Battery Grid Control via Local Frequency Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The power grid faces challenges in maintaining stability due to the fluctuating demand and the increasing number of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) connected to the grid, which introduces difficulties in managing steady-state and transient stability, particularly due to reliance on centralized control systems and security, privacy, and latency concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measure local frequency deviations in storage batteries to control them as generators or loads, allowing them to supply or draw power from the grid in response to disturbances, thereby improving grid stability without requiring changes to the grid infrastructure or centralized control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized control systems are used to manage power grid stability, then coordination of multiple PEVs and energy storage systems can be achieved, but security concerns, privacy issues, latency problems, and high initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control function into distributed autonomous controllers at each battery system. Each controller independently monitors local frequency and makes control decisions without centralized coordination, segmenting the control architecture into autonomous units that maintain grid stability through local actions rather than centralized management
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery system is equipped with an autonomous controller that self-manages its power exchange operations. The controller independently detects frequency deviations, determines appropriate control actions (charging or discharging), and executes adjustments without requiring external commands, enabling self-service operation that eliminates security and privacy concerns associated with centralized control
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of PEVs connected to the grid increases, then distributed energy generation capability improves, but steady-state stability management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local frequency feedback control at each battery system. Controllers continuously monitor local frequency deviations and automatically adjust power exchange to counteract disturbances. This distributed feedback mechanism enables the system to accommodate increasing numbers of PEVs while maintaining steady-state stability through automatic local corrections rather than centralized management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of battery systems dynamically based on detected frequency conditions. When frequency deviates from nominal values, controllers adjust charging/discharging rates to restore balance. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain stability across varying numbers of connected PEVs by continuously adjusting operational parameters in response to system conditions
3Reliability
If local frequency-based control is implemented at battery systems, then frequency and voltage fluctuations are reduced by up to 80%, but measurement and control infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, commercially available microcontrollers (such as PIC controllers) equipped with basic frequency measurement capabilities. These low-cost devices provide the necessary measurement and control functions without requiring expensive specialized infrastructure, achieving significant frequency and voltage stabilization at minimal cost
Data Source
AI summary
A method measures a power characteristic at the one or more storage batteries, and controls the one or more batteries to selectively act as a generator to supply power to the power grid or to act as a load to draw power from the power grid in response to a predetermined disturbance in the power characteristic being detected. A system includes a battery charging circuit, a battery to grid circuit and a controller that monitors a power characteristic at the one or more storage batteries, and controls the one or more batteries to selectively act as a generator to supply power to the power grid or to act as a load to draw power from the power grid in response to a predetermined disturbance in the power characteristic being detected.