Power Management Server for Variable-Cycle Grid Frequency Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management systems for virtual power plants have limited flexibility in supply and demand adjustment due to fixed fluctuation cycles, which can hinder effective frequency adjustment of the power grid.

Innovation Solution

A power management server and method that dynamically adjust control messages for distributed power supplies, such as solar cells, power storage, and fuel cells, based on fluctuation cycles, allowing for more precise and flexible control of power flow and reverse power flow to manage frequency fluctuations in the power grid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed fluctuation cycles are used for each category of adjustment power supply, then the control system is simple to manage, but the degree of freedom of supply and demand adjustment is limited and frequency adjustment effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system managementVSAvoidsupply and demand adjustment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the fluctuation cycle adjustable rather than fixed. The control message transmission interval is dynamically changed based on the current frequency deviation from the reference value. When frequency deviation is large, the interval is shortened to enable faster adjustment; when frequency deviation is small, the interval is extended to reduce control overhead. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing both flexibility in adjustment and manageable complexity through a clear decision rule.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If fixed fluctuation cycles are used for control messages, then control instruction transmission is straightforward, but the ability to appropriately adjust frequency in varying conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol instruction transmissionVSAvoidfrequency adjustment appropriateness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the transmission interval parameter of control messages based on frequency conditions. The interval is changed from a fixed value to a variable value determined by the frequency deviation magnitude. This allows the system to maintain ease of operation through automated parameter adjustment while improving reliability by adapting to varying frequency conditions - transmitting more frequently when adjustment is needed and less frequently when the system is stable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If control messages are transmitted at fixed intervals, then communication overhead is low, but the responsiveness to frequency deviations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication overheadVSAvoidresponsiveness to frequency deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action with a twist - instead of using a fixed periodic interval, it uses a variable periodic interval based on system state. Control messages are transmitted periodically, but the period length adjusts according to frequency deviation. This maintains the energy efficiency of periodic transmission (avoiding continuous communication) while improving responsiveness by shortening the period when frequency deviations occur, thus resolving the contradiction between communication overhead and responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4037143B1Electric power management server, and electric power management method
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4037143B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4037143B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4037143B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power management server includes a receiver for receiving, from an upper management server, an adjustment request for requesting a fluctuation adjustment of a frequency of a power grid for each fluctuation cycle of an adjustment target, a transmitter for transmitting, to an adjustment power supply, an adjustment instruction for instructing the fluctuation adjustment of the frequency of the power grid according to the fluctuation cycle of the adjustment target requested by the adjustment request, a management unit for managing a correspondence relationship between the fluctuation cycle of the adjustment target instructed by the adjustment instruction and the adjustment power supply, and a controller for determining an adjustment power supply to which the adjustment instruction is to be transmitted based on the correspondence relationship.