Distributed Energy Storage Hub Controller Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric distribution systems face challenges in managing capacity constraints, particularly in substation transformers and underground feeders, leading to potential overheating and service interruptions due to the complexity of thermal analysis and the inability to immediately reduce load, which can result in catastrophic failures or temporary customer disconnections.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising distributed energy storage (DES) units with advanced control and coordination through a Hub Controller that utilizes real-time thermal monitoring and selective load reduction to manage capacity constraints across multiple phases, phases, and feeders, enabling semi-closed loop control to prevent overheating and extend the lifespan of distribution system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal analysis and load reduction are implemented to manage capacity constraints, then overheating risk is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the distribution network into multiple phases and feeders, with independent thermal monitoring and control for each segment. This segmentation allows targeted load management without requiring system-wide complexity, addressing the contradiction by localizing control functions to specific phases and feeders where capacity constraints exist.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time thermal monitoring that continuously feeds temperature and load data back to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic load adjustment based on actual thermal conditions, preventing overheating while maintaining simple operational protocols through automated responsive control rather than complex predictive modeling.
2Reliability
If load reduction is implemented to prevent catastrophic failures, then system reliability is improved, but customer service continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary thermal analysis and proactive load management before capacity constraints lead to catastrophic failures. By anticipating thermal issues through continuous monitoring and implementing preventive load reduction, the system maintains reliability while avoiding the need for emergency customer disconnections, thus preserving service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies load reduction selectively to specific phases and feeders where thermal constraints are detected, rather than implementing system-wide load reduction. This localized approach maintains service continuity for unaffected customers while preventing catastrophic failures in constrained areas, resolving the contradiction between reliability and service continuity.
3Reliability
If real-time thermal monitoring is implemented, then capacity constraint management is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines thermal monitoring, load measurement, and capacity constraint detection into an integrated monitoring framework. By merging these functions into a unified system that processes multiple parameters simultaneously, the complexity of individual measurements is reduced while improving overall capacity constraint management through synergistic data analysis.
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
The system effectively manages capacity constraints in real-time, reducing the risk of overheating and service interruptions, prolonging the life of distribution system components, and ensuring reliable energy distribution by strategically dispatching energy storage units based on thermal loading and demand.
Implementation Method 1
a storage battery capable of holding 25 kWH of energy or more
Implementation Method 2
Distributed energy storage systems consisting typically of a storage battery
Implementation Method 3
an inverter, and a local control system
Data Source
AI summary
This patent describes embodiments of systems, apparatus and methods to provide improved control and coordination of a multiplicity of electric distribution grid-connected, energy storage units deployed over a geographically-dispersed area.