Streaming Grid Control for Sub-Second Distributed Energy Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing variability in power flow and quality due to renewable resources and intermittent loads in electric power systems poses challenges for grid stability and reliability, with existing communication systems providing slow response times, making it difficult to effectively manage power supply and demand imbalances.
Innovation Solution
A fast control system utilizing bi-directional streaming data handlers (BSDHs) for low-latency communication over public networks, enabling sub-second feedback control of distributed energy resources such as battery storage, solar, wind, EV charging, and HVAC systems, with synchronized timestamps to ensure timely and ordered control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If existing secure network communications are used for grid control, then security is maintained, but response time becomes slow (more than a second or multiple seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a streaming protocol as an intermediary communication layer that enables fast data exchange between grid components while maintaining security through encrypted tunnels. The streaming protocol handler processes data in real-time streams, allowing sub-second response times without compromising the security architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into multiple layers: secure tunnel establishment for security-critical functions and streaming protocol for high-speed data exchange. This segmentation allows different security and performance requirements to be met in different communication channels simultaneously.
2Speed
If a local area network (LAN) is used for fast control of battery energy storage systems, then sub-second control is achieved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The streaming protocol is designed to be universally applicable across different grid components and communication infrastructures. It can operate over existing public networks, private networks, or hybrid architectures, eliminating the need for dedicated LAN infrastructure while achieving sub-second control responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical LAN infrastructure with a software-based streaming protocol that operates over standard network protocols. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized hardware and complex network configuration while maintaining fast response times through efficient data streaming mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data is transmitted over public networks for geographically distributed resources, then scalability is improved, but data loss and transmission time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The streaming protocol implements continuous data streaming with real-time transmission and processing. Data flows continuously from source to destination without interruption, ensuring that even geographically distributed resources maintain continuous communication with minimal data loss through the persistent connection and automatic reconnection capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations are directed to aspect(s) of a fast feedback control system that actively stabilizes a geographically dispersed power grid by e.g., providing capabilities to match supply and demand at a high update rate. Implementations enable fast measurements of properties of the power grid and fast control parameter(s) back to controllable resource(s) in the power grid, such as control parameter(s) back to battery storage units, solar generation curtailment, wind generation curtailment, EV charging systems, and/or HVAC systems. In various implementations, the fast measurements and/or the fast control parameters can continuously occur at an update rate that is faster than once per second, such as at an update rate greater than 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 Hz. For example, measurements from a controllable resource can be transmitted to a geographically remote parent controller at 60 Hz and responsive control parameters can be received at the controllable resource at 60 Hz.