Real-Time Grid Settlement for Distributed Energy Participation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric power grid management systems lack real-time registration and settlement capabilities for grid elements, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in tracking and compensating for energy contributions from distributed sources, resulting in cost burdens on consumers rather than utility providers.
Innovation Solution
A system that transforms grid elements into active participants through network-based communication, using a Coordinator for registration, authentication, and real-time settlement processing, enabling immediate compensation for energy supply, curtailment, or consumption, and providing real-time data for grid operations and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual and non-real-time settlement is used with estimation or modeled data, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of settlement data deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual settlement processes with automated electronic settlement systems. The system automatically collects actual generation data from distributed energy resources, processes it through electronic platforms, and performs real-time financial settlements, eliminating the need for manual data collection and estimation methods while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic settlement platform that acts as a mediator between distributed energy resources and utility companies. This platform collects actual generation data, validates it, and performs automated settlements, serving as an intermediate layer that improves data accuracy without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If real-time settlement processing is implemented for distributed energy resources, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the settlement system into distinct functional modules: data collection from distributed energy resources, data validation, financial calculation, and settlement processing. This modular segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, improving overall system accuracy while managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables distributed energy resources to self-report their generation data directly to the settlement platform. This self-service approach allows resources to automatically provide accurate real-time data about their energy production, reducing the need for manual verification and improving settlement accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If actual generation data is collected and used for settlement, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time for data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous automated data collection from distributed energy resources, where generation data is collected continuously in real-time rather than through periodic manual measurements. This continuous automated process ensures high measurement precision while minimizing time loss through uninterrupted data flow and automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation and processing of generation data as it is collected, preparing the data for settlement before formal processing begins. This preliminary action includes data quality checks and initial formatting, which reduces the time required for subsequent settlement processing while maintaining high accuracy standards.
4Adaptability or versatility
If distributed energy resources are integrated into the grid with registration capabilities, then adaptability of the grid improves, but device complexity and registration processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal registration platform that handles multiple types of distributed energy resources (solar panels, wind turbines, small hydroelectric systems) through a single standardized interface. This universal system allows diverse resources to be registered and integrated into the grid without requiring resource-specific registration processes, improving grid adaptability while managing complexity through standardization.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for market-based financial settlement in an electric power grid are disclosed. At least one active grid element is constructed and configured in network communication with a settlement processor. The at least one active grid element participates in the electric power grid by consuming power, supplying power, and/or curtailing power to provide operating reserves and/or grid stability for the electric power grid. The at least one active grid element generates at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit based upon measured data for the participation in the electric power grid. The at least one active grid element transmits at least one IP-based settlement message to the settlement processor. The settlement processor provides a market-based financial settlement for the participation of the at least one active grid element based on the at least one KWP unit in real time or near real time.