Sensor-Based Energy Enclosure for Local Reactive Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional smart meters and solar installations on electrical grids face challenges in managing real and reactive power, leading to grid instability and inefficiencies, as they primarily focus on real power transfer while neglecting reactive power needs, which can disrupt grid stability and create financial incentives that put consumers at odds with utility providers.
Innovation Solution
A system with sensors and power converters installed behind the meter that monitor and control real and reactive power within the consumer premises, allowing for the conversion of real power into reactive power for internal injection, thereby appearing to draw only real power from the grid while managing reactive power internally, using a gateway system to adjust the operation of power converters based on real-time data and vector calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional smart meters are used to monitor power consumption, then information about power usage is provided, but control remains centralized from the grid side, preventing local optimization of real and reactive power management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management system into multiple independent components: smart meters at consumer premises, local energy management systems, and grid control systems. Each smart meter independently monitors real and reactive power consumption at its location, enabling decentralized information gathering and local decision-making without requiring centralized control for basic monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where smart meters continuously monitor power consumption and provide real-time data to both local control systems and grid operators. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of power management strategies at the consumer premises based on actual consumption patterns, grid conditions, and pricing signals, optimizing both real and reactive power usage.
2Productivity
If solar installations are deployed to meet customer needs, then local power production increases, but reactive power needs are neglected causing grid instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of solar installations by implementing power electronic converters that can independently control both real power (active power) and reactive power output. Instead of solar systems operating in a fixed mode, the system dynamically adjusts the power factor and reactive power injection based on grid conditions, enabling solar installations to provide voltage support and maintain grid stability while maximizing energy production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes solar installations multi-functional by enabling them to simultaneously perform energy production and grid support functions. The same solar array and power electronic interface that generate real power for consumption can also provide reactive power compensation, voltage regulation, and frequency support, transforming solar systems from single-function generators to versatile grid assets.
3Power
If reactive power is provided by changing reactive loading at consumer premises, then real power transfer improves, but reactive power consumption increases reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces power electronic converters as intermediary devices between the grid and consumer premises equipment. These converters act as mediators that can provide the necessary reactive power support for efficient real power transfer without requiring the consumer premises to increase their reactive power consumption. The converters generate or absorb reactive power as needed, decoupling the relationship between real power transfer efficiency and reactive power consumption at the load.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more solar resources are deployed to reduce grid reliance, then customer independence increases, but excess real power creation causes grid instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of solar installations where the real and reactive power output is continuously adjusted based on real-time grid conditions, consumer needs, and forecasting data. Rather than operating at fixed capacity, solar systems dynamically modulate their output to match actual demand patterns and grid absorption capacity, preventing excess power injection while maintaining customer independence and enabling flexible response to changing conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A power system of a consumer premises includes sensors to monitor the current waveform at a (PCC) point of common coupling. A first sensor monitors the current looking out to the grid. A second sensor monitors the current looking behind the PCC to a local system with a local load and a local power converter. Based on the monitoring of the two sensors, a controller can compute a quadrant of operation and a desired quadrant of operation. The power converter outputs a current to adjust operation to the desired quadrant.