Photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner and control method thereof

• US 10,784,711 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2017
• Issued: 09/22/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GREE Electric Appliances Incorporated of Zhuhai
• Original Assignee: GREE Electric Appliances Incorporated of Zhuhai
• Inventors: Huang, Meng, Xu, Dongyuan, Tang, Wenqiang, Liu, Xia, Nan, Shugong, Ren, Peng
• Primary Examiner(s): Lin, Jason
• Application Number:
  US16/074,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20190052120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2005/0067 with photovoltaic panels
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0046 using natural energy, e.g. solar energy, energy from the ground
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/472 For selectively connecting the AC sources in a particular order, e.g. sequential, alternating or subsets of sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/248 UPS systems or standby or emergency generators

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner and a control method thereof. The air conditioner may include a photovoltaic power generation device, an energy storage device, an air conditioning unit and an energy scheduling and management device. The energy scheduling and management device may include: a detection module, configured to detect an operation state of the air conditioner, a power supply quantity and a working state of the photovoltaic power generation device and a power supply quantity and a working state of the energy storage device; and a scheduling module, configured to control power supply and/or charging according to the operation state of the air conditioner, the power supply quantity and the working state of the photovoltaic power generation device, the power supply quantity and the working state of the energy storage device, preset power supply priorities and power usage priorities.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner, comprising a photovoltaic power generation device, an energy storage device, an air conditioning unit and an energy scheduling and management device;

wherein the photovoltaic power generation device, the energy storage device and a public power grid are connected to the air conditioning unit for power supply;

the photovoltaic power generation device and the public power grid are connected to the energy storage device for charging;

the photovoltaic power generation device is configured to comply a grid-connected power supply to the public power grid; and

wherein the energy scheduling and management device comprises;

a detection module, configured to detect an operation state of the air conditioner, a power supply quantity and a working state of the photovoltaic power generation device and a power supply quantity and a working state of the energy storage device;

a scheduling module, configured to control power supply and/or charging according to the operation state of the air conditioner, the power supply quantity and the working state of the photovoltaic power generation device, the power supply quantity and the working state of the energy storage device, preset power supply priorities and power usage priorities; and

wherein;

(i) the scheduling module is adapted to control the photovoltaic power generation device only to be a power supply for supplying power to the air conditioning unit, when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is the same as power required for operation of the air conditioning unit;

the scheduling module is adapted to control the photovoltaic power generation device to charge the energy storage device, when determining that the air conditioning unit is not operating and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner; and

the scheduling module is adapted to control the photovoltaic power generation device to comply the grid-connected power supply to the public power grid, when determining that the air conditioning unit is not operating and the energy storage device has sufficient power to operate the air conditioner or is not working;

or

(ii) the scheduling module is adapted to control the energy storage device to drive the air conditioning unit to operate when determining that the photovoltaic power generation device is not generating power and power of the energy storage device is sufficient to operate the air conditioner;

the scheduling module is adapted to control the public power grid to charge the energy storage device when determining that the photovoltaic power generation device is not generating power and the air conditioning unit is not operating and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner;

the scheduling module is adapted to control the public power grid to drive the air conditioning unit to operate and control the public power grid to charge the energy storage device when determining that the photovoltaic power generation device is not generating power and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner; and

the scheduling module is adapted to control the photovoltaic power generation device to supply power to the air conditioning unit and control the photovoltaic power generation device to charge the energy storage device, when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is more than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit, and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner;

or

(iii) the scheduling module is adapted to control the photovoltaic power generation device to supply power to the air conditioning unit and control the photovoltaic power generation device to comply the grid-connected power supply to the public power grid, when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is more than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit, and the energy storage device has sufficient power to operate the air conditioner or is not working;

the scheduling module is adapted to control the photovoltaic power generation device and the public power grid to supply power to the air conditioning unit jointly and control the public power grid to charge the energy storage device, when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is less than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit, and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner; and

the scheduling module is adapted to control the photovoltaic power generation device and the energy storage device to supply power to the air conditioning unit jointly, when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is less than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit and power of the energy storage device is sufficient to operate the air conditioner.

2. The photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein:

the photovoltaic power generation device comprises a photovoltaic array, an inverter, a switching means, and an electric energy meter;

the photovoltaic array, the switching means and the inverter are successively connected;

the inverter is connected to the public power grid;

the switching means is connected to the air conditioning unit;

the electric energy meter is arranged on a line between the photovoltaic array and the switching means; and

the detection module is connected to the electric energy meter to obtain an electric quantity generated by the photovoltaic array; and

the scheduling module is connected to the switching means and the inverter so as to control the photovoltaic array to supply power to the air conditioning unit and/or the public power grid.

3. The photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein:

the energy storage device comprises an energy storage battery pack and a battery energy management module; and

the battery energy management module is connected to the energy storage battery pack;

the detection module and the scheduling module are connected to the battery energy management module, the detection module obtains an electric quantity of the energy storage battery pack through the battery energy management module, and the scheduling module controls a working state of the energy storage battery pack through the battery energy management module.

4. The photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the energy storage device further comprises a direct current converter;

and the energy storage battery pack is connected to the public power grid through the direct current converter.

5. The photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning unit is adapted to connect to the public power grid through a switching device;

and the scheduling module is connected to the switching device.

6. The photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning unit comprises a controller, and the controller is connected to the detection module to obtain the operation state of the air conditioner.

7. The photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein:

the power supplies selected by the scheduling module according to the highest to lowest order of the power supply priorities are successively the photovoltaic power generation device, the energy storage device and the public power grid; and

wherein the devices to be supplied power according to the highest to lowest order of the power supply priorities are successively the air conditioning unit, the energy storage device and the public power grid.

8. The photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein:

the scheduling module is adapted to control the photovoltaic power generation device and the public power grid to supply power to the air conditioning unit jointly, when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is less than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit and the energy storage device is not working; and

the scheduling module is adapted to control the public power grid to supply power to the air conditioning unit, when determining that the photovoltaic power generation device is not generating power and the energy storage device is not working.

9. A control method for a photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner, comprising:

detecting an operation state of the air conditioner, a power supply quantity and a working state of the photovoltaic power generation device and a power supply quantity and a working state of the energy storage device; and

controlling power supply and/or charging according to the operation state of the air conditioner, the power supply quantity and the working state of the photovoltaic power generation device, the power supply quantity and the working state of the energy storage device, preset power supply priorities and power usage priorities;

wherein the photovoltaic power generation device, the energy storage device and a public power grid are connected to the air conditioning unit for power supply;

the photovoltaic power generation device and the public power grid are connected to the energy storage device for charging; and

the photovoltaic power generation device is further configured to comply a grid-connected power supply to the public power grid; and

wherein controlling power supply and/or charging according to the operation state of the air conditioner, the power supply quantity and the working state of the photovoltaic power generation device, the power supply quantity and the working state of the energy storage device, preset power supply priorities and power usage priorities comprises;

(i) when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is the same as power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit, selecting the photovoltaic power generation device only as a power supply for supplying power to the air conditioning unit;

when determining that the air conditioning unit is not operating and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner, selecting the photovoltaic power generation device to charge the energy storage device; and

when determining that the air conditioning unit is not operating and the energy storage device has sufficient power to operate the air conditioner or is not working, selecting the photovoltaic power generation device to comply the grid-connected power supply to the public power grid;

or

(ii) when determining that the photovoltaic power generation device is not generating power and power of the energy storage device is sufficient to operate the air conditioner, driving, by the energy storage device, the air conditioning unit to operate;

when determining that the photovoltaic power generation device is not generating power, the air conditioning unit is not operating and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner, charging, by the public power grid, the energy storage device; and

when determining that the photovoltaic power generation device is not generating power and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner, driving, by the public power grid the air conditioning unit to operate, and charging, by the public power grid, the energy storage device;

or

(iii) when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is more than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner, supplying, by the photovoltaic power generation device, power to the air conditioning unit, and charging, by the photovoltaic power generation device, the energy storage device;

when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is more than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit and the energy storage device has sufficient power to operate the air conditioner or is not working, supplying, by the photovoltaic power generation device, power to the air conditioning unit, and complying, by the photovoltaic power generation device, the grid-connected power supply to the public power grid; and

when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is less than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit and power of the energy storage device is insufficient to operate the air conditioner, supplying, by the photovoltaic power generation device and the public power grid, power to the air conditioning unit jointly, and charging, by the public power grid, the energy storage device.

10. The control method according to claim 9, wherein controlling power supply and/or charging according to the operation state of the air conditioner, the power supply quantity and the working state of the photovoltaic power generation device, the power supply quantity and the working state of the energy storage device, preset power supply priorities and power usage priorities comprises:

successively selecting the photovoltaic power generation device, the energy storage device and the public power grid as the power supplies according to the highest to lowest order of the power supply priorities;

wherein the devices to be supplied power according to the highest to lowest order of the power supply priorities are successively the air conditioning unit, the energy storage device and the public power grid.

11. The control method according to claim 10, wherein controlling power supply and/or charging according to the operation state of the air conditioner, the power supply quantity and the working state of the photovoltaic power generation device, the power supply quantity and the working state of the energy storage device, specified power supply priorities and power usage priorities comprises:

when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is less than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit and power of the energy storage device is sufficient to operate the air conditioner, supplying, by the photovoltaic power generation device and the energy storage device, power to the air conditioning unit jointly;

when determining that power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is less than power required for the operation of the air conditioning unit and the energy storage device is not working, supplying, by the photovoltaic power generation device and the public power grid, power to the air conditioning unit jointly; and

when determining that the photovoltaic power generation device is not generating power and the energy storage device is not working, supplying, by the public power grid, power to the air conditioning unit.