PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/287,224, filed December 8, 2021 , bearing Attorney Docket No. 10378-21003A, and titled VARIABLE INVERTER BASED POWER CONTROL, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to variable inverter based power control.

Brief Description of Related Technology

[0003] Electrolyzer systems use electrical energy to drive a chemical reaction. For example, water is split to form hydrogen and oxygen. The products may be used as energy sources for later use. In recent years, improvements in operational efficiency have made electrolyzer systems competitive market solutions for energy storage, generation, and/or transport. For example, the cost of generation may be below $10 per kilogram of hydrogen in some cases. Increases in efficiency and/or improvements in operation will continue to drive installation of electrolyzer systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 shows an example DC power output system.

[0005] Figure 2 shows example output-control logic.

[0006] Figure 3 depicts an example of a state diagram for site control an electrolyzer system.

[0007] Figure 4 shows example voltage-adjustment logic. [0008] Figure 5 shows an example implementation of a DC power output system implemented within an electrochemical plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The discussed architectures and techniques may support large-scale (and/or other scale) electrolysis systems that are directly or virtually connected to a renewable generation energy source, and/or electrolysis systems that provide grid services. Thus architectures and techniques described here can also be applied to electrochemical processes other than electrolysis, for example electrochemical reduction of oxide ores, chloralkali processes and/or other electrochemical processes that are powered by resources utilizing one or more controllable power converters.

[0010] In some cases, renewable energy sources, which may be used to power an electrolyzer system, can have output that changes over time. For example, a solar generation system may produce little or no real power at night and power that fluctuates continuously during the day due to atmospheric changes. In normal grid- connected operation as a power generator, the power converters in such a system match the fluctuating input power to the fixed, specified grid frequency and voltage with a high degree of precision. Such precise regulation of frequency and voltage is a design criteria for grid connected renewable power converters, since the point of interconnection to the grid is low impedance (“stiff” in electrical terms). Further, target utilization of an electrolyzer system may change over time. For example, an electrolyzer system including multiple electrolyzer stacks may run at or near full capacity during one part of a particular day and below half-capacity during another part of the same day. Accordingly, the techniques and architectures discussed herein may provide electric systems that may support variable power output, e.g., for electrolysis systems and/or other systems with transient power demand.

[0011] Electrolyzer systems may include one or more electrolyzer stacks. Each stack may be independently connected to power electronics, water, and gas systems. In some cases, a subgroup of electrolyzer stacks may be coupled together for parallel control. Each stack and/or sub-group can be controlled independently with an electrolyzer stack controller. [0012] In some cases, DC (direct current) substations may include a rectifier that may be used to control the DC power output of the substation. In various contexts, the output of the DC substation may be used to provide power an electrolyzer system. Nevertheless, DC substations may be used to power a variety of systems that rely on controllable output. Various types of controlled rectifiers may provide the controlled output. The availability of controlled rectifiers has resulted in an unrecognized need for market alternatives.

[0013] In some cases, if the cost of a controlled rectifier could be avoided the overall cost of a DC substation may be reduced. Accordingly, the techniques and architectures discussed herein may provide systems that use variable inverters paired with rectifiers that are uncontrolled and/or those that may not necessarily provide the entire power variability relied on by the consumer of the DC substation (or other DC supply system) output. Thus, the techniques and architectures discussed herein (including the paring of a variable inverter for power control with a rectifier) provide improvements (e.g., reduced cost / reconfiguration of existing equipment) over existing market base solutions. Further, the techniques and architectures provide the unexpected results of DC power control achieved through control of AC (alternating current) inputs.

[0014] Figure 1 shows an example DC power output (DCPO) system 100. The example DCPO 100 includes an output port 102, a variable inverter 110, a rectifier 120 coupled between the output port 102 and the variable inverter 110, and outputcontrol circuitry 130. The rectifier 120 may be configured to convert AC power of the variable inverter to DC power at the output port. Various rectifier types may be used. For example, a diode rectifier may be used. In some implementations, a transformer 115 may be coupled between the variable inverter 110 and the rectifier 120. Various transformers may be used, for example, low, medium, and/or high voltage transformers may be used.

[0015] While continuing to refer to Figure 1 and now additionally referring to Figure 2, Figure 2 shows example output-control logic (OCL) 200, which my govern operation of the output-control circuitry 130. The OCL 200 may receive an indication of a change in target DC power output for the output port 102 (202). For example, the OCL 200 may receive an indication of an operational state change occurring for one or more consumers of the power. For example, an electrolyzer system may be moving (or partially moving) to a standby state from an active state. Illustrative example electrolyzer operating states are discussed below with regard to Figure 3. In some cases, the configuration of one or more electrolyzer stacks may be changing. For example, chemical generation may be undergoing consolidation to fewer stacks at a higher operation power. Accordingly, one power supply may adjust one output upward while adjusting another output downward.

