Generator Reserve Capacity Control System for Immediate Power Replacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional power dispatch solutions for replacing lost renewable energy generation capacity often involve significant time delays and costly standby assets, as they fail to quickly identify and utilize existing synchronous generating equipment's reserve capacity effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that evaluates the operational characteristics of energy generators to determine their reserve capacity, offers access to this reserve energy, and enables local generator control systems to increase power output upon acceptance, allowing for immediate reaction to power commitments by utilizing existing synchronous generating equipment, such as turbine-driven generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional power dispatch solutions are used to replace lost renewable energy generation capacity, then power replacement capability is maintained, but significant time delays occur in identifying and delivering replacement power
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and evaluating operational characteristics of synchronous generators to pre-identify available reserve capacity before any generation loss occurs. This advance preparation enables immediate response when renewable generation is lost, eliminating the time delay associated with traditional post-loss identification methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops that monitor generator operational characteristics, reserve capacity availability, and power system conditions. This real-time feedback enables the system to dynamically identify and respond to generation losses immediately, rather than relying on delayed traditional dispatch mechanisms.
2Reliability
If standby generating assets are activated to replace lost capacity, then power replacement reliability is improved, but hardware costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables existing synchronous generators to serve dual purposes: their primary power generation function and a secondary reserve capacity function. By utilizing the self-service capability of existing assets to provide reserve capacity, the system eliminates the need for separate standby hardware, reducing overall hardware requirements while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes existing synchronous generators universal by enabling them to perform multiple functions: normal power generation and emergency reserve capacity provision. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware assets to serve both routine and emergency power needs, eliminating the requirement for dedicated standby assets.
3Quantity of substance
If existing synchronous generating equipment is utilized for reserve capacity, then hardware costs are reduced, but the complexity of identifying and coordinating reserve capacity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the reserve capacity identification and coordination function into distinct modular components: operational characteristic evaluation modules for each generator, reserve capacity calculation modules, offer generation modules, and coordination modules. This segmentation manages complexity by breaking down the overall system into manageable, independent functional units that can operate autonomously yet coordinate through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary control systems and communication protocols that mediate between individual generators and the central dispatch authority. These intermediaries simplify coordination by handling the complexity of evaluating operational characteristics, calculating reserve capacities, and managing offer acceptance, thereby reducing the overall system complexity while enabling efficient utilization of existing assets.
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter relates to methods, systems, and networks for making available identified generator reserve capacity to provided compensation for lost generator capacity on a temporary basis. The present subject matter provides for increasing the power output of currently operating synchronous generators to provide substantially instantaneous supply of additional power upon loss of other generating capability. The system takes into consideration and makes available to system operators the general availability of additional real power output capability of operating generators even though such power generation may be provided at less than optimal operating characteristics of the individual generators providing the additional power.