System and method for net load-based inference of operational specifications of a photovoltaic power generation system with the aid of a digital computer
AssigneeClean Power Research, L.L.C.
InventorThomas E. Hoff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for net load-based inference of operational specifications of a photovoltaic power generation system with the aid of a digital computer are provided. Photovoltaic plant configuration specifications can be accurately inferred with net load data and measured solar resource data. Power generation data is simulated for a range of hypothetical photovoltaic system configurations based on a normalized solar power simulation model. Net load data is estimated based on one or more component loads. The set of key parameters corresponding to the net load estimate that minimizes total squared error represents the inferred specifications of the photovoltaic plant configuration.
Claims20
A system net load-based inference of operational specifications of a photovoltaic power generation system with the aid of a digital computer, comprising:
- a data storage comprising computer-readable data, comprising:
- a time series of net load data for power consumed within a building measured over a time period, the building also receiving power produced by a photovoltaic power generation plant;
- a time series of historical measured irradiance data over the time period;
- a plurality of photovoltaic plant configurations that each comprise a power rating and operational features hypothesized for the plant;
- and
- a plurality of key parameters comprising one or more component loads, the one or more component loads comprising one of more of a base load of power consumed, at least one binary load of power consumed within the building, and at least one variable load of power consumed within the building, wherein the base load represents a constant power load drawn at all times within the building, the at least one binary load represents a power load that is either on or off, and which, when on, draws power at a single power level within the building, and the at least one variable load represents a power load that can take on multiple power levels within the building;
- and
- a computer comprising a processor and memory within which code for execution by the processor is stored, the computer configured to:
- simulate power output production data for each of the photovoltaic plant configurations based on a normalized photovoltaic power generation plant using the historical measured irradiance data for the time period;
- estimate net load data associated with one or more of the photovoltaic plant configurations by using the simulated power output production data for that photovoltaic plant configuration and one or more of the component loads;
- calculate an error metric between the time series net load data and the estimated net load data associated with one or more of the photovoltaic plant configurations;
- and
- infer one of the photovoltaic plant configurations as a configuration of the photovoltaic plant based on the one or more error metrics.
A method for net load-based inference of operational specifications of a photovoltaic power generation system with the aid of a digital computer, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining by a computer with a time series of net load data for power consumed within a building measured over a time period, the building also receiving power produced by a photovoltaic power generation plant;
- obtaining by the computer a time series of historical measured irradiance data over the time period;
- defining by the computer a plurality of photovoltaic plant configurations that each comprise a power rating and operational features hypothesized for the plant;
- defining by the computer a plurality of key parameters comprising one or more component loads, the one or more component loads comprising one of more of a base load of power consumed, at least one binary load of power consumed within the building, and at least one variable load of power consumed within the building, wherein the base load represents a constant power load drawn at all times within the building, the at least one binary load represents a power load that is either on or off, and which, when on, draws power at a single power level within the building, and the at least one variable load represents a power load that can take on multiple power levels within the building;
- and
- simulating by the computer power output production data for each of the photovoltaic plant configurations based on a normalized photovoltaic power generation plant using the historical measured irradiance data for the time period;
- estimating by the computer net load data associated with one or more of the photovoltaic plant configurations by using the simulated power output production data for that photovoltaic plant configuration and one or more of the component loads;
- calculating by the computer an error metric between the time series net load data and the estimated net load data associated with one or more of the photovoltaic plant configurations;
- and
- inferring by the computer one of the photovoltaic plant configurations as a configuration of the plant based on the one or more error metrics.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.