Decentralized Energy Management via Autonomous Multi-Agent Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy management systems are centralized, limiting scalability and failing to effectively utilize alternative energy sources and mobile energy storage for optimized energy distribution and load smoothing.

Innovation Solution

A decentralized system with a multi-agent architecture, including Smart Energy Agents, Energy Controllers, and Station Agents, that dynamically manages energy distribution by integrating mobile and stationary energy sources, optimizing energy use and load balancing through real-time data exchange and autonomous decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a centralized energy management system is used, then control and optimization of energy consumption is achieved, but scalability and flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption controlVSAvoidsystem scalability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized energy management system is segmented into multiple autonomous energy management units, each capable of independent operation and decision-making. This segmentation allows the system to scale flexibly by adding or removing units without affecting the entire system, while each unit maintains automated control capabilities locally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static centralized architecture to a dynamic distributed architecture where energy management units can be dynamically added, removed, or reconfigured based on system needs. This dynamic structure enables both automated control and scalable adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If only public power grid is used as energy source, then system simplicity is maintained, but alternative energy sources and energy storage possibilities are not utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidenergy source utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The energy management system is designed to handle multiple types of energy sources (public power grid, alternative sources like solar or wind) and energy storage devices uniformly. Each energy management unit can manage different combinations of sources and storage, making the system versatile while maintaining a consistent underlying structure that doesn't significantly increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects and integrates available energy sources and storage devices without requiring complex manual configuration. The autonomous energy management units independently assess and utilize available resources, enabling the system to adapt to diverse energy sources while keeping the integration process simple and automatic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If energy consumers are controlled to meet maximum consumption limits, then energy consumption is optimized, but energy consumers may be shut down unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption optimizationVSAvoidenergy consumer availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of energy availability and consumer priorities before making control decisions. By anticipating energy supply conditions and pre-planning energy allocation based on consumer importance, the system can optimize overall consumption while minimizing unnecessary shutdowns of critical energy consumers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous energy management units continuously monitor energy consumption, supply conditions, and consumer status, providing real-time feedback to adjust control strategies. This feedback mechanism ensures that energy consumers are only controlled when necessary and that the system responds dynamically to changing conditions, maintaining both optimization and operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed system structure is used, then system stability is maintained, but flexibility and scalability are impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidsystem flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into independent, standardized energy management units that can be added or removed without disrupting the overall system stability. Each unit maintains stable internal operations while the modular structure enables flexible system configuration and scaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains stable core operational parameters while allowing flexible changes in system configuration, capacity, and energy source composition. By separating stable control mechanisms from flexible structural elements, the system achieves both stability and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2359451B1Decentralized energy efficiency through autonomous, self-organizing systems, taking into account heterogeneous energy sources
Publication Date: 2014.01.01 ENBW ENERGIE BADEN WURTTEMBERG AG
  • EP2359451B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2359451B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2359451B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a local system comprising an energy network to which energy users and fixed stations are connected for connecting mobile energy sources. The system allows an optimization of the energy usage through the dynamic addition of mobile energy sources. By automatically covering part of the overall energy consumption in the system by feeding energy from mobile energy sources, fluctuations of the energy amount that must be drawn from the public power network can be kept to a minimum, among other things.