AIR Option 1: Technology Translation - Smart Power Protection Devices for Photovoltaic Installations

AIR 选项 1：技术翻译 - 用于光伏装置的智能电力保护装置

• 批准号: 1311875
• 负责人: Bradley Lehman
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Northeastern University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-05-01 至 2015-10-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1311875&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: AIR; Option; Technology; Translation; Smart

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating smart fault detection methods for photovoltaic (PV) installations to fill the technology gap of identifying and protecting against dangerous electrical faults in solar PV installations. The translated science/technology has the following unique features: 1) it uses machine learning to identify fault type and fault location in the PV arrays; 2) it will be able to clear faults that traditional fuses or other fault protection devices cannot presently clear; 3) it will be a fully integrated fuse holder and box that has user interface allowing the user to monitor the PV array performance. The new solar PV protection technology will be able to isolate, clear, and identify the type and location of PV fault. This includes several types of faults that presently pose fire hazards to PV installations, such as line-to-line faults that may occur when branches or wires accidentally connect two different PV arrays in a big installation. The new, smart fuse protection adds exemplary safety, reliability, and even increased energy delivery when compared to the leading competing science/technology, such as traditional fuses or circuit breakers in this market space. The project accomplishes this goal by running smart fault detection algorithms that utilize machine learning, nonlinear model prediction of PVs, intelligent measurements of PV currents and voltages, resulting in a method to identify hazardous fault location and types. Prototype smart over-current protection devices will be built with miniaturized self-contained electronics. The protection devices will be tested in PV installations to demonstrate their commercial viability and benefits.The partnership engages Mersen USA Newburyport-LLC to provide guidance in the fuse/over-current protection manufacturing and commercial market. Mersen will help manufacture the prototype smart fuse holders and test them in their lab PV facilities. Throughout the project, Mersen will lead product testing, customer surveys and other aspects of commercialization and financing as they pertain to the potential to translate the smart PV fuse protection science/technology along a path that may result in a competitive commercial reality. The potential economic impact is expected to be 1) the creation of a new product market in smart PV protection fuses projected to reach more than $750k annually within 2 to 3 years of the project conclusion and 2) the further acceptance of solar PV energy in the consumer marketplace by making the PV installations safer to the consumer. The smart PV protection devices will contribute to the U.S. competitiveness in this PV installation market, since each installation of solar PV array must utilize (usually multiple) over-current protection devices, such as fuses. The societal impact, long term, will be improved safety of any PV installation, increased energy yield due to immediate knowledge of fault, and better diagnosis in real-time of any reductions of energy yield caused by PV arrays that may need repair.

该 PFI：AIR 技术翻译项目专注于翻译光伏 (PV) 装置的智能故障检测方法，以填补太阳能光伏装置中识别和防止危险电气故障的技术空白。 翻译的科学/技术具有以下独特之处：1）它使用机器学习来识别光伏阵列中的故障类型和故障位置； 2）能够清除传统熔断器或其他故障保护装置目前无法清除的故障； 3) 它将是一个完全集成的保险丝座和盒子，具有用户界面，允许用户监控光伏阵列的性能。新型太阳能光伏保护技术将能够隔离、清除并识别光伏故障的类型和位置。这包括目前对光伏装置造成火灾危险的几种类型的故障，例如当分支或电线意外连接大型装置中的两个不同光伏阵列时可能发生的线对线故障。 与该市场领域的传统保险丝或断路器等领先的竞争科学/技术相比，新型智能保险丝保护增加了堪称典范的安全性、可靠性，甚至增加了能量输送。该项目通过运行智能故障检测算法来实现这一目标，该算法利用机器学习、光伏非线性模型预测、光伏电流和电压的智能测量，从而形成一种识别危险故障位置和类型的方法。 原型智能过流保护装置将采用小型化独立电子器件构建。这些保护装置将在光伏装置中进行测试，以展示其商业可行性和优势。此次合作聘请美尔森美国纽伯里波特有限责任公司为熔断器/过流保护制造和商业市场提供指导。美尔森将帮助制造智能保险丝座原型并在其实验室光伏设施中进行测试。在整个项目中，美尔森将领导产品测试、客户调查以及商业化和融资的其他方面，因为它们涉及将智能光伏熔断器保护科学/技术转化为可能带来竞争性商业现实的潜力。 潜在的经济影响预计为 1) 创建智能光伏保护熔断器新产品市场，预计在项目结束后 2 至 3 年内每年将达到 75 万美元以上，以及 2) 太阳能光伏发电在全球范围内的进一步接受通过使光伏装置对消费者来说更安全来改善消费者市场。智能光伏保护装置将有助于美国在光伏安装市场的竞争力，因为每个太阳能光伏阵列的安装都必须使用（通常是多个）过流保护装置，例如保险丝。 从长远来看，社会影响将是提高任何光伏装置的安全性，由于立即了解故障而提高能源产量，以及更好地实时诊断可能需要维修的光伏阵列引起的能源产量下降。