Hierarchical Energy Control for Large-Scale Storage Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy management systems face challenges in efficiently managing large numbers of energy storage devices, as they are typically designed for smaller scales and become resource-intensive with the increasing deployment of extensive energy resource sites.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical energy management system that allocates power based on the average state-of-charge of aggregations of energy storage devices, using a resource manager to control sets of controllers, which in turn manage energy resource devices, allowing for efficient management of extensive energy resource sites by segmenting operating modes and constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional energy management systems are used to manage large numbers of energy storage devices, then the system can control energy resources, but the system becomes resource-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy management system into a hierarchical structure with a resource manager at the top level and multiple controllers at lower levels. Each controller manages a specific group of energy storage devices, while the resource manager coordinates between controllers. This segmentation reduces the complexity at each level and improves overall management efficiency by distributing control responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the control structure, moving from a flat conventional system to a multi-level system. This adds a vertical dimension of control where the resource manager operates at a higher level than individual controllers, enabling more efficient management of large numbers of devices through layered coordination.
2Productivity
If power is allocated based on individual state-of-charge of energy storage devices, then precise control is achieved, but the management of extensive energy resource sites becomes resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the state-of-charge information from multiple energy storage devices into aggregate metrics at the controller level. Instead of managing each device's state-of-charge individually, controllers manage groups of devices using combined metrics, which reduces computational overhead and enables scalable management while maintaining sufficient control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from monitoring individual device states to monitoring aggregate states at the controller level. This dimensional shift from device-level to group-level metrics enables the system to scale to extensive energy resource sites without proportionally increasing resource requirements, while still achieving effective power allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for optimizing energy management of an energy resource site. For instance, a hierarchical energy management system can provide optimized management of energy resource sites with large numbers of energy resources. In particular, the hierarchical energy management system can effectively control energy resources by allocating functionality using different tiers. For instance, one or more energy resources devices can comprise the lowest tier of the hierarchical energy management system. The next tier of the hierarchical energy management system can comprise one or more controllers that can manage the energy resource devices. The next tier of the hierarchical energy management system, a resource manager, generally manages the set of controllers.