Energy Storage Buffering for Grid Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of secondary energy sources like solar panels and windmills into power distribution grids is hindered by their variable output, leading to sudden changes that primary sources struggle to accommodate, resulting in reduced reliability and increased costs due to the need for fast-response units and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

Energy storage systems, such as batteries, are energetically coupled to the grid to control charge and discharge behavior, absorbing rapid increases and compensating for decreases in secondary source output, thereby maintaining power levels within defined limits and reducing the grid's response burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If secondary energy sources (solar panels, windmills) are connected to the distribution grid to supplement primary power sources, then renewable energy contribution and greenhouse gas reduction are improved, but output stability and grid reliability deteriorate due to wide variations in energy production over short intervals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy contributionVSAvoidgrid reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An energy storage system is introduced as an intermediary component between the secondary energy source and the distribution grid. The storage system absorbs excess energy when production exceeds demand and releases energy when production falls short, thereby mediating the connection and stabilizing the grid against fluctuations in renewable energy output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage system performs preliminary action by storing energy in advance during periods of high secondary source output. This pre-stored energy is then available to compensate for future drops in production, allowing the system to proactively manage variability rather than reactively responding to grid instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the output of secondary sources is allowed to vary freely to maximize renewable energy utilization, then energy production flexibility is improved, but the need for fast-response primary generating units increases, resulting in additional fuel costs and maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy production flexibilityVSAvoidadditional fuel costs and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage system acts as a buffer that decouples the secondary source output from the primary sources. By absorbing or releasing energy as needed, it prevents sudden output variations from forcing primary sources to operate inefficiently, thereby eliminating the need for costly fast-response generating units and their associated fuel and maintenance expenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If energy storage systems are introduced to regulate secondary source output variations, then grid stability and reliability are improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While the energy storage system does add a physical component to the grid, it simplifies the overall control architecture by providing passive energy buffering. The storage system's inherent charge/discharge capabilities provide automatic regulation without requiring complex control systems, thus improving reliability while keeping operational complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 stabilizes the power provided to the grid, reducing the need for rapid adjustments from primary sources, enhancing reliability, and minimizing additional costs associated with maintaining optimal operation.

Implementation Method 1

controlling the charge and discharge behavior of one or more energy storage systems energetically coupled to the electricity grid, such that rapid increases in the output of a secondary source of energy are absorbed by the storage system, whereas rapid decreases in the output of the secondary source are compensated by discharging stored energy onto the grid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Accumulator (energy)

Data Source

PatentEP2545632B1Regulation of contribution of secondary energy sources to power grid

Publication Date: 2019.10.23 THE AES CORPORATION

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Figure 2A~2C
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AI summary

An energy storage medium is combined with a secondary energy source that supplies power to an electricity distribution grid. The charge and discharge behavior of the energy storage medium is controlled so that rapid increases in the output of a secondary source of energy are absorbed by the storage system, whereas rapid decreases in the output of the secondary source are compensated by discharging stored energy onto the grid. The combined contributions of the secondary source and the energy storage system ensures a rate of change that does not exceed a defined level. Maximum and minimum output power levels for the secondary source can be established to define a normal operating range. The charging or discharging of the energy storage system is also performed when the secondary output power level exceeds or falls below the limits of the defined range.