Power Conditioner Threshold Adjustment for Dispersed Supply Output Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a dispersed power supply system with non-natural energy type power conditioners interconnected to a grid, differing forward power flow thresholds lead to output imbalances, causing one power conditioner to concentrate output while another stops, resulting in potential harm to the power supply apparatus with a lower threshold.

Innovation Solution

A dispersed power supply system where each power conditioner adjusts its own forward power flow threshold to equalize output differences by communicating and dynamically adjusting its threshold based on periodic changes in forward power flow, using control signals and protocols like ZigBee SEP2.0 for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each power conditioner uses a fixed forward power flow threshold to control output, then reverse power flow can be prevented, but output concentration occurs on power conditioners with lower thresholds causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereverse power flow preventionVSAvoidoutput concentration harm
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the forward power flow threshold adjustable rather than fixed. Each power conditioner dynamically changes its threshold based on detected output concentrations from other power conditioners. This allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and prevent output concentration harm while maintaining reverse power flow prevention through the threshold mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having each power conditioner detect the output of other power conditioners and use this information to adjust its own forward power flow threshold. This feedback loop enables the system to identify and correct output concentration issues, preventing harmful effects on power supply apparatus while maintaining effective reverse power flow prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If current sensors are installed on the grid side to detect forward power flow, then reverse power flow can be prevented, but all power conditioners detect the same power flow causing output imbalances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereverse power flow detectionVSAvoidoutput balance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback by having each power conditioner detect not only the forward power flow from the grid but also the output of other power conditioners. This additional feedback information allows each unit to adjust its threshold individually, maintaining reverse power flow detection capability while achieving balanced output distribution across all power conditioners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the forward power flow threshold parameter based on detected output conditions. Each power conditioner modifies this parameter dynamically to achieve balanced output distribution while maintaining the reverse power flow prevention function that the current sensors provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If forward power flow thresholds are set differently for each power conditioner, then individual control is achieved, but output concentration occurs leading to decreased SOH of power supply apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual power conditioner controlVSAvoidpower supply apparatus SOH
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having each power conditioner monitor the outputs of other power conditioners and adjust its own threshold accordingly. This feedback mechanism maintains individual control capability while preventing output concentration that would harm power supply apparatus reliability and SOH.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the forward power flow threshold based on system conditions. This allows individual power conditioners to maintain control flexibility while the threshold adjustments prevent harmful output concentration, thereby protecting power supply apparatus SOH.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3041109B1Distributed power supply system and power conditioner
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP3041109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3041109B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3041109B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Output difference between non-natural energy type dispersed power supply systems is resolved. The disclosed dispersed power supply system includes a power conditioner 10 configured to control output of a power supply apparatus 11, a current sensor 12, another power conditioner 20 configured to control output of another power supply apparatus 21 and another current sensor 22. The current sensor 12 and another current sensor 22 are installed on a position where a current from a grid is detected as the same forward power flow. When a forward power flow threshold for preventing a reverse power flow of the power conditioner 10 is lower than that of another power conditioner 20, the power conditioner 10 controls the output of the power supply apparatus 11 to adjust the forward power flow that is higher than the forward power flow threshold to the forward power flow threshold, and then, if the forward power flow is higher than the forward power flow threshold when another power conditioner controls the output of another power supply apparatus based on another forward power flow threshold, increases the forward power flow threshold.