UPS Energy Routing With Smart Contracts for Stranded Storage Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The capacity of uninterruptible power supply (UPS)-associated energy storage systems is underutilized due to their reliance on grid power, leading to stranded capacity, especially in applications like data centers, despite advancements in lithium ion battery technology.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an energy routing circuit and controller in UPS systems to manage energy distribution using smart contracts, allowing peer-to-peer energy exchange and storage, enabling efficient energy arbitrage, peak load shaving, and decentralized backup through a decentralized ledger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If UPS systems rely on grid power for primary operation, then operational simplicity is maintained, but energy storage capacity remains underutilized and stranded
Solution Approach 1:
The UPS system is enhanced with multi-functionality to serve both traditional backup power functions and distributed energy resource functions. The energy storage device can operate in multiple modes: providing backup power during grid outages, storing excess grid energy, and participating in energy arbitrage by discharging during peak pricing periods. This multi-functional capability resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational simplicity while significantly improving energy storage utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller acts as an intermediary between the UPS system, grid, and energy storage device. The controller manages the complex energy routing decisions, smart contract executions, and coordination with grid operators, thereby shielding the user from complexity while enabling advanced energy storage utilization. This intermediary approach allows the system to participate in energy arbitrage and peak shaving without compromising operational simplicity for end users.
2Duration of action of moving object
If energy storage capacity is increased in UPS systems, then backup duration is extended, but stranded capacity increases when grid reliability is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational mode of the energy storage device based on real-time grid conditions, pricing signals, and load requirements. During grid outages, the system provides full backup power. During grid stability with high pricing, it discharges for energy arbitrage. During low pricing periods, it charges from the grid. This dynamic operation ensures that increased storage capacity is continuously utilized rather than remaining stranded, while maintaining extended backup duration when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters based on external conditions including grid pricing signals, load profiles, and grid stability. By responding to pricing parameters, the system transforms the energy storage from a static backup resource into a dynamic asset that can be deployed for multiple purposes including energy arbitrage, peak shaving, and backup power, thereby eliminating stranded capacity while maintaining backup duration capability.
3Productivity
If UPS systems participate in energy arbitrage and grid services, then value accrual is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as an intermediary that manages all complex interactions with the grid, smart contracts, and energy routing. It handles communication with grid operators, executes smart contracts for energy arbitrage, and coordinates energy flow between multiple sources and loads. This centralized intermediary approach enables value accrual through energy arbitrage and grid services while shielding users from the underlying system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The UPS system autonomously manages energy arbitrage operations, peak shaving, and load balancing without requiring manual intervention. The controller automatically responds to pricing signals, executes trades, and adjusts energy routing based on real-time conditions. This self-service capability enables value accrual through sophisticated energy management while maintaining operational simplicity for users who benefit from automated value generation.
4Productivity
If multiple smart contracts are implemented for energy exchange, then energy distribution efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as a centralized intermediary that manages multiple smart contracts and energy routing decisions. It coordinates energy exchanges between the UPS, grid, and external entities, automatically executing multiple contracts to optimize energy distribution. This intermediary approach improves energy distribution efficiency through sophisticated multi-contract management while consolidating control complexity within a single management unit rather than distributing it across multiple independent systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes an energy routing circuit coupled to a grid and an energy storage device and configured to selectively provide energy to a first load from the grid and the energy storage device based on a state of the grid. The UPS further includes a controller configured to control the energy routing circuit and to implement a first UPS node configured to establish and execute a first smart contract for energy exchange with a first consumer node associated with the first load and at least one second smart contract for energy exchange with at least one of a grid node associated with the grid and a second consumer node associated with a second load coupled to the grid via a second UPS.