Energy Management System for Renewable Storage and Grid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The unpredictability of renewable energy sources poses challenges in safely injecting electricity into electrical networks, as significant injections during low consumption periods can compromise network stability, and existing methods lack effective solutions for optimizing energy distribution and storage.
Innovation Solution
An energy management method that harvests electrical energy from renewable sources, controlling its distribution between injection into an electrical network and storage in a tank, using an electrolyzer to transform energy into hydrogen, with continuous adjustment based on tank state and delivery time indicators to optimize storage and meet network constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If significant electrical energy is injected into the electrical network during low consumption periods, then the utilization of renewable energy increases, but the stability and safety of the electrical network deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing renewable energy in the tank before it becomes harmful to the network. The control unit determines in advance when energy storage is needed and activates the processing system to store energy, preventing future network stability issues while maximizing renewable energy utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank acts as an intermediary between the renewable energy source and the electrical network. Instead of directly injecting energy into the network, the system uses the tank as a buffer to decouple the renewable source from the network, allowing energy to be stored when production exceeds consumption and released when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If renewable energy is stored in a tank via electrolyzer, then energy distribution flexibility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank serves multiple functions: it stores energy, buffers network fluctuations, and enables flexible distribution to different destinations. The control unit also performs multiple functions by monitoring both tank state and network conditions, and making distribution decisions that balance storage needs with network requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control by continuously monitoring the state of the tank and the electrical network, then adjusting the distribution of renewable energy accordingly. The control unit receives information about tank levels and network status, and uses this feedback to optimize energy allocation between storage and network injection in real-time.
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 method optimizes energy distribution and storage by ensuring safe network stability, utilizing hydrogen storage for later electricity production, and adapting to network needs, thereby enhancing the utilization of renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
The transformation step comprises a step of electrically powering an electrolyzer of the processing system by all or part of the electrical energy injected into the processing system so as to generate the product comprising hydrogen.
Data Source
AI summary
The energy management method comprises a step of harvesting (E1) of an electrical energy from an energy source (1), notably from a renewable energy source and a step of distribution (E2) of the harvested electrical energy configured to be controlled in such a way as to, in a first configuration, inject at least a part of the harvested electrical energy into an electrical network (2), and, in a second configuration, inject at least a part of the harvested electrical energy into a processing system (3) configured in such a way as to store it in a tank (4). A step of control (E3) of the distribution of the electrical energy (E2) comprises a step of determination of a state of storage of the tank (4) and a step of determination of a time to delivery for at least a predetermined part of the content of the tank (4).