Patent Description:
An electrical grid, especially a large one such as a national or a transnational electrical grid requires careful control in order to balance the electricity production from generating stations to the grid and the electricity consumption from the grid by consumers: electricity production to the grid needs to match the electricity consumption from the grid in order to keep the grid operational, whereas in a practical situation instantaneous electricity production and electricity consumption do not fully match each other.

In general, in a balanced condition of the grid the frequency of alternating current (AC) transferred via the grid remains at a nominal system frequency, which e.g. in the European electrical grids is typically <NUM>, whereas any imbalance between the production and consumption results in a small deviation from the nominal system frequency: in case the consumption exceeds the production (i.e. the grid is heavily loaded) the AC frequency in the grid falls below the nominal system frequency, whereas in case the production exceeds the consumption (i.e. the grid is lightly loaded) the AC frequency in the grid raises above the nominal system frequency. Since exact balancing of instantaneous production and consumption in a complex network is practically impossible, a minor deviation between the nominal system frequency and the AC frequency of the grid is typically allowed while still considering the grid to be in a normal operational state. As an example, assuming the nominal system frequency of <NUM>, the AC frequency of the grid may be allowed to vary between <NUM> and <NUM> while still considering the grid to be in the normal operational state.

Typically, the grid operator aims at ensuring balance in the grid via planning the production and consumption within the network in advance, for example, on a daily basis and/or an hourly basis, e.g. via agreements made with entities producing and consuming electric power. Nevertheless, in a real-life environment the electricity production and consumption do not fully match the planned/agreed ones and, consequently, the AC frequency of the grid involves temporary deviations from the nominal system frequency on regular basis despite any planning. In this regard, a known technique for facilitating balance in the grid in such circumstances involves usage of a power balancing reserve (PBR) that is able to increase or decrease its planned power supply to or power demand from the grid in dependence of the AC frequency of the grid.

Depending on the type of provided PBR function, a PBR entity may carry out one or both of the following:.

The operation of the PBR entity needs to be carefully controlled in order to ensure providing a required power balancing function for the grid also over a prolonged period of time. As examples in this regard, the requirement for the power balancing function may arise from current operational state of the grid (e.g. in terms of the AC frequency of the grid deviating from the nominal system frequency) and/or from any regulations or agreements concerning the power consumed by the PBR entity and changes thereof over time. Consequently, controlling operation of the PBR entity such that all relevant technical and regulatory requirements are met requires careful design. In contrast, a failure to meet such requirements may result in compromised operation of the grid or even in disturbances in supply of electrical energy via the grid.

In related art, <NPL> provides an analysis of provision of fast frequency response with BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) in Germany, Great Britain and Sweden.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for controlling a power balancing reserve for an electrical grid in a manner that enables providing continuous power balancing operation over a prolonged time period. According to an embodiment, a power balancing reserve (PBR) apparatus for an electrical grid is provided, the PBR apparatus comprising: an energy storage for storing electrical energy and having a minimum allowable state of charge, SoC, level and a maximum allowable SoC level defined therefor; and a controller for controlling transfer of electrical energy between the energy storage and the electrical grid in dependence of an observed AC frequency of the electrical grid in view of said minimum and maximum allowable SoC levels using one of a plurality of operating modes via adjustment of an instantaneous charging power that indicates the amount of electric power currently transferred from the electrical grid to the energy storage, the controller arranged to: receive, before starting a first time period respective indications of a first operating mode selected for the first time period and a second operating mode selected for a second time period, where the first and second time periods are consecutive time periods in a sequence of time periods of predefined duration and where the second time period follows the first time period in said sequence, and control the instantaneous charging power during the first time period in accordance with one or more power adjustment rules defined for the first operating mode, wherein said controlling is carried out according to a predefined schedule and in dependence of said observed AC frequency, wherein the controller is further arranged to: define, before starting the first time period, a target state of charge, SoC, level of the energy storage for the end of the first time period at least partially in dependence of the second operating mode selected for the second time period; derive, before starting the first time period, a first nominal charging power for the first time period at least in dependence of an initial SoC level of the energy storage in the beginning of the first time period and said target SoC level; and control, during the first time period according to said predefined schedule, the instantaneous charging power during the first time period in view of the first nominal charging power in accordance with the one or more charging power adjustment rules defined for the first operating mode.

According to another embodiment, a method for providing a power balancing reserve (PBR) for an electrical grid is provided, the method comprising: storing electrical energy in an energy storage that has a minimum state of charge, SoC, level and a maximum SoC level defined therefor; controlling transfer of electrical energy between the energy storage and the electrical grid in dependence of an observed AC frequency of the electrical grid in view of said minimum and maximum allowable SoC levels using one of a plurality of operating modes via adjustment of an instantaneous charging power that indicates the amount of electric power currently transferred from the electrical grid to the energy storage; receiving, before starting a first time period, respective indications of a first operating mode selected for the first time period and a second operating mode selected for a second time period, where the first and second time periods are consecutive time periods in a sequence of time periods of predefined duration and where the second time period follows the first time period in said sequence; and controlling the instantaneous charging power during the first time period in accordance with one or more power adjustment rules defined for the first operating mode, wherein said controlling is carried out according to a predefined schedule and in dependence of said observed AC frequency, wherein said controlling comprises: defining, before starting the first time period, a target state of charge, SoC, level of the energy storage for the end of the first time period at least partially in dependence of the second operating mode selected for the second time period; deriving, before starting the first time period, a first nominal charging power for the first time period at least in dependence of an initial SoC level of the energy storage in the beginning of the first time period and said target SoC level; and controlling, during the first time period according to said predefined schedule, the instantaneous charging power during the first time period in view of the first nominal charging power in accordance with the one or more charging power adjustment rules defined for the first operating mode.

According to another embodiment, a computer program for measuring wind speed is provided, the computer program comprising computer readable program code configured to cause performing at least the method according to the embodiment described in the foregoing when said program code is executed on one or more computing apparatuses.

