Parallel Power Distribution System for Apartment Complexes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power distribution systems for apartment complexes with solar panels face inefficiencies and high costs due to undercapacity or overcapacity issues, making it impractical to share energy effectively across geographically spaced-apart groups of consumers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two power distributing devices connected in parallel, with a switching and control unit that allows power from one source to be distributed to consuming units of another group, optimizing energy distribution based on demand and supply ratios, and utilizing energy storage to minimize feedback to the grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If power distributing devices supply power to a fixed predetermined group of power consuming units, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but the capacity utilization is low due to undercapacity or overcapacity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The power distributing device is designed to serve multiple functions: it can supply power to its assigned group of power consuming units, but also to other groups when they have power demand. This multi-functionality allows the device to adapt to varying power needs across different groups, improving capacity utilization while maintaining a relatively simple system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power distribution based on real-time power portions produced by power sources and actual power demands of different groups. The power distributing device can flexibly reallocate power capacity between groups, transitioning from a static fixed-assignment model to a dynamic adaptive model that optimizes capacity utilization.
2Device complexity
If power is distributed only to a fixed group of power consuming units, then the distribution control is simple, but power demand cannot be satisfied when the assigned power source has undercapacity
Solution Approach 1:
A control unit acts as an intermediary between power sources and power consuming units. It receives information about power portions produced by power sources and power demands from various groups, then intelligently decides how to allocate power. This intermediary layer adds minimal complexity while significantly improving power supply reliability by enabling flexible reallocation to meet demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors power production from sources and power demand from consuming units. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts power distribution in real-time, ensuring that power supply reliability is maintained even when capacity conditions change, while keeping control complexity manageable through automated decision-making.
3Device complexity
If solar energy is fed to a collective meter, then the energy system is simplified, but the financial balance is unfavorable due to legislation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments power distribution into separate channels for different groups of power consuming units. Each group can receive power directly from power sources through dedicated distributing devices, rather than consolidating all power through a single collective meter. This segmentation enables independent accounting and settlement for each group, satisfying legislative requirements for direct feeding while maintaining system simplicity through modular architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
System for distributing electric power, comprising a first and a second power distributing device, each comprising an input for supplying to the power distributing device electric power to be produced by a power source to be connected thereto, a power divider for dividing the power to be supplied into power portions, and a number of outputs for outputting the power portions from the power distributing device to a respective number of power consuming units, wherein the first and second power distributing devices are configured to distribute power to be produced by respectively a first and a second power source to be connected thereto over respectively a first and a second group of power consuming units, wherein the system is configured to output power to be produced by the first power source to at least one power consuming unit of the second group and/or to output power to be produced by the second power source to at least one power consuming unit of the first group.