Distributed Energy Storage Control for Grid Balancing Commitments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed energy storage (DES) arrangements face challenges in efficiently managing nodes to participate in electric grid balancing, particularly in heterogenous virtual power plants (VPPs) with diverse node capabilities and preferences.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for managing a DES arrangement to participate in electric grid balancing, which involves detecting balancing needs, selecting nodes based on random or property-based criteria, identifying node-specific preferred balancing activities, and strategically activating or delaying balancing activities to meet grid requirements while optimizing node usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If nodes are selected randomly for grid balancing, then selection complexity is reduced, but balancing efficiency and reliability deteriorate due to inability to consider node-specific preferences and capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by considering node-specific preferred balancing activities when selecting nodes for grid balancing. Each node has individual characteristics and preferences that are taken into account, allowing the system to optimize selection based on local node properties rather than using a uniform random approach. This improves reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through targeted, property-based selection.
2Speed
If balancing activity is activated immediately for all selected nodes, then response speed to grid balancing need is improved, but risk of failing to meet commitments increases due to nodes with opposite preferences being activated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by identifying node-specific preferred balancing activities before activation. The system pre-assesses which nodes have preferences aligned with the detected balancing need and prioritizes these nodes for immediate activation. Nodes with opposite preferences are delayed or excluded, ensuring that activated nodes are more likely to successfully fulfill their commitments while maintaining fast response to grid balancing needs.
3Quantity of substance
If nodes with opposite preferred balancing activities are activated, then grid balancing capacity is maximized, but resource optimization deteriorates due to unnecessary activation of nodes not suited for the required direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively activating only those nodes whose preferred balancing activities align with the detected grid balancing need. Rather than activating all selected nodes regardless of preference alignment, the system activates a subset of nodes that are most suitable for the required balancing direction. This ensures adequate balancing capacity is provided while avoiding unnecessary activation of nodes that would be inefficient or counterproductive.
Data Source
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AI summary
Managing a distributed energy storage, DES, arrangement to participate in electric grid balancing, wherein the DES arrangement comprises a pool of nodes. The method is performed by detecting (301) a balancing need for balancing the electric grid either in up direction or down direction; selecting (302) nodes for the balancing need; identifying (303) preferred balancing activity for a plurality of the selected nodes, wherein the preferred balancing activity is node specific, wherein first nodes, if any, have a preferred balancing activity in the same direction with the detected balancing need, and second nodes, if any, have a preferred balancing activity that is opposite to the detected balancing need; starting activation (304) of a balancing activity according to the balancing need for the first nodes, if any, upon detecting the balancing need; and delaying activation (305) of the balancing activity according to the balancing need for the second nodes, if any.