Grid Sub-Network Separation for Power Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
System-level power outages, such as those caused by natural disasters or system failures, result in significant economic losses and reliability issues for electricity consumers, with existing technologies struggling to optimize energy distribution and minimize disruptions during outages.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a grid sub-network system that allows for the separation and reintegration from a greater grid network, utilizing distributed energy resources and energy storage systems to optimize energy distribution, prioritize loads, and maximize energy utilization, with the ability to operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the grid sub-network is separated from the greater grid network during outages, then reliability of electricity supply is improved, but energy resources are limited and power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the greater grid network into separable grid sub-networks that can operate independently during outages. Each sub-network contains distributed energy resources and can be isolated at point of common coupling locations, allowing reliable local power supply while managing energy resources within defined segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning distributed energy resources and configuring sub-network boundaries before outages occur. Energy resources are strategically distributed and sub-network topology is prepared in advance, enabling immediate separation and operation during outages without energy shortages.
2Reliability
If distributed energy resources are utilized to maximize premises served, then customer reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal platform that manages multiple distributed energy resources across numerous premises through a common sub-network architecture. The same infrastructure and control mechanisms serve multiple functions: managing diverse energy resources, coordinating separation events, and optimizing power distribution to maximize the number of premises served while maintaining manageable complexity through standardization.
3Productivity
If energy storage systems are integrated with distributed energy resources, then energy utilization is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges energy storage systems with distributed energy resources into integrated sub-network units. This combination optimizes energy utilization by coordinating storage discharge with generation and load demands, while the sub-network architecture provides a unified control framework that manages the combined complexity rather than allowing it to accumulate across separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for optimizing energy distribution are disclosed. Exemplary embodiment may: receive a request for separating a grid sub-network from a greater grid network at a grid point of common coupling, and wherein the greater grid network comprises a first set of premises, a first set of energy resources, and a first set of premise points of common coupling; separate the grid sub-network, wherein the grid sub-network comprises a second set of premises, a second set of energy resources, and a second set of premise points of common coupling; distribute energy from the second set of energy resources to the second set of premises of the grid sub-network; receive a request to reintegrate the grid sub-network to the greater grid network; reintegrate the grid sub-network; and distribute energy from the first set of energy resources to the first set of premises of the greater grid network.