The computer program according to the above-described example embodiment may be embodied on a volatile or a non-volatile computer-readable record medium, for example as a computer program product comprising at least one computer readable non-transitory medium having the program code stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more computing apparatuses, causes the computing apparatuses at least to perform the method according to the example embodiment described in the foregoing.

The exemplifying embodiments of the invention presented in this patent application are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" and its derivatives are used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features described hereinafter are mutually freely combinable unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Some features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. Aspects of the invention, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of some example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of some logical elements that are coupled to an electrical grid <NUM> according to an example. The electrical grid <NUM> comprises an interconnected network that enables transfer and distribution of electric power from producers to consumers. In the example of <FIG>, the electrical grid <NUM> has coupled thereto power producer entities <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> for generation of electric power for delivery via the electrical grid <NUM> and power consumer entities <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> for consuming the electric power generated by the power producer entities <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. In this regard the power producer entities <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> represent a plurality of power producer entities and the power consumer entities <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> represent a plurality of power consumer entities. In the example of <FIG> the electrical grid <NUM> further has a power balancing reserve (PBR) system <NUM> coupled thereto, which operates to one of supply electrical power to the electrical grid <NUM> or consume electrical power from the electrical grid <NUM> in dependence of an observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> in order to contribute towards balancing the state of the electrical grid <NUM>. The PBR system <NUM> represents one or more PBR systems that may be coupled to the electrical grid <NUM>. Hence, a power balancing functionality results from concurrent operation of a plurality of PBR systems <NUM> that are coupled to the electrical grid <NUM> and that operate to adjust their respective power supply to the electrical grid <NUM> and/or power demand from the electrical grid <NUM> in dependence of the observed AC frequency f(t) of the grid with the aim of brining the observed AC frequency f(t) towards a nominal system frequency fmid of the electrical grid <NUM>.

The plurality of power producer entities may comprise respective power stations or power plants for production of electric power while the plurality power consumer entities may comprise any industrial, commercial and/or private establishment that consume the electric power. The electrical grid <NUM> may be alternatively referred to as an electric grid, as a power grid or, simply, just as a grid. The electrical grid <NUM> may be provided for transfer and distribution of alternating current (AC) at a predefined nominal system frequency fmid, which may be, for example, <NUM> (e.g. in Europe) or <NUM> (e.g. in the United States). Along the lines described in the foregoing, in the course of operation of the electrical grid <NUM> the actual AC frequency in the electrical grid <NUM> may serve as an indication of the operational state of the electrical grid <NUM>: observed AC frequency f(t) that is below the nominal system frequency fmid serves as an indication of a condition where the (overall) power consumption from the electrical grid <NUM> exceeds the power supply to the electrical grid <NUM>, whereas observed AC frequency f(t) that is above the nominal system frequency fmid serves as an indication of a condition where the (overall) power supply to the electrical grid <NUM> exceeds the power consumption from the electrical grid <NUM>.

As further described in the foregoing, the electrical grid <NUM> may be considered to be in a normal operational state even though the observed AC frequency f(t) differs from the nominal system frequency fmid of the electrical grid <NUM>. In this regard, a range of AC frequencies around the nominal system frequency fmid of the electrical grid <NUM> that are considered to represent the normal operational state of the electrical grid <NUM> may be referred to as a nominal system frequency range, which may cover frequencies from flo to fhi, where flo < fmid and fhi > fmid. Hence, an observed AC frequency f(t) that is within the nominal system frequency range serves to indicate the normal operational state of the electrical grid <NUM>, whereas an observed AC frequency f(t) that is outside the nominal system frequency range may be considered as a disturbance state (or an abnormal operational state) of the electrical grid <NUM>. The nominal system frequency range may be defined, for example, by an operator of the electrical grid <NUM> and/or it may be set based at least in part on applicable regulatory requirements (e.g. ones applicable in the geographical location at which the electrical grid <NUM> is operated). In a non-limiting example, assuming the nominal system frequency fmid of <NUM>, the nominal system frequency range may extend from <NUM> to <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of some logical elements of a PBR apparatus <NUM> that may serve as the PBR apparatus <NUM> shown the example of <FIG>. In the example of <FIG>, the PBR apparatus <NUM> is shown with an energy storage <NUM> for receiving and supplying electric power and a controller <NUM> for controlling transfer of electric power from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM> and/or transfer of electric power from the energy storage <NUM> to the electrical grid <NUM>. Hence, the energy storage <NUM> comprises a rechargeable energy storage, such as a single rechargeable battery or a battery system comprising two or more rechargeable batteries. The controller <NUM> may selectively control or adjust the transfer of electric power between the energy storage <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM>. In this regard, the supply of electric power from the energy storage <NUM> to the electrical grid <NUM> may be referred to as discharging the energy storage <NUM> and the PBR apparatus <NUM> may be considered to be in a discharging state when discharging electrical power from the energy storage <NUM> to the electrical grid <NUM>. Along similar lines, the supply of electric power from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM> may be referred to as charging the energy storage <NUM> and the PBR apparatus <NUM> may considered to be in a charging state when the energy storage <NUM> is receiving electrical power from the electrical grid <NUM>. Moreover, in case no discharging or charging of the energy storage <NUM> is taking place, the PBR apparatus <NUM> may be considered to be in an idle state.

The amount of electric power transfer between the energy storage <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM> may be indicated as an instantaneous charging power Pin(t), which may be changed over time by the controller <NUM>. In this regard, positive values of the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) indicate charging of the energy storage <NUM> using electric power drawn from the electrical grid <NUM>, whereas negative values of the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) indicate discharging electric power from the energy storage <NUM> to the electrical grid <NUM>. Consequently, a related measure is an instantaneous discharging power Pout(t) = -Pin(t), for which a positive value indicates discharging electric power from the energy storage <NUM> to the electrical grid <NUM> and a negative value indicates charging of the energy storage <NUM> using electric power drawn from the electrical grid <NUM>.

