Distributed Energy Storage Node Activation for Grid Balancing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing management systems for distributed energy storage (DES) arrangements struggle to efficiently participate in electric grid balancing, particularly in frequency regulation, due to the heterogeneity of smaller scale nodes with varying capabilities and operating conditions.

Innovation Solution

A centralized coordinator system manages a DES arrangement by selectively activating nodes based on their preferred balancing activity and state of charge, delaying activation of nodes with opposite preferences until the required activation time, and adjusting power levels to meet grid balancing needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nodes are activated immediately to meet grid balancing needs, then grid balancing reliability is improved, but node wear and suboptimal operation increase for nodes with opposite preferred balancing activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid balancing commitment fulfillmentVSAvoidnode wear and suboptimal operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of each node's preferred balancing activity (up direction, down direction, or no specific preference) and stores this preference information. When a balancing need is detected, the coordinator retrieves pre-stored preference information to make informed activation decisions, rather than activating nodes without prior knowledge of their preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different activation strategies to different nodes based on their individual characteristics. Nodes with preferred balancing activity matching the grid need are activated immediately, while nodes with opposite preferences have their activation delayed. This localized differentiation optimizes each node's operation based on its specific properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If nodes with opposite preferred balancing activity are activated, then grid balancing capacity is increased, but operational efficiency and node lifespan decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid balancing capacityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts node activation timing based on real-time grid balancing needs and stored preference information. The activation time for each node is flexible rather than fixed - nodes with matching preferences are activated immediately while those with opposite preferences are delayed, creating a dynamic response that adapts to both grid needs and node characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the activation time parameter for different nodes based on their preferred balancing activity. By modifying when nodes are activated rather than changing the nodes themselves, the system optimizes operational efficiency while maintaining sufficient grid balancing capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If all selected nodes are activated simultaneously, then grid balancing response speed is improved, but control precision and optimization capability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebalancing response speedVSAvoidactivation control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the node activation process into different time groups based on preferred balancing activity. Nodes are divided into those activated immediately (matching preferences) and those activated later (opposite preferences), creating a segmented activation strategy that maintains overall response speed while improving individual node control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coordinator pre-identifies and stores each node's preferred balancing activity before activation decisions are made. This preliminary characterization enables precise control over which nodes are activated when, improving activation control precision while maintaining rapid response through immediate activation of suitable nodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12407168B2Management of a distributed energy storage, DES, arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 ELISA OYJ

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.