Switchable Shared Energy Asset for REPP Backup Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy power plants face issues with energy storage system (ESS) and renewable energy source (RES) malfunctions, leading to reduced energy discharge to the grid and internal equipment power, and overprovisioning of capacity due to inability to share spare capacities across isolated power plants.
Innovation Solution
A transferrable energy source asset, including ESS or RES, is selectively connected to different renewable energy power plants via a switching system, controlled by a processor to operate as a backup and store or generate energy, reducing the need for individual backup capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each renewable energy power plant has its own dedicated ESS and RES for backup capacity, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to overprovisioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shared backup energy source that can be selectively connected to multiple renewable energy power plants through a switching system. This single backup asset performs the reliability function for multiple plants simultaneously, eliminating the need for each plant to have its own dedicated backup capacity, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple backup capacity requirements into a single shared backup energy source. By merging the backup functions of multiple plants into one centralized asset with selective connectivity, the system achieves the same reliability outcome with reduced total capacity and lower complexity
2Device complexity
If a transferrable energy source asset is shared across multiple power plants, then device complexity is reduced, but difficulty of detecting and measuring energy flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary switching system that manages the connection between the shared backup energy source and multiple power plants. This intermediary component simplifies the measurement and detection process by providing a single controlled interface, rather than requiring complex monitoring across multiple direct connections
3Adaptability or versatility
If the switching system connects the energy source to multiple plants simultaneously, then adaptability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential energy intermingling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection between the shared backup energy source and multiple power plants through independent switching paths. The switching system can isolate and connect to individual plants separately, preventing energy intermingling between plants while maintaining the ability to serve multiple plants sequentially, thus eliminating harmful effects while preserving adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a system that includes an energy source, a switching system, and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive, from a first REPP controller operating within a first REPP, an indication of an event at the first REPP; and responsive to receipt of the indication, adjust a switching position of the switching system to a first switching position to enable the energy source to provide energy to the first REPP and not any other REPP of the plurality of REPPs.