Energy Packet Pricing for Electric Power Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for measuring energy delivery in electric power systems, such as time-averaged power calculations, are inadequate for modern systems with non-sinusoidal waveforms, fast dynamics, and distributed generation, failing to provide accurate pricing and valuation, especially during transient conditions and non-steady-state dynamics.
Innovation Solution
The use of energy packets to measure energy transfer through a point in the electric power delivery system, allowing for precise calculation and pricing of energy delivered, by dividing energy into portions transferring away from and to the point, using intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) with signal processing and common time synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If time-averaged power calculations are used to measure energy delivery, then the measurement method is simple and easy to implement, but the measurement precision is inadequate for non-sinusoidal waveforms and fast dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments energy measurement into discrete energy packets with specific temporal and energetic boundaries. Each energy packet represents a quantized portion of energy transfer, allowing precise measurement of non-sinusoidal waveforms by capturing instantaneous power integrations over defined intervals rather than relying on time-averaged calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic energy packet detection that adapts to fast-changing power conditions. The system continuously monitors and detects energy packets in real-time, adjusting to non-steady-state dynamics and non-sinusoidal waveforms by capturing instantaneous energy transfers rather than relying on static averaging methods.
2Measurement precision
If traditional metering techniques are used, then the system is easy to operate, but it fails to provide accurate pricing and valuation during transient conditions and non-steady-state dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical metering mechanisms with an information-based energy packet detection system. By substituting physical averaging instruments with digital signal processing and computational energy packet identification, the system achieves precise valuation during transient conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameter from time-averaged power to instantaneous energy packet integration. This parameter transformation enables accurate capture of energy transfers during non-steady-state dynamics by integrating power over specific temporal intervals corresponding to actual energy transfer events rather than averaging over fixed time periods.
3Measurement precision
If energy packets are used to measure energy transfer, then the measurement precision for fast dynamics and non-sinusoidal signals is improved, but the device complexity increases due to signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal energy packet detection framework that handles multiple waveform types (sinusoidal, non-sinusoidal, transient) and various power system conditions through a single integrated signal processing approach. The same energy packet detection mechanism operates across different operating conditions, reducing the need for specialized measurement circuits for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy packets as an intermediary concept that bridges instantaneous power measurements and cumulative energy accounting. By defining energy packets as integrated power over specific intervals, the system simplifies the relationship between fast dynamics measurement and energy valuation, acting as a mediator that transforms complex instantaneous variations into discrete, countable energy units.
Data Source
AI summary
Calculation of a value of energy passing a point of an electric power delivery system, and price associated with the value is disclosed herein. Use of energy packets according with the embodiments of this disclosure more accurately represents the amount of energy produced and consumed by equipment. Energy packets may be calculated over one or more phases, over configurable time periods. Energy packets may be used in conjunction with a monetary rate to calculate the price for billing an energy consumer or crediting an energy producer.