Power Converter Control for Renewable Charge Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management systems fail to effectively manage the input and output of power derived from both commercial electric power systems and renewable energy sources, leading to inefficiencies in charging and discharging storage batteries, and lack the capability to optimize the supply of renewable energy when needed.

Innovation Solution

A power converter system with a power conversion unit, measurement unit, storage unit, setting unit, and management unit that measures electrical characteristics, sets power conversion characteristics, and manages renewable energy charge amounts, enabling efficient conversion and management of power from both commercial and renewable sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a power converter charges a storage battery with both power from a commercial electric power system and power from renewable energy sources, then the storage battery can be charged with diverse power sources, but it becomes impossible to manage how much power derived from renewable energy is stored and how much is supplied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging capability with multiple power sourcesVSAvoidrenewable energy charge amount management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The power converter is divided into distinct functional modules: a power conversion unit for converting power, a measurement unit for measuring electrical characteristics, a storage unit for storing reference functions, and a management unit for managing renewable energy charge amounts. This segmentation allows each module to handle specific tasks, enabling the system to track renewable energy separately while accepting multiple power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The management unit acts as an intermediary that uses reference functions to calculate and track the renewable energy charge amount. By introducing this intermediary component that performs calculations based on measured electrical characteristics and stored reference functions, the system can distinguish renewable energy from commercial power even though both are converted through the same power conversion unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the system supplies power from the charged storage battery, then power can be provided when needed, but it cannot manage how much power derived from renewable energy is supplied from the storage battery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidrenewable energy output amount management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement unit continuously measures electrical characteristics of power flowing through the converter, and the management unit uses these measurements along with stored reference functions to calculate the renewable energy charge amount. This feedback mechanism allows the system to track renewable energy flow in real-time during both charging and discharging operations, enabling accurate management of power supply from renewable sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the system wants to suppress environmental load by supplying power from renewable energy when needed, then environmental sustainability is improved, but the system lacks the capability to manage and optimize renewable energy supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental loadVSAvoidrenewable energy management

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The power converter autonomously manages renewable energy tracking and optimization without requiring external intervention. The management unit automatically calculates renewable energy charge amounts using measured electrical characteristics and stored reference functions, and can control the power conversion unit to prioritize renewable energy supply. This self-service capability enables the system to reduce environmental load while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12483037B2Power converter, power system, and control method of power converter

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A power converter includes: a power conversion unit configured to convert power input from a bus, output the converted power to a power element, convert power input from the power element, and output the converted power to the bus; a measurement unit configured to measure an electrical characteristic value of power input to and from the power conversion unit; a storage unit configured to store a first reference function and a second reference function; a setting unit configured to set a power conversion characteristic of the power conversion unit based on an electrical characteristic value; and a management unit configured to manage a renewable energy charge amount and manage an amount of power derived from renewable energy supplied from the power element.