Thermal Storage Controller for Renewable Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power systems, such as rooftop photovoltaic systems, face inefficiencies in utilizing local renewable energy, often leading to excess power being sold to the grid at a lower price, and lack sophisticated management of thermal storage devices to optimize energy absorption and distribution.
Innovation Solution
A controller for thermal storage devices that detects available renewable energy, decides whether to absorb it, and manages heating and cooling elements to avoid grid feeding, incorporating scheduling, load peak management, and temperature considerations, while allowing for cloud or grid operator control and utilizing digital communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power from local renewable supply exceeds local demand and is fed to the grid, then the grid receives additional power, but the power is sold at a price less than the price of power obtained from the grid
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary actions by detecting available renewable power and proactively managing thermal storage devices before excess power is fed to the grid. The system anticipates power availability and schedules heating/cooling operations in advance to absorb energy locally, avoiding the value loss of feeding power to the grid at lower prices.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors power availability from renewable sources and adjusts thermal storage device operations based on this feedback. By detecting real-time power availability and responding with appropriate heating/cooling operations, the system optimizes local energy absorption and prevents the economic loss associated with grid feeding.
2Productivity
If the controller activates heating and cooling elements to absorb renewable power, then local energy absorption increases, but load peaks may occur causing system stress
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic action by scheduling heating and cooling operations at different time intervals rather than activating all elements simultaneously. The system divides thermal storage devices into groups and alternates their activation, maintaining high overall energy absorption while distributing load demands over time to avoid peak stress on the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller segments thermal storage devices into multiple groups and manages each group separately with staggered activation schedules. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high total productivity for energy absorption while preventing concentrated load peaks by distributing activation across different time periods.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the controller delays activation of thermal storage devices to avoid load peaks, then system stress is reduced, but the time window for absorbing renewable power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies dynamics by adaptively adjusting activation schedules based on real-time power availability detection. When renewable power is abundant, the system accelerates activation of thermal storage devices to maximize absorption. When power availability is limited, the controller extends activation windows and adjusts scheduling to capture available energy, thereby dynamically optimizing both system stress management and time utilization.
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
The controller ensures local absorption of renewable energy, avoids load peaks, and optimizes energy use by scheduling and temperature management, enhancing the efficiency and nuance of power management within the system.
Implementation Method 1
the controller being on receipt of the activation signal configured to activate the at least one heating element
Implementation Method 2
the controller determines if the thermal storage device can absorb such power. In positive response of such determination, the controller energises a heating element and a cooling element inside the thermal storage device
Data Source
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AI summary
Thermal storage device controller. A controller (1a; 1b) for managing the activation of a heating element (3a, 3b, 3c) within a thermal storage device (2a; 2b), the controller (1a; 1b) comprising: a first interface (4) for receiving an enable signal regarding availability of power from a local supply of renewable power (6a, 6b, 6c) within a local grid (7) for take up by the thermal storage device (2a; 2b); a second interface (10) for receiving a temperature signal from at least one sensor (11) within the thermal storage device (2a; 2b); a processor (8) configured to: produce a measure of temperature from the temperature signal; compare the temperature to a maximum temperature; provide an activation signal; the controller (1a; 1b) further comprising a switch (9) in operative communication with the processor (8) and on receipt of the activation signal configured to energise the heating element (3a, 3b, 3c).