Electricity-Heat Coupling for Prosumer Grid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in local power grids leads to grid stability issues due to discrepancies in demand and generation, which conventional electricity storage systems struggle to manage effectively, especially in residential sectors with varying energy demands and supplies.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for balancing electricity and heat loads within a community of energy nodes, utilizing a central control device that operates local agent devices to allocate energy conversion from electricity to heat, integrating both thermal and electricity storage equipment to optimize energy distribution and consumption across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high penetration of Renewable Energy Sources is integrated into the power grid, then renewable energy generation increases, but grid stability deteriorates due to uncontrollable nature and demand-generation discrepancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electricity storage and thermal storage systems into a unified energy management framework. By merging these two storage types and coordinating them through a centralized control system, the patent resolves the contradiction between high renewable penetration and grid stability, achieving both goals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of energy storage systems by implementing intelligent control strategies that dynamically adjust charging/discharging rates based on real-time grid conditions, renewable generation forecasts, and demand predictions. This enables the system to maintain stability while accommodating high renewable penetration.
2Reliability
If conventional electricity storage systems are used to manage demand-generation discrepancy, then some balancing is achieved, but effectiveness deteriorates due to insufficient storage capacity in residential sectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension electricity storage approach to a two-dimension solution by incorporating thermal storage capacity. This dimensional expansion allows the system to balance electricity demand-generation discrepancies more effectively by utilizing both electrical and thermal energy storage dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the energy storage system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both electricity storage and thermal storage functions. This universality allows the same infrastructure to address multiple energy balancing needs, significantly enhancing the overall storage capacity and effectiveness without requiring separate dedicated systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrical heat-generating equipment is operated to convert electricity to heat, then energy distribution flexibility increases, but energy losses increase due to conversion inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging thermal storage systems during periods of high renewable generation and low demand, before the actual need for heat arises. This approach captures excess renewable energy when conversion efficiency is highest and avoids inefficient real-time conversion, thereby reducing overall energy losses while maintaining distribution flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor grid conditions, storage state-of-charge levels, and demand patterns. This feedback enables the system to optimize the timing and rate of electricity-to-heat conversion, performing it when most efficient and avoiding conversion during periods when losses would be highest, thus balancing flexibility with efficiency.
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
This approach enhances grid stability by optimizing energy distribution, reducing costs, and increasing the local consumption of renewable energy, while minimizing energy losses and the need for secondary heat sources, thereby improving the overall efficiency and resilience of decentralized energy systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each energy node includes electricity generation equipment, electrical heat-generating equipment, and power transmission equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method perform electricity and heat load balancing within a community of energy nodes. The system includes a central control device to solve an optimization problem over a planning horizon and to run an allocation algorithm. Local agent devices communicate with the central control device. Each local agent device receives input parameters from an energy node. Each energy node includes electricity generation equipment, electrical heat-generating equipment, and power transmission equipment, electricity storage equipment and thermal storage equipment. The local agent devices operate the electrical heat-generating equipment based on an allocation instruction received from the central control device. The central control device receives status information from the local agent devices to determine an amount of energy to be converted from electricity to heat by the electrical heat-generating equipment of the energy nodes, to provide the allocation instruction to the energy nodes.