Micro-grid pv system hybrid hot water heater
OwnerDavid Kreutzmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein are systems and methods (i.e., utilities) that allow for the use of non-grid tied renewable energy systems (e.g., PV arrays and/or wind turbines) without requiring battery banks. In various aspects, these utilities permit the efficient use of renewable energy systems to generate electrical power as well as the ability to dynamically direct where such electrical power is applied.
Claims20
A water heating system incorporating at least one heating element connected to a PV system and at least one heating element connected to a utility power source, comprising:
- a water tank having a first heating element and a second heating element;
- a first power source attached to the first heating element, including;
- a photovoltaic (PV) array;
- a first switch electrically connected to the PV array for receiving electrical power from the PV array and selectively applying said electrical power to the first heating element;
- a first thermostat for monitoring a temperature in the tank that is operatively connected to the switch, wherein power is applied to the first heating element from the PV array in response to an output of the first thermostat;
- a second thermostat for monitoring a temperature in the tank that is operatively connected to the second heating element, wherein the second heating element is connectable to utility power source and said second thermostat is operative to activate and deactivate the second heating element.
A water heating system, comprising:
- a PV array for generating electrical power;
- a tank including:
- an inlet connectable to a water supply;
- and
- an outlet;
- a first electrical heating element disposed at a first height within said tank;
- a second electrical heating element disposed at a second height within said tank, wherein said second height is lower than said first height;
- a switch electrically connected to said PV array for receiving the electrical power from the PV array and selectively applying said electrical power to the first heating element and the second heating element;
- a thermostat operative to generate an output indicative of a temperature in the tank, wherein the thermostat is operatively connected to the switch and wherein said switch connects and disconnects said first electrical heating element and said second heating element to the electrical power based on the output of the thermostat.
The system of claim 18, further comprising:
- a second thermostat operatively connected to said third heating element, wherein said second thermostat actives and deactivates said third heating element relative to a third temperature threshold, wherein said third temperature threshold is less than said first temperature threshold.
A method for operating a water heating system incorporating at least one heating element connected to a PV system and at least one heating element connected to a utility power source, comprising:
- applying electrical power from a PV array to a first heating element disposed within a tank while a temperature in said tank is below a first temperature threshold;
- applying utility power to a second heating element that applies thermal energy to the tank while a temperature in said tank is below a second temperature threshold, wherein said second temperature threshold is less than said first temperature threshold and wherein said first heating element operates above a turn-off temperature of the second heating element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.