Energy Packet Routing for Volatile Renewable Power Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission networks struggle to handle the volatility of regenerative energy sources and demand fluctuations, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity due to the need for additional storage and connections to classic power grids.
Innovation Solution
A packet-based energy system that uses forecasts to define a new package concept, linking feed-in forecasts for sources, demand forecasts for sinks, and transmission loss forecasts to optimize power flow and routing, enabling self-organized and autonomous energy supply across different energy forms and sector-coupled networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packet-based power transmission with deterministic supply and demand booking is used, then energy transmission efficiency is improved, but the system cannot handle the volatility of regenerative energy sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static deterministic power profiles to dynamic probabilistic power profiles that adapt to the volatility of regenerative energy sources. The equivalence class concept allows the system to handle multiple possible power trajectories rather than a single predetermined profile, enabling the network to accommodate uncertain supply from renewable sources while maintaining efficient packet-based transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter representation from deterministic power values to probabilistic equivalence classes characterized by mean power profiles and covariance matrices. This parameter transformation allows the system to encode uncertainty and volatility information within the energy packet definitions, enabling both efficient transmission and adaptation to regenerative source variability.
2Reliability
If additional storage devices and classic grid connections are added to handle volatility, then reliability of energy supply is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes physical storage devices and classic grid connection infrastructure with a computational approach using probabilistic equivalence classes and advanced routing algorithms. Instead of adding mechanical storage capacity to handle volatility, the system uses information processing and intelligent packet routing to manage uncertain supply and demand, significantly reducing physical system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces probabilistic equivalence classes as an intermediary representation between regenerative energy sources and sinks. This intermediary layer allows the system to handle volatility through information processing rather than physical infrastructure, enabling reliable energy supply coordination without requiring additional storage devices or complex classic grid connections.
3Manufacturing precision
If deterministic power profiles are used for energy packets, then transmission control precision is improved, but the system cannot account for forecast uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power profile information into distinct components: mean power profiles for transmission control and covariance matrices for uncertainty representation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain precise control through the mean values while separately preserving and propagating uncertainty information through the covariance structure, enabling both precision and awareness of forecast limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating equivalence classes with embedded uncertainty information before energy transmission. The probabilistic power profiles and their covariance matrices are prepared in advance, allowing the routing system to make informed decisions about packet transmission while accounting for forecast uncertainty, rather than reacting to uncertainty after transmission begins.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the directed transmission of power in the form of energy packets via a transmission network. The power to be transmitted can be set at at least one location x on each edge by means of a data and computer network. Each energy packet is uniquely assigned a data packet, which is generated in a control instance of the data and computer network by means of forecasts. This data packet describes an optimized transport path along which a source transmits the physical power to a sink for partial demand coverage within a fixed transmission period T. Furthermore, it describes the power class of the energy packet, wherein this power class is defined by the time course of a nominal power Pnom(t) and a residual R(t), determined by forecasts, during the transmission period.To transfer the energy packet, for each time t from T, the transferred power is set to Pnom(t) plus a fraction of R(t) at at least one x of each edge of the transport path.