VPP Controller Orchestration for RAN Backup Battery Grid Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in effectively utilizing radio access network element sites with backup batteries as additional power capacity providers to balance the power grid while maintaining radio network stability and optimizing utility.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a processor and memory that obtains site information and energy balancing data to determine control information for virtual power plants, optimizing utility while maintaining stability, and transmits this information to manage the use of radio access network elements as power capacity providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If back-up batteries of radio access network are used as additional power capacity providers to balance the power grid, then power grid balancing capability is improved, but radio network stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational status of back-up batteries between two states: registered as additional power capacity providers for grid balancing, or unregistered to maintain radio network stability. The VPP controller receives control information from the VPP manager that indicates whether to register or unregister specific battery units, enabling adaptive response to changing network and grid conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the VPP controller continuously monitors the operational status of back-up batteries and receives control information from the VPP manager based on power grid balancing needs and radio network stability requirements. This closed-loop control ensures that battery registration status is adjusted based on real-time conditions
2Productivity
If control information is transmitted to manage virtual power plant entities, then power grid balancing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the virtual power plant management into distinct functional entities: the VPP manager that makes high-level decisions about power grid balancing, the VPP controller that receives and executes control information, and individual battery units that provide power capacity. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified function while achieving complex overall behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The VPP controller acts as an intermediary between the VPP manager and the back-up batteries. It receives control information from the manager and translates it into appropriate registration or unregistration actions for specific battery units, simplifying the control interface while enabling sophisticated power grid balancing
Data Source
AI summary
Solutions to control use of back-up batteries of a radio access network in a virtual power plant are disclosed. In the solutions, a virtual power plant manager entity obtains site information on radio access network element sites, at least some of which are usable as additional power capacity providers in the virtual power plant, and energy balancing related information of a power grid using the virtual power plant. The virtual power plant manager entity determines, based at least on the site information and the energy balancing related information, for at least one virtual power plant entity for the virtual power plant, control information relating to the virtual power plant, the control information optimizing virtual power plant utility while maintaining radio network stability, and transmits said control information to the at least one virtual power plant entity.