Modular Battery Arrays for Hybrid Power Plants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial machines often require larger engines to handle peak power demands, leading to increased costs and emissions, as well as stricter emission regulations, despite most applications only needing power for a small duty cycle.
Innovation Solution
A modular combustion-electric hybrid power plant system that includes engines, generators, and modular battery arrays, where engines charge batteries, and the batteries provide power to the machine, allowing for a smaller engine to be used and the power output to be optimized for efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a larger engine is used to handle peak power demands, then the machine can meet maximum power requirements, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is divided into a smaller, less expensive engine and a modular battery array. This segmentation reduces the engine size and associated costs (purchase price, maintenance, emissions compliance) while meeting peak power requirements through the combined system rather than requiring a single large expensive engine.
2Power
If a larger engine is used to handle peak power demands, then the machine can meet maximum power requirements, but emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented so that the smaller engine operates within lower emission tiers during normal operation, while the battery array provides clean electric power during peak demand periods. This eliminates the need for a large engine that would require compliance with stricter emission standards, thereby reducing overall emissions.
3Ease of manufacture
If a smaller engine is used to match typical power needs, then costs and emissions are reduced, but the machine cannot meet peak power demands
Solution Approach 1:
The battery array acts as an intermediary energy storage device that bridges the gap between the smaller engine's continuous power output and the machine's peak power requirements. The battery stores energy when the engine operates at normal levels and releases additional power during peak demands, enabling the use of a smaller engine without compromising peak performance.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a smaller engine is used to match typical power needs, then emissions are reduced, but the machine cannot meet peak power demands
Solution Approach 1:
The battery array serves as an intermediary that enables the smaller engine to meet peak power demands without exceeding emission standards. By providing supplemental clean electric power during high-demand periods, the battery allows the engine to maintain its smaller, lower-emission configuration while still delivering adequate peak performance.
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
This approach reduces the need for large engines, lowers costs, and minimizes emissions by using batteries to supplement power during peak demands, enabling more efficient operation and compliance with less stringent emission regulations.
Implementation Method 1
A power plant may include an engine system, a generator system, and one or more battery arrays
Implementation Method 2
A power plant may include an engine system, a generator system, and one or more battery arrays
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed towards modular power plants that provide power to operate machines. A power plant is a combustion-electric hybrid power plant that includes at least one or more engines, one or more generators, and one or more battery arrays. The battery arrays include one or more modular batteries. Rather than the engine directly providing power to the machine, the engine and generators charge the batteries. The batteries provide the power required to operate the machine. A user may vary the maximum power output of the power plant by varying the number and/or type of modular batteries included in the one or more battery arrays. The specific configuration of the batteries may be based on the power requirements of the machine's expected usage or operation. The power plant is configured to a specific machine application by installing and/or removing batteries from the battery arrays based on the machine's power requirements.