Cloud Control Entity for Energy Grid Orchestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy grids face challenges in managing the geographical mismatch between power sources and consumers, dynamics of renewable energy levels, and temporal mismatches between energy supply and demand, particularly with the integration of decentralized and renewable energy sources, which affects efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based system with a distributed server architecture and control entity that orchestrates energy grid elements using operational policies, providing a generalized interface to manage and optimize energy distribution, storage, and consumption, enabling efficient operation, scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness by aggregating and controlling Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) through Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If decentralized power sources are integrated into the energy grid, then the efficiency of energy provision is improved by consuming energy close to the generation location, but the complexity of managing geographical and temporal mismatches between power sources and consumers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based control entity as an intermediary between decentralized power sources and consumers. This control entity orchestrates energy grid elements by receiving information from multiple sources, processing operational policies, and coordinating energy distribution to match supply with demand while considering geographical and temporal variations. The intermediary manages the complexity of mismatches without requiring direct complex interactions between all grid elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If renewable energy sources are used to replace fossil fuels and nuclear power, then the sustainability of energy generation is improved, but the reliability of energy supply deteriorates due to varying energy levels and temporal mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic orchestration of energy grid elements through a control entity that continuously receives information from multiple power sources and consumers. The system adapts to varying energy levels from renewable sources by dynamically adjusting energy distribution based on real-time conditions and operational policies. This dynamic approach maintains reliability despite the intermittent nature of renewable energy by flexibly balancing supply and demand across the grid.
3Ease of operation
If a centralized control system is used to manage energy grid elements, then the coordination of energy distribution is improved, but the scalability and robustness of the system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into a hierarchical structure with a cloud-based control entity that coordinates energy distribution while allowing local autonomy for individual energy grid elements. The control entity is implemented as multiple software modules hosted on distributed servers, enabling the system to scale by adding more modular components. This segmentation maintains coordination capabilities while improving scalability and robustness through distributed architecture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple software modules are hosted on distributed servers in a cloud environment, then the scalability and robustness of the control system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control entity that performs multiple functions including receiving information from various power sources, processing different types of operational policies, coordinating energy distribution, and managing communications with diverse grid elements. By creating a multi-functional control system that handles various tasks through a unified architecture, the patent achieves scalability and robustness without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same modular software components serve multiple purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present document relates to a system for providing energy services in an energy grid using a cloud environment. The system comprises at least one control entity adapted to receive information from at least one of a plurality of energy grid elements and to operate the energy grid elements based on operational policies. One or more control interfaces are coupled with the energy grid elements. The control interfaces are adapted to transmit information provided by an energy grid element to a control entity and/or the control interfaces are adapted to receive information from the control entity to operate the energy grid element based on the information. The at least one control entity comprises a plurality of software modules which are hosted in the cloud environment, and the operational policies are stored in storage entities of the cloud environment to operate the energy grid elements according to the operational policies.