Power Control Unit With Battery Dead Zone for Grid Frequency Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing integration of intermittent energy sources like solar and wind turbines into power grids requires more rapid frequency regulation, which puts mechanical control devices in hydropower and wind turbine plants under excessive wear due to frequent adjustments, necessitating a solution to balance electrical power and reduce mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A power control unit that includes a turbine controller, an electric generator, and an electrical energy storage unit, where the dead zone for power regulation adjusts based on frequency changes and the state of charge of the energy storage unit, allowing the energy storage unit to handle smaller frequency variations and reducing the need for frequent mechanical control actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical control devices are used to frequently adjust turbine output for frequency regulation, then frequency stability in the grid is improved, but the mechanical components experience excessive wear and reduced lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power conversion system as an intermediary between the turbine and the grid. This system includes a converter that can rapidly adjust power output without mechanically moving turbine components. The converter acts as a mediator that handles frequent adjustments for frequency regulation, protecting the mechanical turbine components from wear while maintaining grid frequency stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical control mechanisms with an electrical power conversion system. Instead of using mechanical devices to adjust turbine output for frequency regulation, the system uses a converter that can rapidly change power output through electrical control. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear associated with frequent adjustments while achieving the same frequency regulation goal.
2Productivity
If the turbine controller frequently adjusts turbine output to respond to grid frequency changes, then grid frequency control is improved, but the mechanical control devices experience increased wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The power conversion system serves as an intermediary that absorbs the burden of frequent control actions. The converter can rapidly adjust power output in response to grid frequency changes without requiring mechanical movement of turbine components. This intermediary handles the harmful frequency fluctuations, protecting the mechanical control devices from wear while maintaining fast frequency response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical control systems with an electrical power conversion system. The converter uses electrical control mechanisms instead of mechanical devices to adjust power output. This substitution enables rapid frequency response while eliminating the mechanical wear that would result from frequent adjustments of mechanical control devices.
3Measurement precision
If the dead zone for power regulation is reduced to improve frequency control precision, then frequency regulation accuracy is improved, but the turbine controller operates more frequently causing increased mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The power conversion system acts as an intermediary that can handle precise frequency control without transmitting mechanical stress to the turbine. The converter maintains a small dead zone for precise frequency regulation, and when adjustments are needed, it does so through electrical control rather than mechanical actuation. This protects the turbine from mechanical stress while maintaining high frequency control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical control system with an electrical power conversion system that can operate with a smaller dead zone. The converter uses electrical control mechanisms that are not subject to the same mechanical stress constraints as turbine components. This allows for more precise frequency control with a smaller dead zone while avoiding the mechanical stress that would result from frequent turbine adjustments.
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
This solution enables rapid frequency support in the grid without excessive mechanical stress on turbine controllers, extending the lifespan of mechanical components by allowing the energy storage unit to manage smaller frequency fluctuations and reducing the frequency of mechanical control actions.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical energy storage unit which is arranged in parallel with the electric generator with respect to an output of the system
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A power control unit (20) for controlling electric power of a power generator system (100) comprising a hydropower plant (30A) or a wind turbine plant (30B). The system (100) comprises a turbine controller (32), a turbine (34), an electric generator (36), and an electrical energy storage unit (40) which is arranged in parallel with the electric generator (36) with respect to an output of the system (100). The power control unit (20) arranged to be connected to the turbine controller (32) and the electrical energy storage unit (40). The power control unit (20) being configured to determine (310) an electric output power reference of the system (100) based on a frequency (401) at the output (90), and to control (320) an electric output power (402) of the system (100) based on the output electric power reference by a mutual control of the turbine controller (32) and the electrical energy storage unit (40).