Microgrid Load Shedding for Volatile Renewable Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variability of green energy sources like solar and wind power leads to instability in electrically isolated microgrids, increasing the likelihood of load and power source disconnection, limiting the utilization of renewable energy in remote locations and hindering the production of green hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, and e-fuels.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a microgrid that includes measuring power delivery and consumption, calculating automation levels and production change capabilities, and implementing a load shedding process to balance power by reducing load operations, transitioning subsystems to standby, and shutting down non-essential loads to stabilize the grid while maximizing green energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If green energy sources (solar or wind power) are used to power remote locations, then renewable energy utilization is improved, but grid stability deteriorates due to high volatility and variable power delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational status of loads and subsystems based on real-time power availability from volatile green energy sources. The controller continuously monitors power delivery and automatically transitions subsystems between operational modes (full operation, reduced operation, standby, shutdown) to match generation with consumption, resolving the contradiction between utilizing variable renewable energy and maintaining grid stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of loads and subsystems in response to varying power availability. By adjusting operational levels, transition times, and power consumption parameters dynamically, the system adapts to the volatility of green energy sources while maintaining overall grid stability and enabling continuous green product production
2Reliability
If load operations are reduced to balance power supply and demand, then grid stability is improved, but productivity of green product production deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments loads into multiple independently controllable subsystems with different operational modes. This allows selective reduction of specific subsystems while maintaining others, thereby balancing grid stability requirements with continuous green product production capability across the distributed load network
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes transition times and operational sequences for subsystems before power imbalances occur. By planning and executing load adjustments in advance based on predicted power availability, the system minimizes productivity loss while maintaining grid stability
3Power
If subsystems are transitioned to standby mode or shut down to reduce power consumption, then power balance is improved, but operational continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring and adjustment cycles, transitioning subsystems between operational modes in response to oscillating power availability from green energy sources. This periodic action maintains power balance while allowing operational continuity through systematic cycling of subsystems
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors power delivery from green energy sources and feedback-driven adjustments of subsystem operational status. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures power balance is maintained while minimizing disruptions to operational continuity through real-time adaptive control
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of operating a microgrid includes operating one of a plurality of power sources to deliver power to the microgrid. The method also includes measuring a quantity of power delivered to the microgrid, drawing power from the microgrid to power one of a plurality of loads, each load including a plurality of separately operable subsystems, and calculating an automation level and a production change capability for each load and subsystem of the plurality of subsystems. The method also includes measuring a quantity of power drawn from the microgrid and reducing the quantity of power drawn from the microgrid in response to a measured quantity of power drawn exceeding a measured quantity of power provided. The reducing step follows a sequence of reductions which includes reducing an operating level of a first load of the plurality of loads, determining that the reduction in operating level was insufficient to reduce the measured quantity of power drawn from the microgrid to a point at or below the measured quanity of power provided, and limiting the power consumption of a first subsystem below the reduced operating level in response to the determining step concluding the reducing step did not sufficiently reduce the quantity of power drawn from the microgrid. The first subsystem is selected based in part on the calculated automation level and the production change capability.