PV Energy Buffering Module for Burst Charging Limits

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photovoltaic (PV) systems face inefficiencies due to the bursty nature of PV power, which exceeds the charging rate of battery storage systems, leading to energy clipping and increased system costs.

Innovation Solution

A buffering module is introduced to temporarily store electrical energy from the PV array at a rate exceeding the battery's charging rate, and then output it at a rate that matches or is below the battery's threshold charging rate, thereby preventing energy clipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the battery storage system charging rate is increased to capture all PV power, then energy capture efficiency is improved, but battery damage and reduced life cycle occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy capture efficiencyVSAvoidbattery life cycle

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the battery storage into two distinct components: a buffer battery and a main battery. The buffer battery handles high-rate charging from PV bursts, while the main battery operates at controlled, safe charging rates. This segmentation allows the system to capture all PV energy without damaging either battery, resolving the contradiction between energy capture efficiency and battery life cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer battery acts as an intermediary between the PV array and the main battery. It absorbs the intermittent high-power bursts from PV and releases energy at controlled rates to the main battery, preventing direct high-rate charging that would damage the main battery while still capturing all available PV energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the battery size is increased to handle peak PV power, then energy capture efficiency is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy capture efficiencyVSAvoidbattery capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the battery storage into two distinct components: a buffer battery and a main battery. The buffer battery handles high-rate charging from PV bursts, while the main battery operates at controlled, safe charging rates. This segmentation allows the system to capture all PV energy without damaging either battery, resolving the contradiction between energy capture efficiency and battery life cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters of different battery components. The buffer battery is designed for high power, short-duration operation with rapid charge/discharge cycles, while the main battery operates at lower, controlled charging rates. This parameter differentiation allows optimal utilization of each battery's capabilities, capturing all PV energy without requiring excessive total battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the PV array size is increased to meet energy demands, then energy production is improved, but energy clipping increases due to battery charging rate limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy productionVSAvoidenergy clipping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the battery storage into two distinct components: a buffer battery and a main battery. The buffer battery handles high-rate charging from PV bursts, while the main battery operates at controlled, safe charging rates. This segmentation allows the system to capture all PV energy without damaging either battery, resolving the contradiction between energy capture efficiency and battery life cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer battery enables continuous energy capture from the PV array by temporarily storing excess energy during high-production periods and releasing it during low-production periods. This ensures uninterrupted energy transfer from PV to main battery, eliminating energy clipping and maintaining continuous useful action throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 buffering module reduces energy waste, decreases the size and cost of PV arrays and battery storage systems, and extends the life of battery storage systems by smoothing out power bursts, ultimately lowering the levelized cost of energy.

Implementation Method 1

a buffer electrically coupled to the input. The buffer is configured to temporarily store the electrical energy received from the intermittent power source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20250030267A1Systems and methods for buffering energy from intermittent power sources

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 TELEMETRAK INC

AI summary

The devices, systems, and methods described herein are directed to buffering the electrical energy output from an intermittent power source before storing the electrical energy in a battery storage system. In some examples, a buffering module receives electrical energy from the intermittent power source at a first rate that exceeds a threshold charging rate of a battery storage system. The buffering module temporarily stores the electrical energy before outputting the electrical energy to the battery storage system at a second rate that is at or below the threshold charging rate of the battery storage system.