Dynamic Energy Storage Control for Renewable Grid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition to renewable energy sources has made the electricity grid unstable due to the unpredictable nature of these sources, leading to challenges in maintaining target characteristics of electrical power supply such as AC voltage, frequency, harmonic content, and power factor.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power apparatus that includes dynamically dispatchable energy storage components and a controller to dynamically match the electrical power supply to loads by storing energy when supply exceeds demand and supplying energy when supply is less than demand, using components such as hydrogen production and storage, and electromagnetic energy storage to manage harmonic distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If renewable energy sources are expanded to achieve GHG neutrality, then environmental sustainability is improved, but grid stability deteriorates due to unpredictable varying sources and sinks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic energy storage and retrieval components that can rapidly adjust their operation to match varying renewable energy sources and consumer demands. The controller dynamically controls the timing and amount of energy storage/retrieval based on real-time conditions, allowing the system to adapt to unpredictable variations while maintaining stable power delivery to consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary energy storage system between unpredictable renewable energy sources and the power grid. This intermediary component (electrochemical, mechanical, or thermal storage) buffers the variability of renewable sources, absorbing excess energy when production exceeds demand and releasing energy when production falls short, thereby stabilizing grid input without requiring grid infrastructure changes.
2Ease of manufacture
If grid infrastructure is maintained to transport power from renewable sources, then power transmission capability is preserved, but cost effectiveness deteriorates due to high costs of maintaining power supply characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the power supply system to self-regulate its characteristics through dynamic energy storage and retrieval. The controller automatically adjusts energy flow to maintain target voltage, frequency, and power factor characteristics without requiring expensive external grid infrastructure modifications or manual intervention, reducing operational costs while ensuring reliable power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes operational parameters of energy storage components (charge/discharge rates, voltage levels, power factor) to maintain target power supply characteristics. By adjusting these parameters in real-time based on renewable source variability and consumer demand, the system maintains stable power delivery without requiring costly infrastructure upgrades.
3Productivity
If dynamic energy storage and retrieval components are implemented, then power matching capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs energy storage components that can perform multiple functions: storing energy, retrieving energy, and providing inertial response for frequency stabilization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, simplifying the overall system architecture while enhancing power matching capability between variable renewable sources and consumer demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a controller that continuously monitors power supply conditions and consumer demand, then provides feedback control to dynamic energy storage components. This closed-loop feedback system automatically adjusts energy storage/retrieval operations to maintain optimal power matching, reducing the need for complex manual control systems and simplifying operation despite the dynamic nature of the components.
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 apparatus effectively stabilizes the electrical power supply by dynamically adjusting energy storage and retrieval to match supply and demand, reducing harmonic distortion, and ensuring predictable power characteristics, thereby enhancing grid stability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic energy storage component operating at a timescale sufficient to remove or reduce harmonic distortion in the electric power supply by operating as a dynamically variable sink of electric power, or as a dynamically variable source of electrical power
Implementation Method 2
a dynamically dispatchable hydrogen production and storage component providing dynamically dispatchable energy storage
Implementation Method 3
a dynamically dispatchable generator fueled at least in part by hydrogen and providing dynamically dispatchable energy retrieval
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power apparatus for coupling between an electrical power supply and one or more electrical power loads includes: a plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components providing at least one of dynamically dispatchable energy storage thereto and energy retrieval therefrom; and a controller to dynamically control the operation of the one or more dynamically dispatchable energy storage components in order to dynamically match the electrical power supply to the one or more loads by dynamically storing energy in one or more of the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components when the available electric power exceeds that required by the one or more loads, and/or dynamically supplying electrical energy from one or more of the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components when the available electric power is less than that required by the one or more loads.