Renewable Power Continuity Unit With Battery Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage solutions for renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, face challenges including intermittency, high replacement costs, and inefficiency due to battery degradation from temperature fluctuations, particularly in lithium titanate batteries used for solar installations.
Innovation Solution
A power continuity unit comprising a battery pack with monitoring devices, a power converter, and a housing assembly that includes features for temperature management and efficient energy storage and release, using lithium titanate oxide cells or other non-LTO cells, and a fluid circulator to maintain optimal battery conditions, with a housing design that fits beneath solar panels or within wind turbine towers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lead-acid batteries are used for energy storage, then the system can store electrical energy, but the batteries are bulky, include dangerous chemicals, and have a short life span
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses short-lived, disposable solar panels to replace long-lived but harmful lead-acid batteries. The solar panels are designed to be replaced periodically (every 10-15 years) rather than using durable but hazardous battery systems. This eliminates the need for bulky, chemically hazardous energy storage while providing continuous power through the integration of solar generation with energy storage in the solar panel structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from separate battery systems and integrates it directly into the solar panel structure. The solar panel assembly includes integrated energy storage components, eliminating the need for separate lead-acid or lithium-ion battery systems that require special handling, space, and safety precautions.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If lithium titanate batteries are used for energy storage, then the batteries have long cycle life, but they degrade when subjected to large temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameters by integrating active cooling systems that maintain optimal temperature ranges for lithium titanate batteries. The cooling system uses refrigerant cycles and heat exchangers to keep battery temperatures within acceptable limits even during large ambient temperature fluctuations, thereby preserving battery cycle life and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling system between the lithium titanate batteries and the external environment. This cooling system acts as a buffer that isolates the batteries from direct exposure to temperature fluctuations, using refrigerant cycles and thermal management components to maintain stable operating conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate solar generation and battery storage units are integrated, then the system can provide both power generation and energy storage, but extra redundant parts are used which do not provide extra redundancy or value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solar generation system and energy storage system into a single integrated assembly. The solar panel structure itself incorporates energy storage components, eliminating the need for separate battery enclosures, mounting structures, and connection systems. This integration reduces overall system complexity and eliminates redundant parts while maintaining both power generation and storage capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal solar panel assembly that performs multiple functions: power generation, energy storage, and thermal management. The integrated design allows the same structural components to serve multiple purposes, such as the solar panel framework providing both structural support and housing for energy storage components, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated structures for each function.
4Duration of action of moving object
If Tesla Powerwall batteries are used for energy storage, then the system can provide long-duration storage, but the batteries only last a decade compared to 25 years for solar panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable, short-lived solar panel assemblies that are replaced periodically rather than using long-lived but capacity-limited battery systems. Each solar panel assembly includes integrated energy storage that degrades alongside the solar cells, and the entire assembly is replaced every 10-15 years rather than attempting to extend battery life indefinitely. This approach aligns the replacement cycle of energy storage with the replacement cycle of power generation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the solar panel and energy storage system into a single replaceable unit. When the solar panel degrades or needs replacement, the entire assembly including the integrated battery is replaced together, eliminating the need for separate battery replacement cycles and simplifying maintenance schedules.
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 solution provides efficient, long-lasting energy storage and release, reducing replacement costs and improving system redundancy, while maintaining battery longevity and integrating seamlessly with existing renewable energy systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each battery cell has a monitoring device configured to monitor the voltage of the battery cell and to trim excess voltage over an optimal voltage for the battery cell
Implementation Method 2
The power converter is programmed to a) convert a portion of the DC power received from the alternative energy device into alternating current (AC) power for output to a user
Implementation Method 3
direct a portion of the DC power received from the alternative energy device to the battery pack for storage as stored electrical energy
Implementation Method 4
convert stored electrical energy from the battery pack into AC power for output to the user during nighttime use
Implementation Method 5
the housing may include features for protecting the battery cells from extreme temperatures. For instance, the housing assembly may comprise a battery casing made from heat-insulating material
Implementation Method 6
the housing assembly may comprise a single heat-dissipating casing surrounding both the battery pack and the power converter
Implementation Method 7
the power continuity unit includes a fluid circulator such as a fan or a pump housed by the housing assembly and configured to drive fluid to the plurality of battery cells in the battery pack
Data Source
AI summary
A power continuity unit includes a battery pack, a power converter, and a housing assembly. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells with monitoring devices that monitor the voltage of the associated battery cell and trim excess voltage. During daytime, the power converter converts a portion of the direct current (DC) power it receives from an alternative energy device into alternating current (AC) power and directs it to a user, while the remainder is stored in the battery pack. During nighttime, the power converter converts DC power it receives from the battery pack into alternating current (AC) power and directs it to the user. The housing assembly provides structural support and protection to the battery pack; its configuration depends on the type of battery cell being used.