For notational convenience, in the following the transfer of electric power between the electrical grid <NUM> and the energy storage <NUM> is predominantly described via referring to the instantaneous charging power Pin(t), regardless of the transfer of electric power involving charging or discharging of the energy storage <NUM>. Consequently, depending on a currently applied instantaneous charging power Pin(t), the aspect of decreasing the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) may comprise one of the following:.

Along similar lines, depending on a currently applied instantaneous charging power Pin(t), the aspect of increasing the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) may comprise one of the following:.

The relative amount of electrical energy currently stored in the energy storage <NUM> may be indicated via its state of charge (SoC), in other words an SoC level C(t) of the energy storage may be applied to indicate the amount of electrical energy currently stored in the energy storage <NUM>. The SoC level C(t) may be expressed, for example, as a percentage of the predefined overall capacity of the energy storage <NUM> and/or as an absolute amount of electrical energy available in the energy storage <NUM> (e.g. as kilowatt-hours (kWh)). In the following examples any measures related to the SoC of the energy storage <NUM> are predominantly referred to as respective percentages of the overall capacity of the energy storage <NUM>, while these examples readily translate into ones that consider respective measures using a measure of electrical energy such as kWh. The energy storage <NUM> may have an allowable range of SoC levels (allowable SoC range in short) assigned therefor, whereas the controller <NUM> may be arranged to ensure controlling the charging and discharging of the energy storage <NUM> such that the SoC level C(t) of the energy storage <NUM> remains within the allowable SoC range. The allowable SoC range may be defined via a pair of a lower SoC limit Cmin and an upper SoC limit Cmax, which may be alternatively referred to as a minimum allowable SoC level Cmin and a maximum allowable SoC level Cmax, respectively. In various examples, the lower SoC limit Cmin may be <NUM>% or a non-zero value that is less than the upper SoC limit Cmax, whereas the upper SoC limit Cmax may be <NUM> % or a value that is lower than <NUM> % but larger than the lower SoC limit Cmin. In a further non-limiting example pertaining to using one or more rechargeable batteries to provide the energy storage <NUM>, the lower SoC limit Cmin may be in a range from <NUM> to <NUM> %, e.g. <NUM> % and the upper SoC limit Cmax may be in a range from <NUM> % to <NUM> %, e.g. <NUM> %. The lower SoC limit Cmin that is above zero and the upper SoC limit Cmax that is below <NUM> % may be set due to physical characteristics of the battery in order to increase battery life and/or to ensure sufficient charging/discharging rate throughout the allowable SoC range.

In a first scenario, the PBR apparatus <NUM> may be arranged to operate in a single operating mode during a plurality of consecutive time periods of a time schedule such that one or more operating parameters of the PBR apparatus <NUM> are fixed throughout a time period but they may be changed from one time period to another. In this regard, respective values of a first subset of the one or more operating parameters may be selected in advance for the plurality of time periods and/or respective values of a second subset of the one or more operating parameters may be set upon starting the respective time period (or upon completing the time period preceding the respective time period). The time schedule hence consists of a sequence of time periods and the time periods of the time schedule preferably have a fixed predefined duration that is the same from one time period to another. In an example, the time schedule may comprise a given day and the plurality of time periods therein may comprise respective time portions of the given day, e.g. the hours of the given day or the half-an-hour periods of the given day). The pre-selection of the time periods of the time schedule for application of the single operation mode of the PBR apparatus <NUM> using the respective parameter value(s) may be based, for example, on an agreement between respective operators of the PBR apparatus <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM>.

As an example, the single operating mode of the first scenario may be one where the controller <NUM> is arranged to operate the PBR apparatus <NUM> to provide a frequency containment reserve (FCR) function via adjusting the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in dependence of the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM>, e.g. in dependence of a difference between the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> and the nominal system frequency fmid of the electrical grid <NUM> in view of the allowable SoC range in order to facilitate keeping the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> at or close to the nominal system frequency fmid when the electrical grid <NUM> is in its normal operational state. Without losing generality, the FCR function according to such an operating mode may be referred to as a FCR function for normal operational state of the electrical grid <NUM> (FCR-N function) and, consequently, this operating mode may be referred to as a FCR-N mode of the PBR apparatus <NUM>.

According to an example, operation of the PBR apparatus <NUM> in the FCR-N mode may be limited to conditions where the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> remains within the nominal system frequency range (e.g. the range from <NUM> to <NUM> in case of the <NUM> nominal system frequency fmid). Consequently, according to an example, in case the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical <NUM> is outside the nominal system frequency range, the controller <NUM> may terminate the FCR-N function for the remainder of the current time period. In another example, the controller <NUM> may discontinue the FCR-N function for a sub-period within the current time period when the observed AC frequency f(t) is outside the nominal system frequency range but continue the FRC-N function when the observed AC frequency f(t) is (again) within the nominal system frequency range. In a further example, the PBR apparatus <NUM> may continue providing the FCR function according to the FCR-N mode also when the observed AC frequency f(t) is outside the nominal system frequency range.

The one of more operating parameters of the PBR apparatus <NUM> for a time period k in the FCR-N mode may comprise the following:.

In the FCR-N mode, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k may be considered as a virtual midpoint charging power or as a default charging power for the respective time period, which is applied as the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in a situation where the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> matches or substantially matches the nominal system frequency fmid of the electrical grid <NUM>. In contrast, when the observed AC frequency f(t) fails to match the nominal system frequency fmid, the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) may be adjusted accordingly in view of the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k and the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k set for the time period k. In this regard, the controller <NUM> may be arranged to set (e.g. to keep or adjust) the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in dependence of the difference with between the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> and the nominal system frequency fmid of the electrical grid <NUM>, for example, according to one or more of the following charging power adjustment rules:.

