Energy Variability Controller for Intermittent Power Grid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility grids face challenges in maintaining operating conditions within desired ranges as the capacity of intermittent power plants grows, leading to limitations in accepting economically and environmentally valuable power while ensuring grid stability, and resulting in additional wear on infrastructure and control devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an energy variability controller to monitor and adjust the power output of intermittent power supplies based on actual and forecasted environmental conditions, limiting the output to prevent variability and maintain grid stability, incorporating data processing systems and energy management systems to coordinate conventional and intermittent power control devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the capacity of intermittent power plants is increased to accept more renewable energy, then the environmental and economic value is improved, but the ability to maintain operating conditions within desired ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring forecast environmental values (future solar irradiation or wind speed) and proactively adjusting the delivered power output before variability occurs. This prevents operating conditions from deviating beyond desired ranges, resolving the contradiction between accepting more intermittent power and maintaining grid stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy variability controller implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actual environmental values and delivered power output, then adjusting the power output based on the difference between actual and forecast values. This closed-loop control maintains operating conditions within desired ranges while maximizing renewable energy acceptance.
2Reliability
If conventional control devices are used to manage operating conditions, then grid stability is maintained, but additional wear on infrastructure and control devices occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of environmental variability into a beneficial control signal. By monitoring forecast environmental values, the controller anticipates variability and adjusts power output proactively, preventing excessive wear on infrastructure while maintaining grid stability. The harm of intermittent power variability is transformed into useful information for control decisions.
3Productivity
If the delivered power output is adjusted frequently to match environmental changes, then renewable energy utilization is maximized, but operating condition variability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary adjustments based on forecast environmental values before actual variability occurs. This proactive control smooths power output changes and prevents operating conditions from deviating beyond desired ranges, maximizing renewable energy utilization while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic control by continuously adjusting the delivered power output based on the difference between actual and forecast environmental values. This adaptive control optimizes the balance between maximizing intermittent power utilization and maintaining operating condition stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling an operating condition of an electric power grid, the electric power grid having an intermittent power supply coupled thereto, the method comprising: using an energy variability controller, controlling variability of a delivered power output of the intermittent power supply to the electric power 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.