Photovoltaic Plant Output Stabilization via Auxiliary Power Source

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large photovoltaic power plants introduce short-term variability in energy production due to cloud cover, leading to stability and reliability issues in grid power supply, requiring significant reserve generation capacity and causing voltage deviations and flicker.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an auxiliary power source, such as a battery or fuel cell system, within the photovoltaic power plant to control the rate of change of power output, emulating the slower response characteristics of thermal power plants and reducing variability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If large photovoltaic power plants are built to satisfy renewable energy mandates, then renewable energy capacity increases, but short-term variability in power output increases due to cloud cover

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy capacityVSAvoidpower output stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An auxiliary power source is introduced as an intermediary component between the photovoltaic array and the grid connection. This auxiliary source compensates for rapid power variations by providing or absorbing power as needed, thereby stabilizing the total plant output while maintaining high renewable energy capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines photovoltaic power generation with auxiliary power generation in a single integrated plant system. The outputs of both sources are merged and controlled together to produce a stable total power output that satisfies grid requirements while maintaining high renewable energy penetration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Speed

If photovoltaic power plants produce rapid variable output power, then responsiveness to solar conditions improves, but grid stability and reliability are negatively affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower response speedVSAvoidgrid stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the operating points of both the photovoltaic array and auxiliary power source based on real-time conditions. The system continuously monitors power output and solar irradiance to optimize the division of power between sources, maintaining grid stability while responding to changing solar conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback control mechanism is implemented that monitors the total plant power output and compares it to desired levels. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the auxiliary power source output to compensate for deviations caused by rapid changes in photovoltaic generation, thereby maintaining grid stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If reserve generation capacity is allocated to account for photovoltaic variability, then grid reliability is maintained, but system efficiency decreases due to underutilization of reserve resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid reliabilityVSAvoidreserve generation utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The photovoltaic plant with auxiliary power source essentially serves itself by internally compensating for its own variability. The auxiliary source acts as an integrated balancing mechanism that eliminates the need for external reserve generation, allowing reserve resources to be used for their intended purposes and improving overall system efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach stabilizes grid power supply by reducing the need for reserve generation, minimizing voltage effects, and allowing for more efficient grid management, thereby enhancing the reliability and stability of the electric grid.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating an auxiliary power source, such as a battery or fuel cell system, within the photovoltaic power plant to control the rate of change of power output

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Accumulator (energy)