Programmable Microgrid Control System for Simplified Logic Development

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current microgrid control systems face complexity and require extensive engineering effort for developing and testing control logic, limiting their practical application and commercial viability.

Innovation Solution

A programmable microgrid control system comprising a programmable microgrid controller and programming software tool that simplifies the development and testing of control logic through modeling, analysis, and monitoring of microgrid power systems, allowing for intuitive coding and debugging environments, and seamless communication with microgrid assets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional microgrid control systems are used, then control functionality is achieved, but system complexity and engineering effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidengineering effort for developing and testing control logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control logic is segmented into modular functional blocks that can be independently developed, tested, and configured. The programming software tool provides a graphical interface where control logic is built by assembling predefined functional modules (e.g., power flow control, voltage regulation, frequency control) rather than writing complex code from scratch, thereby reducing engineering effort while maintaining control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A programming software tool serves as an intermediary between the user and the microgrid controller. This software provides high-level abstraction layers including graphical programming interfaces, simulation environments, and automated code generation capabilities, which simplify the development process and reduce the complexity of directly programming the controller hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If control logic is developed through traditional programming methods, then functionality is achieved, but development and testing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol logic development efficiencyVSAvoidtime for developing and testing control logic

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system includes a simulation environment that allows control logic to be developed, tested, and validated in a virtual microgrid model before deployment to actual hardware. This preliminary testing phase identifies and resolves issues early in the development process, reducing iterative debugging time and accelerating the overall development cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The programming software tool creates automated code representations from graphical program configurations and simulation models. This copying process generates ready-to-deploy controller code from high-level design specifications, eliminating manual coding efforts and reducing development time while maintaining functional accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If microgrids operate in islanded mode with new energy resources, then operational flexibility improves, but control system requirements become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational modes and energy resource integrationVSAvoidcontrol system architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microgrid controller is designed with universal control algorithms that can operate in multiple modes (grid-connected and islanded) and support various energy resource types (renewable and non-renewable). The programming software tool provides standardized functional modules that automatically adapt to different operational scenarios, enabling the same control system to handle diverse energy resources without requiring mode-specific hardware or complex reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20220057769A1Programmable microgrid control system

Publication Date: 2022.02.24 OPERATION TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Provided herein are embodiments of a programmable microgrid control system that includes programming software tools capable of modeling, analyzing and monitoring power system especially AC, DC and hybrid microgrids. The monitoring feature of the software tool allows tools to communicate with a real system to acquire online data of power system assets such as conventional and renewable energy sources, transformers, and electrical loads.