[0016] The OCL 200 may generate a power control signal based on the change — e.g. , to account for the corresponding adjustment (204). While the rectifier 120 remains unadjusted responsive to the change, the OCL 200 may send a power control signal to drive the variable inverter 110 to a target AC power to account for the change in target DC power output (206) at the output 102. For example, the rectifier may remain unadjusted by virtue of being an uncontrolled rectifier. In some cases, the rectifier may remain unadjusted because the OCL 200 holds the signals controlling the rectifier constant (or e.g., where dynamic corrections are occurring, the signals hold the rectifier in a constant operational mode) or otherwise effect the change entirely with the variable inverter 110).

[0017] In some cases, the OCL 200 may account for the change using both the rectifier 120 and the variable inverter 110. Accordingly, the rectifier 120 may be controlled and adjusted in response to the change, but the rectifier 120 need not necessarily be configured to handle to whole of the change and/or the full power variation required by the consumer of the DC output from the output port. For example, partial use of the variable inverter 110 may reduce the overall constraints on the capabilities of the rectifier 120. Accordingly, even in cases where an uncontrolled rectifier is not necessarily used, a rectifier with variability less than the full variability called for by the particular application may be used.

[0018] In some implementations, multiple inverter-rectifier pairs may be controlled by the output-control circuitry 130. The multiple inverter-rectifier pairs may be each associated with one or more electrolyzer stacks and/or selectively output coupled to the power grid. The multiple inverter-rectifier pairs may be used to implement load balancing among electrolyzer stacks. For example, the multiple inverter-rectifier pairs may be cycled according to a scheme (e.g., round robin, stack age based, equalized chemical output, and/or other usage cycling schemes) to balance the usage of the various electrolyzer stacks, e.g., during periods where the electrolyzer system as a whole is operating at less than 100% capacity (or less than some other defined full load). In some cases, for operational efficiency, it may be desirable to consolidate chemical generation at fewer stacks running at higher loads than to generate the same amount of chemical across more stacks at a comparatively lower load. In some cases, as chemical output decreases, stacks may be taken offline or placed into a standby state (as described below) rather than remain in an active chemical generating state to implement a preference for consolidation of chemical production at fewer stacks.

[0019] In some implementations, as discussed above, the rectifier 120 may be a controlled rectifier capable of adjustment. However, in some cases, the range of adjustment supported by the rectifier 120 may be less than that used to support operation of various systems coupled to the DCPO 100. For example, the rectifier 120 may support less than 50% of the range, less than 10% of the range, or other portion.

[0020] Figure 3 depicts an example of a state diagram 300 to site control an electrolyzer system. Various example states are shown. The state diagram includes standby 302, inactive 350, and active 360 states.

[0021] The monitoring state 307 is a low-power monitoring only mode where auxiliary systems may be off-line.

[0022] The off state 306 may include one of a spectrum of low power and full off modes. The off state may be used in conjunction with timings to initiate (temporary) transition to the monitoring state to poll sensors. In some cases, the off state may return to other states as a result of manual commands/interventions. In some cases, the off state (or any of the other inactive states) may include use of battery or other power stores to assist in boot strapping or return to powered states.

[0023] The updating state 301 is where the controller is updating the software or firmware of one or more components of the system. The standby state 302 is the standby state where the controller is monitoring, and auxiliary system are typically energized and ready. In this state, the system can transition to active.

[0024] Active states include a manual mode 303, where is the system will respond to manual commands, and an autonomous mode 304, where the system will autonomously follow renewable generation within the constraints of the grid, forecast, and pricing signals.

[0025] In various cases, the variable inverter 110 may be coupled to an input, such as an input for a power grid and/or electrolyzer stack, that provides voltage at a nominal line voltage. The variable inverter 110 may be used to adjust the nominal line voltage to effect adjustment of voltage at the output 102. For example, the variable inverter 110 may support multiple modes of voltage adjustment. For example, the nominal line voltage may varied over a nominal operation range. As an illustrative example, in a power grid context, the nominal voltage may be a mean, default, industrial standard, or other selected voltage calculated to meet grid demand at least in some cases. The nominal operation range may be range of voltage selected to meet a range (e.g., a full range) of grid demand. For example, an illustrative example nominal range may span from about 88% percent of the line voltage to 110% percent of the line voltage.

