DER Aggregation Engine for Site-Specific Power Commitments
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 inefficient utilization and high costs in peak demand situations.
Innovation Solution
A centralized aggregation engine coordinates with site controllers to optimize the aggregation of DERs, adjusting benefits and participation levels to achieve a target power change while minimizing total electricity-related costs, by communicating participation opportunities and adjusting benefits based on commitment levels to ensure efficient and economic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional VPPs aggregate DERs without considering site-specific factors, then coordination capability is improved, but cost efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from uniform aggregate control to site-specific optimization by considering individual DER characteristics, site constraints, and local operating conditions. Each DER is evaluated and controlled according to its unique properties, enabling cost-effective aggregation while maintaining coordination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregation system dynamically adjusts DER participation based on real-time factors including DER size, site-specific activities, operating costs, and grid conditions. This dynamic optimization allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and minimize costs while maintaining coordination.
2Reliability
If centralized control is implemented to coordinate DERs, then grid stability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an aggregation layer that acts as an intermediary between individual DERs and the utility provider. This intermediary coordinates DER participation, manages complexity, and enables centralized control benefits while abstracting the complexity from both the utility and individual DER operators.
3Loss of energy
If DER participation is optimized based on site-specific factors, then cost efficiency is improved, but coordination difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that provide real-time information about DER status, site conditions, and cost factors to the aggregation layer. This feedback enables the system to continuously optimize DER participation based on current conditions while maintaining coordination through automated decision-making algorithms.
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.