Virtual Power Plant Trading With Heat Conversion for Output Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of distributed energy resources into power systems, particularly those using renewable energy sources, faces challenges in stabilizing output due to rapid variations in climate and weather, leading to imbalances in power supply and demand.

Innovation Solution

A power trading system and method for virtual power plants that analyze excess and insufficient power amounts due to output variations from distributed energy resources, and control power trading between virtual power plants, heat conversion devices, and renewable combined heat and power plants to stabilize system output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If distributed energy resources are integrated into the power system, then the proportion of new renewable energy sources increases and decentralized power generation is enabled, but the output becomes difficult to control and causes imbalance in power supply and demand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproportion of new renewable energy sourcesVSAvoidoutput stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a power trading device as an intermediary that mediates between distributed energy resources and the power system. This device analyzes excess and insufficient power amounts and controls power trading to stabilize output, resolving the contradiction by adding a controlling intermediary layer without reducing renewable energy integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the power trading device continuously analyzes the output of distributed energy resources, compares it with bidding generation amounts, and adjusts power trading accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system maintains output stability while allowing high proportions of renewable energy sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If energy storage systems (ESS) are used to store new renewable energy, then power supply stability can be improved, but the cost increases and economic feasibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoideconomic feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive energy storage systems with a virtual power plant approach that uses software-based power trading and control mechanisms. This virtual system provides stability without the high capital costs of physical energy storage infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The power trading device serves as a virtual intermediary that manages power flow and stabilizes supply without requiring physical energy storage components, thereby achieving reliability improvement without the associated costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If pumped-water power plants are used to store large-capacity power, then power storage capacity increases, but installation costs and operating costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower storage capacityVSAvoidinstallation and operating costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pumped-water power plant system with a virtual power plant that uses information technology and automatic control. This substitution achieves power storage and regulation capacity without the high installation and operating costs of large-scale mechanical infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If distributed energy resources operate independently, then installation flexibility and quick deployment are achieved, but output control and system stability become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidoutput control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independently operating distributed energy resources into a virtual power plant that is managed by a central power trading device. This combination maintains the installation flexibility of individual units while adding centralized control capability to manage output and ensure system stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution effectively stabilizes the output of power systems and virtual power plants by managing power fluctuations, minimizing waste, and ensuring stable energy supply through optimal power trading strategies.

Implementation Method 1

a heat conversion device connected to the power system and converting the power generated from the plurality of distributed energy resources into thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conversion: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12266933B2Power trading system of virtual power plant and power trading method of virtual power plant using the same

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 KOREA DISTRICT HEATING CORP

AI summary

A power trading system of virtual power plant includes a plurality of virtual power plants connected to a power system and including a distributed energy resource; a heat conversion device connected to the power system and converting the power generated from the plurality of distributed energy resources into thermal energy; and a power trading device configured to analyze an excess and insufficient power amount of the plurality of virtual power plant due to an output variation of the distributed energy resource, control power trading between the plurality of virtual power plant, the power system, or the heat conversion device by using the analysis result of the excess and insufficient power amount to stabilize the output of the power system and the virtual power plant.