Coordinated DER Control Under Grid Power Export Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distributed energy resource systems operate independently, leading to inefficiencies and energy wastage at a regional level, as they are not optimized for coordinated control, and power utilities impose limits on energy export to the grid, constraining their operation.
Innovation Solution
A coordinated control system for distributed energy resources, where local DER controllers communicate with a centralized or distributed DER coordinated controller to optimize energy production and consumption within defined groups, allowing energy transfer among DERs while adhering to utility grid stability constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If DERs operate independently without coordinated control, then each electrical area can operate properly and efficiently, but energy is wasted and energy production within a region is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent DER systems into coordinated DER groups that share energy resources. By combining solar panels, batteries, and loads across multiple electrical areas into a unified controlled system, the invention enables regional optimization where energy produced in one area can be utilized in another, thereby maximizing overall regional energy production and eliminating wastage from isolated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinated control system creates a multi-functional platform that serves multiple electrical areas simultaneously. The DER groups can function as both local power sources and regional energy sharing networks, allowing the same infrastructure to provide both localized reliability and regional optimization, thus improving productivity without requiring separate systems.
2Reliability
If power utilities apply strict Power Export Limits (PEL) to each DER, then grid stability is ensured, but the efficiency and operation of DERs within an electrical area are impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple DER systems into coordinated groups that collectively manage power exports. By combining the output of multiple DERs with their shared energy storage capacity, the system can smooth out individual variations and present a more stable, predictable export profile to the utility grid, thereby maintaining grid stability while allowing higher individual DER efficiencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinated control system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor grid conditions, energy production, and consumption across DER groups. This real-time feedback enables dynamic adjustment of power export levels, allowing the system to respond to grid stability requirements while optimizing DER operation efficiency based on actual system state rather than static limits.
3Device complexity
If each DER is treated as an individual element with separate control, then utility control simplicity is maintained, but regional energy optimization cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into hierarchical layers: individual DER controllers manage local components, while a higher-level coordinated controller manages groups of DERs. This segmentation allows utility operators to maintain simple individual DER interfaces while achieving regional optimization through coordinated group control, effectively resolving the contradiction between control simplicity and regional efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimension of control organization by introducing DER groups as an intermediate layer between individual DERs and utility-wide control. This dimensional addition allows the system to maintain simple individual DER operation while achieving regional optimization through group-level coordination, effectively scaling control complexity appropriately.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing distributed energy resources (DER) comprising a plurality of DER systems located behind a grid infrastructure transformer which form a DER group, and a coordinated DER controller configured to monitor parameters of the plurality of DER systems, negotiate a value for transferring energy from one DER system to another DER system, and control the plurality of DER systems based upon the parameters and the negotiation.