Distributed Energy Management System for PV Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In regions with frequent power outages, photovoltaic (PV) systems are attractive but become costly when batteries are needed for non-grid connected modes, and PV sources coupled with water pumping systems are often oversized, leading to underutilization of PV power.
Innovation Solution
A distributed energy management system that includes a PV source and controllable loads, which monitor and adjust peak AC voltage to optimize PV power usage, allowing other loads to draw power when surplus is available, thereby maximizing PV resource utilization during power outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries are included in PV systems to operate in non-grid connected mode, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from traditional battery systems and implements it through virtual inertia control in the inverter. The inverter emulates battery-like frequency and voltage regulation capabilities through control algorithms, eliminating the need for physical battery components while maintaining reliability during grid outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary between the PV source and the grid/load. This control system implements virtual inertia and frequency regulation algorithms that mediate power fluctuations without requiring physical energy storage devices, thus improving reliability while avoiding battery complexity.
2Reliability
If PV capacity is oversized to provide needed water quantities under worst operating conditions, then reliability is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment where the PV system operates at variable power levels based on real-time conditions. The virtual inertia control dynamically modulates power output to match actual demand, allowing the system to utilize full PV capacity when needed while avoiding energy waste when demand is low, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor grid frequency, voltage, and power demand. This feedback enables the PV system to adjust its output dynamically, ensuring reliable water supply when needed while preventing energy underutilization by matching PV output to actual system requirements in real-time.
3Device complexity
If PV systems are directly coupled to water pumping systems, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the PV system universal by implementing a controllable inverter that can serve multiple functions: direct water pumping, grid support, frequency regulation, and powering various types of loads. The inverter acts as a universal interface that adapts to different operational modes and load types without increasing overall system complexity, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
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 effectively utilizes available PV resources during power outages, reducing the need for costly batteries and optimizing energy distribution, ensuring essential loads are met while minimizing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic (PV) source
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed energy management system includes a photovoltaic (PV) source, and a plurality of controllable loads in communication with the PV source. The plurality of controllable loads include a first controllable load including a first interactive plug associated with a first connected state timer and a first disconnected state timer, and a second controllable load including a second interactive plug associated with a second connected state timer and a second disconnected state timer. The PV source is configured to determine a maximum PV power, determine a difference between the maximum PV power and a current PV power, responsive to determining that the difference is less than or equal to a threshold power, set the reference AC voltage as a first voltage, and responsive to determining that the difference is greater than the threshold power, set the reference AC voltage as a second voltage greater than the first voltage.