It manages the power flow by controlling both active and reactive power components, thereby mediating the interaction between the renewable source and the network to prevent power factor degradation while maximizing energy production.
2Productivity
If electrical facility operates in self-consumption mode, then local energy supply is maximized, but management becomes dependent on electrical energy distributor
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical facility operates in self-consumption mode where the variable energy source supplies power locally to the electrical load, maximizing local energy supply. The inverter autonomously manages power flow and power factor control without requiring continuous intervention from the electrical energy distributor, thereby achieving both high local energy supply and operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the inverter with control algorithms that automatically manage power factor and power flow. This preliminary setup enables the facility to operate independently in self-consumption mode without real-time dependency on the distributor's management systems.
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 solution stabilizes the network power factor, reduces energy costs by minimizing network-supplied power, and prevents penalties by optimizing energy supply and consumption in self-consumption mode, ensuring efficient energy management and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inverter, connected firstly to the variable electrical energy source and secondly to the connection point, said inverter being arranged for converting the energy delivered by the electrical energy source and supplying a first controllable active power and a first controllable reactive power at the connection point
Data Source
AI summary
A method for optimizing the energy supply from a variable electrical energy source in an electrical facility, operating in a self-consumption mode, connected to an electrical energy distribution network. A control device is configured to control an electrical energy inverter in an electrical facility and to an electrical facility including a control device for controlling an electrical energy inverter.