Imagine portable power as a jigsaw puzzle. Every piece is essential to complete the final picture. But what if you don’t know what the picture on the puzzle looks like?
The Primer module shows how the pieces of the portable power puzzle fit together, making the picture on the puzzle easy to identify.
No matter how simple or complex, the picture on the puzzle is always the same: a complete, functioning electrical circuit. The only differences are the shape and quantity of the pieces.
What supplies power?
How is power distributed?
How is power stored for use?
What needs power?
Power Generation
Energy is everywhere. Power generation involves converting power from any available source into usable electricity. Sources can include grid power, fuel-driven generators, solar, wind, water, fuel cells, or even vehicles.
Power Management
Power management components efficiently collect, convert, and distribute power within a portable power system. They apply to both AC and DC power.
Energy Storage
The battery bank captures and stores the power produced by the power generation sources in rechargeable batteries such as lead-acid or lithium-ion.
Adding an energy storage module (battery) between the power generator and the load makes it a hybrid power model in which the battery acts as a buffer between power generation, power management, and the load(s).
The Load
If it gets plugged into a wall outlet to work, or if a device’s battery requires a charge to function, it’s the load. A load is anything and everything that consumes energy from an electrical system. All electrical systems are constructed based on the amount of energy that the load will require.
Efficiency
Efficiency can be defined using the following formula:
This formula for efficiency is referred to throughout STIKopedia because efficiency is an important factor at every facet of a high-efficiency power model and not just at one point in the model.
For example, appliance efficiency is also known as load efficiency. As appliances consume less power, power source requirements also change. When designing a portable power system, purchasing highly efficient components can provide many benefits:
- With portable power systems, a smaller load means more options for power sources, or less dependence on traditional ones.
- For grid or fuel-generator supplied power systems, less power consumed results in lower operating costs for appliances.
Power Flow Summary Diagram
A consolidated power model can be illustrated by the pieces of the puzzle. It is characterized by its ability to operate as an “island”, independent from grid power. It can include, but is not limited to, one power generation source, one energy storage component (battery bank), and one power management device. It is critical to have balance between all components in an electrical system.
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We consider ourselves authorities in portable power and students of its application. STIKopedia reflects that and is updated continuously as the industry grows and evolves.
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Power Generation
Energy Storage
System Architecture
Electricity Basics
Power Generation
Power Management
Energy Storage
Circuits
Electricity Basics
Power Management
