Low-Voltage Grid Power Trading for Overload and Voltage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing low-voltage electrical power grids are inflexible and unable to adapt to short-term changes, leading to overloads and voltage violations due to increasing electric vehicle and renewable energy integration, without considering user comfort or economic incentives, and require costly grid-wide measurements and control systems.

Innovation Solution

A self-managed local low-voltage electrical power grid system with building power management systems and an electronic marketplace that allows peer-to-peer power exchanges based on preset consumption values, using a matching algorithm to balance demand and supply within timeslots, considering user preferences and financial incentives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If centralized market-based approaches are used to motivate customers to control loads, then user participation and grid stability improve, but the complexity of determining reference values and remuneration increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid stabilityVSAvoidremuneration determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the complex remuneration determination problem into a simpler parameter-based system where each user defines their own minimum and maximum prices for power exchange. The matching algorithm operates on these price parameters without needing to calculate complex reference values or assess individual user efforts, thus maintaining grid stability while reducing computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Users autonomously set their own price parameters (minimum selling price and maximum buying price) based on their individual needs and preferences. This self-service approach eliminates the need for a central authority to determine fair remuneration, as each user independently defines their acceptable price range for power transactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If grid operator directly regulates individual plants, then grid stress is reduced, but user comfort and economic interests are not considered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid stress reductionVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically balances grid stability and user comfort through real-time matching of power supply and demand requests. The matching algorithm continuously adjusts power exchanges based on current grid conditions and user-defined price parameters, allowing flexible response to changing conditions while respecting user preferences and comfort requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where users receive information about their power exchanges and can adjust their requests and price parameters accordingly. The matching algorithm uses feedback from grid status and user responses to continuously optimize the balance between reducing grid stress and maintaining user comfort and economic interests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If grid-wide measurement technology and simulation tools are installed throughout distribution grids, then accurate grid status monitoring is achieved, but implementation costs become very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid status monitoring accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary matching algorithm that operates at the grid level to coordinate power exchanges between users. This intermediary process enables accurate grid status monitoring and control through centralized computation and coordination, eliminating the need for expensive distributed measurement and simulation tools at every user location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4383499B1Method and arrangement to manage a local low-voltage electrical power grid
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 HAGER ELECTRO SAS
  • EP4383499B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4383499B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4383499B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention concerns a method to manage a local low-voltage electrical power grid, wherein each building (B) connected to said grid comprises a building power management system (BPMS) which . is monitoring and controlling the power flows within the considered building (B) and configured to determine the future power needs of the concerned building (B), wherein the power management systems (BPMS) of the buildings (B) or users (D) which are either able and willing to supply a given amount of excess power to or in need and willing to draw a given amount of lacking power from the grid (G), for at least one given future timeslot (TSn), submit corresponding requests (SR, DR) to an electronic marketplace (EMP) associated with the grid (G) and wherein said electronic market place (EMP) handles said demand and supply requests (DR, SR) and strives to settle power exchange deals between the implied buildings (B) or users (U), preferably at the latest before the end of the timeslot (TSn-1) immediately preceding the concerned timeslot (TSn).