ESS Control Using Low-Speed Optimization for Peak Demand Costs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing costs of electricity supply and delivery, especially in remote or congested areas, and the inefficiency of existing transmission and distribution systems due to peak demand periods, necessitate a more effective means of managing energy consumption and storage.
Innovation Solution
An automatic controller for electrical systems that utilizes optimization algorithms to manage energy storage systems (ESS) to reduce demand charges, improve utilization of local generation, and leverage incentives, while considering both short-term and long-term objectives, such as battery life and capacity factor incentives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If additional transmission and distribution systems are constructed to satisfy peak demand, then power delivery capability is improved, but infrastructure cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by constructing energy storage facilities in advance at load centers before peak demand occurs. These facilities store energy during off-peak hours and discharge during peak periods, ensuring power availability is prepared beforehand rather than requiring additional transmission infrastructure to be built and maintained for infrequent peak periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy storage facilities as an intermediary between generation sources and load centers. These facilities act as a buffer that decouples the timing and location of power generation from consumption, allowing existing transmission systems to operate at optimal levels while meeting peak demand locally through stored energy.
2Productivity
If energy storage facilities are constructed at load centers, then utilization of local generation is improved, but construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the operational parameters of energy storage facilities based on varying electricity rates, load patterns, and generation availability. The controller modifies charge/discharge rates, state of charge thresholds, and operational timing to optimize both utilization of local generation and economic returns, making the construction cost justification stronger through improved productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods may use a low speed controller in addition to an economic optimizer to achieve long-term objectives without significantly disrupting or destabilizing an electrical system. Specific long-term objectives include maximizing a capacity factor incentive and regulating battery degradation, but the methods and systems herein can be extended to more long-term objectives. A low speed controller can adjust one or more parameters of a cost function based on the relation between the projected state of the electrical system and the one or more parameters to effectuate a change to the electrical system to attempt to comply with the long-term objective.