Real-Time Grid Settlement for Active Energy Participation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric power grid management systems lack real-time registration and settlement capabilities for grid elements, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in tracking and compensating micro-scale energy contributions, with costs often borne by consumers rather than utility providers.
Innovation Solution
A system that registers and manages grid elements through network-based communication, using a Coordinator for real-time data processing and settlement, enabling active grid elements to participate in the electric power grid with real-time or less than 15-minute settlement intervals, and communicates with energy management systems, utilities, and market participants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual and non-real-time settlement is used with significant estimation or modeled data, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of settlement data deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual settlement processes with automated electronic settlement systems. The system automatically collects, processes, and settles transaction data in real-time or near-real-time, eliminating manual data entry and estimation. This substitution of automated electronic systems for manual processes resolves the contradiction by providing both automation (reducing operational complexity) and precise measurement (improving settlement data accuracy through actual meter readings rather than estimates).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback loops where settlement data is continuously collected from actual meter readings, processed, and used to adjust and improve settlement accuracy. The system provides feedback on actual versus estimated data, enabling continuous refinement of settlement processes. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by ensuring high measurement precision through actual data while maintaining system efficiency through automated processing.
2Loss of time
If settlement is collected and settled over a period of time with estimation data, then loss of time in processing is reduced, but loss of information and measurement precision worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by collecting and processing settlement data in real-time or near-real-time intervals rather than waiting for periodic batch processing. The system preliminarily processes data as it becomes available, ensuring that actual contribution data is captured and settled promptly. This approach resolves the contradiction by minimizing information loss while maintaining efficient processing through continuous rather than periodic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing continuous data collection and settlement processing rather than periodic batch processing. The system continuously monitors, collects, and settles transaction data in real-time intervals, eliminating gaps where information might be lost or estimated. This continuous operation resolves the contradiction by preserving actual contribution data accuracy while maintaining efficient settlement processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If micro-scale distributed supply sources are integrated into the grid, then adaptability and productivity of the grid improve, but device complexity and difficulty of tracking and managing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by implementing a standardized registration and tracking system that handles diverse micro-scale distributed supply sources through common procedures and interfaces. The system provides multi-functional capabilities to register, track, and settle transactions for various types of distributed resources (solar, wind, storage, etc.) using unified processes. This universal approach resolves the contradiction by enabling high grid adaptability through diverse resource integration while managing complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediaries in the form of aggregation points and intermediary systems that manage multiple distributed supply sources. These intermediaries consolidate data from numerous small sources and interface with the central settlement system, reducing the complexity burden on the core system. The intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by enabling extensive grid adaptability through multiple distributed sources while simplifying tracking and management through hierarchical aggregation.
4Measurement precision
If real-time or less than 15-minute settlement intervals are implemented, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but productivity requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing standardized settlement intervals (real-time or less than 15-minute intervals) for data collection and processing. The system operates on regular periodic cycles to collect, process, and settle transaction data, ensuring consistent measurement precision while maintaining predictable processing loads. This periodic approach resolves the contradiction by achieving high settlement accuracy through frequent intervals while managing productivity requirements through structured, predictable processing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the settlement interval to be dynamically adjusted based on grid conditions, resource types, and operational requirements. The system can operate at different time resolutions (real-time, 15-minute, or other intervals) depending on the specific application needs. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling high measurement precision when needed while flexibility allows optimization of processing throughput based on actual operational demands.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for market-based financial settlement in an electric power grid are disclosed. A settlement processor is constructed and configured for IP-based communication with at least one active grid element via at least one coordinator. The at least one active grid element is registered with the at least one coordinator to participate within the electric power grid. The at least one coordinator tracks the at least one active grid element in the electric power grid. The at least one active grid element transmits at least one IP-based settlement message to the settlement processor via the at least one coordinator. The at least one IP-based settlement message comprises at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit, and the at least one KWP unit is based on measurement data for a participation of the at least one active grid element in the electric power grid. The settlement processor provides a market-based financial settlement for the participation of the at least one active grid element based on the at least one KWP unit in real time or near real time.