Programmable Inverter for Grid Code Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional generator sets face challenges in meeting varying grid compliance codes, particularly for low voltage ride through (LVRT) capabilities, as different geographical areas have distinct requirements, making universal compliance difficult, especially with the increasing prominence of renewable power sources.

Innovation Solution

A programmable inverter system that receives DC power from a generator set's alternator and conditions it to meet specific grid response requirements, allowing the generator set to connect indirectly to the grid and comply with multiple grid codes through software updates, without altering existing hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a generator set is designed to meet specific grid compliance codes, then it can comply with those codes, but it becomes difficult to achieve universal compliance with varying grid codes across different geographical areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid complianceVSAvoidadaptability to different grid codes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter's control system is made dynamically reconfigurable through programmability. The controller can be updated with different software configurations to adapt to various grid compliance codes, allowing the same hardware platform to meet different regional requirements without physical modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters through software programming. By modifying control algorithms, response characteristics, and operational thresholds in the inverter's controller, the generator set can adjust its behavior to comply with different grid codes while maintaining the same physical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If generator sets directly connect to the grid, then power transfer is simple, but meeting varying LVRT capabilities and grid response requirements becomes increasingly difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidgrid response adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The programmable inverter serves as an intermediary device between the generator set and the grid. It provides power conversion and control functions, enabling the generator set to indirectly connect to the grid while achieving compliance with various grid response requirements through software configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The inverter platform provides universal functionality for connecting generator sets to different grids. A single inverter design can handle multiple grid compliance scenarios by loading appropriate control software, eliminating the need for different hardware designs for different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If different hardware configurations are used to meet different grid codes, then compliance is achieved, but hardware changes and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode complianceVSAvoidhardware variability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating different hardware configurations for different grid codes, the system uses software copies or versions of control algorithms. The same physical inverter hardware can be programmed with different control software to meet various compliance requirements, avoiding hardware proliferation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/hardware differentiation with software differentiation. Rather than manufacturing different hardware variants for different grid codes, the system uses programmable control software to achieve compliance, substituting physical complexity with informational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the generator set to adapt its output to match various grid codes, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions and reducing the need for hardware changes, while improving efficiency and fault tolerance by allowing variable speed operation and energy storage management.

Implementation Method 1

the alternator output voltage is rectified to provide DC power to a DC bus of the generator set

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Implementation Method 2

conditioning, by the programmable inverter, the DC power based on the response requirement to provide an AC output response

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10447040B2Programmable inverter for controllable grid response

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP INC

AI summary

A system for providing programmable grid response characteristics includes a generator set having an alternator output voltage, where the alternator output voltage is rectified to provide DC power to a DC bus of the generator set. The system further includes a programmable inverter having power electronics configured to receive a response requirement corresponding to a code requirement of a grid, receive the DC power from the DC bus, and condition the DC power based on the response requirement to provide an AC output response. The AC output response meets specifications of the response requirement.