Solar Energy Storage System for Blockchain Processing

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a solar powered Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and in particular to a BESS for blockchain processing of cryptocurrency.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In a typical solar powered Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), renewable solar energy: a) can be used to directly power standard loads (if they are present), b) can be fed back into a mains power grid to obtain “feed-in tariffs”, or c) can be stored in batteries for later use. However, such a typical BESS commonly wastes substantial amounts of available energy by simply curtailing under some conditions the real-time production of solar energy, or by not efficiently using stored energy. Such waste can be due to a number of factors. For example, sometimes there are simply no loads presently requiring power or the system is “off grid”. Also, batteries connected to the system may be fully charged.

[0003] Further, for grid connected systems feed-in tariffs may not always be available or may be so low that obtaining them is not worthwhile. That is often because, as the number of solar power installations increases in a specified power grid, the economics of supply and demand cause the value of solar power from a given solar power installation to drop. And sometimes in certain areas the power utility can switch off solar generation entirely. In fact, solar energy is becoming so popular in some regions, in the near future feed-in tariffs are expected to no longer be offered at all by local power companies.

[0004] Also, in a typical solar powered BESS, the electrical circuitry and power management is generally fixed according to an inflexible hardware architecture. It is thus not possible to efficiently select an appropriate power usage based on factors other than simply whether solar power is currently being generated and whether the batteries are fully charged.

[0005] It is also well known that blockchain processing, such as for the generation of crypto currencies, often can be effectively conducted using available solar power. Thus, many residential and small business buildings have started to employ available solar power to run small to medium crypto currency “mining rigs”, which often provide a substantially better return than available feed-in tariffs.

[0006] However, the overall productivity/value of current crypto currency mining rigs is generally substantially limited by the efficiency of the solar powered BESS’s that power them and is thus ignored by the BESS’s.

[0007] There is therefore a need for an improved solar energy storage system for blockchain processing.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In a first aspect, although it need not be the only or the broadest aspect, the invention resides in a solar powered battery energy storage system (BESS) for blockchain processing, the system comprising: a solar power source; a direct current (do) buss bar electrically connected to the solar power source; a battery electrically connected to the dc buss bar; an alternating current (ac) inverter electrically connected to the dc bus bar; a blockchain processer electrically connected to the dc buss bar; and an energy controller, wherein the energy controller is connected to the internet and is electrically connected to and modulates the activity of the dc bus bar, the battery, the ac inverter, and the blockchain processor.

[0010] Preferably, the blockchain processer is a dc coupled blockchain processor, and the BESS further comprises an ac coupled blockchain processor electrically connected to the ac inverter.

[0011] Preferably, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) module is electrically connected to the solar power source.

[0012] Preferably, the energy controller includes a communications module that receives operational data, including data concerning predicted solar power output and predicted battery usage, and wherein the energy controller modulates the activity of the MPPT module, the dc bus bar, the battery, the ac inverter, the dc coupled blockchain processor, and/or the ac coupled blockchain processor based on the operational data.

[0013] Preferably, electrical connections of the BESS are direct electrical connections or indirect electrical connections.

[0014] Preferably, the BESS further comprises a plurality of batteries housed in a battery enclosure.

[0015] Preferably, the battery, the dc coupled blockchain processer, the ac coupled blockchain processor, and the energy controller are connected to a common backplane in a single enclosure.

[0016] Preferably, internal feedback data relative to the performance of the BESS is provided to the energy controller using a network of sensors, including temperature, voltage, and power sensors.

[0017] Preferably, the energy controller controls devices of the BESS using control elements including current transformers and voltage shunts.

[0018] Preferably, a BESS is included in a solar power network comprising of a plurality of subsystems, each subsystem associated with a building or residence within a local geographic area, and each subsystem including a solar powered BESS, whereby the plurality of subsystems can be linked and controlled together by a common server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a solar powered BESS for block chain processing, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0021 ] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of elements of a BESS, as defined in FIG. 1 , housed in an enclosure, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] The present invention relates to an improved solar powered battery energy storage system (BESS) for blockchain processing. Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.

[0023] In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, above and below, top and bottom, upper and lower, rear, front and side, etc., are used solely to define one element or method step from another element or method step without necessarily requiring a specific relative position or sequence that is described by the adjectives. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are not used to define an exclusive set of elements or method steps. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of elements or method steps included in a particular embodiment of the present invention. [0024] According to one aspect, the present invention is defined as a solar powered BESS for blockchain processing, the system comprising: a solar power source; a direct current (dc) buss bar electrically connected to the solar power source; a battery electrically connected to the dc buss bar; an alternating current (ac) inverter electrically connected to the dc buss bar; a blockchain processer electrically connected to the dc buss bar; and an energy controller, wherein the energy controller is electrically connected to and modulates the activity of the dc buss bar, the battery, the ac inverter, and the blockchain processor.

