Flexible Datacenter Queue Distribution for Renewable Energy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in efficiently managing and utilizing excess power generated by local stations, particularly renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which often face curtailment due to grid stability and congestion issues, leading to economic losses and waste of renewable energy.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising flexible datacenters powered by behind-the-meter renewable energy sources, which can dynamically modulate power delivery based on monitored conditions and operational directives, allowing for the efficient use of excess power and reducing reliance on the grid, thereby minimizing transmission losses and curtailment impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If renewable energy generators increase power output to meet demand, then energy supply is improved, but transmission congestion and grid stability issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidgrid stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the datacenter infrastructure into two distinct types: critical datacenters connected to the main grid for stable operations, and flexible datacenters connected to behind-the-meter renewable energy sources for variable workload processing. This segmentation allows renewable energy to be utilized without compromising overall grid stability, as flexible datacenters can operate independently during curtailment events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic workload routing that can adapt in real-time based on renewable energy availability and grid conditions. The queue system dynamically assigns computational tasks to either critical or flexible datacenters depending on current power supply conditions, allowing the system to maximize renewable energy utilization while maintaining service level agreements for critical operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If local stations generate more power, then energy availability is improved, but transmission losses and curtailment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generationVSAvoidtransmission losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts computational workloads from the traditional grid-dependent datacenter model and relocates them to flexible datacenters that consume power directly behind the meter at local renewable energy generation sites. This eliminates the need for transmission infrastructure and associated losses, as power is consumed at the point of generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible datacenters utilize behind-the-meter power, then renewable energy utilization is improved, but power delivery stability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy utilizationVSAvoidpower delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a queue system and workload management intermediary that sits between incoming computational requests and the flexible/critical datacenter infrastructure. This intermediary monitors power availability conditions and intelligently routes workloads, absorbing the variability of behind-the-meter power delivery and presenting stable service outcomes to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of datacenter workloads by categorizing them into different service levels (critical vs. flexible). Critical workloads maintain strict service level agreements with guaranteed power delivery, while flexible workloads accept variable power delivery conditions in exchange for lower cost processing, allowing the system to utilize behind-the-meter power effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by stationary object

If computational operations are routed to flexible datacenter, then energy cost is reduced, but service level agreement compliance may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy costVSAvoidservice level agreement

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality standards to different workload types based on their service level agreements. Critical workloads with strict SLAs are routed to critical datacenters with guaranteed power delivery, while flexible workloads with more lenient SLAs are routed to flexible datacenters utilizing behind-the-meter power, optimizing cost while maintaining appropriate service quality for each category.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11682902B2Managing queue distribution between critical datacenter and flexible datacenter

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 LANCIUM LLC

AI summary

Systems include one or more critical datacenter connected to behind-the-meter flexible datacenters. The critical datacenter is powered by grid power and not necessarily collocated with the flexible datacenters, which are powered “behind the meter.” When a computational operation to be performed at the critical datacenter is identified and determined that it can be performed more efficiently or advantageously at a flexible datacenter, the computational operation is instead obtained by the flexible datacenters for performance The critical datacenter and flexible datacenters preferably share a dedicated communication pathway to enable high-bandwidth, low-latency, secure data transmissions. A queue system may be used to organize computational operations waiting for distribution to either the critical datacenter or the flexible datacenter.