In the FCR-N mode, the controller <NUM> setting or adjusting the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in view of the allowable SoC range may comprise the controller <NUM> controlling discharging or charging of the energy storage <NUM> (whichever currently applies) such that the SoC level C(t) is kept within the allowable SoC range: the discharging may be continued until reaching the lower SoC limit Cmin or the charging the energy storage <NUM> may be continued until reaching the upper SoC limit Cmax, whichever currently applies. Hence, in case the lower SoC limit Cmin is reached while discharging the energy storage <NUM> or in case the upper SoC limit Cmax is reached while charging the energy storage <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may terminate the discharging/charging and set the PBR apparatus <NUM> in the idle sate.

The minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k and the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k for the time period k, may be defined in relation to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k defined or set for the time period k. According to an example, the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k and the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k may be set symmetrically with respect to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k in view of a balancing reserve power Pin_res,k assigned for the current time period k, e.g. such that the allowable range of charging powers from the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k to the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k are set as Pin_min,k = Pin_mid,k - Pin_res,k and Pin_max,k = Pin_mid,k + Pin_res,k. In another example, the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k and the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k may be set asymmetrically with respect to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k in view of respective upper and lower balancing reserve powers Pin_res_hi,k, Pin_res_lo,k, e.g. such that Pin_min,k = Pin_mid,k - Pin_res_lo,k and Pin_max,k = Pin_mid,k + Pin_res_hi,k with Pin_res_lo,k ≠ Pin_res_hi,k. Herein, the balancing reserve powers Pin_res,k, Pin_res_hi,k, Pin_res_lo,k (as applicable) may be respective predefined values, set or defined for example based on the agreement between respective operators of the PBR apparatus <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM>.

According to an example, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k may be defined (e.g. derived) in the course of operation of the PBR apparatus <NUM> in consideration of one or more of the following aspects:.

Herein, the net amount of electrical energy to be transferred from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM> in the course of the time period k for the purpose of power balancing serves to indicate the difference between the amount of electrical energy transferred from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM> and the amount of electrical energy transferred from the energy storage <NUM> to the electrical grid <NUM> during the time period k for power balancing purposes. This amount of electrical energy may be referred to, in short, as an estimated balancing energy Eest,k (required for the time period k). Hence, in case the estimated balancing energy Eest,k is above zero, the estimated net effect of energy transfer between the electrical grid <NUM> and the energy storage <NUM> due to the power balancing functionality over the time period k results in increasing the SoC level C(t) of the energy storage <NUM>, in case the estimated balancing energy Eest,k is below zero, the estimated net effect of energy transfer between the electrical grid <NUM> and the energy storage <NUM> due to the power balancing functionality over the time period k results in decreasing the SoC level C(t) of the energy storage <NUM>, and in case the estimated balancing energy Eest,k is zero, the estimated net effect of the energy transfer between the electrical grid <NUM> and the energy storage <NUM> due to the power balancing functionality over the time period k is assumed not the change the SoC level of the energy storage <NUM>. The estimated balancing energy Eest,k may be also considered as or it may be translated into an (estimated) average charging power Pin_est,k required for the power balancing functionality over the time period k, e.g. as Pin_est,k = Eest,k / tk.

The nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k may be derived upon starting the time period k with the aim of facilitating continued provision of the FCR-N function throughout the time period k and possibly also in the subsequent time periods(s). In this regard, an advantageous starting point for any time period of operation in the FCR-N mode in terms of the initial SoC level Cst,k is a midpoint SoC level Cmid between the lower SoC limit Cmin and the upper SoC limit Cmax, which may be derived e.g. as an average of the upper SoC limit Cmax and the lower SoC limit Cmin, e.g. Cmid = (Cmax + Cmin) / <NUM>, since it enables equal amount of charging or discharging of the energy storage <NUM> to be applied while keeping the SoC level C(t) within the allowable SoC range. Consequently, if assuming operation of the PBR apparatus <NUM> in the FCR-N mode also for the time period k+<NUM>, an advantageous value for the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k may comprise the midpoint SoC level Cmid. In a non-limiting example that assumes the upper SoC limit at Cmax = <NUM> % and the lower SoC limit at Cmin = <NUM> %, the midpoint SoC level Cmid sets to Cmid = (<NUM> % + <NUM> %) / <NUM> = <NUM> %. Thus, if further assuming the energy storage <NUM> to have an overall capacity of <NUM> kWh, this translates into the lower SoC limit Cmax at <NUM> kWh, the upper SoC limit Cmax at <NUM> kWh and the midpoint SoC level Cmax at <NUM> kWh.

As an example, assuming that the estimated balancing energy Eest,k is zero (i.e. the amount of electrical energy transferred from the energy storage <NUM> to the electrical grid <NUM> is substantially the same as the amount of electrical energy transferred from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM> over the time period k), depending on the relationship between the initial SoC level Cst,k at the beginning of the time period k and the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k, the nominal input power Pin_mid,k for the time period k for operation in the FRC-N mode may be equal to, smaller than or greater than zero: in case the initial SoC level Cst,k is equal to the target SoC level Ctgt,k, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k may be set to zero, whereas in case the initial SoC level Cst,k is above the target SoC level Ctgt,k, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k may be set to a value below zero (which corresponds to discharging the energy storage <NUM>) while in case the initial SoC level Cst,k is below the target SoC level Ctgt,k, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k may be set to a value above zero (which corresponds to charging the energy storage <NUM>). This way, the selection of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k facilitates continued operation in the FCR-N mode also in the subsequent time period(s). As an example in this regard, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k may be derived as Pin_mid,k = (Ctgt,k - Cst,k) / tk, where tk denotes the duration of the time period k.

According to another example, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k for operation in the FCR-N mode may be derived further in consideration of non-zero estimated balancing energy Eest,k, In this regard, the nominal input power Pin_mid,k that results in bringing the SoC level C(t) from the initial SoC level Cst,k in the beginning of the time period k to the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k may be derived, for example, as Pin_mid,k = (Ctgt,k - Cst,k + Eest,k) / tk. In other words, accounting for the estimated balancing energy Eest,k in derivation of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k, may be considered as derivation of an adjusted target SoC level C'tgt,k e.g. as C'tgt,k = Ctgt,k + Eest,k and derivation of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k based on the initial SoC level Cst,k and the adjusted target SoC level <MAT>, e.g. as <MAT>.

