DER Aggregation Engine for Site-Specific Power Commitment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to effectively aggregate distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide a coordinated response to electricity providers, as they do not consider site-specific activities, DER sizes, and operating costs, leading to inefficiencies in utilizing the potential of DERs for grid stability and cost reduction.
Innovation Solution
A centralized aggregation engine coordinates with site controllers to optimize the aggregation of DERs, adjusting benefits and participation levels to ensure a targeted aggregate response, considering site-specific factors and costs, thereby enabling intelligent and automated control of energy resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional centralized VPP systems aggregate DERs without considering site-specific factors, then coordination capability is improved, but economic efficiency deteriorates due to ignoring DER sizes and operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by customizing aggregation strategies for individual DERs based on their specific characteristics. Each DER's size, operating costs, and site-specific factors are considered to determine its optimal participation level and compensation, rather than applying a uniform aggregation approach to all DERs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by enabling real-time adjustment of aggregation parameters. The centralized controller dynamically modifies DER participation levels, compensation rates, and aggregation strategies based on changing grid conditions, DER availability, and economic factors, allowing the system to adapt to varying operating conditions.
2Ease of operation
If DERs operate independently without aggregation, then operational simplicity is improved, but grid stability deteriorates due to lack of coordinated response
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary centralized controller that coordinates DER operations. This controller acts as a mediator between independent DERs and the utility grid, translating grid stability requirements into individual DER control signals while maintaining operational simplicity for each DER owner through automated remote management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the aggregation control into independent controllable units. Each DER remains an independent operational entity with its own control logic, allowing simple local operation while the centralized controller segments the overall coordination task into individual DER management responsibilities.
3Power
If additional T&D systems are constructed to meet peak demand, then power delivery capability is improved, but infrastructure cost increases significantly with low utilization during non-peak periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling DERs to automatically provide peak demand response without requiring new T&D infrastructure. The aggregated DERs self-regulate to meet utility peak demand requirements, eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure expansion while maintaining adequate power delivery capability through existing resources.
4Productivity
If VPP aggregation does not consider site-specific activities and costs, then aggregation speed is improved, but aggregation precision deteriorates due to inadequate response to individual DER characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by collecting and analyzing site-specific DER characteristics, operating costs, and activity patterns before implementing aggregation. This pre-characterization enables the centralized controller to make informed aggregation decisions that balance speed with precision, matching DERs to appropriate aggregation strategies based on their specific attributes.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods of apportioning an aggregate maneuver is disclosed. An aggregation engine receives aggregation opportunity information requesting an aggregate change in power of one or more sites. The aggregation engine transmits participation opportunity information to a plurality of site controllers. The participation opportunity information indicates a site benefit for providing a site change in power. The aggregation engine also receives commitment information from the plurality of site controllers, the commitment information indicating levels of commitment of the plurality of site controllers to contribute site change in power to a target change in power of the aggregation opportunity. The aggregation engine, as appropriate, further transmits updated participation opportunity information including an adjusted proposed site benefit, an adjusted proposed site change in power, or both to the plurality of site controllers, until an aggregate change in power of the one or more sites is within a threshold level of the target change in power.