Systems and methods for rapidly responding to commanded power profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of renewable energy sources into power grids faces challenges due to their volatility, making it difficult for traditional grid control systems to accurately forecast and manage power demand.
Innovation Solution
A distributed power system with an aggregator that communicates with multiple nodes, each with an associated load, calculates scores based on current operating power and selects a subset of nodes to adjust their power consumption in response to commanded power deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional grid control systems are used to manage power demand, then system simplicity is maintained, but the ability to accurately forecast and manage power demand from volatile renewable energy sources deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grid control system is segmented into multiple distributed nodes, each independently calculating scores and making local decisions about power adjustment. This distributes the computational burden and improves forecasting accuracy through localized intelligence while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by calculating scores based on current operating power and adjusting power consumption of selected nodes. This allows the system to adapt to volatile renewable energy inputs and improve demand forecasting accuracy through real-time parameter optimization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If load-side control is implemented to optimize collective power consumption, then adaptability to renewable energy volatility improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load-side control system is divided into autonomous nodes that independently calculate scores and adjust power consumption. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to renewable energy volatility through distributed intelligence while keeping individual node complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic load-side control where nodes continuously calculate scores based on current operating conditions and adjust power consumption in real-time. This dynamic approach enhances adaptability to renewable energy volatility while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
3Speed
If all nodes adjust power consumption simultaneously in response to commanded power deviations, then response speed improves, but system stability deteriorates due to lack of selective control
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform power adjustment across all nodes, the system applies local quality control by calculating individual scores for each node and selectively adjusting only those nodes with scores above a threshold. This localized selective control maintains system stability while achieving rapid response to commanded power profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial action by selecting only a subset of nodes for power adjustment based on calculated scores, rather than adjusting all nodes simultaneously. This selective approach prevents excessive system-wide changes that could compromise stability while maintaining sufficiently fast response speed through targeted adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a distributed power system is provided, the system including an aggregator communicatively coupled to a plurality of nodes, each of the plurality of nodes including an associated load. The method includes receiving, at the aggregator, a commanded power profile from an independent service operator, the commanded power profile including a commanded power deviation for the distributed power system, calculating, using the aggregator, a score for each of the plurality of nodes based on a current operating power of each node, selecting, using the aggregator, a subset of the plurality of nodes based on the calculated scores, and commanding, using the aggregator, each node in the subset to adjust its current power by a respective predetermined amount, the predetermined amounts determined based on the commanded power deviation.