Site-Aware DER Aggregation for Target Power Commitments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to effectively aggregate distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide coordinated responses to electricity grid demands, as they do not consider site-specific activities, DER sizes, and operating costs, leading to inefficient utilization and high costs in peak demand management.
Innovation Solution
A centralized aggregation engine coordinates with site controllers to optimize the aggregation of DERs, adjusting benefits and apportionment to ensure efficient participation from various sites, balancing costs and benefits to achieve a target power change while minimizing overall electricity-related costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional centralized VPP systems aggregate DERs without considering site-specific factors, then coordination capability is improved, but cost efficiency and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the VPP into hierarchical layers: a centralized coordination layer for aggregate demand response and a distributed site controller layer for local optimization. Each site controller independently manages its own DERs based on local conditions (site activities, DER sizes, operating costs), while the centralized layer coordinates aggregate responses. This segmentation allows coordination at the system level while maintaining cost efficiency at the local level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by enabling each site controller to make decisions based on site-specific factors such as local DER capacities, operating costs, and scheduled activities. The site controllers optimize local DER utilization according to local conditions rather than applying uniform centralized control, thereby improving cost efficiency while maintaining overall coordination through the aggregate response mechanism.
2Power
If additional T&D systems are constructed to meet peak demand, then power delivery capability is improved, but infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple distributed energy resources across different sites into a virtual power plant that functions as a unified resource. By aggregating DERs from numerous sites and coordinating their collective response, the VPP creates a virtual infrastructure that can deliver power during peak demand without requiring physical expansion of T&D systems. This combining approach provides the necessary power delivery capability while avoiding the high costs of additional infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If independent DERs operate autonomously without aggregation, then operational simplicity is maintained, but grid stability and coordinated response capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces site controllers as intermediary components between independent DERs and the centralized VPP system. These site controllers autonomously manage local DERs based on simple local conditions, maintaining operational simplicity at the DER level. Simultaneously, the site controllers aggregate local responses and communicate with the centralized coordination layer, enabling grid stability and coordinated response capability without requiring complex direct control of each individual DER.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods of apportioning an aggregate maneuver are disclosed. An aggregation engine receives aggregation opportunity information requesting an aggregate change in power of one or more sites. The aggregation engine transmits participation opportunity information to a plurality of site controllers. The participation opportunity information indicates a site benefit for providing a site change in power. The aggregation engine receives commitment information from the plurality of site controllers, the commitment information indicating levels of commitment of the plurality of site controllers to contribute site change in power to a target change in power of the aggregation opportunity. The aggregation engine further transmits updated participation opportunity information including an adjusted proposed site benefit or adjusted proposed site change in power until an aggregate change in power of the one or more sites is within a threshold level of the target change in power.