Distribution Grid Digital Twins for Flexible Device Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distribution power grids face challenges in accommodating the increasing number of flexible devices such as electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps, and photovoltaic generation systems, leading to grid bottlenecks and instability, which results in high costs for end consumers due to excessive oversizing of network resources.
Innovation Solution
A method for dynamic operation of distribution power grids that utilizes digital twins to coordinate flexible devices in real-time, determining operational limits and allowing flexible devices to operate within viable scenarios, thereby maximizing grid capacity utilization without the need for high oversizing factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distribution networks are oversized to accommodate peak demand and ensure security of supply, then reliability is improved, but network utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation of the distribution grid by enabling real-time coordination of flexible devices (electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps, photovoltaic systems, energy storage) to adapt network capacity utilization to actual demand conditions. This allows the system to maintain reliability while dramatically improving utilization efficiency by activating devices only when needed rather than maintaining constant oversizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by coordinating flexible devices to operate within dynamically determined viable scenarios. By adjusting the operational state of connected devices based on real-time grid conditions, the system can maintain security of supply while optimizing network utilization and avoiding excessive oversizing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of flexible devices is increased to support electrification, then adaptability is improved, but grid stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the distribution system operator coordinates flexible devices based on real-time grid conditions and operational limits. The system monitors grid state and adjusts the operation of connected devices accordingly, ensuring that increased device penetration does not compromise stability. This closed-loop coordination allows high adaptability while maintaining grid stability through active management.
Solution Approach 2:
By enabling dynamic coordination of flexible devices, the system can accommodate a large number of diverse devices (electric vehicles, heat pumps, photovoltaics, storage) while maintaining stability through real-time operational adjustment. The dynamic operation allows the grid to adapt to varying device penetration levels without sacrificing stability.
3Reliability
If network capacity is expanded to avoid bottlenecks, then reliability is improved, but cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the distribution grid to serve itself by coordinating flexible devices to provide capacity support during peak demand periods. Instead of investing in permanent network expansion, the system utilizes the inherent flexibility of connected devices to meet peak demands, thereby avoiding excessive network investment while maintaining reliability and capacity adequacy.
4Productivity
If real-time coordination of flexible devices is implemented, then network capacity utilization is improved, but computational complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coordination problem by determining operational limits at specific network nodes and coordinates flexible devices in groups rather than individually. This segmentation approach enables real-time coordination and high capacity utilization while reducing computational complexity by breaking down the overall optimization problem into manageable segments that can be solved more efficiently.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method and a system for dynamic operation of distribution power grids comprising a plurality of flexible devices, the method comprising the steps of obtaining data from sensors deployed in the flexible devices and the power grid; initializing and building digital twins using an scenario with low-adverse operating conditions, determining control variables and setting pre-defined constraints; solving digital twins; determining if a violation of the constraints occurs, if not: generating a new more adverse scenario by modifying the control variables, using a scenario generator module; and repeating the previous steps; if a violation occurs, determining that the previous scenario is a viable scenario for a next period of time; determining a plurality of viable scenarios, varying multiple control variables; and applying at least one of the viable scenarios. Also, the method could define a high-adverse scenario and reduce the adversity to find the viable scenarios.