Hierarchical Grid Dispatch for DER Power Imbalance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing distributed energy resources (DERs) in electrical grids face inefficiencies in controlling power output across multiple levels, leading to potential transformer overloading and manual, resource-intensive operations to balance power imbalances.
Innovation Solution
A recursive regulation dispatch system (RRDS) that uses a computer-implemented method to identify control nodes and recursively adjust power output at multiple levels of the electrical grid, allowing for simultaneous correction of power integrity violations across different levels with automated delegation of power reductions to DERs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual methods are used to control power output at multiple grid levels, then operational flexibility is maintained, but labor resources and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into hierarchical levels (control nodes) corresponding to different grid levels. Each control node independently manages power output adjustments for its associated DERs, dividing the complex global control problem into manageable local sub-problems that can be solved autonomously at each grid level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a hierarchical dimension to the control architecture, organizing control nodes across multiple grid levels (e.g., distribution level, transmission level). This dimensional organization allows simultaneous control of DERs at different levels without requiring a single complex centralized system, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automation.
2Reliability
If power output is adjusted at individual DER levels, then local power imbalances are corrected, but transformer overloading risks increase without coordinated control
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors power output deviations at each control node and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust DER power output. When a deviation is detected, the system recursively traverses the grid hierarchy to identify and adjust DERs, ensuring corrections are made while monitoring for potential transformer overloading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Before making power output adjustments, the system performs preliminary checks to identify control nodes and traverse the grid hierarchy to select appropriate DERs for adjustment. This preliminary action ensures that adjustments are made in a coordinated manner across the grid hierarchy, preventing transformer overloading by anticipating the cumulative effect of multiple DER adjustments.
3Speed
If centralized control manages all DERs across the grid, then coordination is improved, but response time to local violations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control function is segmented into distributed control nodes at different grid levels. Each control node can independently detect and respond to power output deviations in its local area, enabling fast local responses. Meanwhile, the hierarchical structure maintains coordination across levels through the recursive traversal mechanism, achieving both speed and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by allowing each control node to autonomously manage power output adjustments for DERs in its local jurisdiction. This local autonomy enables rapid response to local violations without waiting for centralized decisions, while the hierarchical recursion ensures that local actions remain coordinated with overall grid objectives.
4Productivity
If multiple control nodes operate independently at different grid levels, then local response efficiency improves, but system-wide coordination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture implements a nested doll structure where control nodes at lower grid levels are nested within control nodes at higher levels. Each control node recursively traverses the hierarchy to identify and adjust DERs, ensuring that local control actions are nested within the broader system context. This nesting maintains system-wide power balance while preserving local control efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hierarchical levels as an additional dimension to organize control nodes, allowing independent local control at each level while maintaining system-wide coordination through the vertical hierarchy. The recursive traversal mechanism moves across this dimensional hierarchy to ensure that local adjustments contribute to overall system stability, reconciling local efficiency with global balance.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments manage an electrical grid. One such embodiment, at a node in an electrical grid topology including a plurality of nodes, identifies a power output deviation from a target. Responsive to identifying the power output deviation, nodes below a control node in the electrical grid topology are traversed and power output at each traversed node is adjusted until at least one terminal node is reached.