Intraday DER Scheduling With Price-Volume Dynamics and Network Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraday DER trading techniques fail to effectively manage heterogeneous Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) due to assumptions of single DER types, neglect of continuous price fluctuations, and lack of network constraints, leading to inefficient market participation and revenue maximization.

Innovation Solution

A method for optimal intraday scheduling of aggregated DERs that models joint price-volume dynamics, allows energy exchanges within the DER pool, and optimizes basic operation schedules using iterative calculations to determine final price and volume parameters, ensuring compliance with market and network constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If existing intraday DER trading techniques are used, then the cost of energy procurement is reduced or revenue is maximized, but the techniques fail to model continuous price fluctuations and do not consider network constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy procurement costVSAvoidmodel accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static pricing assumption into a dynamic model that captures continuous price fluctuations throughout the intraday period. The joint price-volume dynamics distribution is updated iteratively as new market data becomes available, allowing the scheduling to adapt to changing market conditions rather than relying on constant price assumptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the scheduling model continuously receives updated market price signals and network constraint information, then adjusts the DER scheduling decisions accordingly. This iterative updating process allows the system to learn from market outcomes and improve scheduling accuracy over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If existing intraday DER trading techniques are used, then trading decisions are made, but the techniques do not consider network constraints for injecting or withdrawing power at network buses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrading decision speedVSAvoidconstraint compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified scheduling framework that simultaneously optimizes for revenue while respecting network constraints. The model handles both market trading objectives and physical network limitations within a single optimization problem, ensuring that scheduling decisions are both economically optimal and physically feasible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates network constraints as explicit parameters in the optimization model, including power injection/withdrawal limits at network buses and energy exchange constraints within the DER pool. These parameters dynamically shape the feasible scheduling space based on current network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If existing intraday DER trading techniques are used, then single DER types are analyzed, but the heterogeneity of DERs is not considered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis simplicityVSAvoidDER type coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heterogeneous DER portfolio into distinct categories (generation assets, storage systems, flexible loads) while maintaining the ability to model unique characteristics of each type. This segmentation allows the model to capture the diverse behaviors and constraints of different DER technologies without overwhelming complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite scheduling model that integrates multiple DER types with different technical characteristics into a unified framework. The model treats the DER portfolio as a composite system where each asset type contributes its unique properties to the overall scheduling optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of operation

If existing intraday DER trading techniques are used, then trading schedules are generated, but energy exchanges within the DER pool are not permitted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrading operation simplicityVSAvoidenergy exchange efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an internal energy exchange mechanism that acts as an intermediary between DER assets within the pool. This internal market allows DERs to trade energy with each other before participating in the external intraday market, optimizing resource allocation and reducing the need for expensive external transactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4300387A1Optimal intraday scheduling of aggregated distributed energy resources (DERS)
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD
  • EP4300387A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4300387A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4300387A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

This disclosure relates generally to optimal intraday scheduling of aggregated Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). Owing to their stochastic nature, DERs aggregators are more suited to participate in intraday electricity markets. The current works on DER aggregators trading in intraday markets do not satisfactorily model the different aspects. The disclosure is an optimal trading strategy for aggregators managing heterogeneous DERs to participate in intraday markets. The intraday market is modelled using a joint price-volume dynamics distribution and an optimal bidding strategy is disclosed for the trades/bids placed earlier to be corrected based on the revised forecasts of demand and generation while allowing for energy exchanges within the DER pool. Further the optimal bidding strategy of aggregators in an intraday market is a MINLP problem, which is solved by converting the complex non-linearities in the problem into a coupled MILP - simple maximization set-up, which is then solved in an iterative fashion.