[0025] Advantages of some embodiments of the present invention include a system that enables efficient management in real time of available and predicted energy supply and demand, to and from the system. Some embodiments receive operational data, including data concerning predicted solar power source output and predicted battery usage, and wherein the energy controller modulates the activity of the MPPT module, the dc buss bar, the battery, the ac inverter, the blockchain processor based on the operational data.

[0026] Further, some embodiments of the present invention enable the predicted availability of solar power, for example based on weather predictions relative to solar radiation, to be balanced with the predicted demand of connected loads, such as battery loads, to determine an efficient and real time allocation of energy to the blockchain processor.

[0027] Further, some embodiments of the present invention enable further efficiency gains through enclosure of batteries, block chain processors and the energy controller in a heat conductive enclosure.

[0028] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all of the above advantages are necessarily included in all embodiments of the present invention. [0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a solar powered BESS 100 for block chain processing, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The BESS 100 includes an array of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels 105 that are electrically connected to a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) module 110. As known in the art, the MPPT module 110 enables tuning of the array of solar panels 105 to extract maximum power based on ambient conditions such as solar radiation, ambient temperature and solar cell temperature.

[0030] The MPPT module 110 is electrically connected to a direct current (dc) bus bar 115. The dc bus bar 115 is electrically connected to an array 120 of modular dc/ac inverters, a modular battery bank 125, and a dc-dc converter 130. Output from the dc-dc converter 130 powers a modular dc-coupled blockchain processor 135, such as a crypto currency mining rig.

[0031 ] The array 120 of modular dc/ac inverters is electrically connected to a modular ac-coupled blockchain processer 140, such as a crypto currency mining rig. The array 120 can also transmit and receive power from a mains power grid 145, and can transmit power to various loads 150. For example, the loads 150 may include a power circuit of a residential home or commercial building, individual electrical appliances, electric vehicle charging stations or secondary batteries.

[0032] In addition to the modular battery bank 125, excess solar power also can be stored in other power storage devices, such as a hydrogen energy storage system 153. Examples of anticipated commercially available hydrogen energy storage systems include 40 kWh and higher capacity systems, which can be readily integrated with a residential or small business renewable energy system.

[0033] As shown by communications lines 155, an energy controller 160 is operatively connected to all of: the MPPT module 110, the dc bus bar 115, the array 120, the modular battery bank 125, the modular dc-coupled blockchain processor 135, the modular ac-coupled blockchain processer 140, the mains power grid 145, the loads 150 and the hydrogen energy storage system 153. The energy controller 160 includes a microprocessor, memory and a communications transceiver, connected for example to a wireless transceiver 165.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of elements of a BESS 100 housed in an enclosure 200, according to some embodiments. For example, the enclosure 200 includes a robust metal casing 205 that enables secure transport of the enclosure 200, provides thermal and noise insulation, and assists with effective cooling of elements housed in the enclosure 200.

[0035] Rack mounted power electronics 210 are stored at an upper end of the enclosure 200. The energy controller 160 is housed in a rack. Below the controller 160 are rack mounted modular mining rigs, such as the modular de coupled blockchain processor 135 and the modular ac-coupled blockchain processer 140. The modular battery bank 125, which is relatively heavy, is then installed using racks in the lower portion of the enclosure 200.

[0036] Cooling heat pipes 215 are installed from the bottom to the top of the enclosure 200 and assist in maintaining the heat generating modules, such as the blockchain processors 135, 140, inside the enclosure 200 at an effective operating temperature.

[0037] Each device installed in the enclosure 200 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) interface to allow connection to a common backplane including connection to the cooling heat pipes 215. The common backplane allows for use of vertical bus bars and cooling bars. For example, a common power bus can include AC Live (L1 , L2, L3), AC Neutral, Earth, DC Positive (48V, 12V), DC Negative (48V, 12V) & communication ports.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the enclosure 200 is made out of conductive material (e.g., copper, aluminium, steel or other highly heat conductive material) and forms part of a heat sink with Peltier plates and fins (not shown) on the back plane. The design of the enclosure 200 thus increases a temperature differential with the enclosed components to enhance the cooling effect of ambient air, which is forced over the fins by fans of the power electronics 210 and is then vented away to the exterior of the BESS 100. [0039] Through the communications lines 155, using serial and parallel communication protocols, the energy controller 160 is able to optimise the overall performance efficiency of the connected devices in the BESS 100.

