Self-Organizing Microgrid Controller for Load Leveling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microgrids face instability due to load and source variations, and reliance on centralized controllers that require reliable communication networks, which can be costly and prone to failures.

Innovation Solution

A self-organizing microgrid controller that allows local independent control decisions based on energy storage measurements, enabling stable global operation without inter-site communication, using energy storage sensors and control signals to activate/deactivate energy generators and loads independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If centralized control is used to coordinate energy objects, then load and source leveling improves, but communication network reliability requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload and source levelingVSAvoidcommunication network reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized control system is segmented into distributed controllers at each site. Each controller independently makes control decisions based on local energy storage measurements, eliminating the need for a reliable communication network while maintaining load and source leveling through local autonomous coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each site's controller serves itself by making independent control decisions based on local energy storage measurements. The controllers autonomously coordinate with other sites through the electrical grid itself, eliminating dependency on external communication infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If centralized controllers communicate with each energy object, then coordination improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordination of energy objectsVSAvoidcontroller configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each controller is designed with identical local functionality, using the same control algorithm based on energy storage measurements. This standardization reduces configuration complexity while maintaining effective coordination, as each site operates autonomously with the same simple control logic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If droop control is used to coordinate energy sources, then communication network requirements reduce, but ability to handle large source-load disparities decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication network independenceVSAvoidhandling source-load disparities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control algorithm dynamically adjusts control parameters based on real-time energy storage measurements at each site. This allows the system to adapt to large source-load disparities and varying operating conditions while maintaining communication independence, overcoming droop control's limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11251615B2Controller for self-organizing microgrid

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 WISCONSIN ALUMNI RES FOUND

AI summary

A controller for individual sites of the microgrid controls loads, sources, the importing of power, and the exporting of power as a function of the energy storage at the site. A microgrid of such sites provides the benefits of improved energy storage without the need for real-time communication between sites.