PV Air Conditioning Power Conversion for Grid-Independent Operation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photovoltaic air conditioning systems face limitations in applicability due to energy waste and reduced service life, as they require grid connection and are restricted by the capacity of the air conditioning frequency converter, limiting their compatibility with existing photovoltaic power plants and causing inefficiencies during shutdowns of the air conditioning unit.

Innovation Solution

A photovoltaic air conditioning system with an independent current conversion unit, a first inverter module, and direct current bus-bars, allowing seamless integration with various photovoltaic power plants, enabling efficient power management between photovoltaic cell arrays and the public grid, and incorporating a cooling system for the current conversion unit to maintain reliability and extend service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the air conditioning unit is required to be powered on during grid-connected power generation, then grid connection is achieved, but energy waste occurs and service life of the air conditioning unit is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid connection capabilityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the grid connection function from the air conditioning function by using an independent current conversion unit. This allows the photovoltaic system to connect to the grid without requiring the air conditioning unit to be powered on, resolving the contradiction between achieving grid connection and avoiding energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The current conversion unit is extracted as an independent component from the air conditioning frequency converter. This extraction enables grid-connected power generation to occur independently of the air conditioning unit's operational state, eliminating the harmful effect of forced operation and energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the air conditioning frequency converter capacity limits photovoltaic configuration, then the air conditioning system can operate, but the photovoltaic power plant cannot be fully utilized and electric energy is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotovoltaic power generation utilizationVSAvoidsystem configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The independent current conversion unit provides multi-functionality by handling both air conditioning power conversion and grid-connected photovoltaic power generation. This universal design allows the system to accommodate various photovoltaic power plant configurations without being limited by the air conditioning frequency converter's capacity, fully utilizing the photovoltaic power plant while maintaining system operability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If the air conditioning unit is shut down, then energy consumption is reduced, but electronic power devices such as inverters cannot be cooled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcooling of electronic power devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the cooling function with the power conversion function by integrating the current conversion unit into the air conditioning system's cooling pathway. This allows electronic power devices to be cooled through the air conditioning system's cooling mechanism even when the air conditioning unit is not actively providing cooling service, resolving the contradiction between reducing energy consumption and maintaining reliability of electronic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The system enhances adaptability to different photovoltaic power plant capacities, reduces energy waste, and ensures reliable cooling and power management, allowing seamless integration with existing photovoltaic power plants, thereby improving the applicability and service life of the air conditioning unit.

Implementation Method 1

a photovoltaic cell array, an air conditioning unit, a current conversion unit, a first direct current bus-bar and a second direct current bus-bar... the photovoltaic cell array is electrically connected with the first direct current bus-bar through the second direct current bus-bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

the current conversion unit is configured to convert direct current output by the photovoltaic cell array into alternating current for transmission to the public grid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

incorporating a cooling system for the current conversion unit to maintain reliability and extend service life

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3451483A1Photovoltaic air conditioning system
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP3451483A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451483A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3451483A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention discloses a photovoltaic air conditioning system, which includes a photovoltaic cell array (10), an air conditioning unit (30), a current conversion unit (20) and direct current bus-bars (40 and 50). The air conditioning unit (30) includes a first inverter module (31), the current conversion unit (20) is connected between a public grid (60) and the first inverter module (31), and capacity of the current conversion unit (20) is configured according to a requirement of the photovoltaic cell array (10) or the public grid (60). Direct current generated by the photovoltaic cell array (10) and direct current rectified and output by the current conversion unit (20) are supplied to the first inverter module (31) for supply to the air conditioning unit (30).