[0040] Various communication protocols can be used to transmit and receive data over the communications lines 155. For example, Modbus over Ethernet, as is known in the art, facilitates a structured addressable table for swapping of information/control data.

[0041] Internal feedback data relative to the performance of the BESS 100 can be provided to the energy controller 160 using a network of sensors, such as temperature, voltage, power sensors, and percentage charge status of the battery bank 125. Operational control of devices can be provided to the BESS 100 using for example current transformers and voltage shunts. Importantly, the wireless transceiver 165 enables the energy controller 160 to also obtain external feedback relative to external variables such as the weather (primarily solar radiation) and real time energy prices (e.g., both available feed-in tariffs and electricity supply charges).

[0042] The energy controller 160 then uses a microprocessor to compare potential/latent available power and available loads by evaluating the above described internal and external feedback. The energy controller 160 then can determine in real time where solar power input to the BESS 100 should be best directed.

[0043] For example, the energy controller 160 may determine that a spot price for feeding energy back to a regional power grid is not currently favourable, thus current solar energy will be directed only to the battery bank 125 for storage and to the blockchain processors 135, 140 for generating cryptocurrency with excess power. Alternatively, a local power outage may result in a temporary spike in available feed-in tariffs, causing the energy controller 160 to direct all available energy back to the regional power grid, including stored energy in the battery bank 125 and available solar energy.

[0044] As another example, using known control systems theory and techniques, the energy controller 160 can use predictive models of parameters such as future solar radiation, future energy costs and future battery requirements to determine in real time where available power should be directed. Thus, consider as a simple illustration that the BESS 100 is installed at a residential family home, and the owner schedules the BESS 100 to charge an electric vehicle during daylight hours every Sunday. The energy controller 160 then can employ such a Sunday recharging schedule as a parameter to assist the BESS 100 in determining where in advance available solar power should be directed. For example, if the local weather forecast on a given Saturday is that Sunday will be cloudy, and thus predicts low solar radiation for Sunday, the energy controller 160 may determine that the battery bank 125 should be given priority for receiving available solar power on the Saturday, rather than using available solar power for other options such as cryptocurrency mining using the blockchain processors 135, 140. That may ensure that the battery bank 125 is fully charged on Sunday and available for the scheduled task of recharging the electric vehicle. Of course, the above simple illustration assumes that the energy controller 160 first determines that the present cost efficiency of cryptocurrency mining is lower than the present cost efficiency of recharging the battery bank 125.

[0045] In a further “off grid” example, the energy controller 160 includes a processor operatively connected to memory that stores historic operating data concerning the BESS 100. The energy controller 160 uses a signal to read the current power from the loads 150 and energy generation parameters from PV solar panels 105 and the MPPT 110. The energy controller 160 then calculates a predicted load over a defined time period and subtracts this from the total potential energy calculated to be available in that time period. The energy controller 160 then sends a control signal to the blockchain processors 135, 140 to adjust their processing speed and corresponding power to match the calculated total potential energy available. The energy controller 160 can also access external data like weather via connection of the wireless transceiver 165 to the internet to improve predictions.

[0046] Also, according to some embodiments of the present invention, a network of a large number of subsystems, each including a BESS 100, such as buildings or residences within a local geographic area, can be linked and controlled together by a common server, enabling additional influence on the local power market as the plurality of BESS’s 100 can be synchronised as one system.

[0047] Thus, in a further “on grid” example, consider multiple BESS’s 100 each connected to a common regional mains power grid 145. Each energy controller 160 of each BESS 100 in the grid 145 receives operating data from adjacent energy controllers 100 via the wireless transceivers 165. Each energy controller 160 then can divert excess available energy to other BESS’s 100 via the grid 145. Where applicable the energy controllers 160 may also receive pricing signals from a market operator for both energy and currency. Each energy controller 160 then can divert available energy to its own blockchain processors 135, 140 or battery 125, or to other cryptocurrency mining rigs in other BESS’s 100 in the power grid 145.

[0048] In light of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the ability of the energy controller 160 to employ the network of sensors, power sources and loads available in the BESS 100 to greatly improve the overall operating efficiency of the BESS 100 and avoid wasting available renewable power.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various components of embodiments of the present invention can be made of various materials and as various integrated or non-integrated designs.

[0050] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. Numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this patent specification is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.