Method for operating power source system and power source system comprising secondary battery

• US 20040070370A1
• Filed: 08/27/2003
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Emura, Katsuji
• Application Number:
  US10/469,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20040070370A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads

Abstract

A method of operating a power supply system, and a power supply system, that serve to achieve efficient operation of power generating units and reduce operating time, are provided.

In a method of operating a power supply system in which a secondary battery is connected between a power generating unit and a load, the power generating unit is operated at a constant output. The power generating unit is implemented, for example, by a diesel generator. The efficiency of operation is improved particularly by continuous operation of the power generating unit at the rated capacity thereof. Furthermore, the secondary battery is charged when surplus power is generated by the operation of the power generating unit, and the redox flow battery is discharged when power is deficient, so power is supplied in accordance with demand.

Claims

1. A method of operating a power supply system in which a secondary battery is connected between a power generating unit and a load,

wherein the power generating unit is operated at a predetermined constant output, and an excess or deficiency of generated electric power relative to a load demand for electric power is adjusted by charging or discharging the secondary battery.

2. A method of operating a power supply system according to claim 1,

wherein the number of units to be operated is selected out of a plurality of power generating units in accordance with load demand for electric power, the selected power generating unit or units being operated at a predetermined constant output.

3. A method of operating a power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the constant output of the power generating unit is a rated capacity of the power generating unit.

4. A method of operating a power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery is a redox flow battery.

5. A method of operating a power supply system according to claim 2, wherein the secondary battery is a redox flow battery.

6. A method of operating a power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the secondary battery is a redox flow battery.

7. A method of operating a power supply system according to claim 4, wherein a rated capacity of the redox flow battery is larger than or equal to one half of a rated capacity of the power generating unit.

8. A method of operating a power supply system according to claim 5, wherein a rated capacity of the redox flow battery is larger than or equal to one half of a rated capacity of the power generating unit.

9. A method of operating a power supply system according to claim 6, wherein a rated capacity of the redox flow battery is larger than or equal to one half of the rated capacity of the power generating unit.

10. A power supply system comprising a secondary battery connected between a power generating unit and a load,

wherein the power generating unit is operated at a predetermined constant output, and an excess or deficiency of generated electric power relative to load demand for electric power is adjusted by charging or discharging the secondary battery.

11. A power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the constant output of the power generating unit is a rated capacity of the power generating unit.

12. A power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the secondary battery is a redox flow battery.

13. A power supply system according to claim 11, wherein the secondary battery is a redox flow battery.

14. A power supply system according to claim 12, wherein a rated capacity of the redox flow battery is larger than or equal to one half of a rated capacity of the power generating unit.

15. A power supply system according to claim 13, wherein a rated capacity of the redox flow battery is larger than or equal to one half of the rated capacity of the power generating unit.