# US 11,451,064 B2 · Energy management system, independent system, and method for operating independent system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,451,064 B2 - Document ID: US11451064B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/224,204 - Filed: 2021-04-07 - Published: 2021-07-22 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-18 - Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd. - Applicants: NGK Insulators, Ltd. - Inventors: Hiroyuki Abe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11451064B2 ## CPC - H01M 10/441: {for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially} - H02J 3/46: Controlling the sharing of generated power between the generators, sources or networks - H01M 10/44: Methods for charging or discharging (circuits for charging H02J7/00) - H01M 10/443: {in response to temperature} - H01M 10/465: {with solar battery as charging system} - H01M 10/48: Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte (constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569) - H02J 3/14: by switching loads on to, or off from, the networks, e.g. progressively balanced loading - H02J 3/32: using batteries or super capacitors with converting means - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02J 3/466: Scheduling or selectively controlling the operation of the generators or sources, e.g. connecting or disconnecting generators to meet a demand - H02J 3/48: Controlling the sharing of active power - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - H02J 7/865: {Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply (H02J7/50 takes precedence)} - H01M 2220/10: Batteries in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant - H02J 2101/20: Dispersed power generation using renewable energy sources - H02J 2101/24: Photovoltaics - H02J 2101/28: Wind energy - H02J 2105/52: for limitation of the power consumption in the networks or in one section of the networks, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving - H02J 2105/59: {one of the loads acting as leader and the other or others acting as followers} - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract When in the independent system: a natural energy generating apparatus, a storage battery system, a power generator, and a first load is connected to a power supply system; the natural energy generating apparatus supplies generated power to the power supply system; the storage battery system is a regulated power supply; and the power generator performs a constant power operation, information indicating states of the natural energy generating apparatus, the storage battery system, the power generator, the first load, and a second load is obtained. Operations of the natural energy generating apparatus and the power generator, connection of the second load to the power supply system, and paralleling off the second load from the power supply system are controlled based on the information so that a demand-supply balance of power in the independent system is maintained, with the first load maintained to be connected to the power supply system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An energy management system for an independent system comprising a power supply system, a natural energy generating apparatus, a storage battery system, a power generator, a first load, and a second load, the energy management system including: an acquisition part acquiring information indicating states of the natural energy generating apparatus, the storage battery system, the power generator, the first load, and the second load when: the natural energy generating apparatus, the storage battery system, the power generator, and the first load are connected to the power supply system; the natural energy generating apparatus supplies generated power to the power supply system; the storage battery system is a regulated power supply; and the power generator performs a constant power operation; and a control part controlling, based on the information, operations of the natural energy generating apparatus and the power generator, connection of the second load to the power supply system, and paralleling off the second load from the power supply system so that a demand-supply balance of power in the independent system is maintained, with the first load maintained to be connected to the power supply system; wherein the second load includes a plurality of loads, and the control part holds a plurality of priorities assigned to the plurality of loads, and controls connection of the plurality of loads to the power supply system and paralleling off the plurality of loads from the power supply system so that a load to which a higher priority is assigned is preferentially connected to the power supply system and a load to which a lower priority is assigned is preferentially paralleled off from the power supply system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the control part controls the operations of the natural energy generating apparatus and the power generator, the connection of the second load to the power supply system, and the paralleling off the second load from the power supply system based on a predicted future state of at least one of the natural energy generating apparatus, the storage battery system, the power generator, the first load, and the second load so that a remaining capacity of the storage battery system does not reach a charging or discharging end point within a specified period. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The energy management system according to claim 2, wherein the second load includes a plurality of loads, and the control part holds a plurality of priorities assigned to the plurality of loads, and controls connection of the plurality of loads to the power supply system and paralleling off the plurality of loads from the power supply system so that a load to which a higher priority is assigned is preferentially connected to the power supply system and a load to which a lower priority is assigned is preferentially paralleled off from the power supply system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The energy management system according to claim 2, wherein the control part determines whether supply of power is more or less than demand for power in the independent system, the control part performs at least one of: control for reducing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for reducing power generated by the power generator; and control for connecting, to the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has not been connected to the power supply system yet, when determining that the supply of the power is more than the demand for the power, and the control part performs at least one of: control for increasing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for increasing the power generated by the power generator; and control for paralleling off, from the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has already been connected to the power supply system, when determining that the supply of the power is less than the demand for the power. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The energy management system according to claim 2, wherein when the storage battery system includes a plurality of units each of which can be independently charged and discharged, the control part performs, as adjustment of response characteristics of the storage battery system, at least one of: adjustment for preferentially discharging a unit with a larger remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging a unit with a smaller remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum discharge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a first preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum charge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a second preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a unit at a lower deterioration rate in the plurality of units; and adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a less deteriorated unit in the plurality of units. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The energy management system according to claim 3, wherein the control part determines whether supply of power is more or less than demand for power in the independent system, the control part performs at least one of: control for reducing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for reducing power generated by the power generator; and control for connecting, to the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has not been connected to the power supply system yet, when determining that the supply of the power is more than the demand for the power, and the control part performs at least one of: control for increasing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for increasing the power generated by the power generator; and control for paralleling off, from the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has already been connected to the power supply system, when determining that the supply of the power is less than the demand for the power. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The energy management system according to claim 3, wherein when the storage battery system includes a plurality of units each of which can be independently charged and discharged, the control part performs, as adjustment of response characteristics of the storage battery system, at least one of: adjustment for preferentially discharging a unit with a larger remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging a unit with a smaller remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum discharge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a first preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum charge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a second preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a unit at a lower deterioration rate in the plurality of units; and adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a less deteriorated unit in the plurality of units. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the control part determines whether supply of power is more or less than demand for power in the independent system, the control part performs at least one of: control for reducing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for reducing power generated by the power generator; and control for connecting, to the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has not been connected to the power supply system yet, when determining that the supply of the power is more than the demand for the power, and the control part performs at least one of: control for increasing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for increasing the power generated by the power generator; and control for paralleling off, from the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has already been connected to the power supply system, when determining that the supply of the power is less than the demand for the power. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The energy management system according to claim 8, wherein when the storage battery system includes a plurality of units each of which can be independently charged and discharged, the control part performs, as adjustment of response characteristics of the storage battery system, at least one of: adjustment for preferentially discharging a unit with a larger remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging a unit with a smaller remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum discharge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a first preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum charge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a second preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a unit at a lower deterioration rate in the plurality of units; and adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a less deteriorated unit in the plurality of units. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the control part determines whether supply of power is more or less than demand for power in the independent system, the control part performs at least one of: control for reducing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for reducing power generated by the power generator; and control for connecting, to the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has not been connected to the power supply system yet, when determining that the supply of the power is more than the demand for the power, and the control part performs at least one of: control for increasing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for increasing the power generated by the power generator; and control for paralleling off, from the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has already been connected to the power supply system, when determining that the supply of the power is less than the demand for the power. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein when the storage battery system includes a plurality of units each of which can be independently charged and discharged, the control part performs, as adjustment of response characteristics of the storage battery system, at least one of: adjustment for preferentially discharging a unit with a larger remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging a unit with a smaller remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum discharge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a first preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum charge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a second preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a unit at a lower deterioration rate in the plurality of units; and adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a less deteriorated unit in the plurality of units. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein when the storage battery system includes a plurality of units each of which can be independently charged and discharged, the control part performs, as adjustment of response characteristics of the storage battery system, at least one of: adjustment for preferentially discharging a unit with a larger remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging a unit with a smaller remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum discharge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a first preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum charge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a second preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a unit at a lower deterioration rate in the plurality of units; and adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a less deteriorated unit in the plurality of units. ### Claim 13 An independent system comprising a power supply system, a natural energy generating apparatus, a storage battery system, a power generator, a first load, a second load, and an energy management system, the energy management system including: an acquisition part acquiring information indicating states of the natural energy generating apparatus, the storage battery system, the power generator, the first load, and the second load when: the natural energy generating apparatus, the storage battery system, the power generator, and the first load are connected to the power supply system; the natural energy generating apparatus supplies generated power to the power supply system; the storage battery system is a regulated power supply; and the power generator performs a constant power operation; and a control part controlling, based on the information, operations of the natural energy generating apparatus and the power generator, connection of the second load to the power supply system, and paralleling off the second load from the power supply system so that a demand-supply balance of power in the independent system is maintained, with the first load maintained to be connected to the power supply system; wherein the second load includes a plurality of loads, and the control part holds a plurality of priorities assigned to the plurality of loads, and controls connection of the plurality of loads to the power supply system and paralleling off the plurality of loads from the power supply system so that a load to which a higher priority is assigned is preferentially connected to the power supply system and a load to which a lower priority is assigned is preferentially paralleled off from the power supply system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The independent system according to claim 13, wherein the control part controls the operations of the natural energy generating apparatus and the power generator, the connection of the second load to the power supply system, and the paralleling off the second load from the power supply system based on a predicted future state of at least one of the natural energy generating apparatus, the storage battery system, the power generator, the first load, and the second load so that a remaining capacity of the storage battery system does not reach a charging or discharging end point within a specified period. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The independent system according to claim 13, wherein the control part determines whether supply of power is more or less than demand for power in the independent system, the control part performs at least one of: control for reducing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for reducing power generated by the power generator; and control for connecting, to the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has not been connected to the power supply system yet, when determining that the supply of the power is more than the demand for the power, and the control part performs at least one of: control for increasing the power generated by the natural energy generating apparatus; control for increasing the power generated by the power generator; and control for paralleling off, from the power supply system, a load that is included in the second load and has already been connected to the power supply system, when determining that the supply of the power is less than the demand for the power. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The independent system according to claim 13, wherein when the storage battery system includes a plurality of units each of which can be independently charged and discharged, the control part performs, as adjustment of response characteristics of the storage battery system, at least one of: adjustment for preferentially discharging a unit with a larger remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging a unit with a smaller remaining capacity in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum discharge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a first preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for reducing a maximum charge power of a unit at a temperature higher than or equal to a second preset temperature in the plurality of units; adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a unit at a lower deterioration rate in the plurality of units; and adjustment for preferentially charging and discharging a less deteriorated unit in the plurality of units. ### Claim 17 A method for operating an independent system including a power supply system, a natural energy generating apparatus, a storage battery system, a power generator, a first load, and a second load, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring information indicating states of the natural energy generating apparatus, the storage battery system, the power generator, the first load, and the second load when: the natural energy generating apparatus, the storage battery system, the power generator, and the first load are connected to the power supply system; the natural energy generating apparatus supplies generated power to the power supply system; the storage battery system is a regulated power supply; and the power generator performs a constant power operation; and controlling, based on the information, operations of the natural energy generating apparatus and the power generator, connection of the second load to the power supply system, and paralleling off the second load from the power supply system so that a demand-supply balance of power in the independent system is maintained, with the first load maintained to be connected to the power supply system; wherein the second load includes a plurality of loads, a plurality of priorities are assigned to the plurality of loads, and the connection of the plurality of loads to the power supply system and the paralleling off the plurality of loads from the power supply system is controlled so that a load to which a higher priority is assigned is preferentially connected to the power supply system and a load to which a lower priority is assigned is preferentially paralleled off from the power supply system.