Smart Inverter Turbine Control for Sub-Threshold Grid Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clusters of fluid turbines face challenges in coordinated maintenance, repairs, and safety checks, as well as in optimizing energy production efficiency, particularly under low fluid conditions where energy generated may not meet threshold requirements for real-time supply to an electrical grid.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of systems and methods that utilize a combination of hardware and software to control and coordinate the operations of a cluster of fluid turbines. This includes using processors to receive sensed indicators of electrical energy generation, compare them to real-time energy supply thresholds, and control controllable switches to toggle between modes of operation for energy storage and real-time supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If energy is generated under low fluid conditions, then energy production is maintained, but the generated energy is insufficient for real-time supply to the electrical grid
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing energy in the energy storage component when generated energy is below the threshold level for real-time grid supply. This allows the system to prepare energy in advance during low fluid conditions, so that when fluid conditions improve, the stored energy can be combined with newly generated energy to meet grid supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by continuously generating energy from the fluid turbine regardless of fluid conditions, and continuously managing energy flow between the energy storage component and the electrical grid. This maintains uninterrupted energy production and supply, converting what would be wasted low-level generation into useful stored energy.
2Productivity
If a cluster of fluid turbines is constructed to aggregate energy, then green energy production is scaled up, but coordinated maintenance, repairs, and safety checks become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs multiple functions through a universal platform: it monitors energy generation from multiple turbines, manages energy storage and distribution, coordinates maintenance schedules, and ensures safety compliance. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate management tasks into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to continuously monitor the operational status of each turbine in the cluster, energy levels in storage components, and grid supply requirements. This real-time feedback enables automated coordination of maintenance and operations, reducing the complexity of managing multiple turbines.
3Loss of energy
If energy is stored during sub-threshold operation, then energy is collected for intermittent use, but the system requires switching between storage and real-time supply modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining when to switch between energy storage and real-time grid supply modes based on pre-set threshold criteria. The control system autonomously monitors energy generation levels and manages the switching of controllable switches without requiring complex external coordination, simplifying the control architecture.
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 allows for the efficient collection and intermittent use of energy generated under sub-threshold conditions, thereby increasing operational efficiency and ensuring compliance with standards for supplying AC power to an electrical grid.
Implementation Method 1
turbines that harness power from a fluid flow, such as wind, ocean currents, a steam flow, or a gas flow
Implementation Method 2
energy generated by the energy generator
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, method, and computer readable medium are provided for a controller for a generator. The system includes a rectifier for converting a first AC signal generated by the generator to a first DC signal; a first DC-DC associated with energy storage and a first mode; a second DC-DC associated with an inverter and a second mode; a switch for alternately toggling between the first DC-DC and the second DC-DC, wherein the first mode prevents output to the electrical grid, and the second mode enables inversion of the second DC signal to a second AC signal via the inverter; and a processor that uses the indicator to operate the switch to operate the generator in the first mode when a connection to the grid does not conform with a parameter, and operate the generator in the second mode when the connection to the grid conforms with the parameter.