Distributed Microgrid Battery Switching for Reliable Local Power
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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 standard of living and economic development.
Innovation Solution
A microgrid power system comprising off-site power stations and local power systems, including batteries, phase sensors, bidirectional power converters, and energy management controllers, which utilize solar, wind, and internal combustion engine sources to generate and store power, ensuring reliable energy distribution and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional utility infrastructure is built to provide reliable electrical power, then power reliability 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 its own power sources and storage, segmenting the monolithic infrastructure into manageable units that can be deployed incrementally without requiring enormous upfront capital investment for complete infrastructure replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements localized power generation and storage systems (microgrids) at community or regional levels rather than relying on distant centralized plants. This local quality approach allows each region to develop power capacity according to its specific needs and budget constraints, improving power reliability locally without requiring uniform nationwide infrastructure investment.
2Reliability
If microgrid power system uses battery storage to provide power during generation shortages, then power reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power generation sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, internal combustion engines) with battery storage systems into integrated microgrid units. This merging allows the system to automatically switch between sources and store excess energy, improving power reliability while managing complexity through unified control architecture rather than separate standalone systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The bidirectional power converter serves multiple functions: converting AC to DC for battery charging, converting DC to AC for power delivery, and providing phase synchronization control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated equipment for each operation, thereby improving power reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If phase synchronization control is implemented before closing switch, then power system stability is improved, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary phase synchronization measurement and adjustment before closing the switch to connect the microgrid to the utility grid. The controller measures phase angles, frequencies, and voltages in advance, adjusts the microgrid output to match grid parameters, and only then closes the switch. This preliminary action ensures power system stability while managing precision requirements through staged control rather than demanding perfect synchronization at the moment of connection.
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 scalable, reliable, and efficient electrical power to unserved areas, enabling social and economic development by leveraging diverse energy sources and efficient energy management, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure investments.
Implementation Method 1
The power station may generate power from solar sources (e.g., photovoltaic)
Implementation Method 2
wind sources
Implementation Method 3
hydroelectric sources
Implementation Method 4
internal combustion engine sources (e.g., a diesel generator)
Implementation Method 5
The power station may generate power from solar sources (e.g., photovoltaic), wind sources, hydroelectric sources, or internal combustion engine sources (e.g., a diesel generator), and may also include a battery to store and later source power
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.