Micro-grid Controller Using Predictive Environmental Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro-grid networks face high energy costs due to reliance on fossil fuels, and maintaining balance between generation and demand is challenging, especially with the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling micro-grid networks that incorporate both dispatchable and intermittent energy resources, using an energy storage element and predictive control signals based on environmental conditions and operational constraints to optimize energy usage and balance generation and demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If micro-grids primarily rely on dispatchable energy resources, then energy supply reliability is improved, but energy costs increase due to high fossil fuel prices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs environmental condition predictions and generates component control signals in advance to optimize the operation schedule of energy resources. By predicting environmental conditions (wind speed, solar irradiance) beforehand, the system can proactively schedule intermittent energy resources and dispatchable energy resources, reducing reliance on expensive fossil fuels while maintaining supply reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system records operational constraints of energy resources and uses this feedback information along with environmental predictions to continuously optimize control signals. The feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the mix of intermittent and dispatchable energy resources dynamically, minimizing fossil fuel consumption while ensuring reliable energy supply.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If intermittent energy resources are incorporated to offset fossil fuel consumption, then energy costs are reduced, but maintaining balance between generation and demand becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates component control signals in advance based on predicted environmental conditions and recorded operational constraints. By performing optimization calculations beforehand, the system creates a scheduled operation plan that balances intermittent energy generation with demand, reducing the complexity of real-time control while maintaining cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between intermittent energy resources, dispatchable energy resources, and energy storage elements. It processes environmental predictions and operational constraints to generate unified control signals that balance generation and demand, simplifying the overall system control architecture.
3Loss of energy
If intermittent energy resources are integrated into the micro-grid, then fossil fuel consumption is reduced, but stability of voltage and frequency becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates component control signals in advance that coordinate the operation of intermittent energy resources with energy storage elements and dispatchable resources. By predicting environmental conditions beforehand, the system can proactively adjust the operation schedule to maintain voltage and frequency stability while maximizing intermittent energy utilization and minimizing fossil fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses recorded operational constraints and predicted environmental conditions as feedback to continuously optimize control signals. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain voltage and frequency stability by dynamically adjusting the contribution of intermittent energy resources while coordinating with energy storage and dispatchable resources to minimize fossil fuel consumption.
4Productivity
If energy storage elements are used to balance generation and demand, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller integrates multiple functions including environmental prediction, operational constraint recording, and generation of component control signals for various energy resources. By creating a universal control system that manages intermittent energy resources, dispatchable energy resources, and energy storage elements through a single coordinated mechanism, the system improves operational efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and controller for managing and controlling a micro-grid network. The system includes a plurality of energy resources including at least one dispatchable energy resource and at least one intermittent energy resource, wherein the at least one of the energy resources is an energy storage element and at least one of the intermittent energy resources is responsive to environmental conditions to generate power, a controller configured to record operational constraints of the energy resources, obtain an environmental condition prediction and generate a component control signal based on the environmental condition prediction and the operational constraints corresponding to the energy resources. The controller is further configured to receive a network disturbance signal and generate a dynamic control signal based on such disturbances.