Solar Energy Platform for Cross-Subsystem Control and Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The solar industry faces inefficiencies and equipment damage due to disjointed subsystems in solar energy management systems, where each subsystem operates independently and cannot communicate with others, leading to poor energy efficiency, equipment failure, and lengthy issue resolution processes.
Innovation Solution
A centralized energy management platform that communicates with and controls various solar and battery management subsystems, receiving data to adjust operations and prevent failures, using protocols to integrate data from diverse vendors and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If subsystems operate independently with unique vendor controls, then each subsystem can be manufactured and operated independently, but the system loses overall coordination leading to equipment damage and poor energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central energy management platform as an intermediary that receives data from multiple independent subsystems via standardized communication protocols and coordinates their operation. This mediator enables independent subsystem manufacturing while achieving system-wide coordination, preventing equipment damage and improving energy efficiency through centralized control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each subsystem has unique vendor-specific controls, then subsystems can be provided by different vendors, but data from one subsystem cannot be used by another subsystem
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication protocol layer that enables different vendor-specific subsystems to exchange data through a common interface. The central energy management platform translates between various vendor protocols and a standardized internal format, allowing data from any subsystem to be accessed and utilized by any other subsystem while maintaining compatibility with multiple vendors.
3Ease of operation
If an error or failure in one subsystem occurs, then the subsystem can be isolated, but it may cause damage to another subsystem of the facility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms where the central energy management platform receives real-time data from all subsystems, analyzes system state, and sends control signals back to prevent harmful conditions. The system detects errors in one subsystem and automatically adjusts other subsystems to prevent cross-subsystem damage, maintaining operational safety while preserving subsystem independence.
4Device complexity
If subsystems operate independently, then system complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to inability to optimize across subsystems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy management system into independent controllable subsystems while maintaining centralized coordination. Each subsystem can be optimized individually for its specific function while the central platform coordinates their operation to achieve overall energy efficiency. This segmentation allows low-complexity individual components to work together in an optimized manner, reducing total energy loss.
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
Improves the performance and longevity of solar and battery management systems by enabling real-time monitoring and control, reducing downtime and equipment damage, and enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic panel and a power supply configured to store energy generated by the photovoltaic panel
Data Source
AI summary
An energy management system for an energy environment, including a photovoltaic panel and a power supply configured to store energy generated by the photovoltaic panel, may include a plurality of subsystems and an energy management platform for monitoring and controlling each of the plurality of subsystems. The plurality of subsystems may include a first subsystem, and a second subsystem. The platform may include a user interface, and a controller communicatively coupled to each the plurality of subsystems. The controller may receive the data from the first subsystem and adjust, based on the received data, operation of the second subsystem.