Solar Energy Distribution Method for Isolated Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In isolated solar power networks, the high cost of energy storage is a significant issue due to the intermittent nature of solar energy, leading to substantial battery costs and potential long-term power cuts.
Innovation Solution
A method for distributing electrical energy to multiple groups of electrical installations, involving defining consumption profiles, allocating energy credits based on daily availability, and implementing short, individual power cuts when energy demand exceeds supply, thereby reducing battery capacity and avoiding long-term cuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery capacity is increased to ensure continuous power supply during periods without sunlight, then reliability of power supply is improved, but cost of the electrical network increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical network into multiple groups ( Group 1, Group 2, etc.) with different consumption profiles and priority levels. By dividing the network into segments with different operational characteristics, the system can manage power distribution more efficiently, reducing the need for excessive battery capacity while maintaining reliability for critical loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by implementing dynamic power management strategies, including load shedding protocols that adjust power distribution based on available energy reserves and group priorities. This allows the system to maintain reliability during periods without sunlight without requiring proportionally larger battery capacity.
2Device complexity
If battery capacity is reduced to lower costs, then cost of the electrical network decreases, but power supply reliability deteriorates due to longer periods without sunlight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-defining consumption profiles and priority levels for different groups before power shortages occur. Energy credits are allocated in advance based on these profiles, allowing the system to respond quickly and efficiently when sunlight becomes unavailable, maintaining reliability without requiring excessive battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor energy reserves, consumption patterns, and group priorities. This feedback allows the control system to dynamically adjust power distribution, implementing load shedding only when necessary and restoring power to lower-priority groups when energy reserves are sufficient, thereby maintaining reliability with reduced battery capacity.
3Ease of operation
If power distribution is maintained without restrictions during periods without sunlight, then ease of operation is improved, but energy reserves are depleted faster requiring larger battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing selective load shedding that affects only certain groups (e.g., Group 2) while maintaining full power supply to other groups (e.g., Group 1). This partial restriction maintains ease of operation for critical loads while conserving energy reserves overall, avoiding the need for larger battery capacity.
4Quantity of substance
If consumption is limited through power cuts, then energy reserves are preserved, but user satisfaction decreases due to interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments users into different priority groups with differentiated power management policies. Critical infrastructure (Group 1) experiences no interruptions, while non-critical loads (Group 2) are subject to controlled load shedding. This segmentation preserves energy reserves while minimizing impact on user satisfaction for essential services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through cyclic load shedding and restoration patterns. When energy reserves reach certain thresholds, the system cycles between restricting and restoring power to lower-priority groups. This periodic approach preserves energy reserves while providing regular power restoration, reducing the overall impact on user convenience compared to continuous outages.
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 limits consumption through short, less penalizing power cuts, reducing the capacity and cost of energy storage while preventing long-term power outages.
Implementation Method 1
A power plant conventionally comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels, batteries for storing electrical energy derived from solar energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for distributing electrical energy from solar energy to groups (Gk), comprising the steps, for each group, of: - defining a consumption profile; - for each new day, defining a daily amount of available energy (Ek) and allocating to the group an energy credit (Crk(Ti)) for each hour of the new day; - at time T, estimating a current amount of consumed energy (Indk(T)) that has been consumed by the group, and estimating a previous amount of consumed energy that was consumed at the end of a previous hour; - at time T, estimating an available amount of energy (Edisp(k, Ti-1)); - if a difference between the current amount of consumed energy and the previous amount of consumed energy is greater than or equal to the sum of the available amount of energy and an energy credit allocated for the current hour, cutting off the electrical energy distribution until the beginning of a following hour.