Micro-grid Asset Management Controller for Genset and Energy Storage Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro-grid systems for off-grid applications face high operating costs due to inefficient fuel usage and equipment maintenance, as existing solutions do not effectively monitor and manage energy storage unit inefficiencies, leading to suboptimal load distribution and reduced equipment lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A micro-grid system with an asset management controller (AMC) that determines discharge and charge power losses, assigns priorities to gensets and energy storage units based on cost functions, and selectively activates power sources to optimize load distribution and reserve allocation, ensuring efficient operation and extended equipment life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the genset is run at higher load factors to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency increases, but the equipment lifetime may be reduced due to increased wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic cycling between genset operation and energy storage unit operation. The genset is activated to charge energy storage units when electricity rates are low, then deactivated while energy storage units supply power during high-rate periods. This periodic operation allows the genset to accumulate operating hours efficiently while preventing continuous high-load operation that would cause excessive wear, thus resolving the contradiction between fuel efficiency and equipment lifetime.
2Loss of energy
If energy storage units are monitored and managed to reduce operating costs, then operating costs decrease, but the device complexity increases due to additional monitoring and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a controller that continuously monitors multiple parameters including state of charge, temperature, voltage, and current of energy storage units. This feedback mechanism enables real-time optimization of charge/discharge cycles to minimize operating costs while preventing equipment damage. The controller adjusts operation based on electricity rate signals and operational data, achieving cost reduction through intelligent control that manages the complexity of monitoring systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-grid system for providing power to a load includes a plurality of gensets and energy storage units (ESU) in parallel. An asset management controller is configured to determine a genset cost function for the gensets based on at least an efficient load factor, and determine an ESU cost function based on at least the a discharge power loss (DPL) and a charge power loss (CPL). The AMC assigns a priority to each ESU and each genset based on the cost function and selectively activates the power supplies based on the priority and a power demand of the load and a reserve. The AMC determines an available reserve among activated power supplies then selectively distributes the load among activated power supplies and reserve among the available reserve.