Packetized Electricity Delivery Using Distributed Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrical grid infrastructure faces challenges in managing peak demand, particularly with the increasing number of electric vehicles and variability from renewable energy sources, leading to potential reliability and stability issues, and existing energy storage solutions do not effectively address the need for decoupling electricity generation and demand in distributed systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Energy Storage-based Packetized Delivery of Electricity (ES-PDE) uses distributed energy storage systems to decouple electricity generation and demand, allowing for scheduled packetized energy delivery from the grid, which powers customers' energy storage systems, thereby optimizing grid infrastructure utilization and reducing the need for infrastructure upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed energy storage systems are deployed to decouple generation and demand, then grid reliability and resilience are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy storage function into distributed units at customer premises (behind-the-meter) rather than centralized facilities. Each ESS operates semi-independently, managing local load variations and providing resiliency without requiring complex centralized coordination for basic operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an energy management system and communication infrastructure as intermediaries between the utility grid and distributed ESS units. This mediator layer handles coordination, packetized energy scheduling, and data exchange, simplifying the interaction complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If peak demand capacity is increased to meet EV charging and renewable variability, then grid stability is improved, but loss of energy increases due to underutilization during off-peak periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having distributed ESS units charge during off-peak periods when renewable energy is abundant and grid demand is low. These pre-charged units then discharge during peak periods, eliminating the need for overbuilding generation capacity and avoiding energy waste from underutilized infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through the packetized energy delivery model, where energy is transferred in scheduled packets between the utility grid and distributed ESS units. This periodic exchange aligns charging with off-peak renewable availability and discharging with peak demand periods, optimizing resource utilization.
3Use of energy by moving object
If traditional centralized energy storage is used to manage load variations, then generation costs are reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex dispatch requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling distributed ESS units to autonomously manage their own charging and discharging operations based on local conditions and pre-coordinated packetized schedules. Each unit independently responds to grid signals and local load requirements, eliminating complex centralized dispatch operations while maintaining cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing flexible, adaptive operation of distributed ESS units that can respond in real-time to changing local conditions, grid demands, and renewable availability. This dynamic distributed control replaces rigid centralized dispatch, simplifying operations while optimizing energy utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for Energy Storage-based Packetized Delivery of Electricity (ES-PDE) are disclosed that are radically different from the operation of today's grid. Using ES-PDE, the loads are powered by the energy storage systems (ESS) the majority of the time and only receive packets of electricity periodically to charge the ESSs. Therefore, the grid operators can schedule the delivery of electricity packets to utilize the existing grid infrastructure. Since the customers are powered by the co-located ESSs they are not impacted by the grid operation in short term. Therefore, when grid outages occur, the customers still have power for some time, giving the grid more time to be fully restored.