Distributed Power Network with Autonomous Control Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric power systems face significant energy losses during long-distance transmission and are challenging to scale with renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, as these sources are decentralized and difficult to integrate into large-scale power plants.
Innovation Solution
An electric power system where multiple suppliers and demanders are connected through power generation, storage, and consumption devices, along with control devices that manage energy distribution based on forecasts and demand predictions, allowing for autonomous or manual control and enabling the sharing of power between nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electric power is transmitted over long distances in a centralized system, then large-scale power generation is achieved, but energy losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized power system into multiple distributed power generation units (PGUs) that are geographically dispersed. Each PGU operates semi-autonomously, generating and managing power locally rather than relying on distant centralized plants. This segmentation eliminates long-distance transmission losses while maintaining adequate power generation capacity through aggregation of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized power model to a multi-dimensional distributed network. Power generation occurs across multiple spatial dimensions (different locations, buildings, or facilities) rather than from a single central point, enabling local power supply and reducing transmission distances while maintaining system-wide power adequacy.
2Reliability
If renewable energy sources like solar and wind are used, then energy sustainability is improved, but system complexity increases due to decentralized generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple distributed power generation units into a unified networked system with centralized coordination. While generation is decentralized across multiple locations using renewable sources, the control and management functions are integrated through a central controller that optimizes power distribution, balances loads, and manages energy storage across the entire system, thereby reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where each PGU monitors its own power generation, consumption, and storage status, and communicates this information to the central controller. The central controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust power distribution strategies, optimize renewable energy utilization, and maintain system stability, thereby managing complexity through intelligent control rather than simplified hardware.
3Reliability
If distributed power generation units are made fully autonomous, then system reliability is improved, but coordination and control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic control architecture where PGUs operate autonomously at the local level but can be dynamically coordinated by the central controller based on system conditions. The degree of autonomy is flexible - PGUs can switch between fully autonomous operation and controller-directed operation, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions and optimize both reliability and ease of coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the central controller to perform multiple functions: it coordinates power distribution, manages energy storage, monitors system status, and provides optimization algorithms. This multi-functional controller simplifies coordination by consolidating all control functions in a single intelligent system that can manage multiple autonomous PGUs through standardized communication protocols and interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power system in which a plurality of electric power suppliers and demanders are mutually connected via control devices is self-sustainable but also capable of coexisting with the known electric power system. Suppliers/demanders 11 to 15 are mutually connected via an electric power supply and demand line W and have power generation devices 101 and 151, electrical storage devices 102 and 152, a plurality of loads 103, and electric power supply and demand control devices 104 and 153 that detect an electricity shortage or surplus, receives or delivers electric power from or to other suppliers/demanders 12 to 15 accordingly, and automatically or manually controls the power generation devices including a co-gene in respective suppliers/demanders on the basis of a weather forecast, demand prediction, and the like.