Modular AC Feed-In Modules With Storage for Renewable Grid Variability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AC power grid infrastructure struggles with the volatility of renewable energy production and the need for efficient energy storage and feed-in solutions.
Innovation Solution
A modular arrangement of feed-in modules with integrated converter and storage modules, allowing for direct feed-in and storage of energy, with cascaded connections and semiconductor switches for energy exchange, eliminating the need for transformers and enabling efficient voltage adaptation and fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional power converter is used to convert DC voltage to AC voltage for feeding into the AC voltage network, then energy can be fed into the network, but the arrangement cannot effectively handle the volatility of renewable energy generation and requires significant equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple feeder modules, each comprising a converter module and a storage module. This segmentation allows the system to handle volatile energy generation by distributing storage capacity across multiple independent units, reducing the complexity of any single component while maintaining overall reliability for renewable energy feed-in.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter module and storage module are integrated into a single feeder module, combining conversion and storage functionalities. This merging reduces equipment requirements by eliminating the need for separate conversion and storage systems, while the modular design maintains system reliability for handling renewable energy volatility.
2Reliability
If energy is stored in storage modules and then fed into the AC voltage network through converter modules, then energy reliability is improved, but operational losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage modules continuously exchange active and reactive power with the AC voltage network through the converter modules, maintaining continuous useful action. This continuous operation optimizes efficiency by keeping the system in steady-state operation rather than frequent start-stop cycles, thereby reducing operational losses while maintaining energy reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple feeder modules are connected in series on the AC voltage side, then voltage adaptation to the AC voltage network is improved, but the complexity of connecting and coordinating the modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple identical feeder modules connected in series, where each module is a standardized unit with the same converter and storage components. This segmentation approach simplifies coordination by making all modules interchangeable and uniformly controllable, while the series connection provides voltage adaptation to match the AC voltage network requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If storage modules are used for both direct energy feeding and voltage stabilization, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each storage module is designed to perform multiple functions: direct energy feeding into the network, voltage stabilization through reactive power exchange, and energy storage for later release. This multi-functionality is achieved within a standardized modular framework, where the same converter and storage components handle different tasks, improving versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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
Enables reliable energy feed-in and storage, reduces operational losses, and simplifies maintenance by adapting to AC grid requirements while ensuring even charge distribution and fault tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
a converter module for converting an (input-side) DC voltage into an (output-side) AC voltage
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for feeding electrical power into an AC power grid (2). According to the invention, the arrangement comprises a plurality of feed-in modules (El...En), each feed-in module comprising a converter module (W) for converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage and a storage module (S) for storing electrical energy, wherein the storage module is connected to a DC voltage side of the converter module and an AC voltage side of the converter module is configured for connection to the AC power grid and/or to at least one further feed-in modules, so that the feed-in modules form a series connection on the AC voltage side that can be connected to the AC power grid, wherein at least one of the storage modules is configured for connection to a power generation plant.