Virtual Energy Storage for Wind Power Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind power generation systems face challenges in providing commercially viable and reliable electricity due to variability in wind speed, leading to difficulties in storing excess energy and maintaining grid frequency stability, which limits their competitiveness with fossil fuel-based power plants.
Innovation Solution
A system that incorporates a virtual energy storage mechanism and a co-active converter to stabilize wind turbine output, allowing for reliable frequency control and reactive power management, enabling the conversion of wind power into 'premier power' that is fungible and can be traded on the market, using a renewable energy control center processor to coordinate with hydroelectric or other energy sources for energy balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wind power is used as a variable power generation source, then environmental benefits are improved (no fossil fuel burning, no nuclear waste), but power production control and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a balance provider as an intermediary entity that manages the variability of wind power by coordinating between wind farms and the power grid. This balance provider uses forecasting tools and trading mechanisms to smooth out fluctuations, making wind power more reliable while preserving its environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements power forecasting and advance trading mechanisms that allow wind power production to be predicted and contracted in advance. By performing preliminary actions (forecasting, forward contracts), the system prepares for variable wind conditions ahead of time, improving reliability without compromising environmental performance.
2Reliability
If physical energy storage is implemented to store excess wind power, then power reliability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing physical storage systems, the patent creates a virtual copy of storage through financial contracts and trading mechanisms. The balance provider uses forward contracts and power options to replicate the effect of energy storage without the physical infrastructure, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of energy storage from physical (tangible) to virtual (contractual). By transforming storage from a physical state to a financial instrument state, the system achieves the same reliability function with reduced complexity and cost.
3Stability of the object's composition
If wind power variability is addressed through traditional methods, then power stability is improved, but commercial competitiveness deteriorates due to high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic trading mechanisms and flexible contracts that adapt to real-time wind conditions and market prices. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain power stability while optimizing commercial value through real-time adjustments, improving competitiveness compared to static traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance provider performs multiple functions simultaneously: power forecasting, trading, balancing, and stabilization. This multi-functional approach consolidates various stability-maintaining functions into a single entity, reducing overall system cost and improving commercial competitiveness while maintaining power stability.
4Productivity
If wind farms are aggregated into large farms, then power production scale is improved, but control difficulty and reliability problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large wind farm into smaller controllable units that are individually monitored and managed by the balance provider. This segmentation allows each unit to be controlled independently, reducing overall control difficulty while maintaining the aggregate production scale benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and computer program product enhance the commercial value of electrical power produced from a wind turbine production facility. Features include the use of a premier power conversion device that provides an alternative source of power for supplementing an output power of the wind turbine generation facility when lull periods for wind speed appear. The invention includes a communications infrastructure and coordination mechanism for establishing a relationship with another power production facility such that when excess electrical power is produced by the wind turbine facility, the excess may be provided to the power grid while the other energy production facility cuts back on its output production by a corresponding amount. A tracking mechanism keeps track of the amount of potential energy that was not expended at the other facility and places this amount in a virtual energy storage account, for the benefit of the wind turbine facility. When, the wind turbine power production facility experiences a shortfall in its power production output it may make a request to the other source of electric power, and request that an increase its power output on behalf of the wind turbine facility. This substitution of one power production facility for another is referred to herein as a virtual energy storage mechanism. Furthermore, another feature of the present invention is the use of a renewal power exchange mechanism that creates a market for trading renewable units of power, which have been converted into “premier power” and/or “guaranteed” by secondary sources of power source to provide a reliable source of power to the power grid as required by contract.