Active Load Management System for Dispatchable Operating Reserves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches for managing energy demand in electric power systems are inadequate, relying on statistical methods and failing to accurately forecast demand for dispatchable energy reserves, particularly for regulating and spinning reserves, which are essential for maintaining line frequency stability.
Innovation Solution
An active load management system that remotely monitors and manages power consumption at individual service points, using data repositories and smart devices to estimate and provide dispatchable operating reserves by interrupting or reducing power to devices like air conditioners and heaters, thereby enhancing the utility's ability to respond to demand fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If statistical methods are used to manage energy demand, then the system is simple to operate, but the forecasting accuracy for dispatchable energy reserves deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional statistical forecasting methods with a virtual power plant system that uses real-time monitoring, communication networks, and control algorithms to actively manage and forecast energy demand and supply from distributed energy resources, thereby improving forecasting accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated digital processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual power plant as an intermediary layer between utility companies and distributed energy resources. This intermediary aggregates multiple small-scale energy sources (rooftop solar, wind turbines, battery storage, demand response) and presents them as a single dispatchable resource, enabling accurate forecasting and reliable operation without requiring complex individual management of each resource
2Reliability
If active load management is implemented to provide dispatchable operating reserves, then the reliability of operating reserves improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual power plant system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides dispatchable operating reserves for utility companies, enables demand response programs, aggregates distributed energy resources, and offers real-time forecasting capabilities. This multi-functionality increases reliability of operating reserves while avoiding the need for separate specialized systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables distributed energy resources to automatically participate in operating reserve provision through automated control algorithms and communication protocols. Resources self-regulate their output based on grid conditions and virtual power plant dispatch signals, reducing the need for manual intervention and simplifying operation despite the underlying system complexity
3Productivity
If power consumption is interrupted or reduced to create operating reserves, then the productivity of energy supply improves, but the loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures and recovers energy that would otherwise be wasted during demand response events. Battery storage systems store excess energy when demand is reduced, and distributed energy resources continue to generate power that is captured and stored rather than discarded, enabling energy recovery and reducing overall energy loss while maintaining supply responsiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal distribution of energy consumption rather than simply reducing total consumption. Energy demand is shifted from peak periods to off-peak periods through demand response and battery charging, changing when energy is consumed rather than how much is consumed, thereby improving supply responsiveness without significant energy loss
Data Source
AI summary
An active load management system (ALMS) is utilized to supply operating reserve to a utility. According to one embodiment, the ALMS determines amounts of power stored in power storage devices located at service points within the utility's service area, and stores the stored power data in a repository. The ALMS also determines an amount of available operating reserve based on at least the stored power data. When the utility needs operating reserve, the ALMS receives a request for operating reserve from the utility. The ALMS then manages a flow of power from the power storage devices to a power grid accessible by the utility responsive to the utility's request, taking into account the amount of available operating reserve. Determination of stored power data may be aided by reports received from control devices located at the service points, where the reports indicate amounts of power stored by the power storage devices.