How to Smartly Manage Power in Small Grids with Renewable Energy
This patent describes a method for quickly and efficiently planning how different energy sources (like solar, wind, and batteries) work together in a small, local power grid, especially when renewable energy output changes unexpectedly.
Original patent title: “Method for real-time scheduling of multi-energy complementary micro-grids based on rollout algorithm”
This patent describes a method for quickly and efficiently planning how different energy sources (like solar, wind, and batteries) work together in a small, local power grid, especially when renewable energy output changes unexpectedly. Granted to Southeast University in 2021 with 6 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2037.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent outlines a four-step method (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1) for real-time scheduling of "multi-energy complementary micro-grids." First, it sets up a "moving-horizon Markov decision process model" to represent the micro-grid's scheduling problem, considering unpredictable "new-energy outputs" and defining various "constraint conditions" like battery limits and power exchange with the main grid. Second, it establishes a "target function" to minimize the micro-grid's operating cost. Third, it divides the scheduling into smaller intervals and finds an initial, basic plan using a "greedy algorithm." Finally, it refines this basic plan using a "Rollout algorithm" to achieve a high-speed, efficient real-time schedule. For example, in a small community micro-grid with solar panels, wind turbines, and a battery, this method could instantly decide whether to use solar power, charge the battery with wind, or buy/sell electricity from the main grid, all while keeping costs low and adapting to sudden changes in weather.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover scheduling methods that do not use a "moving-horizon Markov decision process model" for the micro-grid.
- Does not cover scheduling methods that do not establish a "target function" specifically aiming for minimum operating cost.
- Does not cover scheduling methods that do not use a "greedy algorithm" to find an initial basic feasible solution.
- Does not cover scheduling methods that do not use a "Rollout algorithm" to find the final solution based on the basic feasible solution.
- Does not cover micro-grid scheduling that ignores specific constraints like battery operating limits or power exchange limits with the main grid.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever bit is combining a "greedy algorithm" for an initial feasible solution with a "Rollout algorithm" to quickly refine it within a "moving-horizon Markov decision process model." This approach allows for high-speed, efficient real-time scheduling of complex micro-grids, even when new energy sources fluctuate unpredictably, overcoming the slowness of traditional methods.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
University campus micro-grids
Military base micro-grids
Remote island power systems
Industrial park micro-grids
Community energy projects with renewables and storage
Why it matters
The bigger picture
The patent addresses a crucial challenge in integrating renewable energy: its unpredictable nature. By offering a faster and more efficient scheduling method, it helps micro-grids manage fluctuating wind and solar power more effectively. This is important for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving grid stability in local energy systems. Efficient real-time scheduling can lower operational costs for micro-grids, making them more economically viable for communities and businesses.
Filed
November 8, 2017
Granted
August 17, 2021
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Southeast University, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is actively researching and developing in this field. Companies like Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Eaton, which develop micro-grid management systems and energy management software, would be interested in or building upon similar real-time optimization techniques. Academic researchers in power systems, control theory, and artificial intelligence are also continuously advancing these methods.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the ongoing development of more resilient and sustainable energy systems. By providing a more efficient way to manage micro-grids with fluctuating renewable inputs, it helps enable wider adoption of distributed energy resources. The method aims to reduce operational costs and improve reliability, making micro-grids a more attractive solution for various applications, from remote communities to urban districts.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent outlines a four-step method (Claim 1) for real-time scheduling of "multi-energy complementary micro-grids." First, it sets up a "moving-horizon Markov decision process model" to represent the micro-grid's scheduling problem, considering unpredictable "new-energy outputs" and defining various "constraint conditions" like battery limits and power exchange with the main grid. Second, it establishes a "target function" to minimize the micro-grid's operating cost. Third, it divides the scheduling into smaller intervals and finds an initial, basic plan using a "greedy algorithm." Finally, it refines this basic plan using a "Rollout algorithm" to achieve a high-speed, efficient real-time schedule. For example, in a small community micro-grid with solar panels, wind turbines, and a battery, this method could instantly decide whether to use solar power, charge the battery with wind, or buy/sell electricity from the main grid, all while keeping costs low and adapting to sudden changes in weather.
The clever bit
The clever bit is combining a "greedy algorithm" for an initial feasible solution with a "Rollout algorithm" to quickly refine it within a "moving-horizon Markov decision process model." This approach allows for high-speed, efficient real-time scheduling of complex micro-grids, even when new energy sources fluctuate unpredictably, overcoming the slowness of traditional methods.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover scheduling methods that do not use a "moving-horizon Markov decision process model" for the micro-grid.
- Does not cover scheduling methods that do not establish a "target function" specifically aiming for minimum operating cost.
- Does not cover scheduling methods that do not use a "greedy algorithm" to find an initial basic feasible solution.
- Does not cover scheduling methods that do not use a "Rollout algorithm" to find the final solution based on the basic feasible solution.
- Does not cover micro-grid scheduling that ignores specific constraints like battery operating limits or power exchange limits with the main grid.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
4/20
Moderate scope
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$21K – $67K
Midpoint $42K · 11.3 yr remaining · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
6 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
YAN, J., Wang, K., ZENG, A., Xu, K., Wu, L., Sun, L., XIANG, T., Jiang, L., XU, Q., Qi, Y., Li, G., HUO, X., Zhao, B., Ma, S., ZHAO, H., & Wang, X. (2021). How to Smartly Manage Power in Small Grids with Renewable Energy (U.S. Patent No. 11,095,127). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11095127/method-for-real-time-scheduling-of-multi-energy-complementary-micro-grids-based-
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Smartly Manage Power in Small Grids with Renewable Energy cover?
This patent describes a method for quickly and efficiently planning how different energy sources (like solar, wind, and batteries) work together in a small, local power grid, especially when renewable energy output changes unexpectedly.
Who owns patent US 11095127?
Southeast University owns this patent, granted in 2021.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on November 8, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
The patent addresses a crucial challenge in integrating renewable energy: its unpredictable nature. By offering a faster and more efficient scheduling method, it helps micro-grids manage fluctuating wind and solar power more effectively. This is important for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving grid stability in local energy systems. Efficient real-time scheduling can lower operational costs for micro-grids, making them more economically viable for communities and businesses.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover scheduling methods that do not use a "moving-horizon Markov decision process model" for the micro-grid.
Patent monitoring