MVDC Solar Plant Architecture With Centralized Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solar power generation systems face challenges in efficiently collecting and transmitting low-density solar power from a large geographical area to a single point of interconnection, resulting in high safety and insulation costs due to high voltage transmission, while also experiencing reactive power losses and requiring numerous inverters.

Innovation Solution

A solar power generation system that utilizes photovoltaic arrays to generate low voltage direct current (LVDC) power, which is converted to medium voltage DC (MVDC) by DC to DC converters and transmitted through branch and main MVDC buses, then converted to medium voltage AC power by an inverter and further to high voltage AC power by a distribution transformer, reducing the need for local inverters and minimizing reactive power losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If high voltage transmission is used to efficiently transmit power, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but safety costs and insulation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidsafety and insulation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from high voltage AC to medium voltage DC, and the current parameter from low current to medium current, achieving efficient power transmission without the safety and insulation costs associated with high voltage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional AC transmission system with a DC transmission system, eliminating reactive power losses and reducing the need for complex insulation and safety equipment while maintaining transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If local inverters are installed at each collection point to convert DC to AC, then power can be transmitted to the grid, but the number of inverters increases system complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidnumber of inverters

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple local inverter functions into a single centralized inverter located at the POI, reducing the number of inverters from many distributed units to one central unit while maintaining the ability to transmit power to the grid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a DC collection bus as an intermediary component that collects DC power from multiple PV arrays and transports it to the centralized inverter, eliminating the need for local inverters at each collection point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If AC power transmission is used, then power can be transmitted to the grid, but reactive power losses occur reducing overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy production efficiencyVSAvoidreactive power losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the AC power transmission system with a DC power transmission system, eliminating reactive power losses entirely since DC has no reactive component, thereby improving overall energy production efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances safety, reduces insulation costs, minimizes power losses, and decreases the number of inverters required, thereby increasing energy production efficiency and cost efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) arrays configured to generate low voltage direct current (LVDC) power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of DC to DC converters, each of the plurality of DC to DC converters configured to receive LVDC power from at least one of the plurality of PV arrays and convert the LVDC power to medium voltage DC (MVDC) power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Implementation Method 3

at least one inverter configured to receive MVDC power from the main MVDC bus and convert the MVDC power to medium voltage alternating current (MVAC) power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Implementation Method 4

a distribution transformer configured to receive MVAC power from the at least one inverter and convert the MVAC power to high voltage AC power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250007295A1Medium voltage direct current solar plant architecture

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 GE GRID SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A solar power generation system is provided. The solar power generation system includes a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) arrays configured to generate low voltage direct current (LVDC) power, a plurality of DC to DC converters, each of the plurality of DC to DC converters configured to convert the LVDC power to medium voltage DC (MVDC) power, a plurality of branch MVDC busses, a main MVDC bus configured to receive MVDC power from each of the plurality of branch MVDC busses, at least one inverter configured to receive MVDC power from the main MVDC bus and convert the MVDC power to medium voltage alternating current (MVAC) power, and a distribution transformer configured to receive MVAC power from the at least one inverter and convert the MVAC power to high voltage AC power.