Vehicle Virtual Power Plant for Peak Grid Demand Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric grid infrastructure faces challenges in efficiently managing peak power demands, which leads to the need for costly and time-consuming construction of additional power plants, and is hindered by lengthy permitting processes for environmentally friendly options like wind, solar, and battery storage.
Innovation Solution
The use of power-agnostic mobile vehicles, including internal combustion, hybrid, fuel cell, and battery electric vehicles, to collectively transfer power back to the grid, forming a network that can act as a grid itself. This system includes a charge controller, an inverter, and a controller that monitors grid stability and energy costs, allowing for the selective transfer of energy from vehicles to the grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If additional power plants are constructed to meet maximum grid demand, then grid power capacity is improved, but construction time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple distributed energy resources (vehicles, home systems, commercial buildings) into a virtual power plant that functions as a unified grid resource. This aggregation allows the system to provide peak power capacity without constructing a single large power plant, thereby reducing construction time and cost while meeting grid demand requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual power plant system serves multiple functions: it provides peak power generation, enables two-way energy flow, supports grid stability, and allows flexible deployment across different locations. This multi-functionality replaces the need for dedicated peak power plants while providing additional grid services.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If environmentally friendly power sources are added to the grid, then sustainability is improved, but permitting delays extend implementation time
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power generation function across numerous small, distributed units (vehicles, home systems, commercial buildings) rather than requiring a single large centralized facility. This segmentation allows individual units to be deployed independently without undergoing lengthy centralized permitting processes, thereby accelerating environmental-friendly power deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual power plant enables distributed energy resources to autonomously manage their own power generation and export capabilities. Each participant can independently connect and contribute to the grid without requiring extensive centralized approval processes, reducing permitting delays while maintaining environmental sustainability.
3Productivity
If power is exported from distributed sources to the grid, then peak demand management is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual power plant controller acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of coordinating multiple distributed power sources. It aggregates power from various sources, manages bidirectional energy flow, and interfaces with the grid operator, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling efficient peak demand management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements bidirectional communication and control, allowing the grid operator to receive real-time information about available power from distributed sources and to send control signals back to optimize power export. This feedback mechanism enables efficient peak demand management while keeping system complexity manageable through automated control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the efficient management of peak power demands by utilizing vehicles to supply power back to the grid, reducing the need for costly infrastructure expansions and streamlining the integration of renewable energy sources, while also providing a flexible and responsive power supply.
Implementation Method 1
The inverter is configured to receive a signal transmitted by the charge controller; convert DC power to AC power; and export 5-500 kW of AC power from the power-generating apparatus to a grid
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the use of power-agnostic mobile vehicles, including internal combustion, hybrid, fuel cell, and battery electric vehicles, which can collectively transfer power back to the grid in ever larger and growing quantities of power. In other words, the present disclosure relates to the use of a network of vehicles to act as a grid.