Substation-Centric DER Communications for Secure Grid Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Distributed Energy Resource (DER) management systems rely on centralized architectures that are costly, complex, and not fully compliant with IEEE standards, lacking secure and efficient communication capabilities for advanced grid integration and control.
Innovation Solution
A distributed communications network and control system, DERCOM, with a three-tiered architecture (Edge DERM, Distributed DERM, and Centralized DERM) that enables secure, scalable, and cost-effective integration of DERs with the grid, using Integrated Powerline Communications and closed-loop control algorithms for real-time monitoring and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a centralized DERMS architecture is used, then control and management functionality is consolidated, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized DERMS architecture into distributed Edge DERM units deployed at individual DER locations and Distributed DERM controllers at substations. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex centralized system while maintaining automated control capabilities through distributed intelligence.
2Extent of automation
If a centralized DERMS architecture is used, then control functionality is consolidated, but upfront investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system breaks down the large upfront investment in centralized DERMS into smaller, modular Edge DERM units that can be deployed incrementally at individual DER locations, reducing initial capital requirements while maintaining control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables partial deployment where only critical Edge DERM units are installed initially, allowing the system to provide control functionality for essential DERs without requiring complete system deployment, thus reducing upfront investment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary implementations are used, then specific functionality can be achieved, but IEEE standard compliance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The Edge DERM and Distributed DERM controller are designed to universally support multiple IEEE 1547 communication protocols (DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850) and control functions, enabling the system to achieve proprietary functionality while maintaining standard compliance through multi-protocol capability.
4Loss of energy
If distributed Edge DERM units are deployed, then communications bandwidth requirements are reduced, but network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communications traffic into local processing at Edge DERM units and regional coordination at Distributed DERM controllers, reducing the bandwidth burden on the central utility network while managing infrastructure complexity through hierarchical organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The Distributed DERM controller acts as an intermediary between multiple Edge DERM units and the central utility system, aggregating communications and reducing overall network traffic while simplifying the infrastructure requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for a distributed communications and control network that manages Distributed Energy Resources (“DER”) on a power utility grid. An integrated network and system uses a hub and spoke, substation-centric network architecture, and comprises: a plurality of edge DER (“E-DERM”) devices, each E-DERM device located at a DER point of interconnection; a single substation DER controller (“D-DERM”) located at a utility substation and configured to manage the plurality of E-DERM devices; integrated point-to-point secured communications between the D-DERM and each of the plurality of E-DERM devices using dual-channel, redundant paths; and closed-loop control software algorithms running autonomously on the D-DERM at the utility substation to monitor and control DER connected to power lines emanating from the utility substation.