Transactive Grid Control for Distributed Power Flow Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power grid management systems face challenges in predicting power flow changes at distributed locations without global knowledge of the power system, relying on central solvers that are inefficient for decentralized operations and large-scale geographic areas with diverse resources and loads.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a distributed relative power flow method that allows nodes to allocate generation or load changes among neighbors using transactive signals, including price-like and power signals, enabling parallel computation and decentralized decision-making without global system knowledge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional centralized power grid management is used, then global system knowledge is available for decision-making, but system complexity and computational inefficiency increase for decentralized operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal system knowledgeVSAvoidcentralized control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized control system into distributed transactive nodes that operate autonomously. Each node segments the global system knowledge into local information, making decisions based on neighborhood interactions rather than requiring access to complete global system state. This segmentation reduces computational complexity while maintaining decision-making capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Transactive nodes are designed to make autonomous decisions without relying on centralized control. Each node independently evaluates local conditions, formulates transactive signals, and executes control actions based on predefined objectives and constraints. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex centralized coordination while preserving essential system knowledge locally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If distributed decision-making is implemented, then operational efficiency and resilience improve, but ability to predict power flow changes without global knowledge deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidpower flow prediction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where transactive nodes continuously monitor local power flow conditions and adjust their decisions accordingly. Nodes exchange transactive signals with neighbors that encode information about local generation, load, and power flow states. This feedback loop enables accurate local prediction of power flow changes without requiring global system knowledge, maintaining measurement precision while preserving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enhances local decision-making quality by equipping each transactive node with specialized algorithms tailored to local conditions. Nodes use local quality information (generation capabilities, load characteristics, network topology) to make precise predictions about power flow changes in their immediate vicinity. This local quality approach maintains prediction accuracy for distributed operations without requiring centralized global knowledge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If transactive signals are exchanged between neighbors, then decentralized coordination is achieved, but communication overhead and signal formulation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecentralized coordination capabilityVSAvoidsignal formulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal transactive signal formulations that can be applied across all transactive nodes regardless of their specific local conditions. The same basic signal structure and exchange protocol work for diverse node types (generation nodes, load nodes, storage nodes) and various grid configurations. This universality achieves adaptable decentralized coordination while avoiding the need for complex node-specific signal formulations, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11468460B2Transactive control framework and toolkit functions

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 BATTELLE MEMORIAL INST

AI summary

Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.