Virtual power plant system and method incorporating renewal energy, storage and scalable value-based optimization
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for distributing electrical energy to a location having an energy storage device and an electrical load, comprising:
- identifying a value hierarchy for the location, the value hierarchy having at least two objectives prioritized relative to one another;
calculating an objective function based on values comprising at least one of electricity rates, power market values, and electrical load for the location,identifying an optimized solution for charging or discharging the energy storage device based on the objective function;
controlling the distribution of electrical energy to the energy storage device for charging according to the optimized solution based on the objective function; and
controlling the distribution of electrical energy from the energy storage device for discharging according to the optimized solution;
wherein the objective function is optimized using periodic and aggregate constraints determined based on a lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy and then optimized using revised periodic and aggregate constraints determined based on at least one objective prioritized above the lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy, andwherein the optimized solution is performed to minimize a total energy cost at the location.
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Abstract
Methods and systems provided for creating a scalable building block for a virtual power plant, where individual buildings can incorporate on-site renewable energy assets and energy storage and optimize the acquisition, storage and consumption of energy in accordance with a value hierarchy. Each building block can be aggregated into a virtual power plant, in which centralized control of load shifting in selected buildings, based on predictive factors or price signals, can provide bulk power for ancillary services or peak demand situations. Aggregation can occur at multiple levels, including developments consisting of both individual and common renewable energy and storage assets. The methods used to optimize the system can also be applied to “right size” the amount of renewable energy and storage capacity at each site to maximize return on the capital investment.
55 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for distributing electrical energy to a location having an energy storage device and an electrical load, comprising:
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identifying a value hierarchy for the location, the value hierarchy having at least two objectives prioritized relative to one another; calculating an objective function based on values comprising at least one of electricity rates, power market values, and electrical load for the location, identifying an optimized solution for charging or discharging the energy storage device based on the objective function; controlling the distribution of electrical energy to the energy storage device for charging according to the optimized solution based on the objective function; and controlling the distribution of electrical energy from the energy storage device for discharging according to the optimized solution; wherein the objective function is optimized using periodic and aggregate constraints determined based on a lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy and then optimized using revised periodic and aggregate constraints determined based on at least one objective prioritized above the lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy, and wherein the optimized solution is performed to minimize a total energy cost at the location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for distributing electrical energy, comprising:
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a renewable energy generator configured to generate electricity; an energy storage device configured to selectively store electricity from an electrical power grid and the renewable energy generator, the energy storage device being configured to supply electricity to a location; a transfer system configured to direct the flow of electricity between the grid, the energy storage device, and the renewable energy generator; and a controller operably coupled to the transfer system and configured to direct the transfer system to permit the flow of electricity to and from the energy storage device, the controller also being configured to determine when electricity from the renewable energy generator and power grid are to be used to power the location or charge the energy storage device according to an optimized solution determined based upon an objective function subject to periodic and aggregate constraints, the objective function determined at least in part based on values comprising at least one of electricity rates, power market values, and electrical load for the location, the periodic and aggregate constraints determined at least in part based on a value hierarchy having at least two objectives prioritized relative to one another, wherein the objective function is optimized using periodic and aggregate constraints determined based on a lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy and then optimized using revised periodic and aggregate constraints determined based on at least one objective prioritized above the lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy, and wherein the optimized solution is performed to minimize a total energy cost at the location. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-implemented method for optimizing the acquisition, storage, and consumption of electrical energy in an energy storage device at a location where the electrical energy is consumed, comprising:
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identifying a value hierarchy for a network of locations including the location, the value hierarchy including at least two objectives prioritized relative to one another; calculating an objective function for each location in the network of locations based on values comprising at least one of electricity rates, power market values, and electrical load for each location in the network of locations; identifying an optimized solution for charging or discharging the energy storage device at the location based on the objective function for the location; and charging or discharging the energy storage device at the location based on the optimized solution; wherein the objective function is optimized using periodic and aggregate constraints determined based on a lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy and then optimized for each location using revised periodic and aggregate constraints determined based on at least one objective prioritized above the lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy such that a benefit to the network of locations is maximized by each location, and wherein the optimized solution is performed to minimize a total energy cost at another location in the network of locations. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification