Microgrids with dynamically configurable boundaries including multiple main grid feeder coupling locations and methods of operating the same

• US 10,447,038 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2017
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation (University of Tennessee)
• Original Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation (University of Tennessee)
• Inventors: Wang, Fei, Shi, Xiaojie, Tolbert, Leon M., Ma, Yiwei, Liu, Yilu, Zhu, Lin
• Primary Examiner(s): Connolly, Mark A
• Application Number:
  US15/809,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20190148941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/04 for connecting networks of the same frequency but supplied from different sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

An energy system includes a microgrid including a network of at least one distributed energy resource and a plurality of loads, the at least one distributed energy resource being configured to supply power to the plurality of loads. The microgrid is configurable to connect to one of a plurality of feeder circuits of a main power grid at one of a plurality of coupling interface locations, respectively. The microgrid is also configurable to expand or shrink its power supply area according to the available power generation capabilities.

Claims

1. An energy system, comprising:

a microgrid comprising a network of at least one distributed energy resource and a plurality of loads, the at least one distributed energy resource being configured to supply power to the plurality of loads, the microgrid being configurable to connect to one of a plurality of feeder circuits of a main power grid at one of a plurality of coupling interface locations, respectively;

wherein the microgrid, responsive to an event, is further configured to disconnect from a first one of the plurality of feeder circuits at a first one of the plurality of coupling interface locations of the main power grid, to determine a power distribution between power supplied by the at least one distributed energy resource and power supplied via a second one of the plurality of feeder circuits of the main power grid, and to connect to a second one of the plurality of feeder circuits at a second one of the plurality of coupling interface locations.

2. The energy system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of coupling interface locations comprises a plurality of alternating current bus circuits, respectively.

3. The energy system of claim 1, wherein the microgrid is configured to change a topology of the network in response to an event.

4. The energy system of claim 3, wherein the microgrid is further configured to increase a number of the plurality of loads in the network in response to the event.

5. The energy system of claim 3, wherein the microgrid is further configured to decrease a number of the plurality of loads in the network in response to the event.

6. The energy system of claim 3, wherein the microgrid is further configured to disconnect from all of the plurality of feeder circuits of the main power grid in response to the event.

7. The energy system of claim 3, wherein the event is a fault within the network;

and

wherein the microgrid is further configured to select the second one of the plurality of feeder circuits of the main power grid based on economic value, environmental impact, or reliability.

8. The energy system of claim 3, wherein the event is a fault outside of the network;

and

wherein the microgrid is further configured to change a number of the plurality of loads in the network in response to the event.

9. The energy system of claim 3, wherein the event comprises a power service interruption or a variation in power generated by the at least one distributed energy resource.

10. The energy system of claim 1, wherein the at least one distributed energy resource comprises an energy storage system, a photovoltaic power generation system, a wind turbine power generation system and/or a renewable resource power generation system.

11. A method, comprising:

providing a microgrid comprising a network of at least one distributed energy resource and a plurality of loads;

supplying power to the plurality of loads using the at least one distributed energy resource; and

connecting the microgrid to one of a plurality of feeder circuits of a main power grid at one of a plurality of coupling interface locations, respectively, responsive to an event;

wherein the event comprises a determination of a cost of power provided by the main power grid the plurality of feeder circuits and a determination of a cost of power provided by the at least one distributed energy resource.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

changing a topology of the network in response to the event.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

changing a number of the plurality of loads in the network in response to the event.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

disconnecting from a first one of the plurality of feeder circuits at a first one of the plurality of coupling interface locations; and

connecting to a second one of the plurality of feeder circuits at a second one of the plurality of coupling interface locations in response to the event.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

disconnecting from all of the plurality of feeder circuits of the main power grid in response to the event.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the event comprises a power service interruption or a variation in power generated by the at least one distributed energy resource.

17. A method, comprising:

providing a microgrid comprising a network of at least one distributed energy resource and a plurality of loads;

supplying power to the plurality of loads using the at least one distributed energy resource;

performing, responsive to an event, operations comprising;

disconnecting the microgrid from a first one of a plurality of feeder circuits at a first one of a plurality of coupling interface locations of a main power grid;

determining a power distribution between power supplied by the at least one distributed energy resource and power supplied via a second one of the plurality of feeder circuits of the main power grid; and

connecting to a second one of the plurality of feeder circuits at a second one of the plurality of coupling interface locations.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

changing a topology of the network in response to the event.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

changing a number of the plurality of loads in the network in response to the event.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

dynamically changing the power supply area of the microgrid responsive to the event;

wherein the event comprises a variation in power generated by the at least one distributed energy resource.

21. An energy system, comprising:

a microgrid comprising a network of at least one distributed energy resource and a plurality of loads, the at least one distributed energy resource being configured to supply power to the plurality of loads, the microgrid being configurable to connect to one of a plurality of feeder circuits of a main power grid at one of a plurality of coupling interface locations, respectively, in response to an event;

wherein the event comprises a determination of a cost of power provided by the main power grid through the plurality of feeder circuits and a determination of a cost of power provided by the at least one distributed energy resource.

22. The energy system of claim 21, wherein the plurality of coupling interface locations comprises a plurality of alternating current bus circuits, respectively.

23. The energy system of claim 21, wherein the microgrid is configured to change a topology of the network in response to the event.

24. The energy system of claim 21, wherein the microgrid is further configured to disconnect from all of the plurality of feeder circuits of the main power grid in response to the event.

25. The energy system of claim 21, wherein the event is a fault within the network, the microgrid is further configured to disconnect from a first one of the plurality of feeder circuits at a first one of the plurality of coupling interface locations of the main power grid, and to connect to a second one of the plurality of feeder circuits at a second one of the plurality of coupling interface locations in response to the event;

and

wherein the microgrid is further configured to select the second one of the plurality of feeder circuits of the main power grid based on economic value, environmental impact, or reliability.

26. The energy system of claim 21, wherein the event further comprises a fault outside of the network;

and

wherein the microgrid is further configured to change a number of the plurality of loads in the network in response to the event.