In a significant advancement for the integration of renewable energy into power grids, researchers led by YANG Qiluan from the School of Electric Power Engineering at South China University of Technology have unveiled a novel strategy for managing energy storage systems. Their research, published in ‘Zhejiang dianli’ (translated as ‘Zhejiang Electric Power’), addresses a critical challenge in the deployment of super capacitor energy storage (SCES) systems that utilize modular multilevel converters (MMC).
As the world shifts towards cleaner energy sources, the demand for efficient energy storage solutions has skyrocketed. However, one of the persistent issues in SCES is the inconsistency in the state of charge (SOC) across supercapacitors, which can hinder the overall effectiveness of energy storage systems. This inconsistency often results from variations in supercapacitor characteristics, leading to unequal energy distribution and underutilization of storage capacity.
YANG and his team propose an innovative SOC equilibrium control strategy that focuses on balancing capacitor voltages across the system. By adjusting the energy storage power and ensuring equal voltage levels in the submodules, the researchers have developed a method that not only optimizes energy utilization but also simplifies the control architecture. “Our approach significantly reduces the number of controllers needed, making the system more efficient and easier to manage,” YANG noted.
The researchers validated their strategy using a bipolar transmission system modeled in PSCAD/EMTDC, demonstrating that the proposed control method could effectively minimize the operational burden on the system. The results are promising: the new strategy not only balances SOC across the supercapacitors but also reduces the number of IGBT switch operations, which in turn lowers switching losses. “This means that we can achieve better performance with fewer resources, which is vital for commercial applications,” YANG added.
The implications of this research extend beyond technical improvements; they present a pathway for the commercial viability of large-scale renewable energy integration. By enhancing the efficiency of energy storage systems, utilities and energy providers can better manage the intermittent nature of renewable sources like wind and solar. This advancement could lead to more stable energy supplies, lower operational costs, and ultimately, a faster transition to a sustainable energy future.
As energy markets evolve and the push for cleaner technologies intensifies, innovations like this SOC equilibrium control strategy could redefine how we approach energy storage and distribution. With researchers like YANG Qiluan at the forefront, the energy sector may soon witness transformative changes that enhance both the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy systems. For more information about YANG Qiluan’s work, you can visit South China University of Technology.
