Renewable Energy Plant Automatic Generation Control Forecasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are intermittent, making it difficult for electric power plants equipped with energy storage devices to predict and manage energy production effectively, which can disrupt the balance of electricity supply and demand in real-time within electrical grid systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine a forecast of predicted energy production by an electric power plant with a renewable energy resource and energy storage device, calculate the range of automatic generation controls (AGC) based on the forecast and current state of charge, and signal this range to a central utility controlling the power grid, allowing for optimized energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable energy resources are used to provide large scale electricity, then environmental effects are reduced, but intermittency reduces the ability to balance load and production in real time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining forecasts of predicted energy production and calculating ranges of automatic generation controls in advance of the time period. This allows the power plant to proactively communicate its capabilities to the central utility, enabling better real-time balancing of load and production despite the intermittent nature of renewable resources.
2Productivity
If forecasts of predicted energy production are determined and ranges of automatic generation controls are calculated and signaled to central utility, then energy distribution management is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a unified approach: determining forecasts of predicted energy production, detecting current state of charge, calculating ranges of automatic generation controls, and signaling this information to the central utility. This multi-functional integration improves energy distribution management while managing system complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for an operation of an electric power plant comprising a renewable energy resource and an energy storage device. The method may comprise determining, at a first time, a forecast of predicted energy production by the electric power plant over a time period subsequent to the first time based on a forecast for the time period; detecting a current state of charge of the energy storage device; calculating a range of automatic generation controls the electric power plant is capable of satisfying for the time period based on the forecast of predicted energy production and the detected current state of charge of the energy storage device; and signaling, from the electric power plant to a central utility controlling a power grid, the range of automatic generation controls the electric power plant is capable of satisfying for the time period.