Plug-and-Play Energy Management System for Modular Solar Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar energy systems are not modular, versatile, or easily installable, making them inaccessible to populations in urban and rural areas with suboptimal rooftop orientations, and they lack analytics for smart-home or smart-grid applications.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that includes a premises electricity network interface, energy measurement and analytics modules, and a DC energy input for photovoltaic modules, allowing for self-installation, energy storage, and smart energy distribution between local and remote sources, with options for grid connection and off-grid operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional PV systems are installed by electricians or technicians using traditional wiring methods, then the system reliability is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wiring connections with a plug-and-play interface system. The inverter includes a female plug that connects to a male socket on the PV module, eliminating the need for electricians to perform complex wiring tasks while maintaining reliable electrical connections. This substitution of mechanical wiring with standardized plug-socket interfaces directly resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of installation.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional PV systems are designed for specific rooftop orientations, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal inverter design with standardized plug-and-play interfaces that can accommodate PV modules from various manufacturers and configurations. The inverter's female plug connects to any PV module's male socket, enabling the system to adapt to different rooftop orientations, locations, and module types without requiring custom wiring solutions, thus achieving both precision and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic adaptability through its modular architecture, where the inverter can dynamically adjust to different PV module configurations, orientations, and locations. The standardized interfaces allow the system to be dynamically reconfigured for different installation scenarios, from north-facing rooftops to south-facing surfaces, maintaining optimal performance across diverse conditions.
3Device complexity
If conventional PV systems lack analytics capabilities, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates energy analytics capabilities that provide real-time feedback on energy production, consumption, and savings. The system monitors and communicates energy data to users, enabling them to track performance and make informed decisions. This feedback mechanism adds valuable information capabilities while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through integrated monitoring functions.
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
Facilitates access to solar energy for diverse situations, simplifies installation, enables load shifting, and allows trading of solar energy between users, minimizing costs and overcoming limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
The DC energy sources comprise one or more photovoltaic modules
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an energy management system that allows leveraging DC energy at user premises. The system allows for use of local or remote DC energy generated by photovoltaic modules or a battery pack. The system comprises a premises electricity network interface arranged to deliver and draw energy to and from a premises electricity network; a premises energy measurement module arranged to measure the amount of energy required by the premises electricity network; a DC energy input arranged to receive energy from one or more DC energy sources; and an energy analytics module arranged to receive data from the energy measurement module and, based on the received data, calculate an amount of energy to be delivered to the premises electricity network via the premises electricity network interface.