DER Node Energy Transactions for Local Reactive Power Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

The traditional power grid faces inefficiencies and instability due to the increased adoption of consumer-based renewable energy resources, which are not dispatchable and disrupt grid stability, leading to reactive power imbalances and harmonic noise, while consumer expectations of 'free energy' create disproportionate costs for utilities.

Innovation Solution

Implementing distributed energy resource (DER) nodes with smart inverters and power converters that enable reactive power injection and real-time data sharing among nodes, allowing for intelligent energy transactions and management, transforming consumer-generated energy into controllable and dispatchable resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If consumer-based renewable energy resources are adopted, then energy production decentralization is improved, but grid stability deteriorates due to reactive power imbalances and harmonic noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy production decentralizationVSAvoidgrid stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces smart inverters as intermediary devices between consumer-based renewable energy resources and the grid. These smart inverters actively manage reactive power injection and harmonic filtering, mediating the interaction between decentralized energy production and grid stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements real-time feedback mechanisms where DER nodes continuously monitor grid conditions and adjust their reactive power output accordingly. This feedback loop enables dynamic response to grid stability requirements while maintaining decentralized energy production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If reactive power is injected locally at DER nodes, then grid stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to smart inverter requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid stabilityVSAvoidsmart inverter complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smart inverter is designed as a multi-functional device that combines reactive power injection, harmonic filtering, and communication capabilities in a single unit. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into one device, managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the inverter function with additional grid support functions (reactive power control, harmonic compensation) into an integrated smart inverter system. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate devices needed while achieving multiple objectives simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If real-time data sharing is implemented among DER nodes, then energy transaction efficiency is improved, but loss of information increases due to data transmission requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transaction efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The data sharing architecture is segmented into local and regional layers. DER nodes share data locally within neighborhoods first, then aggregate information is shared regionally. This segmentation reduces the total volume of data that needs to be transmitted across the entire grid, minimizing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local data processing and sharing at DER nodes, where data is processed and acted upon locally whenever possible. This local quality approach reduces the need for extensive data transmission, thereby reducing information loss while maintaining transaction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution stabilizes the grid by providing reactive power support locally, reduces overall system energy use, and enables consumer energy resources to participate in the energy market, enhancing grid stability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the converter can provide reactive power injection capabilities that can provide grid stability by reactive power injection into an internal node of the consumer node

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS12483035B2Energy transactions with distributed energy resources and distributed grid management

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 APPARENT LABS LLC

AI summary

An energy grid network includes multiple distributed energy resources (DERs) or DER nodes. A DER node includes a local energy source and a local energy load. The DER nodes in the network generate realtime data about energy availability from local energy sources and realtime data about energy demand. The DER nodes can share the realtime data with other DER nodes in the network to provide a constant view in the network about the energy generation and energy demand within the network. The shared realtime data can be scaled at each DER node based on physical distance, time to exchange energy between nodes, or both distance and time. A DER node generates its own realtime data and receives data from one or more other DER nodes and determines the value of energy use from local or non-local sources by local and non-local loads.