Parallel Inverter Battery Modules for Renewable Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage systems face issues such as high voltage safety risks, battery imbalance, energy inefficiency, and high costs due to the connection of multiple batteries in series, leading to instability and inefficiency in converting DC power from photovoltaics to AC power for home and office use.
Innovation Solution
An expandable energy storage system comprising independent inverters and battery modules connected in parallel, where each inverter matches the power rating of a battery module, ensuring safe operation and allowing for easy expansion, with a control system that manages charging and discharging based on pre-set voltage limits to optimize energy usage from renewable sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple batteries are connected in series to increase voltage, then power capacity is improved, but safety risks and battery imbalance problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into multiple independent battery modules, each operating at safe low voltage levels. Instead of connecting batteries in series to increase voltage, the system uses multiple parallel modules with independent inverters, segmenting the overall power capacity across several safe units. This resolves the contradiction by achieving high power capacity through parallel segmentation rather than series connection.
2Power
If multiple batteries are connected in series to increase voltage, then power capacity is improved, but battery imbalance and instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
Each battery module operates independently with its own inverter, creating segmented power conversion units. This segmentation prevents battery imbalance because each module's charging and discharging is independently controlled, eliminating the imbalance issues that arise in series-connected battery systems where voltage differences cause instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverter acts as an intermediary between each battery module and the AC load/grid. This intermediary enables independent voltage conversion and power management for each module, allowing the system to maintain stable operation without direct series connection between batteries, thus preventing battery imbalance while achieving high power capacity.
3Ease of operation
If DC power from photovoltaics is converted to AC power using an inverter, then usability is improved, but significant power loss occurs due to DC instability and phase tuning problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power conversion function by providing each battery module with its own dedicated inverter. This segmentation allows each inverter to work with a stable DC source from its paired battery module, eliminating the DC instability issues that cause power loss in conventional systems. The modular approach ensures consistent phase tuning and reduces energy loss during conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverter serves as a stabilized intermediary between the DC battery source and AC load/grid. By pairing each inverter with a specific battery module operating at stable voltage, the system eliminates the DC instability and phase tuning problems that cause power loss, while still providing the necessary AC power conversion for usability.
4Quantity of substance
If battery capacity is increased to store more renewable energy, then energy savings are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves high battery capacity through parallel connection of multiple standardized battery modules, each with its own inverter. This segmentation allows capacity to be increased by simply adding more identical modules rather than creating a complex single large-scale system. The modular segmented architecture reduces overall system complexity while enabling scalable energy storage for maximum renewable energy utilization.
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 system provides a safe, efficient, and cost-effective means of storing and utilizing renewable energy, reducing reliance on the grid by balancing energy consumption during peak and valley periods, with low maintenance and flexible installation options.
Implementation Method 1
Each inverter converts a DC source (from a battery) to AC power until a battery low voltage is reached
Implementation Method 2
Photovoltaics are in general connected in series or parallel as a conversion device that converts photo energy into electrical energies
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical energy storage system for maximizing the utilization of renewable energy. In the system an inverter connected to at least one battery module is integrated with a grid power source and home or office electrical devices. Additionally, a renewable energy source can be included in the system. A controller is used to control the components for reducing demands on the grid power source during peak demand periods and for maximizing the utilization of the renewable energy source connected to the system.