Reconfigurable AC Interface for Microgrid Power Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microgrid solutions fail to maintain uninterrupted power and do not effectively address the integration of dynamic energy resources to enhance grid stability, leading to potential power interruptions and instability in both microgrids and utility grids.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable AC interface system that dynamically manages power flow between microgrids and utility grids using inverters, transfer switches, and sensors, allowing seamless addition or removal of energy resources and backup generators to maintain uninterrupted power and enhance grid stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If microgrids are treated as dispatchable loads for load-shedding programs, then energy cost is reduced, but power interruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable microgrid system dynamically adjusts its operational mode in response to load-shedding requests. Instead of passively accepting power interruptions, the system actively transitions to islanded mode and reallocates power from local distributed energy resources to critical loads, thereby maintaining power continuity while still participating in load-shedding programs by reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The microgrid system serves itself by generating and distributing its own power through local distributed energy resources when connected to the utility grid. This self-service capability allows the microgrid to reduce its energy cost by producing its own power while maintaining continuity for critical loads, eliminating the need for disruptive load-shedding interruptions.
2Reliability
If multiple inverters are added to microgrid to provide backup power, then power continuity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple inverters are merged into a coordinated system with centralized control. The controller synchronizes the operation of multiple inverters, managing their output to work together as a unified power source. This merging approach provides the power continuity benefits of multiple backup sources while reducing the perceived complexity through integrated control and coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverters are designed with multi-functionality to perform various roles including grid-tied operation, islanded operation, and backup power supply. This universality reduces overall system complexity by using the same hardware components for multiple functions rather than requiring separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby maintaining power continuity without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 ensures uninterruptable power to microgrids, dynamically adjusts power distribution to comply with load-shedding requests, and increases transmission line power limits, thereby improving the stability and efficiency of both microgrid and utility grid operations.
Implementation Method 1
an inverter for converting a DC power source to an AC power source
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of sensors for monitoring said DC power source and said AC power source
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of interconnected transfer switches for electrically interconnecting between said inverters, an AC power source, and an AC power bus
Data Source
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AI summary
Presented is a system and method for providing reconfigurable AC interfaces for AC power systems. The method comprises embedding a reconfigurable AC interface for transferring power between power sources and loads, monitoring the voltage and current of the interfaces of the reconfigurable AC interface, and switching between power sources based on the monitoring. The system comprises a reconfigurable AC interface further comprising an inverter for converting DC power to AC, transfer switches with interfaces for connecting to the inverter, other transfer switches, and AC busses, and a controller that dynamically configures the transfer switches to transfer power between the inverter, and AC busses.