Edge DER Monitoring Unit for Utility Feedback and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utilities face challenges in comprehensively monitoring and managing distributed energy resources (DERs) at the edge of the grid due to the varying electrical needs of structures equipped with DER components, and there is a lack of devices to monitor and report electrical usage data back to utilities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring unit is electrically coupled between a panel assembly and an electric service meter, featuring blades, a meter socket, and a disconnect mechanism, with communication interfaces to monitor and control DERs, and a modular energy intelligence unit (MEIU) that measures electrical values, detects power quality events, and communicates with a reporting system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distributed energy resources are installed at structures to provide power generation and usage functionality, then user power control and generation capability are improved, but the utility's ability to understand and manage varying electrical needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit continuously measures electrical parameters (voltage, current, power, energy) at the structure and transmits this data back to the utility system, creating a feedback loop that enables the utility to understand and respond to varying electrical needs in real-time, resolving the information loss caused by DER installations
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring unit acts as an intermediary device between the DER-equipped structure and the utility system. It captures detailed electrical measurements at the structure level and relays this information to the utility, bridging the information gap created by distributed energy resources
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive monitoring devices are installed at edge structures to measure electrical usage, then measurement precision and grid management capability are improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit combines multiple measurement functions (voltage, current, power, energy measurement) and communication capabilities into a single integrated device that interfaces with the existing service meter, achieving comprehensive monitoring without requiring multiple separate complex components
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: measuring electrical parameters, communicating with the utility system, and providing grid management capabilities. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system for managing a plurality of distributed energy resources associated with a structure is disclosed. The structure is at the edge of an electric utility network and receives electric power from the network and may include, for example, a house or building. The structure has distributed energy resources such as solar panels or an electric vehicle charging devices. The system comprises a monitoring unit configured to be electrically coupled to a panel assembly of the structure and a plurality of communication interfaces coupled to the monitoring unit and configured to serve as an access point for the distributed energy resources. The monitoring unit is configured to partially monitor or control functionality of a given distributed energy resource of the plurality of distributed energy resources that is utilizing the access point. The monitoring unit is configured to pass communications between the given distributed energy resource and a vendor associated with the given distributed energy resource.