Transactive Mechanism for Grid Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrical power distribution systems face challenges in reconfiguring power distribution after an outage due to voltage and rating limits on equipment, limiting the ability to restore service to end-use customers effectively, especially during extreme events where local grid constraints such as voltage differentials and thermal overloading prevent switching operations.
Innovation Solution
A transactive mechanism is implemented using distributed energy resources (DERs) to adjust voltage across the power grid, allowing for targeted voltage differences to be reached, thereby stabilizing the grid and enabling switching operations. This involves a distribution management system (DMS) that monitors the grid, determines necessary adjustments, and uses incentive signals to engage non-utility DERs to support load restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If switching operations are performed to restore service after an outage, then the number of customers receiving service increases, but voltage and rating limits on equipment constrain the reconfiguration ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transactive mechanism as an intermediary between the distribution management system and distributed energy resources. This mechanism uses market-based incentive signals (demand curves and supply curves) to coordinate voltage adjustments from multiple DERs, enabling switching operations that would otherwise be constrained by voltage limits without requiring direct control of each DER
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of distributed energy resources by adjusting their voltage output levels in response to transactive incentive signals. By dynamically modifying the voltage parameter of DERs, the system creates favorable conditions for switching operations and expands the range of feasible reconfiguration options
2Adaptability or versatility
If voltage adjustments are made to enable switching operations, then operational flexibility increases, but coordination of multiple DERs is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the distribution management system publishes demand curves indicating the voltage adjustments needed, DERs submit supply curves showing their capabilities, and the system processes these responses to determine incentive signals. This closed-loop feedback enables coordinated voltage adjustments from multiple DERs while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The transactive mechanism enables distributed energy resources to self-coordinate their voltage adjustments based on market-based incentive signals rather than requiring centralized direct control. Each DER independently determines its voltage output based on the published demand curve and its own supply capabilities, reducing the coordination burden on the distribution management system
3Measurement precision
If transactive mechanisms are used to coordinate DERs, then voltage control precision improves, but communication and market processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by implementing transactive mechanisms only for specific switching operations that benefit from coordinated voltage adjustments, rather than applying the full market-based approach to all grid operations. This selective application achieves precise voltage control when needed while avoiding unnecessary communication overhead during routine operations
Data Source
AI summary
Computing apparatus and methods to increase operational flexibility in an energy distribution system include using a transactive mechanism to adjust voltage supplied to a power grid by one or more distributed energy resources (DERs). In some examples of the disclosed technology, the transactive mechanism is configured to cause the one or more DERs to adjust a corresponding supply of voltage to the power grid in order to reach a targeted voltage difference across terminals of a switching device of the power grid, thereby enabling the switching device to be switched to increase reliability of the power grid.