Virtual Microgrid Islanding for Net-Zero Grid Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microgrids face challenges in maintaining near-net-zero or net-zero energy exchange with macrogrids while connected, necessitating load shedding and physical disconnection for stability, which can lead to undesirable consequences like blackouts.

Innovation Solution

A control system and method that enables a microgrid to operate in a virtual island mode or partial virtual island mode, balancing local loads and sources while connected to the macrogrid, allowing near-net-zero or net-zero energy exchange, using a control device with a processor and memory to manage energy flow and load shedding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If load shedding is performed to maintain stability during grid abnormalities, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to power loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrogrid stabilityVSAvoidpower supply continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device pre-calculates and prepares virtual islanding operations before grid abnormalities occur. By anticipating potential grid issues and pre-positioning the microgrid for autonomous operation, the system can transition to virtual islanding mode without actual load shedding, thereby maintaining both reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary between the microgrid and macrogrid, managing the energy exchange and enabling virtual islanding. This intermediary function allows the microgrid to maintain stability during grid abnormalities without requiring physical disconnection or load shedding, thus preserving both reliability and continuous power supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If physical disconnection is used to achieve net-zero energy exchange, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrogrid independenceVSAvoidislanding mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical disconnection system with a control-based virtual islanding system. Instead of physically disconnecting switches and breakers, the control device manages energy flow to achieve net-zero exchange, maintaining microgrid independence while avoiding the complexity of physical islanding mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes the operational parameters of the microgrid by dynamically adjusting energy exchange with the macrogrid to achieve net-zero conditions. This parameter-based control approach provides microgrid independence without requiring physical disconnection, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If virtual islanding is implemented to maintain near-net-zero energy exchange, then productivity is improved by avoiding blackouts, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply continuityVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a grid-connected operation manager and a virtual islanding controller. By consolidating these functions into a single universal control system, the patent achieves productivity improvement through continuous power supply while managing device complexity through functional integration rather than multiplication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If load shedding is performed to achieve stability, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but loss of substance increases due to energy waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid instability impactVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control device converts the potential harm of grid instability into a beneficial operational mode by enabling virtual islanding. Instead of allowing grid abnormalities to cause instability requiring load shedding, the system transforms these conditions into opportunities for autonomous operation, eliminating energy waste while protecting against grid instability impacts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20250300465A1Energy management systems, devices, and methods for virtually islanding a microgrid

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling operation of a microgrid. The systems and methods include a control device, wherein the control device is configured to operate the microgrid in a state where the microgrid has a near-net-zero or net-zero energy exchange with a macrogrid while the microgrid is physically and electrically connected to the macrogrid. The methods can provide a smooth transition from the grid connected energy setpoints to the islanded requirement of net-zero power transaction.