Decentralized Energy Distribution Network Control Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrical energy distribution network is designed for central energy generation and lacks the ability for decentralized energy distribution and trading, resulting in inefficiencies and high costs for consumers who cannot easily sell excess energy back to the grid.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows for decentralized energy distribution by enabling energy trading between network nodes within a low-voltage distribution network, using local units and a central processing unit to record and manage energy quantity information, allowing for direct energy exchange between energy-generating and consuming nodes, bypassing traditional suppliers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the energy distribution network is designed for central energy generation with traditional suppliers, then the network structure and coupling devices can be maintained with existing infrastructure, but consumers cannot easily sell excess energy back to the grid and must pay high network charges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy distribution network into autonomous network nodes, each capable of independent energy generation and consumption. This segmentation enables decentralized energy trading while maintaining the existing physical infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity by organizing the system hierarchically rather than restructuring physical components
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages traditional centralized energy distribution, facilitates peer-to-peer energy trading between consumers, records energy quantities, and handles billing. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to decentralized energy generation without requiring separate infrastructure, maintaining simplicity while gaining versatility
2Productivity
If decentralized energy generation is enabled at consumer level, then consumers can sell excess energy and reduce costs, but the network requires new control mechanisms for energy trading and allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling network nodes to autonomously engage in energy trading transactions. Consumers can directly sell excess energy to other consumers through the control unit without requiring complex centralized management, allowing the system to achieve high energy utilization efficiency while keeping the control unit relatively simple through automated peer-to-peer interactions
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional power suppliers and contracts are maintained, then billing and distribution can be carried out via established processes, but final consumers cannot purchase energy quantities at the energy exchange and remain tied to static contracts
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves as an intermediary that bridges traditional supplier-consumer relationships and new peer-to-peer energy trading. It manages both established billing processes and enables consumers to purchase energy quantities directly from each other, maintaining ease of operation by handling transaction complexity behind the scenes while providing consumers with flexible energy purchasing options
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an electrical energy distribution network includes connecting at least one first distribution network of a first voltage level which comprises a plurality of network nodes to a power line of the at least one first distribution network, wherein a first part of the network nodes comprises energy consumers, a second part of the network nodes comprises energy generators, and a third part of the network nodes comprises both energy consumers and energy generators. A local unit of each of the network nodes records first energy quantity information which represents a measured energy quantity, and provides second energy quantity information which represents a tradable energy quantity. The method also includes transforming, by a device coupling the at least one first distribution network to a second distribution network, the first voltage level of the at least one first distribution network with a second voltage level of the second distribution network for an exchange of energy between the at least one first and second distribution network that is carried out, based on the first and second energy quantity information, between the network nodes within one of the at least one first distribution network and/or across different ones of the at least one first distribution network.