Three-Terminal Power Distributor for Grid Volatility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The volatility of renewable energy sources and consumer demands in electricity grids leads to reliability issues, necessitating a system that can dynamically manage power distribution to balance short-term fluctuations and ensure stable energy supply.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power distributor with a circuit having at least three terminals, each with a power controller, communication device, and control means that adjusts power flows based on real-time data from sources and sinks, enabling orchestration of power profiles to match demand and supply, using a combination of boost and buck converters for bidirectional power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If buffer storage means are used to compensate for volatility in renewable energy sources and consumer demands, then reliability of power supply is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system is segmented into multiple independent terminals (at least three terminals) that can be individually controlled. Each terminal can independently manage power flow between sources and sinks, allowing the system to handle volatility through distributed control rather than a single complex buffer storage mechanism. This segmentation enables flexible reconfiguration of power paths to match demand fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic power controllers at each terminal that can adjust power flow in real-time based on current supply and demand conditions. The electrical connections between terminals are configured to allow flexible current flow paths that can be dynamically reconfigured. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to compensate for volatility without requiring large buffer storage capacities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If power controllers adjust electric power flowing by way of respective terminals in dependence on time, then adaptability to demand fluctuations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each terminal in the system is equipped with a universal power controller that can perform multiple functions: regulating power flow, adjusting voltage levels, and coordinating with other terminals. These multi-functional controllers reduce the need for specialized components for each function, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high adaptability to various demand scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where power controllers continuously monitor the state of sources and sinks and adjust their operation accordingly. This feedback-driven control enables automatic adaptation to demand fluctuations without requiring complex centralized control, as each terminal independently responds to real-time conditions based on feedback from the network.
3Productivity
If control means calculates and controls electric power flowing by way of each terminal based on received data, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but measurement and control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Power flow measurement and control are segmented into discrete terminal-level operations. Each terminal's power controller independently measures and controls its own power flow, rather than requiring centralized measurement of the entire network. This segmentation simplifies the measurement task at each point while achieving overall system efficiency through coordinated terminal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each terminal's power controller performs self-measurement and self-control of its power flow based on local conditions and data received from the network. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external measurement systems, as each terminal autonomously monitors and adjusts its own power flow to maintain optimal distribution efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power distributor for an electricity grid comprising an electrical distributor circuit having at least three terminals, wherein sources and sinks for electrical energy can be connected to the terminals, and wherein the three terminals are electrically connected together in such a way that an electric current can flow from each of the terminals to each of the other terminals. Each of the terminals has a respective power controller which is so adapted that in operation of the power distributor the electric power P(t) flowing by way of the respective terminal can be adjusted in dependence on time t. The control means is connected to each of the power controllers, and it calculates the electric power P(t) flowing by way of each of the terminals in dependence on the data received from the sources or sinks.