Air Conditioner Cluster Control for Primary Grid Frequency Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of new energy sources into power grids has reduced the primary frequency regulation capacity, and traditional methods struggle to effectively involve load-side resources, particularly air conditioner clusters, due to their potential for frequency regulation being limited by autonomous temperature control and rebound effects.
Innovation Solution
A two-layer control structure comprising a central coordinating layer and a local control layer is implemented, where local controllers identify thermal model parameters, upload information to a central controller, and adjust air conditioner operations based on frequency deviations, ensuring participation in primary frequency regulation without compromising user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous temperature dead zone control is used to ensure user comfort, then user comfort is maintained, but the total power of the air conditioner cluster changes against power-frequency response requirements at some time points (rebound effect)
Solution Approach 1:
The control method predicts future temperature trends and preemptively adjusts air conditioner operations before the rebound effect occurs. By forecasting temperature changes and taking advance control actions, the system prevents power fluctuations that would otherwise compromise frequency regulation capability while maintaining user comfort standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the temperature dead zone and control parameters based on real-time grid frequency conditions and predicted temperature trends. Rather than using fixed autonomous control, the dead zone becomes adaptive, shrinking or expanding according to grid needs and thermal conditions, thereby resolving the conflict between comfort maintenance and frequency response capability.
2Power
If air conditioner clusters are used for primary frequency regulation, then the power grid's frequency regulation capacity is enhanced, but the autonomous temperature control may cause rebound effects that limit participation in load side response
Solution Approach 1:
The control method implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism that continuously monitors grid frequency, temperature conditions, and air conditioner operational states. This feedback enables the system to coordinate autonomous temperature control with frequency regulation objectives, preventing rebound effects that would limit participation while maximizing the cluster's frequency regulation contribution to the power grid.
3Speed
If traditional primary frequency regulation is provided by hydropower or thermal power generating units, then quick response capability is achieved, but the primary frequency regulation capacity is reduced due to new energy connection and high voltage direct current transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioner cluster performs primary frequency regulation autonomously without requiring direct real-time control signals from the power grid. Each air conditioner uses local temperature sensors and embedded controllers to self-adjust operations based on grid frequency conditions, enabling the cluster to provide quick frequency regulation responses similar to traditional generating units while leveraging the inherent thermal inertia of the building environment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables air conditioner clusters to provide rapid and accurate frequency regulation responses, enhancing the power grid's primary frequency regulation capacity while maintaining user comfort and equipment longevity.
Implementation Method 1
Via collecting and processing information and certain control means, cluster loads with thermal energy storage effect, such as air conditioners, may be able to participate in ancillary services
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for primary frequency regulation of an electric network based on large building air conditioning loads cluster. The method includes the use of a two layer control structure with a central coordinating layer and a local control layer. Each local controller performs a thermal model parameter identification and a local air conditioning autonomous control, and uploads local information to the central controller at the end of each communication interval tgap, the central controller broadcasts coordinating information to each local controller. Based on the coordinating information sent from the central controller, each local controller determines whether a power deviation is beyond an action dead zone at the beginning of each action period tact, if beyond, then perform a frequency regulation control action, else, perform no action and estimate operation states of all the air conditionings at the beginning of the next action period.