Vehicular Microgrid Clustering for Coordinated Grid Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques fail to effectively scale up the discharge of surplus electricity from vehicles to the main electric grid, leading to inefficient and uncoordinated energy transfer that does not benefit the grid optimally.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an intelligent vehicular microgrid system that accumulates surplus electricity in an intermediate battery and uses machine learning to determine the optimal time for discharging this energy back to the main electric grid, thereby coordinating energy transfer for maximum benefit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If vehicles discharge surplus electricity directly to the main electric grid using existing techniques, then individual vehicles can contribute energy, but the system cannot be effectively scaled up to a large number of vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of vehiclesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple vehicles into a coordinated cluster that operates as a unified energy resource. By forming a vehicular microgrid where vehicles are grouped and managed collectively, the system can aggregate surplus electricity from multiple sources and discharge it coordinately to the main grid, enabling effective scaling while maintaining manageable complexity through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a microgrid controller as an intermediary between individual vehicles and the main electric grid. This mediator coordinates energy discharge from multiple vehicles, manages cluster formation, and optimizes timing for grid interaction, thereby enabling scalable multi-vehicle participation without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If vehicles discharge surplus electricity independently to the main electric grid, then energy transfer occurs, but the discharge is uncoordinated and does not benefit the grid optimally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the microgrid controller monitors the main electric grid's energy needs and adjusts vehicle discharge timing accordingly. The controller receives information about grid conditions and coordinates vehicle participation to discharge surplus electricity when the grid requires it most, optimizing energy transfer efficiency and ensuring timely, beneficial contributions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by having vehicles join the vehicular microgrid cluster in advance and prepare their surplus electricity for coordinated discharge. The system pre-organizes vehicles into clusters and schedules their energy contribution based on predicted grid needs, allowing optimized timing rather than reactive, uncoordinated discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a cluster of vehicles is formed to coordinate energy discharge, then scalability and coordination improve, but the system requires complex communication and clustering management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordination reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the microgrid controller a universal coordinating entity that handles multiple functions: cluster formation, communication management, energy discharge coordination, and grid interaction. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single versatile component rather than requiring separate specialized systems for each function, thereby improving reliability while managing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 intelligent vehicular microgrid to provide non-negligible assistance to the main electric grid at times of high demand, improving the operational efficiency and alleviating the load on the grid.

Implementation Method 1

accumulates surplus electricity in an intermediate battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS20250192561A1Method of forming a cluster of vehicles to form a microgrid

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 VOLVO CAR CORP

AI summary

Systems/techniques that facilitate intelligent vehicular microgrids are provided. A system having a memory that stores computer executable components and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components comprise a communication component that receives a message from one or more vehicles, wherein the message comprising an indication to discharge energy, a grid component that adds the one or more vehicles to form a cluster of vehicles that provided the indication to discharge electricity, and the communication component that broadcasts a request to join the cluster of vehicles upon formation the cluster.