Power Converter GPS Coordination for Grid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed power generation systems, such as solar and wind energy, face challenges in integrating with electrical grids due to requirements for grid connectivity, safety, stability, and power quality, which existing technologies struggle to manage effectively across dispersed locations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising power conversion systems equipped with GPS receivers to provide location and temporal information, combined with power and phase angle data, is used to determine operating parameters and transmit information to a central Energy Management System (EMS) for monitoring and controlling power balance and stability across the grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distributed power generation systems are integrated across dispersed locations, then renewable energy capacity and diversity are improved, but system coordination complexity and information management requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple information sources (power measurements, location data from GPS, phase angle information, temporal data) into a unified centralized management system. This merging of dispersed information streams enables coordinated control of distributed power generation systems while maintaining their geographical dispersion and renewable energy capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized system performs multiple functions including monitoring power output, tracking location, synchronizing phase angles, managing temporal coordination, and optimizing power distribution. This multi-functional approach handles diverse requirements of dispersed renewable energy systems through a single integrated platform, reducing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If power conversion systems operate independently at different locations, then system simplicity and local autonomy are improved, but grid stability and power quality control worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where power conversion systems transmit operational data (power output, phase angle, location) to a centralized system, which then provides control signals back to individual systems. This feedback mechanism enables centralized coordination to maintain grid stability while allowing local systems to operate with simplified independent control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized power management system acts as an intermediary between dispersed power conversion systems and the electrical grid. It receives information from individual systems, processes coordination requirements, and transmits control commands that ensure grid stability without requiring complex control logic within each distributed system.
3Reliability
If centralized coordination of distributed power systems is implemented, then grid stability and power quality are improved, but information transmission requirements and system complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments information transmission into distinct categories: power output data, location information from GPS receivers, phase angle measurements, and temporal data. This segmentation allows efficient targeted transmission of specific information types rather than transmitting all possible data, reducing overall information transmission requirements while maintaining power quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary information gathering using GPS receivers to obtain location and temporal data before power conversion operations begin. This preliminary action ensures that essential coordination information is already available when power conversion systems start operating, reducing the need for continuous transmission of this static information and focusing communication bandwidth on dynamic power and phase angle data.
4Productivity
If GPS receivers are integrated into power conversion systems, then location-based coordination and power balancing are improved, but device complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables power conversion systems to self-determine their geographical location and temporal context using integrated GPS receivers. This self-service capability provides location-based coordination information autonomously without requiring external positioning infrastructure, improving power balancing efficiency while adding only minimal complexity compared to systems without location awareness.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power conversion system (20) is described. The power conversion system includes a first power converter (42) coupled to an electrical grid (26) at a first point of interconnection (POI) (30), a first processing device (62) coupled to the first power converter and configured to control operation of the first power converter, and a first power measurement device (94) coupled to the first processing device and configured to collect data associated with power output of the first power converter. The power conversion system also includes a first global positioning system (GPS) receiver (64) coupled to the first processing device and configured to receive location information corresponding to a location of the first power converter and temporal information corresponding to a time at the location.