Power Sensing Circuit for Reverse Power Flow Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electrical power grid faces inefficiencies due to reverse power flow, which can lead to waste of energy and grid instability, particularly from inefficient customer loads and dispersed electrical generators, with existing solutions being costly and inefficient for widespread implementation.
Innovation Solution
A power sensing and switching circuit that detects reverse power flow in real-time and diverts it to be reclaimed as recycled power, using a system of sensors, converters, and switches to manage power flow between forward and reverse directions on separate lines, optimizing energy use and reducing grid instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If reverse power flow is allowed to enter the transmission grid, then dispersed electrical generators can contribute surplus power, but grid instability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts reverse power flow from the main power distribution system by using power factor correction devices at customer premises. These devices detect and capture reverse power flow before it can enter the transmission grid, separating the surplus power generation from the main grid infrastructure and preventing instability while still utilizing the generated power.
Solution Approach 2:
Power factor correction devices serve as intermediary components between dispersed electrical generators and the transmission grid. These devices mediate the reverse power flow by capturing and managing it locally, preventing direct interaction between surplus power and the transmission grid that would cause instability.
2Reliability
If protection circuits are implemented to prevent backfeeding, then grid stability is maintained, but reverse power flow cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the previously harmful reverse power flow into a beneficial resource by using power factor correction devices to capture and utilize it. Instead of simply blocking reverse power flow with protection circuits, the system harnesses it for useful purposes such as powering customer loads or feeding it back into the distribution system, thereby eliminating waste while maintaining grid stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers reverse power flow that would otherwise be discarded or wasted. Power factor correction devices capture the reverse power flow at the customer premises and either use it locally to power loads or redirect it to the distribution system, preventing energy waste while avoiding the need for complex protection circuits.
3Loss of energy
If power factor correction devices are implemented on a per product basis, then reverse power flow is corrected, but implementation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes power factor correction devices universal by designing them to work with any electrical product or load. These multi-functional devices can be applied across diverse applications - from residential to industrial - and can handle various types of reverse power flow, making the solution broadly applicable without requiring custom designs for each specific product or application.
Data Source
AI summary
A power sensing and switching circuit, using voltage and current sensors, integrated circuits and logic gates that detects reverse power flow, from reactive loads, non-linear loads or dispersed electrical generators, and mitigates reverse power flow by functioning as a power factor correction device and by diverting the reverse power flow as recycled power to storage, local usage, or remote usage via a recovery line that mitigates distribution grid instability and speeds up the growth of dispersed electrical generators.