Hierarchical Power Control for Microgrid Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage systems lack the ability to manage power states of adjacent areas or buildings in an integrated manner, leading to inefficiencies in peak control and the inability to address power outages or shortages without additional infrastructure like UPS structures or emergency generators.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical power control system connected to a cloud server, comprising microgrid cells with energy storage systems, emergency generators, and sensors, which configures an integrated operation schedule based on power demand and supply states to manage power distribution and address shortages or outages by temporarily converting normal cells into premium cells or adding ESS functions to virtual cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional energy storage system manages only its directly connected area or building, then the system structure remains simple and independent, but the system cannot integrate and manage power states of adjacent areas or buildings, leading to inefficient peak control and inability to share power resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the power management network into hierarchical segments: individual energy storage systems at the basic level, microgrids grouping multiple energy storage systems, and a central control platform coordinating across all microgrids. This segmentation allows each level to manage its own power state independently while enabling integrated coordination at higher levels, thus expanding power management coverage without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the power management system, organizing energy storage systems into multiple levels (individual units, microgrids, and central platform) rather than a flat structure. This dimensional organization enables the system to manage power states across different spatial and administrative scopes simultaneously, expanding versatility while managing complexity through structured layers.
2Productivity
If different peak control timings are applied to adjacent areas or buildings, then each area can optimize its local power usage, but different power generation plans are required for each area, increasing system complexity and reducing overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the control functions of multiple energy storage systems into a unified microgrid control framework. By combining individual energy storage units into microgrids with coordinated control, the system can implement unified peak control strategies across multiple areas while still allowing local optimization. This merging reduces the number of independent power generation plans needed while maintaining or improving peak control efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The central control platform receives real-time power state information from all microgrids and adjusts control strategies based on aggregated feedback. This feedback mechanism enables the system to coordinate peak control across multiple areas dynamically, optimizing overall productivity while reducing complexity through centralized decision-making based on real-time conditions rather than requiring separate static plans for each area.
3Reliability
If an energy storage system without UPS structure is used, then the system complexity and cost are reduced, but the system cannot provide uninterruptible power supply when power outage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The microgrid system is designed with multi-functionality to serve different operational modes: during normal operation, it functions as a standard energy storage system; during power outages, it automatically switches to UPS mode to provide uninterruptible power supply. This universal design allows the same system structure to provide both cost-effective operation and reliable emergency power supply, achieving high reliability without permanently increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational characteristics based on grid conditions. When the main power grid is available, the energy storage system operates in normal mode; when grid failure occurs, it dynamically transitions to UPS mode to provide emergency power. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to provide uninterruptible power supply capability on-demand without requiring permanent complex UPS infrastructure, thus achieving reliability without permanent complexity increase.
4Reliability
If emergency generators are installed in each area or building, then power outage can be solved locally, but the overall system complexity and investment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges emergency power generation capabilities into shared microgrids rather than requiring individual generators at each location. By combining energy storage systems and emergency generation resources into microgrids that can serve multiple areas, the system maintains local power outage resolution capability while significantly reducing the total number of generators needed, thus lowering overall system complexity and investment cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Each microgrid is designed to be self-sufficient during power outages by coordinating its internal energy storage resources and emergency generation capabilities. The microgrids can autonomously manage their own power supply during emergencies and also support adjacent microgrids when resources permit. This self-service capability ensures reliable local power outage resolution without requiring complex centralized emergency infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a hierarchical power control system linked to a cloud server comprising a first microgrid cell including a first ESS equipped with a UPS structure and a first load with a power state managed by the first ESS; a second microgrid cell including a second load and a second ESS that manages a power state of the second load; a third microgrid cell including a third load; an emergency cell including an additional ESS equipped with a UPS structure and an additional emergency generator, and selectively connected to the second microgrid cell; a middleware server which communicates with the first to third microgrid cells and the emergency cell; and an integrated control system for receiving power supply state information of the first to third microgrid cells, and establishing an integrated operation schedule based on the received power supply state information of the first to third microgrid cells.