Virtual Power Plant Heat Conversion for Renewable Output Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to stabilize the output of virtual power plants due to the variability of distributed energy resources, such as renewable energy sources, which cause imbalances in power supply and demand, and the limitations of existing energy storage systems like ESS and pumped-water power plants in terms of cost, capacity, and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A virtual power plant system that incorporates a heat conversion device and a management system to adjust output variations by predicting power generation, analyzing output errors, and controlling heat production or consumption based on real-time data from distributed energy resources, using a heat conversion device to stabilize the power supply and store excess energy for later use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If distributed energy resources are used to increase renewable energy proportion, then energy sustainability is improved, but output stability deteriorates due to rapid output changes depending on climate and weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat conversion device as an intermediary component between distributed energy resources and the power grid. This device converts excess electrical energy from renewable sources into thermal energy for heating purposes, mediating the imbalance between variable renewable output and stable power supply requirements. The heat conversion device acts as a buffer that absorbs excess energy during high generation periods and maintains system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy form parameter from electrical energy to thermal energy through the heat conversion device. By converting excess electricity into heat, the system transforms the problematic variable electrical output into usable thermal energy, thereby stabilizing the electrical grid while utilizing renewable energy. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by accepting energy in a different form that is less sensitive to output variability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If Energy storage system (ESS) is used to store renewable energy, then power supply stability is improved, but cost increases and capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from the electrical domain and relocates it to the thermal domain. Instead of storing electrical energy in batteries with limited capacity, the system extracts excess energy and stores it as thermal energy in heating systems, which can accommodate much larger energy quantities. This extraction approach bypasses the capacity limitations of conventional ESS.
3Quantity of substance
If pumped-water power plant is used to store large-capacity power, then storage capacity is improved, but installation cost and operating cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs heat conversion devices that are relatively inexpensive and can be deployed at distributed locations near renewable energy sources. Rather than investing in expensive large-scale pumped storage infrastructure, the system uses multiple smaller, cheaper heat conversion units that can be installed more easily and at lower cost, achieving similar energy buffering capabilities through distributed deployment.
4Stability of the object's composition
If heat conversion device is used to convert power to thermal energy, then output variation is reduced, but energy conversion loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts what would be wasted excess electrical energy into useful thermal energy for heating purposes. Instead of simply dissipating the excess energy from renewable sources, the system transforms it into a beneficial byproduct that can be utilized for heating, thereby turning the harm of energy conversion loss into a useful resource and improving overall system efficiency.
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 approach minimizes output fluctuations, maintains stable power supply, prevents energy waste by storing heat energy, and optimizes bidding power generation, effectively addressing the instability caused by variable renewable energy sources while reducing the environmental impact and costs associated with traditional energy storage methods.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conversion device that receives power generated from the plurality of distributed energy resources and converts the power into thermal energy
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual power plant system using a heat conversion device includes a plurality of distributed energy resources connected to a virtual power plant; a virtual power plant output adjustment device connected to the virtual power plant and including a heat conversion device that receives power generated from the plurality of distributed energy resources and converts the power into thermal energy, a virtual power plant management device configured to conduct a bidding by predicting an expected power generation amount of the plurality of distributed energy resources, analyze output variation and error of the virtual power plant due to an output variation of the plurality of distributed energy resources, and stabilize an output variation of the virtual power plant by controlling a power consumption amount of the virtual power plant output adjustment device based on the analysis result.