Renewable Heating Load Switching for Grid Surplus Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy supply networks face challenges in dynamically distributing excess electrical energy from fluctuating renewable sources, leading to potential network overload and inefficiencies in using cheap energy.

Innovation Solution

An energy supply network with distribution devices that measure and forecast renewable energy capacity, enabling switching between conventional and regenerative energy sources for heating, and remotely controlling heating devices to optimize energy distribution and utilization across multiple consumers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If excess regenerative energy is used to switch on heating devices, then regenerative energy utilization is improved, but network load distribution becomes unbalanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregenerative energy utilizationVSAvoidnetwork load distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements regional control by dividing the energy supply network into different regions and controlling heating devices locally in specific regions where excess regenerative energy is available. This allows targeted utilization of excess energy in localized areas without causing unbalanced load distribution across the entire network, as each region independently manages its own heating load based on local regenerative energy availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If remote-controlled appliance control devices are used, then energy cost optimization is improved, but flexibility to react to regenerative energy surplus is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy cost optimizationVSAvoidflexibility to react to regenerative energy surplus
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system transitions from static, pre-programmed appliance control to dynamic control that continuously monitors regenerative energy availability and network conditions. The system dynamically adjusts heating device operation in real-time based on current excess regenerative energy levels, allowing flexible and immediate response to varying energy surplus conditions while maintaining cost optimization through intelligent load management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously receives information about regenerative energy production levels and network conditions, then adjusts heating device operation accordingly. This closed-loop control enables the system to react flexibly to excess regenerative energy by automatically switching on heating devices when surplus energy is detected, thereby improving both adaptability and energy cost optimization simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If a single wind turbine is directly coupled to a consumer, then excess energy utilization is improved, but optimized dynamic distribution to multiple consumers is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcess energy utilizationVSAvoidoptimized dynamic distribution system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is designed with multi-functionality to manage heating devices from multiple different consumers within a single energy supply network. Instead of being limited to controlling appliances for a single consumer, the system can dynamically allocate excess regenerative energy to heating devices across multiple consumers based on their individual needs and network conditions, thereby enabling optimized dynamic distribution while maintaining efficient excess energy utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for efficient distribution of excess renewable energy, reducing fossil fuel consumption, stabilizing the network, and lowering heating costs by converting excess electricity into thermal energy, thus optimizing energy use and network load management.

Implementation Method 1

a flow heater (9), in particular an immersion heater (9), for heating heating water or service water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a heat pump (10), in particular an air-to-water heat pump (10), for heating heating water or service water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat pump:

Implementation Method 3

a fuel-based heat generator (8) with a fuel tank (7) for heating heating water or service water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2579415B1Energy supply network and control process for distributing regeneratively generated electric energy
Publication Date: 2015.08.12 ENBW ENERGIE BADEN WURTTEMBERG AG
  • EP2579415B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2579415B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2579415B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an energy supply network (10) for distributing electrical energy from conventional P (12) and regenerative energy sources S, W (14) for supplying a plurality of consumers CC, CP (20). The supply network (10) comprises at least one, in particular several, distribution devices E (28), which can measure and predict an energy supply from the regenerative energy sources S, W (14). At least some of the consumers CC, CP (20) have a heating device (24) in which a switching device (26) can be used to switch between heating with conventional heating fuel and heating with electricity on the basis of a control signal from the distribution device E. In a secondary aspect, a relevant heating device (24), a distribution device E (28) and a control method are proposed in which a distribution device E (28) sends a control signal for switching when an increased energy capacity of the regenerative energy sources S, W (14) is forecast the heating device (24) to an electricity-based heat generation and after determining a falling energy capacity below a predeterminable value outputs a control signal to switch the heating device (24) back to a fuel-based heat generation.