Power Aggregation System for Distributed Electric Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric power and transportation systems face challenges such as high greenhouse gas emissions, grid instability, and inefficiencies due to reliance on fossil fuels, with limited ability to effectively utilize distributed electric resources like electric vehicle batteries for grid balancing.
Innovation Solution
A power aggregation system that communicates over networks to dynamically aggregate electric resources, enabling them to provide power services like demand response, regulation, and energy storage, by using remote intelligent power flow modules and flow control servers to manage and coordinate the charging and discharging of electric vehicle batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed electric resources like electric vehicle batteries are aggregated to provide grid services, then grid stability and reliability are improved, but device complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow control server as an intermediary that coordinates between the power grid and distributed electric resources. The server receives location information from resources, determines optimal connection locations on the grid, and manages power flow coordination, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual devices while improving overall grid stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the coordination function by separating location determination, connection location identification, and power flow management into distinct modular components. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable grid connection
2Productivity
If electric resources are dynamically aggregated across the grid, then energy efficiency and use of intermittent sources are improved, but measurement and location tracking difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where electric resources transmit location information to the flow control server, which then determines optimal connection locations and provides control signals back to the resources. This closed-loop feedback system enables efficient energy aggregation while automatically tracking and managing resource locations without increasing measurement difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
Electric resources automatically provide their location information to the flow control server without requiring external tracking infrastructure. The resources self-report their status and location, enabling the system to dynamically aggregate them for efficient energy distribution while simplifying the measurement and tracking process
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a service establishes individual Internet connections to numerous electric resources intermittently connected to the power grid, such as electric vehicles. The Internet connection may be made over the same wire that connects the resource to the power grid. The service optimizes power flows to suit the needs of each resource and each resource owner, while aggregating flows across numerous resources to suit the needs of the power grid. The service can bring vast numbers of electric vehicle batteries online as a new, dynamically aggregated power resource for the power grid. Electric vehicle owners can participate in an electricity trading economy regardless of where they plug into the power grid.