Wind-Powered Desalination Integration with Supervisory Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically powered sub-systems, such as desalination systems, face economic infeasibility in water-starved and remote areas due to high energy costs, as they are not effectively integrated with wind energy sources, leading to inefficiencies and high operational costs.
Innovation Solution
Integration of electrically powered sub-systems with wind power sources using doubly fed induction generators (DFIG) and permanent magnet (PM) wind turbine generators, along with supervisory controllers and energy storage systems, to manage variable wind power and reduce energy consumption, enabling grid connectivity and disconnection for optimal power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrically powered sub-systems are operated in water-starved and remote areas using conventional energy sources, then the sub-systems can function continuously, but the energy cost becomes prohibitively high making the solution economically infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wind energy generation with electrically powered sub-systems (such as desalination systems, batteries, hydrogen electrolysis systems, and pumping systems) into an integrated system. This merging allows the sub-systems to operate using renewable wind energy instead of expensive conventional energy sources, thereby maintaining continuous operation while dramatically reducing energy costs in remote and water-starved areas.
2Use of energy by moving object
If wind energy is used to power electrically powered sub-systems without integration, then energy costs are reduced, but system efficiency decreases and operational costs remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system is designed to perform multiple functions: generating electricity from wind, storing energy in batteries, producing hydrogen through electrolysis, pumping water, and desalination. This multi-functionality allows the system to optimize energy usage across different operations, improving overall system efficiency while maintaining low energy costs. The supervisory controller coordinates these various functions to ensure efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a supervisory controller that monitors and manages the operation of the wind power source and the electrically powered sub-systems. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust operations in real-time based on wind availability, energy storage levels, and sub-system requirements, thereby optimizing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
3Device complexity
If conventional systems operate without integration between power sources and sub-systems, then system design is simpler, but energy management becomes inefficient leading to high operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisory controller acts as an intermediary between the wind power source and the various electrically powered sub-systems. It manages power distribution, coordinates operations, and optimizes energy usage across the integrated system. This intermediary component simplifies the complexity of managing multiple functions by providing centralized control, thereby improving ease of operation despite the increased system integration.
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 integration allows for efficient operation of electrically powered sub-systems over a wide range of wind power variations, reducing costs and ensuring economic viability by utilizing wind energy effectively, whether connected to the grid or operating independently.
Implementation Method 1
power generated using a wind power source
Implementation Method 2
doubly fed induction generators (DFIG)
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments relate to systems and methods related to an integrated electrically-powered sub-system and wind power system including a wind power source, an electrically-powered sub-system coupled to and at least partially powered by the wind power source, the electrically-powered sub-system being coupled to the wind power source through power converters, and a supervisory controller coupled to the wind power source and the electrically-powered sub-system to monitor and manage the integrated electrically-powered sub-system and wind power system.