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 in an area having an energy storage device and an electrical load, comprising:
- identifying a value hierarchy for the location and at least one other location in the area, the value hierarchy having at least two objectives prioritized relative to one another;
calculating an objective function based on actual and predicted values, the actual and predicted values each comprising at least one of (1) electricity rates, (2) weather data, and (3) electrical load for the location,identifying periodic and aggregate constraints;
controlling the distribution of electrical energy to the energy storage device for charging based on the objective function; and
controlling the distribution of electrical energy from the energy storage device for discharging based on the objective function;
wherein the objective function is optimized for a lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy based on the periodic and aggregate constraints 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.
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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.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for distributing electrical energy to a location in an area having an energy storage device and an electrical load, comprising:
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identifying a value hierarchy for the location and at least one other location in the area, the value hierarchy having at least two objectives prioritized relative to one another; calculating an objective function based on actual and predicted values, the actual and predicted values each comprising at least one of (1) electricity rates, (2) weather data, and (3) electrical load for the location, identifying periodic and aggregate constraints; controlling the distribution of electrical energy to the energy storage device for charging based on the objective function; and controlling the distribution of electrical energy from the energy storage device for discharging based on the objective function; wherein the objective function is optimized for a lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy based on the periodic and aggregate constraints 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. 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 building structure at a location; a transfer system configured to direct the flow of electricity between the grid, the energy storage device, and the renewable energy generator; 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 building structure or charge the energy storage device based upon an objective function subject to periodic and aggregate constraints determined at least in part based on a value hierarchy for the location and at least one other location in the area and at least in part based on actual and predicted values, the value hierarchy having at least two objectives prioritized relative to one another, the actual and predicted values each comprising at least one of (1) electricity rates, (2) weather data, and (3) electrical load for the location, wherein the objective function is optimized for a lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy based on the periodic and aggregate constraints 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. - View Dependent Claims (12, 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 based on actual and predicted values for electricity rates and charges for each location in the network of locations; identifying periodic and aggregate constraints 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 optimized 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 for a lowest priority objective in the value hierarchy based on the periodic and aggregate constraints 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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification