Energy Management System Fallback Control for Photovoltaic Inverters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy management systems for photovoltaic systems relying on remote setpoints are not robust against communication failures or server unavailability, leading to inefficiencies and instability.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that transitions to a fallback operation mode using local control values upon detection of communication failures, optimizing energy flow within the photovoltaic system to ensure resilience and efficient energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If remote setpoints are used for energy management, then calculation capabilities and central adaption are improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to communication failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing multiple pre-calculated setpoint scenarios locally in the energy management system before communication failures occur. These pre-calculated setpoints cover various operational conditions and can be immediately activated without requiring real-time communication with the remote server, thus maintaining system reliability while preserving the benefits of centralized calculation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between remote setpoint mode and local pre-calculated setpoint mode based on communication availability. When communication is available, the system uses remote setpoints for optimal centralized control. When communication fails, it seamlessly transitions to using locally stored pre-calculated setpoints, creating a dynamic adaptation that maintains both adaptability and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If remote energy management scheme is used, then calculation precision is improved, but system stability deteriorates during communication interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies beforehand cushioning by storing multiple pre-calculated setpoint scenarios locally that can serve as buffer solutions during communication interruptions. These pre-stored setpoints act as a cushion that prevents energy flow instability when remote communication is interrupted, allowing the system to maintain stable operation using locally available calculated values until communication is restored.
3Reliability
If local control values are used, then system reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to limited local calculation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system overcomes the limitation of local calculation capabilities by performing complex calculations in advance at the remote server and storing the results locally. This preliminary action allows the local system to maintain high reliability through autonomous operation while preserving adaptability through access to pre-calculated optimized setpoints that would otherwise require sophisticated local computation resources.
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy management system comprising a photovoltaic system (1) having at least one photovoltaic array (2) adapted to generate electrical DC power converted by an inverter (4) of said photovoltaic system (1) into AC power, wherein in a normal operation mode of the photovoltaic system (1) an energy flow within said photovoltaic system (1) is controlled according to control values received as setpoints via an Internet connection (15) from a remote energy management scheme run by a remote server (14), wherein if a communication failure with the remote server (14) is detected a fallback operation mode of the photovoltaic system (1) is initiated where the energy flow within said photovoltaic system (1) is controlled according to local control values provided as setpoints by a local energy management scheme.