Energy Variability Controller for Intermittent Power Grid Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As the capacity of intermittent power plants in utility grids increases, existing energy management systems struggle to maintain operating conditions within desired ranges, leading to instability and additional wear on infrastructure, as they lack adequate provisions for managing the variability caused by intermittent energy sources.
Innovation Solution
An energy variability controller is implemented to monitor and adjust the power output of intermittent power supplies based on actual and forecasted environmental conditions, using predetermined rates of increase and decrease, and limiting output below a threshold to maintain grid stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the capacity of intermittent power plants is increased in utility grids, then more economically and environmentally valuable power is generated, but the ability of energy management systems to maintain operating conditions within desired ranges becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The energy variability controller performs preliminary actions by monitoring forecast environmental values (such as forecast wind speed or solar irradiance) and adjusting the delivered power output in advance before actual variability occurs. This proactive control prevents operating conditions from deviating beyond desired ranges, thereby maintaining grid stability while accommodating higher intermittent power plant capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring both actual environmental values and their impact on delivered power output, then adjusting control actions based on this feedback to maintain operating conditions within desired ranges despite increased intermittent power plant capacity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional control devices are used to manage operating conditions, then power plants using continuous energy resources can be controlled, but additional wear on utility infrastructure and control devices occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The energy variability controller acts as an intermediary device specifically designed to handle the variability from intermittent power plants. By introducing this specialized controller, the system manages operating conditions without subjecting conventional control devices and utility infrastructure to excessive wear, thereby extending their lifespan while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If frequent adjustments are made to maintain operating conditions, then grid stability is maintained, but the lifespan of control devices and infrastructure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By monitoring forecast environmental values and making preliminary adjustments to the delivered power output, the controller prevents the need for frequent reactive adjustments. This reduces wear on control devices and infrastructure while maintaining grid stability through proactive rather than reactive control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an operating condition of an electric power grid having an intermittent power supply coupled thereto, comprising: using an energy variability controller, controlling variability of a delivered power output of the intermittent power supply to the grid by: monitoring an actual environmental value for a location proximate the intermittent power supply, an available power output of the intermittent power supply being dependent on the actual environmental value; when the actual environmental value is increasing and hence the available power output is increasing, increasing the delivered power output according to a predetermined rate of increase; monitoring a forecast environmental value for the location; when the forecast environmental value is decreasing, decreasing the delivered power output according to a predetermined rate of decrease; and, limiting the delivered power output to below a predetermined threshold. The electric power grid may be or may include an electric power microgrid.