Method and instrumentation for sustainable energy load flow management system performing as resilient adaptive microgrid system

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and instrumentation for predictive and adaptive controllers devised to ensure uninterrupted operation of standalone electrical supply systems powered by sustainable energy sources. The device, herein referred to as SelfMaster, is an expert system that manages the energy conversion, storage, and consumption in an isolated electric grid based on data collected during past and current operation of the system and predicted future states of the primary energy sources, storage level, and demand. The sustainable primary energy sources managed by SelfMaster may include, but are not limited to, wind force, solar radiation, and biofuels. The energy storage system is a combination of batteries, hydrogen, biofuel, and hot water tanks. Electric demand consists of critical, non-critical, and deferrable loads identified according to the activities supported by the supply system.

1 . A system and method of managing microgrids using Observer, Resource Estimator, Simulator, Scheduler, and Controller routines each considered as a separate virtual device created in the computer software as separate functions, comprising the steps of:
 using a processor of a computing device to check collected processed data to determine the status of the micro-grid;   using the processor to determine if an electric battery bank is full, and if so then to command channeling excess energy to be stored in non-electrical form;   using the processor to determine if a secondary energy storage system is full, and if so then to command diverting power into dummy loads;   if the battery bank is not full, then using the processor to determine the likely available energy given data collected and forecasted in an observer routine, the step using a resource estimator routine to determine an amount of likely available energy required for an adequate level of electric storage, and then to:
 i) run a load scheduler which limits use of deferrable loads by sending signals from a controlling computer to turn off deferrable loads according to priorities until a simulation indicates an adequate level of electric storage; 
 ii) then, if the level of electric storage is not indicated to be adequate, command on the use of the secondary energy storage system; then, 
 iii) provide alarms and alerts to the system management system showing the use of the secondary energy storage system; then, 
 iv) check the rate of the energy storage system and continue to use the auxiliary energy system until the rate changes in order to meet the adequate level of electric storage; 
 v) compare an amount of energy reserve in the secondary storage system and the observer routine to determine projected power coming into the system, and using the resource estimator routine to determine the amount of time the auxiliary storage system will provide the needed amount of energy and provide alerts and alarms to the system management system; 
   using the processor to determine if the auxiliary energy storage system continues to discharge, and if so then, determine priorities of critical loads and begin to reduce the critical loads, maintaining the power management and alert system as the most critical load; then   continue to send alarms and alerts to the management system;   using the processor to determine if the auxiliary management system continues to discharge at an unacceptable rate, and if so then begin the final safe and orderly shut down of the system while maintaining a minimum of power and system management of the system;   wherein each of the above steps utilizes at least one particular machine, said at least one particular machine comprising a computer and related industrial controls necessary to adjust power sources, storage systems and power using applications.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of collecting data to form a knowledge base for identification of actual component characteristics. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of the use of an expert system that learns the behavior of the components evaluating archived data. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising steps of estimating the future states of stochastic wind and solar resources, including temperature and precipitation, upon weather forecast data. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising a step of using multiple sensors positioned to receive wind speed, solar radiation, sky cover, precipitation, and shading factors. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising steps of assessing the amount of energy needed for critical loads in an energy system and considering the energy storage system itself as the most critical load to be maintained in order to protect the other critical loads. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of coordinating with a sponsored services routine whereby loads are provided to applications and users from accounts of those willing to pay for those loads. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of provisioning the microgrid with electromagnetic pulse protection. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-electric form comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methane, other gaseous or liquid fuels, biofuel production, thermal, kinetic, or potential energy. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-electric form comprises hot water. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-electric form comprises a flywheel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-electric form comprises compressed air or pumped water. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deferrable loads are comprised of one or more loads required for critical infrastructure or applications supported by the micro-grid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the deferrable loads comprise at least one load selected from the group: communications loads, HVAC loads, water systems loads; surveillance loads, monitoring and alarm systems loads; lighting system loads, access control loads, refrigeration loads, computer system loads, data storage system loads, and medical equipment loads. 
     
     
         14 . The method of claim  22 , wherein the loads are also provisioned with electromagnetic pulse protection so that the combination of the micro-grids and the loads can continue to operate in island-mode without power from the outside grid despite external electromagnetic interference.