Load Control System for Renewable Grid Variability Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of renewable energy sources into electric power grids is hindered by variability in power production, leading to inefficiencies and potential curtailment of renewable power, as conventional methods struggle to match supply and demand effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for controlling loads on the grid within defined ranges, adjusting load settings in response to available power and grid conditions, including renewable energy sources, to manage variability and balance supply and demand dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional power plants adjust production in real-time to compensate for renewable power variability, then grid supply-demand balance is maintained, but conventional production complexity and operational variability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid supply-demand balanceVSAvoidconventional production control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adjusting conventional power plant output to match renewable variability, the invention inverts the approach by adjusting renewable power consumption (through load management) to match conventional power availability. This reduces the operational complexity of conventional plants while maintaining grid balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary layer of load management systems that act as a buffer between renewable generation and conventional generation. These systems control flexible loads to absorb renewable variability, shielding conventional power plants from direct adjustment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If renewable power production is curtailed to maintain pre-scheduled output values, then grid stability is maintained, but renewable energy utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid stabilityVSAvoidrenewable energy utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transforms static, pre-scheduled renewable output targets into dynamic, flexible consumption ranges. Loads are assigned minimum and maximum consumption bounds rather than fixed values, allowing renewable output to vary dynamically within acceptable limits without curtailment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control parameter from fixed renewable output targets to flexible load consumption ranges. By defining minimum and maximum load boundaries rather than precise setpoints, the system accommodates renewable variability while maintaining grid stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If flexible loads are controlled within defined ranges rather than fixed values, then renewable energy absorption increases, but load control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy absorptionVSAvoidload control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the load control problem into independent minimum and maximum boundary definitions for each flexible load. Rather than coordinating complex real-time adjustments across all loads, the system independently sets consumption bounds for each load, simplifying control while enabling aggregate renewable absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If conventional power plants operate at base-load to simplify operations, then operational simplicity increases, but ability to respond to renewable variability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconventional plant operational simplicityVSAvoidresponse to renewable variability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces flexible load management as an intermediary that absorbs renewable variability, allowing conventional base-loaded plants to operate simply while the load side adapts to renewable fluctuations through controlled consumption ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8731732B2Methods and system to manage variability in production of renewable energy

Publication Date: 2014.05.20 BILLIAN ENERGY

AI summary

Methods and systems to control loads coupled to an electric energy or power grid within corresponding ranges of load values in response to one or more factors, such as to manage variability in production of renewable energy. Loads may be controlled in response to an indication of balance between available power and loads and/or in response to new loads and/or grid disconnections, and may be controlled repeatedly over time to adjust a sum load in response to changes in one or more of balance between available power and loads, new loads, and grid disconnections. A load may be repeatedly adjusted over time to provide an electrical power requirement within a time frame while accommodating at least a portion of variations in the balance between available electric power and load.