Distributed Microgrid Load Centers With Battery Switching Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a reliable and cost-effective method to provide electrical power to areas unserved or underserved by traditional utility infrastructure, as over 250 million people lack access to reliable electricity, hindering their quality of life and economic development.
Innovation Solution
A microgrid power system is proposed, comprising one or more power stations and local power systems connected to these power stations. The local power systems include a battery, switches, a phase sensor, a bidirectional power converter, and a controller, allowing them to receive power from off-site stations, use local batteries, or combine both to meet load demands. The power stations can generate power from various sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, or internal combustion engines, and include a battery for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional utility infrastructure is built to provide electrical power to unserved areas, then reliable power supply is improved, but capital investment cost increases enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional centralized utility infrastructure into distributed microgrid systems at local levels. Each microgrid operates independently with local generation and storage, segmenting the monolithic infrastructure into manageable units that can be deployed incrementally in unserved areas without requiring enormous upfront capital investment for entire regional grids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the traditional single-dimension model of centralized generation to a multi-dimensional distributed architecture where power can be generated, stored, and consumed at multiple hierarchical levels (local, community, regional). This dimensional change enables flexible deployment strategies that reduce capital barriers while maintaining supply reliability.
2Device complexity
If local power systems use only local batteries without off-site power stations, then system simplicity is improved, but power supply duration and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication and control systems as intermediaries that coordinate between local batteries and off-site power stations. These intermediaries enable the local system to access extended power duration from remote stations without requiring direct physical connection or complex local infrastructure, maintaining relative system simplicity while extending operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The local power system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in multiple modes: standalone battery operation, hybrid operation with both local and off-site power, and various charging/discharging strategies. This universality allows the system to adapt to different scenarios and extend power supply duration without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system switches between first AC power from power station and second AC power from battery, then power supply flexibility is improved, but phase synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/electrical phase synchronization mechanisms with electronic control and software-based phase adjustment. The controller uses electronic circuits and algorithms to detect phase differences and dynamically adjust the battery inverter's output phase, substituting sophisticated hardware synchronization mechanisms with more manageable electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the phase angle parameter of the second AC power from the battery to match the first AC power from the power station. By treating phase as a controllable variable that can be adjusted in real-time, the system achieves seamless switching between power sources without requiring complex fixed synchronization hardware.
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 microgrid power system provides reliable electrical power to unserved or underserved areas without the need for a large capital investment in traditional infrastructure. It ensures continuous power supply by utilizing a combination of off-site power, local batteries, and renewable energy sources, thereby enhancing the quality of life and promoting economic development.
Implementation Method 1
The bidirectional power converter is configured to selectively convert DC power from the battery to a second AC power, and to selectively convert the first AC power to DC power to charge the battery
Implementation Method 2
The phase sensor senses a phase of the first AC power
Implementation Method 3
The power station may generate power from solar sources (e.g., photovoltaic)
Implementation Method 4
The power station may generate power from wind sources
Implementation Method 5
The power station may generate power from hydroelectric sources
Implementation Method 6
The power station may generate power from internal combustion engine sources (e.g., a diesel generator)
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to a microgrid power system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the microgrid power system comprises a power station including an AC power source and a stabilizing battery system. The power station may be configured to generate an AC power and to provide the first AC power to a power distribution network. A plurality of load centers may be connected to the power distribution system. Each load center may include a local battery and a switch connecting the power station to a local load. A system controller may open the switch to provide power from the local battery to the local load, and close the switch to provide power from the power station to the local load. In an embodiment, a microgrid controller may determine an amount of AC power generated by the power station that may be consumed by each load center.