Smart Meter Pyranometer Integration for Solar Power Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for calculating power generation amounts in power distribution systems are costly due to the need for extensive communication networks and the placement of pyranometers near consumer houses, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A power-distribution-system management apparatus that utilizes a smart meter network to acquire insolation measurements from pyranometers, allowing for the estimation of power generation amounts for multiple solar power generation facilities connected to a high voltage system without the need for additional communication lines or extensive pyranometer placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pyranometers are disposed near all consumer's houses to calculate power generation amount, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pyranometer with the smart meter into an integrated device. The smart meter housing incorporates the pyranometer sensor, allowing simultaneous measurement of electrical parameters (via smart meter) and insolation (via pyranometer) at the same location. This merging eliminates the need for separate pyranometer installations near each consumer house while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart meter is given multi-functionality by integrating it with the pyranometer. The device now serves dual purposes: traditional electrical energy measurement and insolation measurement for power generation calculation. This universality reduces the total number of devices needed in the power distribution system.
2Loss of information
If communication lines are provided between load estimation apparatus and pyranometer, then information transmission is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the pyranometer and smart meter into a single integrated device, the patent eliminates the need for separate communication lines between the load estimation apparatus and pyranometer. The smart meter's existing communication infrastructure is used to transmit both electrical measurement data and insolation data to the management server, simplifying the communication architecture.
3Measurement precision
If pyranometers are disposed near consumer houses, then power generation amount can be calculated, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pyranometer function into the smart meter, which is already installed at consumer premises for electrical billing. This eliminates the need for separate pyranometer installations and associated costs, while maintaining local insolation measurement capability through the integrated sensor.
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 enables the accurate calculation of power generation amounts while minimizing costs by leveraging existing smart meter networks and reducing the number of required pyranometer installations, thus improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an amount of insolation, which is a measurement value measured by a pyranometer
Data Source
AI summary
A power-distribution-system management apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit that acquires an amount of insolation, which is a measurement value measured by a pyranometer, via a communication network, which is used to collect a measurement value of a smart meter that measures electric energy, and a meter-data management apparatus and a power-generation-amount estimating unit that estimates, on the basis of the amount of insolation, a power generation amount of each of two or more solar power generation facilities connected to a power distribution line of a high voltage system.