Battery Preheating Control for Profitable Demand Response Dispatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Virtual Power Plant (VPP) systems, heating batteries to maintain charge/discharge characteristics in low temperatures can increase power costs and hinder demand response due to the time required for temperature adjustment, potentially harming customer interests.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that calculates the incentive for battery charge/discharge based on demand response plans and the power cost to adjust battery temperature, determining whether to execute charge/discharge operations and controlling the temperature adjuster to reach the target temperature by the start timing of these operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery is heated by a heater to maintain charge/discharge characteristics in low temperature environment, then the charge/discharge characteristics are improved, but the power cost increases and the time required for temperature adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary temperature adjustment of the battery before the demand response operation begins. By heating or cooling the battery in advance to reach the target temperature, the system ensures optimal charge/discharge characteristics are achieved before the operation starts, avoiding the need for continuous heating during the operation and reducing overall power cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the battery's own thermal characteristics and the natural thermal environment to minimize external heating requirements. By calculating the required temperature adjustment based on current battery temperature and environmental conditions, the system optimizes the heating strategy to use minimal power while still achieving the desired charge/discharge characteristics.
2Reliability
If the battery is heated by a heater to maintain charge/discharge characteristics, then the charge/discharge characteristics are improved, but the time required for temperature adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus calculates and executes temperature adjustment in advance before the demand response operation begins. By determining the required heating duration and intensity beforehand based on current battery temperature and target temperature, the system ensures the battery reaches optimal temperature before operation starts, minimizing the time impact on the overall schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating power and duration based on real-time battery temperature measurements and environmental conditions. By continuously monitoring the battery temperature and adjusting the heating intensity accordingly, the system achieves optimal temperature faster than fixed-power heating, reducing the time required for temperature adjustment.
3Productivity
If the battery temperature is adjusted to target temperature at the time of charge/discharge, then the charge/discharge characteristics are optimized, but the power cost for temperature adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs temperature adjustment before the charge/discharge operation begins. By heating or cooling the battery in advance to reach the target temperature, the system ensures optimal charge/discharge efficiency is achieved before operation starts, avoiding the need for continuous heating during the operation and reducing overall power cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus continuously monitors the battery temperature and compares it with the target temperature, adjusting the heating power dynamically. By using feedback control, the system avoids overheating and unnecessary energy consumption, achieving the target temperature with minimal power cost while ensuring optimal charge/discharge efficiency.
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 reduces losses for customers by ensuring that battery charge/discharge operations are only executed when incentives exceed costs, and efficiently sets the battery's charge/discharge characteristics to a predetermined value, enabling effective demand response.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature adjuster configured to adjust a temperature of the battery to a target temperature at the time of charge or discharge of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a control apparatus configured to control a power unit, wherein the power unit comprises a battery, and a temperature adjuster configured to adjust a temperature of the battery to a target temperature at the time of charge or discharge of the battery, and the control apparatus calculates, based on information concerning a demand response plan used to adjust a power demand and supply, an incentive obtained by charge or discharge of the battery by the demand response plan and a power cost needed to adjust the temperature of the battery to the target temperature by the temperature adjuster at the time of charge or discharge of the battery, and controls, in a case where the incentive is larger than the power cost, the power unit to execute charge or discharge of the battery by the demand response plan.