Hence, in case the estimated balancing energy Eest,k is zero (and, consequently, also the estimated average charging power Pin_est,k required for the power balancing functionality is zero), the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k is the charging power required to bring the SoC level C(t) during the time period k from the initial SoC level Cst,k to the target SoC level Ctgt,k, e.g. Pin_mid,k = (Ctgt,k - Cst,k) / tk, which may be considered as a default nominal charging power (in view of the initial SoC level Cst,k and the target SoC level Ctgt,k). On the other hand, in case the estimated balancing energy Eest,k is below zero (i.e. the net effect of energy transfer for the power balancing purposes is assumed to involve discharging the energy storage <NUM>) the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k assumes a value smaller than that the default nominal charging power, whereas in case the estimated balancing energy Eest,k is above zero (i.e. the net effect of energy transfer for the power balancing purposes is assumed to involve charging the energy storage <NUM>) the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k assumes a value higher than the default nominal charging power.

As an example, the estimated balancing energy Eest,k may be derived via predicting the AC frequency f(t) and/or the difference between the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> and the nominal system frequency fmid of the electrical grid <NUM> over the time period k in view of the balancing reserve powers Pin_res,k, Pin_res_hi,k, Pin_res_lo,k (as applicable). The prediction may be carried out before starting the time period k (e.g. at the end of the time period k-<NUM> or in the beginning of the time period k) and it may be based at least in part on history of observed AC frequencies f(t) in the electrical grid <NUM>. In this regard, the history of observed AC frequencies f(t) may be applied for deriving one or more predicted AC frequencies f'(t) during the time period k in one or more time scales, for example one or more of the following:.

In this regard, the short-term prediction may involve applying a predefined prediction model on observed values of the AC frequency f(t) within the time window that precedes the time period k in order to derive predicted AC frequencies f'(t) for time period k. In this regard, the time window may cover, for example, K time periods that precede the time period k in the sequence of time periods, e.g. the time periods from k-K to k-<NUM>. Herein, the number of time periods K considered in the short-term prediction may be a suitable value chosen from a range from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The long-term prediction may involve applying a predefined prediction model on observed values of the AC frequency f(t) on one or more past time periods that have a respective predefined temporal relationship with the time period k and that are hence likely to represent conditions with respect to status of the electrical grid <NUM> in terms of electricity production thereto and electricity consumption therefrom that are similar to those of the time period k. As a non-limiting example in this regard, the long-term prediction may rely on one or more of the following types of temporally related past time periods:.

Each of the short-term prediction and the long-term prediction may rely on a respective predefined prediction model in accordance with any applicable prediction technique known in the art, parameters of which may be derived on basis of experimental data collected via observing the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> over an extend period of time.

In the course of the time period k in the FCR-N mode the changes in the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in accordance with the charging power adjustment rules described in the foregoing may be implemented by using a predefined approach with respect to the extent of change in the instantaneous charging power Pin(t). As an example in this regard, the controller <NUM> may set the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) to the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k in case the observed AC frequency f(t) is smaller than the nominal system frequency fmid and set the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) to the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k in case the observed AC frequency f(t) is larger than the nominal system frequency fmid.

As another example, the change applied in the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) may be proportional to the difference between the observed AC frequency f(t) and the nominal system frequency fmid. As an example in this regard, in case the observed AC frequency f(t) is smaller than the nominal system frequency fmid, the controller <NUM> may set the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) to a value that is smaller than the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k by an amount that is proportional to the difference between the nominal system frequency fmid and the observed AC frequency f(t). Along similar lines, in case the observed AC frequency f(t) is larger than the nominal system frequency fmid, the controller <NUM> may set the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) to a value that is larger than the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k by an amount that is proportional to the difference between the observed AC frequency f(t) and the nominal system frequency fmid.

The proportional adjustment may be carried out in view of the allowable range of charging powers defined by the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k and the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k defined for the time period k e.g. such that the proportional adjustment allows for decreasing the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) with decreasing observed AC frequency f(t) until reaching the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k and/or for increasing the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) with increasing observed AC frequency f(t) until reaching the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k. As a non-limiting example, such proportional adjustment may be provided such that the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) decreases substantially linearly with decreasing observed AC frequency f(t) and reaches the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k when the observed AC frequency f(t) reaches the lower limit of the nominal system frequency range and that the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) increases substantially linearly with increasing observed AC frequency f(t) and reaches the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k when the observed AC frequency f(t) reaches the upper limit of the nominal system frequency range.

In the example(s) above, the proportional adjustment of the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) may be provided by using a step of a predefined size. In this regard, in case the applicable charging power adjustment rules suggest a change in the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) may be decreased by a first predefined step (until reaching the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k set for the time period k) or the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) may be increased by a second predefined step (until reaching the maximum allowable charging power Pin_min,k set for the time period k), depending on the direction of change in the instantaneous charging power Pin(t). According to an example, the step size towards a higher instantaneous charging power Pin(t) (i.e. an upwards step) and the step size towards a lower instantaneous charging power Pin(t) (i.e. a downwards step) are the same or substantially the same, whereas in another example the upwards step is different from the downwards step. As an example of the latter, the downwards step may be larger than the upwards step to ensure providing a prompt and sufficient reaction to increased load in the electrical grid <NUM>. An applicable step size may depend, for example, on the allowable charging power range (from the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k to the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k), the overall capacity of the energy storage <NUM> and/or on any regulations or rules imposed by the operator of the electrical grid <NUM>.

