On-Site Energy Storage Dispatch via Fleet and Gateway Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems require electric utilities to build infrastructure for peak demand, leading to high costs passed on to customers, and utilities lack control over on-site energy storage systems, which are costly and risky for customers, and not utilized as firm capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that optimize on-site energy asset dispatch using a platform and gateway apparatus to calculate site load curves, perform portfolio-level optimization, and generate schedules for on-site energy storage systems to reduce grid-supplied energy consumption and provide firm capacity, thereby reducing customer costs and enabling utilities to control these resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If utilities build infrastructure to support peak demand, then firm capacity is provided, but costs increase and are passed on to customers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple distributed energy resources (on-site energy storage systems, renewable generators, gas turbines) into a virtual power plant that operates as a single coordinated entity. This merging allows the aggregation of small-scale resources to provide firm capacity equivalent to traditional infrastructure while avoiding the high capital costs of building new peak demand infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control system and communication network as intermediaries between utility operators and on-site energy assets. This intermediary layer enables utilities to control and coordinate distributed resources remotely, allowing firm capacity provision without direct ownership or control of the underlying assets, thereby reducing infrastructure costs.
2Loss of energy
If customers install on-site energy storage systems, then energy costs are reduced, but customers bear installation, maintenance, and operation costs plus risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables on-site energy storage systems to automatically manage their own operation through intelligent control algorithms that optimize charging, discharging, and energy dispatch based on real-time conditions. The systems self-adjust to maximize cost savings without requiring customer intervention or specialized maintenance knowledge, reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs on-site energy storage systems that perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing cost savings through energy optimization, contributing to resource adequacy for utilities, enabling demand response, and supporting grid stability. This multi-functionality justifies the investment by delivering multiple benefits beyond simple energy cost reduction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If utilities have no control over on-site energy storage systems, then customer autonomy is maintained, but utilities cannot rely on these resources as firm capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control framework where on-site energy storage systems can operate in multiple modes depending on real-time conditions. The systems dynamically adjust between autonomous operation and utility-coordinated operation, allowing customers to maintain autonomy when desired while enabling utility control when firm capacity is needed, thus resolving the contradiction between autonomy and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a two-way communication system with feedback loops between utility operators and on-site energy assets. Utility operators can send control signals to coordinate energy storage dispatch for firm capacity provision, while the systems provide feedback on their status and performance. This feedback mechanism maintains customer autonomy while enabling reliable coordination when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are provided for facilitating the operation and control of a fleet of on-site energy assets and optimizing energy dispatch across the fleet, thereby facilitating the use of the on-site energy assets instead of grid-supplied electric consumption. An example system may comprise a central platform and a plurality of on-site gateway devices configured to perform on-site asset control. An example method may comprise receiving a service availability call, performing fleet-level optimization, generating a set of site-level schedules, and causing, as a function of the site-level schedules, real-time on-site asset control. Other embodiments provide for determining a location of each grid-connected energy consumer at which to reduce grid-supplied energy consumption, determining an amount of a reduction of grid-supplied energy consumption, and transmitting a signal to each corresponding gateway device located at the determined location, the signal comprising data indicative of instructions for performing on-site energy dispatch.