Microgrid Controller Logic for ESS Parasitic-Aware DER Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microgrid systems lack efficient methods to optimize renewable-energy-based distributed energy resources (DERs) by turning non-renewable-fuel-based DERs on or off based on real-time load and energy storage system parasitics, without considering energy capacity and parasitic consumption.

Innovation Solution

A microgrid controller that monitors real-time load and available power from renewable-energy-based DERs, performs condition checks including power capacity, SOC, and reserve checks to determine when non-renewable-fuel-based DERs should be turned off or on, using an energy capacity factor (ECF) to ensure efficient utilization of renewable energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If renewable energy sources are prioritized over non-renewable energy sources, then renewable energy consumption is maximized, but power supply stability may be compromised without proper consideration of energy storage parasitics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy consumptionVSAvoidpower supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The microgrid controller performs preliminary condition checks including power capacity check, SOC check, and reserve check before prioritizing renewable energy sources. This ensures that energy storage systems have sufficient capacity and state-of-charge to handle parasitic consumption, thereby maintaining power supply stability while maximizing renewable energy utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors energy storage system status (SOC, power capacity, reserve) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the operation of non-renewable-fuel-based DERs. This feedback mechanism ensures that renewable energy prioritization does not compromise system reliability by maintaining appropriate reserves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If non-renewable-fuel-based DERs are turned off to maximize renewable energy usage, then energy efficiency is improved, but power supply reliability deteriorates without considering energy storage parasitic consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidpower supply reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before turning off non-renewable-fuel-based DERs, the controller performs preliminary checks to ensure that renewable energy sources and energy storage systems can adequately meet the load demand plus parasitic consumption. This preliminary verification maintains reliability while achieving energy efficiency improvements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Energy storage systems act as intermediaries between renewable energy sources and loads. The controller ensures that energy storage has sufficient capacity and SOC to compensate for parasitic consumption, thereby enabling the shutdown of non-renewable DERs without compromising power supply reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If energy storage systems are used to support renewable energy prioritization, then renewable energy utilization is maximized, but system complexity increases due to additional condition checks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy utilizationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control logic is segmented into distinct, modular condition checks: power capacity check, SOC check, and reserve check. Each check is an independent functional block that can be executed sequentially, making the complex control system more manageable and easier to implement while maximizing renewable energy utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of energy

If generator sets are turned off without considering ESS parasitics, then operational cost is reduced, but power quality deteriorates due to frequency deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational costVSAvoidfrequency deviations

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary power capacity checks and reserve checks before turning off generator sets to ensure that renewable energy sources and energy storage systems can maintain frequency stability. This preliminary verification reduces operational costs while preventing frequency deviations that would degrade power quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12537383B1Microgrid configuration optimization for battery agnostic systems

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

A microgrid controller may measure a group state-of-charge (SOC) of a group of energy storage systems (ESSs), calculate a total real power demanded by a plurality of loads, determine an available real power for a group of renewable-energy-based (REB) energy resource systems, determine whether the available real power is greater than a sum of the total real power and an ESS parasitic consumption of the group of ESSs, and, based on the available real power being greater than the sum, generate first control signals for turning off a group of fuel-based (FB) energy resource systems or for maintaining the group of FB energy resource systems in an off-state, or, based on the available real power being less than or equal to the sum, generate second control signals for turning on the group of FB energy resource systems or for maintaining the group of FB energy resource systems in an on-state.