The adjustment of the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in accordance with the applicable charging power adjustment rules in dependence of the observed AC frequency f(t) may be carried out according to a predefined schedule, e.g. such that the controller <NUM> monitors the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> at predefined time intervals and adjusts the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) accordingly. Herein, the time intervals that define the schedule for monitoring the AC frequency f(t) (and possibly adjusting the instantaneous charging power Pin(t)) may be a suitable value selected, for example, from a range from a few seconds to one minute, e.g. ten seconds. The most appropriate time interval may depend, for example, on the desired reaction speed to any changes in the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM>, on characteristics and/or capabilities of the elements of the PBR apparatus <NUM> and/or on characteristics of and/or requirements set for the electrical grid <NUM>.

Consequently, in the FCR-N mode the controller <NUM> controls the transfer of electric power between the energy storage <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM> (e.g. charging or discharging of the energy storage <NUM>) during the time period k in accordance with operating parameters defined therefor, e.g. according to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, the maximum allowable charging power Pin_max,k and the minimum allowable charging power Pin_min,k.

Operation of the PBR apparatus <NUM> in the FCR-N mode described in the foregoing via a number of examples may be, alternatively, described as steps of a method. As an example in this regard, <FIG> illustrates a flowchart depicting a method <NUM>. The method <NUM> proceeds from controlling transfer of electrical energy between the energy storage <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM> in dependence of the difference between the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> and the nominal system frequency fmid of the electrical grid <NUM> in view of the minimum and maximum SoC levels via adjustment of the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) that indicates the amount of electric power currently transferred from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM>, as indicated in block <NUM>. The method <NUM> further comprises deriving the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for a time period at least in dependence of the initial SoC level Cst,k of the energy storage <NUM> in the beginning of the time period and the target SoC level Ctgt,k of the energy storage <NUM> at the end of the time period, as indicated in block <NUM>. The method <NUM> further comprises setting the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k in response to the observed AC frequency f(t) substantially matching the nominal system frequency fmid, as indicated in block 206a, setting the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) to a value that is smaller than the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k in response to the observed AC frequency f(t) being below the nominal system frequency fmid, as indicated in block 206b, or setting the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) to a value that is larger than the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k in response to the observed AC frequency f(t) exceeding the nominal system frequency fmid, as indicated in block 206c. Respective operations described with references to blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, 206a, 206b and 206c pertaining to the method <NUM> may be implemented, varied and/or complemented in a number of ways, for example as described in the foregoing and in the following with references to the operation of the PBR apparatus <NUM>.

Graphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of <FIG> illustrate a non-limiting example of respective changes in the observed AC frequency f(t), in the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) and in the SoC level C(t) as a function of time during a time period in the FCR-N mode. In the example of <FIG>, the vertical dashed lines divide the time period illustrated therein is divided into five sub-periods, while any changes in the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> is shown to occur upon change from a sub-period to the next one. This is a choice made for graphical clarity of illustration that leads to a relatively infrequent changes in the observed AC frequency f(t), and consequently, in the instantaneous charging power Pin(t), whereas in a real-life situation the observed AC frequency f(t) in the electrical grid <NUM> may change substantially continuously and, consequently, the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) may be substantially continuously adjusted accordingly.

As shown in the graph (i), in the first sub-period the AC frequency f(t) is below the nominal system frequency fmid, it rises above the nominal system frequency fmid for the second and third sub-periods, reduces to the nominal system frequency fmid for the fourth sub-period, and drops again below the nominal system frequency fmid for the fifth sub-period. As shown in the graph (ii), the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) follows the AC frequency f(t) such that when the AC frequency f(t) is below the nominal system frequency fmid (e.g. in the first and fifth sub-periods), the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) is set below the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, when the AC frequency f(t) is above the nominal system frequency fmid (e.g. in the second and third sub-periods), the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) is set above the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k and when the AC frequency f(t) substantially matches the nominal system frequency fmid (e.g. in the fourth sub-period), the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) is set at the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k. The graph (iii) shows two different examples regarding the change in the SoC level C(t) of the energy storage <NUM> over time:.

<FIG> provides another example, where the AC frequency f(t) is below the nominal system frequency fmid throughout the time period and therefore the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) is set below the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k throughout the time period. Consequently, if assuming zero-valued nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, the SoC level C(t) drops to the lower SoC level Cmin at the end of the third sub-period (the solid curve in the graph (iii) of <FIG>), whereas a suitably selected higher-than-zero nominal charging power Pin_mid,k enables keeping the SoC level C(t) close to the midpoint SoC level Cmid throughout the time period and especially at the end of the time period while still providing the power balancing function defined for the time period (the dashed curve in the chart (iii) of <FIG>). Along similar lines, in case the AC frequency f(t) remains above the nominal system frequency fmid throughout the time period, a suitably selected lower-than-zero nominal charging power Pin_mid,k enables keeping the SoC level C(t) close to the midpoint SoC level Cmid throughout the time period and especially at the end of the time period while still providing the power balancing function defined for the time period.

Depending on the changes in the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> during consecutive time periods of operating the PBR apparatus <NUM> in the FCR-N mode the SoC level C(t) of the energy storage <NUM> may end up being at or close to the minimum allowable SoC level Cmin or at or close to the maximum allowable SoC level Cmax, thereby resulting in a situation where the FCR-N function cannot be provided without a significant risk of departing from the allowable SoC range of the energy storage <NUM>. As an example of mitigating this risk, the balancing reserve powers Pin_res,k, Pin_res_hi,k, Pin_res_lo,k (as applicable) may be set values that decrease over time (i.e. over consecutive time periods), thereby facilitating prolonged operation in the FCR-N mode without departing from the allowable SoC range of the energy storage <NUM> with the cost of reduced balancing reserve power available from the PBR apparatus <NUM>. However, such decreasing trend of the balancing reserve powers Pin_res,k, Pin_res_hi,k, Pin_res_lo,k (as applicable) nevertheless serves to increase the overall power balancing capability of the PBR apparatus <NUM> due prolonged operation in the FCR-N mode.