[0026] In various implementations, the variable inverter 110 may be used to adjust the nominal line voltage in an anomalous operation range that is outside the nominal operation range. Figure 4 shows example voltage-adjustment logic 400 for operation of the variable inverter 110. The voltage-adjustment logic 400, which may be implemented on circuitry, may define one or more operational ranges 410, 420 for the variable inverter 110. The nominal operational range 410 may include an operational range over which the variable inverter 110 operates in a nominal operation mode. The nominal operation mode may include a mode where the allowed range of operation is constrained via one or more defined conditions that may be independent of the supported operational ranges of the hardware. For example, a nominal operation mode may be constrained by defined power grid requirements. For example, the IEEE519 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards may define constraints for provision of power to a power grid. The power grid may have constrained flexibility because the grid may aim to maintain predictable operation.

[0027] The anomalous operational range 420 may include an operational range over which the variable inverter 110 operates in an anomalous operation mode. The anomalous operational range 420 maty include voltages outside the nominal operation range due to the absence of constraints. Accordingly, the range may be defined by allowed voltages for the electrical systems being operated. Therefore, while operating in anomalous modes, the variable inverter 110 may vary the voltage levels across the anomalous operational range 420, which may be inclusive of the nominal operational range 410. As an illustrative example, an anomalous operation mode may include a mode in which the example DCPO 100 disconnects from the power grid and instead provides power to a local electrolyzer system. Thus, in the illustrative example, the power requirement of the local electrolyzer system may supplant the grid power regulations. The local electrolyzer system may (e.g., for changing operating states) require a broader variability with regard to power inputs.

[0028] For example, the power input to support the local electrolyzer system may depend on the number of electrolyzer stacks running concurrently, the current power state/mode of the local electrolyzer system or individual electrolyzer stacks within the system, the voltage load on each of the currently running electrolyzer stacks, the optimization scheme for cycling electrolyzer stack operation I balancing electrolyzer stack use, total chemical production, the number of electrolyzer stacks produce at least a nominal amount (e.g., a minimum operational quantity) of chemical and/or other factors governing current operation of the local electrolyzer system. Thus, the range of voltages needed to run the local electrolyzer system may be greater than the range needed to comply with power grid regulations. Power control signals from the outputcontrol circuitry 130 may be used to control the operation of the variable inverter 110 to supply power to the local electrolyzer system in accord with the above factors.

Example Implementations

[0029] Electrochemical (EC) plants may be powered from using the electric grid by a rectifier which converts Medium Voltage (MV, defined per ANSI C84 as 1 kV to 100kV, but in many cases less than 35 kV) 3-phase AC to a DC supply at the target operating voltage and current to power the electrochemical process. The rectifier may be referred to as a “DC substation”. The DC substation may be tied to a MV distribution line and/or may include switchgear and stepdown from the high voltage power transmission network. [0030] In illustrative scenarios where the electrochemical plant can be co-located with the renewable generating plant, the combination of generation and EC plants may be treated as a single system. In this case, the generalized grid connection may not be necessarily needed, and/or may be designed to support a small fraction of the total system power.

[0031] Further, photovoltaic (PV) and wind inverters can controllably vary their output AC voltage in order to match grid standards. An example inverter standard provides for the ability to vary AC voltage in the range of 88% to 110% of nominal line voltage without compromising conversion efficiency or power rating and can control below 88% at the expense of power rating.

[0032] The example implementations discussed provide a plant architecture and method by which the AC output voltage of the multiplicity of inverters in the renewable plant may be used to control the input current to the co-located electrochemical plant or plants. A second similar option is to use inverters in an output current control configuration (slope control) to achieve the same end.

[0033] In other words, the inverters within the renewable plant may be modified in how they are controlled to eliminate the need for a controlled rectifier or DC substation at the downstream electrochemical plant (or in some cases the inclusion may reduce the stringency of the constraints on the performance (e.g., speed/variability). Instead, an uncontrolled diode rectifier or a “less” controlled rectifier may be used.

[0034] Figure 5 shows an example implementation of a DCPO system 500 implemented within an electrochemical plant. In this example DCPO system 500, the PV plant inverter 510 is controlled/operated outside of the nominal operating range, reducing/eliminating the reliance on the controlled rectifier to provide DC power output adjustments. Instead, in this illustrative example, an uncontrolled diode rectifier 520 is used.

[0035] In other words, in order to control the current through the electrochemical plant process, the AC output voltage of the renewable plant inverters is used. This control may be accomplished via an integrated plant controller which sends voltage (or current) control signals to the renewable electricity (RE) plant controller or directly to the arrayed RE inverters. [0036] For example, the output-control circuitry 130, discussed above with respect to Figure 1 , may be localized and/or implemented via distributed components, e.g., via data network I Internet connections.

[0037] Various example implementations have been included for illustration. Other implementations are possible. Table 1 includes various examples.

[0038] The present disclosure has been described with reference to specific examples that are intended to be illustrative only and not to be limiting of the disclosure. Changes, additions and/or deletions may be made to the examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0039] The foregoing description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom.