| US20120267957A1 | 2012-10-25 | |||
| US20090027932A1 | 2009-01-29 |
| PATENT CLAIMS 1 . An electrical switching arrangement, which includes switching means having a load and connected to at least one alternate energy source and an electrical fixed grid system and being adapted to select autonomously if the load is to be powered by the alternate energy source(s) or the electrical fixed grid system. 2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , which includes automated electrical change-over switching between the alternate energy source(s) and fixed grid system. 3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the alternate energy source is a secondary, intermittent and/or renewable energy source. 4. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the alternate energy source is solar photovoltaic, wind and/or any alternate low cost energy source. 5. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the selection is taken by only one criteria, namely if the alternate energy source is able to provide sufficient power to operate the load, then the load is powered by the alternate energy source, alternatively the load is powered by the electrical fixed grid system. 6. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is used for swimming pool pumps and/or air conditioning systems and/or extraction fans and/or any load and/or loads that can be matched with the installed alternate energy source. 7. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is adapted not to require batteries. 8. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is adapted not to feed back to the electrical fixed grid system. 9. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which does not require contracts with electrical supply utilities and/or companies. 10. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the switching means include two sub-functions to realise the cycle of switching, namely a switching function realised by means of contactors, relays, solid state devices and a programmable controller; and a power monitoring function realised by means of sensors, discharge or power loading resistance, semi-conductors, etc. 1 1 . An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes an inverter saving solution adapted to run the inverter when required and to not run the inverter when not required. 12. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is adapted to determine the available power by means of using a process monitoring transducer like a solar cell (luminosity) and/or anemometer (wine speed) and/or a discharge or power loading resistance. 13. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes the following computational functions: (a) surveying switching conditions; (b) commanding of the change-over switch state; and/or (c) in case of discharge or power loading resistance, managing the effective variable resistance with a process control loop (including sensor and control algorithms). 14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 3, in which the process control loop process is replaced by a power/current selection button. 15. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is integrated with a grid-tie inverter for devices requiring a good quality of supply (electronics). 16. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes additional features adapted to increase the time or usage of the electrical switching arrangement device during the days or for seasonality with the different sunshine powers. 17. An electrical switching arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical switching arrangement.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrical switching arrangement for reticulation systems (household or industrial electrical wiring systems) using both grid mains power and a secondary renewable or intermittent power source. This secondary power source may be solar photovoltaic, wind or any alternate low costs energy source.
BACKGROUND TO INVENTION
Renewable energy systems are arrangements of components designed to supply usable electric power from alternate energy resources for various purposes. Renewable energy systems are built in various configurations including Off-grid without battery, Off-grid with battery storage for Direct Current or DC appliances, Off-grid with battery storage for Alternating current or AC & DC appliances, Grid-tied systems with or without battery storage.
A photovoltaic or PV system for residential, commercial or industrial energy supply normally consists of an array of photovoltaic (PV) modules or panels (to convert solar radiation to usable electric power), one or more DC to AC power converters or inverters, a racking system that supports the solar modules, electrical wiring and interconnections and mounting for other components. The solar intensity, the amount of photovoltaic modules and the electrical ratings of the inverter or electrical converter system ultimately determine the available quantity of usable electrical power. A small PV system is capable of providing enough electric power for a single home or an isolated device (not connected to the grid).
Large grid-connected photovoltaic power systems are capable of providing an energy supply for multiple consumers. The electricity generated can be stored, used directly (island / standalone plant), fed into a large electricity grid powered by central generation plants (grid-connected/grid-tied plant), or combined with one, or many, electric generators to feed into a small electric grid (hybrid plant).
The problem with photovoltaic systems in general is the strict rules and operational requirements when connected to the grid as part of the local reticulation system.
The limitation of stand-alone photovoltaic power systems is that there is no power available to the load when the batteries are not replenished sufficiently. Battery system inefficiencies may consume up to 20% of the energy. , Furthermore, batteries are expensive, space consuming and are short-life products requiring regular maintenance. Grid-connected photovoltaic power systems require expensive grid-tie inverters bi-directional power meters and contracts with electrical supply utilities.
These problems are not only limited to PV systems, but are common for all renewable or alternate energy systems requiring storage or grid connections.
It is an object of the invention to suggest an electrical switching manufacturing method, which will assist in overcoming these problems. SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to the invention, an electrical switching arrangement, includes switching means having a load and connected to at least one alternate energy source and an electrical grid and being adapted to select autonomously if the load is to be powered by the alternate energy source(s) or the electrical grid.
The arrangement may include automated electrical change-over switching between the alternate energy source(s) and fixed grid system.
The alternate energy source may be a secondary, intermittent and/or renewable energy source.
The alternate energy source may be solar photovoltaic, wind or any alternate low costs energy source.
The selection may be taken by only one criteria, namely if the alternate energy source is able to provide sufficient power to operate the load, then the load is powered by the alternate energy source, alternatively the load is powered by the electrical grid.
The electrical switching arrangement may be used for swimming pool pumps and/or air conditioning systems and/or extraction fans and/or any load and/or loads that can be matched with the installed alternate energy source.
The electrical switching arrangement is adapted not to require batteries.
The electrical switching arrangement is adapted not to feed back to the electrical grid. The electrical switching arrangement does not require contracts with electrical supply utilities.
The switching means may include two sub-functions to realise the cycle of switching, namely
(a) a switching function realised by means of contactors, relays, solid state devices and a programmable controller; and
(b) a power monitoring function realised by means of sensors, discharge or power loading resistance, semi-conductors, etc.
The electrical switching arrangement may include an inverter saving solution adapted to run the inverter when required/adapted to not run the inverter when not required.
The electrical switching arrangement may determine the available power by means of using a process monitoring transducer like a solar cell (luminosity) and/or anemometer (wind speed), etc. and/or using a discharge or power loading resistance.
The electrical switching arrangement may include the following computational functions:
(a) surveying switching conditions;
(b) commanding of the change-over switch state; and/or
(c) in case of a discharge or power loading resistance, managing the effective variable resistance with a process control loop (including sensor and control algorithms). The electrical switching arrangement may be integrated with a grid-tie inverter for devices requiring a good quality of supply (electronics).
The arrangement may include additional feature adapted to increase the time or usage of the electrical switching arrangement device during the days or for seasonality with the different sunshine powers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.
In the drawings there is shown in:
Figure 1 : a schematic layout illustrating the basic components of the electrical switching arrangement according to the invention;
Figure 2: a schematic layout illustrating the basic operating principle of the electrical switching arrangement shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 3: a schematic layout illustrating how to save the inverter to run when not required;
Figure 4: a block diagram illustrating the decision making means of the electrical switching arrangement according to the invention
Figure 5: a layout diagram of the electrical switching arrangement as in Case 1
(connected to grid);
Figure 6: a layout diagram of the electrical switching arrangement as in Case 2
(connected to alternate energy source e.g. PV); Figure 7: an electrical layout of the electrical switching arrangement shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 8: the electrical layout shown in Figure 4 when the PV source can provide sufficient energy as in Case 1 ;
Figure 9: the electrical layout shown in Figure 5 indicating the decision process before going to Case 2;
Figure 10: the electrical layout shown in Figure 4 when the PV source cannot provide sufficient energy as in Case 2;
Figure 1 1 : the electrical layout shown in Figure 7 indicating the decision process during Case 2;
Figure 12: the electrical layout shown in Figure 4 showing the controlled variable resistance and other components;
Figure 13: an electrical layout of the proposed circuitry of the electronic board of the electrical switching arrangement according to the invention; Figure 14: a layout of the power part of the electrical switching arrangement according to the invention;
Figure 15: an assembly plan of the electrical switching arrangement according to the invention and operating a pool pump; and
Figure 16: a block diagram of the components of the electrical switching arrangement according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
According to the invention, an electrical switching arrangement, includes switching means having a load and connected to at least one alternate energy source and an electrical grid and being adapted to select autonomously if the load is to be powered by the alternate energy source(s) or the electrical grid.
The arrangement includes automated electrical change-over switching between the alternate energy source(s) and fixed grid system.
The alternate energy source can be a secondary, intermittent and/or renewable energy source.
The alternate energy source can be solar photovoltaic, wind or any alternate low costs energy source.
The selection is taken by only one criteria, namely if the alternate energy source is able to provide sufficient power to operate the load, then the load is powered by the alternate energy source, alternatively the load is powered by the electrical grid.
The electrical switching arrangement can be used for swimming pool pumps and/or small air conditioning systems and/or extraction fans, as well as any load and/or loads that can be matched with the installed alternate energy source.
The electrical switching arrangement is adapted not to require batteries.
The electrical switching arrangement is adapted not to feed back to the electrical grid.
The electrical switching arrangement does not require contracts with electrical supply utilities or companies.
The switching means includes two sub-functions to realise the cycle of switching, namely (a) a switching function realised by means of contactors, relays, solid state devices and a programmable controller; and
(b) a power monitoring function realised by means of sensors, discharge or power loading resistance, semi-conductors, etc.
The electrical switching arrangement includes an inverter saving solution adapted to only run the inverter when required/adapted to not turn the inverter when not required.
The electrical switching arrangement determines the available power by means of using a process monitoring transducer like solar cell (luminosity) or an anemometer (wind speed) etc. and/or using a discharge or power loading resistance.
The electrical switching arrangement includes the following computational functions:
(a) surveying switching conditions;
(b) commanding of the change-over switch state; and/or
(c) in case of a discharge or power loading resistance, managing the effective variable resistance with a process control loop (including sensor and control algorithms).
The resistance control loop process can be replaced by a power/current selection button.
The electrical switching arrangement can be integrated with a grid-tie inverter for devices requiring a good quality of supply (electronics). The advantages of the electrical switching arrangement according to the invention include the following:
(a) no batteries are required: i.e. no maintenance, cost saving, long life span;
(b) the inverter is never running when the PV doesn't fulfil the load requirement in the power saving option, i.e. long life span;
(c) it is equivalent to a common device from the grid, i.e. there is no feed-back;
(d) green technology: no heavy metal batteries are needed, high yield;
(e) compact and light;
(f) can be scaled up to power more powerful devices; and
(g) easy to install: AC links are standards BS 546 plugs and DC links are MC4 connectors.
Additional features can be added to increase the time or usage of the electrical switching arrangement device during the days or for seasonality with the different sunshine powers. For example the electrical switching arrangement can detect when power generated from the alternate energy source or PV is between 0.1 and 1 kW/h and feed a lower consumption device like a fridge and above 1 kW/h switch to feed a pool pump of 1 kW/h.
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