According to an example, additionally or alternatively, there may be predefined maximum number of consecutive time periods in the FCR-n mode, after which the PBR apparatus <NUM> is switched to operate in a recovery mode in order to mitigate the risk of resulting in a situation where the SoC level C(t) of the energy storage <NUM> limits the applicability of the FCR-N function. In another example, the controller <NUM> may monitor the SoC level C(t) and change the operating mode of the PBR apparatus <NUM> from the FCR-N mode to the recovery mode after the time period k in response to the SoC level C(t) at the end of the time period k being within a predefined margin from the minimum allowable SoC level Cmin or from the maximum allowable SoC level Cmax. In the recovery mode, the controller <NUM> adjusts transfer of the electric power between the energy storage <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM> to charge or discharge (whichever applies) the energy storage <NUM> such that the SoC level C(t) at the end of the respective time period is brought at or close to the target SoC level Ctgt,k. An applicable target SoC level Ctgt,k for a time period that follows the recovery period may depend on the operating mode of the PBR apparatus <NUM> in the respective time period. In case the PBR apparatus <NUM> is assigned to operate in the FCR-N mode in the time period following the time period in the recovery mode, the target SoC level Ctgt,k may be the midpoint SoC level Cmid.

Still referring to the first scenario that assumes operating the PBR apparatus <NUM> in a single operating mode during a plurality of consecutive time periods of the time schedule, in another example the single operating mode in the framework of the first scenario may be one where the controller <NUM> is arranged to operate the PBR apparatus <NUM> to provide a fast frequency reserve (FFR) function via temporarily increasing the supply of electric power from the energy storage <NUM> to the electrical grid <NUM> in response to the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> falling below a predefined FFR threshold frequency fffr, which FFR threshold frequency fffr is below the nominal system frequency range. As an example, assuming the nominal system frequency fmid of <NUM>, the FFR threshold frequency fffr, may be set, for example, to a value in a range from <NUM> to <NUM>, e.g. one of <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The operating mode in which the PBR apparatus <NUM> provides the FFR function may be referred to as a FFR mode of the PBR apparatus <NUM>.

In the FFR mode, the controller <NUM> may adjust the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in dependence of the observed AC frequency f(t) according to one or more of the following charging power adjustment rules:.

In the FFR mode, the controller <NUM> may adjust the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in view of the allowable SoC range, e.g. such the SoC level C(t) is kept within the allowable SoC range, as described in the foregoing in context of the FCR-N mode. In the FFR mode, the one of more operating parameters of the PBR apparatus <NUM> for a time period k may comprise the following:.

As described in the foregoing for the FCR-N mode, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k may be considered as a virtual midpoint charging power or as a default charging power for the respective time period, which is applied as the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) unless the observed AC frequency f(t) falls below the FFR threshold frequency fffr. In contrast, in case the observed AC frequency f(t) falls below the FFR threshold frequency fffr, the controller <NUM> decreases the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) by the FFR power Pffr,k for the time segment that has the FFR pulse duration tffr and increases the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) back to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k after the power pulse has been discharged.

Along the lines described above, the FFR power Pffr,k may be a predefined value set for the time period k that may be set, for example, based on the agreement with the respective operators of the PBR apparatus <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM>. The FFR pulse duration tffr may be likewise a predefined one, set e.g. to a value in a range from a few seconds to a few minutes, e.g. <NUM> seconds. In the FFR mode, there may be a requirement to initiate discharging of the power pulse within a predefined time margin since the observed AC frequency f(t) having fallen below the FFR threshold frequency fffr, where the time margin may be, for example, in a range of a few tenths of a second to a few seconds. Hence, the FFR mode may be applied to provide a virtually immediate reaction to a situation where the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> falls below the FFR threshold frequency fffr.

Derivation of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k in the FFR mode is similar to that described in the foregoing for the FCR-N mode, mutatis mutandis. In other words, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k in the FFR mode may be derived in dependence of the initial SoC level Cst,k in the beginning of the time period k and the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k further in view of the allowable SoC range. In the FFR mode, though, the estimated balancing energy Eest,k described in context of the FCR-N mode may be omitted in derivation of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k and it may be assumed zero. Consequently, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k in the FFR mode may be derived e.g. as Pin_mid,k = (Ctgt,k - Cst,k) / tk, i.e. such that if the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> remains above the FFR threshold frequency fffr throughout the time period k, the SoC level C(t) will be brought to the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k (and hence at the beginning of the time period k+<NUM>). For the FFR mode, however, advantageous values for the initial SoC level Cst,k in the beginning of the time period k and for the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k are different from those of the FCR-N mode: for the FFR mode, an advantageous starting point for any time period of operation in the FFR mode in terms of the initial SoC level Cst,k is any SoC level that allows for a power pulse to be discharged in the beginning of the respective time period without decreasing the SoC level C(t) below the lower SoC limit Cmin while the same applies for the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the respective time period. Hence, for continued operation in the FFR mode the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k may be set to any value that enables provision of a power pulse in the beginning of the next time period without decreasing the SoC level C(t) below the lower SoC limit Cmin. Therefore, a suitable target SoC level Ctgt,k is above the lower SoC limit Cmin at least by the amount of electrical energy that may need to be discharged from the energy storage <NUM> due to a power pulse, which may be referred to as a FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM> and it may be computed as a product of the FFR pulse duration tffr and the FFR power Pfrr,k+<NUM>, i.e. as Efrr,k+<NUM> = Pfrr,k+<NUM> · tffr. Hence, the lowest SoC level that enables provision of the power pulse may be computed as the sum of the lower SoC limit Cmin and the FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM> (i.e. Cmin + Efrr,k+<NUM>) and, consequently, the target SoC level Ctgt,k may be set to a value that is larger than or equal to Cmin + Efrr,k+<NUM>.

If using the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k derived according to the example described above, discharging electrical power from the energy storage <NUM> to provide the power pulse to the electrical grid <NUM> during the time period k results in reduction of the SoC level C(t) and, consequently, results in a failure the reach the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k unless the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) for the remainder of the time period k is increased to compensate for the decreased SoC level C(t). In an example, this may be accounted for by determining a redefined nominal charging power <MAT> for the remainder of the time period k after provision of the power pulse in dependence of the SoC level C(t) after provision of the power pulse and the target SoC level Ctgt,k such that redefined nominal charging power <MAT> would result in reaching the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k if no further power pulses are discharged from the energy storage <NUM> during the remainder of the time period k. Hence, in this example the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k is applied as the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) before discharging the power pulse and the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) is adjusted to the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> after the power pulse has been discharged to ensure reaching the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k. As an example in this regard, the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> may be derived as <MAT> tint,k, where Cint,k denotes the charging level C(t) after the power pulse has been discharged and tint,k denotes the time remaining in the time period k after having discharged the power pulse.

In another example, the sufficient SoC level C(t) at the end of the time period k may be ensured via application of a further operating parameter for the FFR mode: a temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k may be applied instead of the lower SoC limit Cmin to define the lowest allowable SoC level for the time period k. The temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k may be also referred to as a virtual lower SoC limit. The temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k applied for the time period k is larger than the lower SoC limit Cmin (i.e. Cmin,k > Cmin). In particular, the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k may be set to a value that allows for a power pulse to be discharged in the beginning of the time period k+<NUM> without decreasing the SoC level C(t) below the lower SoC limit Cmin. In this regard, the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k may be set to a value that is larger than or equal to the sum of the lower SoC limit Cmin and the FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM> (i.e. Cmin + Efrr,k+<NUM>). Consequently, application of the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k (instead of the lower SoC limit Cmin) for the time period k ensures sufficient SoC level C(t) at the beginning of the time period k+<NUM> and leaves some freedom in terms of reaching the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k since observance of the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k guarantees sufficient SoC level C(t) at the end of the time period k, thereby rendering derivation of the redefined nominal charging power Pin_mid,k during the time period k non-mandatory and/or allows for application of a redefined nominal charging power <MAT> that is lower than that defined in the example described in the foregoing.

Like in the FCR-N mode, also in the FFR mode the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k may be zero, below zero (which corresponds to discharging the energy storage <NUM>), or above zero (which corresponds to charging the energy storage <NUM>), depending on the relationship between the initial SoC level Cst,k in the beginning of the time period k and the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k. In this regard, it is worth noting that since the power actually discharged from the energy storage <NUM> in the course of a power pulse is a combined power of the currently applied nominal charging power Pin_mid,k and the FFR power Pffr,k: in case the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k is below zero, the total power discharged from the energy storage <NUM> during a power pulse is higher than the FFR power Pffr,k, whereas in case the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k is above zero, the total power discharged from the energy storage <NUM> during a power pulse is actually lower than the FFR power Pffr,k. In the latter case, assuming that the FFR power Pffr,k is larger than the above-zero nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, part of the power pulse actually arises from temporarily decreasing the power consumption from the electrical grid <NUM> due to charging of the energy storage <NUM> being temporarily discontinued for the FFR pulse duration tffr, whereas in case the FFR power Pffr,k is not larger than the above-zero nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, the power pulse is actually a virtual one that arises from temporary reduction of the charging power supplied from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM>. Hence, with a suitable selection of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k and the FFR power Pffr,k it is actually possible to provide (at least partially) virtual power pulse that exceeds the discharging capability of the energy storage <NUM>.

Consequently, in the FFR mode the controller <NUM> controls the transfer of electric power between the energy storage <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM> (e.g. charging or discharging of the energy storage <NUM>) during the time period k in accordance with operating parameters defined therefor, e.g. according to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, the FFR power Pffr,k and (optionally) the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k. Since the transfer of electric power to and/or from the energy storage <NUM> during the time period k depends on occasions of the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> falling below the FFR threshold frequency fffr that may occur in an unpredictable manner, the SoC level of the energy storage <NUM> during the time period k may likewise change in an unpredictable manner. Consequently the SoC level C(t) at the end of the time period k, and hence in the beginning of the time period k+<NUM>, may be taken into account in determination of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k+<NUM> according to the examples described above (that pertain to determination of these operating parameters for the FFR mode of the PBR apparatus <NUM> for the time period k).

Graphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of <FIG> illustrate a non-limiting example of respective changes in the observed AC frequency f(t), in the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) and in the SoC level C(t) as a function of time during a time period in the FFR mode. In the example of <FIG>, the graph (i) shows the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> as a function of time, where the AC frequency f(t) remains close to the nominal system frequency fmid apart from dropping below the FFR threshold frequency fffr for a short while. As described in the foregoing and illustrated in the graph (ii), the AC frequency f(t) falling below the FFR threshold frequency fffr results in discharging a power pulse from the energy storage <NUM>, where the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) is decreased by the amount defined by the FFR power Pffr,k for the time segment that has the FFR pulse duration tffr. Moreover, the graph (ii) further illustrates applying the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k before discharging the power pulse and application of the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> (that is higher than the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k) after the power pulse has been discharged. The graph (iii) illustrates two examples regarding the change in the SoC level C(t) of the energy storage <NUM> over time:.

As described in the foregoing, in other examples the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k may be smaller than zero, thereby constantly decreasing the SoC level C(t) at a rate defined by the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, whereas introduction of the power pulse due to the AC frequency f(t) dropping below the FFR threshold frequency fffr results in temporarily discharging the energy storage <NUM> at an increased rate, followed by application of the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> (that is higher than the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k) to decrease the SoC level C(t) at a reduced rate (in comparison to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k) in order to bring the SoC level C(t) at the end of the time period to the midpoint SoC level Cmid (or to another target SoC level Ctgt,k). In further examples, alternatively or additionally, the application the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> after discharging the power pulse (illustrated e.g. in the graph (ii) of <FIG>) may be omitted, thereby possibly resulting in a SoC level C(t) that is higher or lower than the midpoint SoC level Cmid (or another target SoC level Ctgt,k) at the end of the time period.

Still referring to the first scenario that assumes operating the PBR apparatus <NUM> in a single operating mode during a plurality of consecutive time periods of the time schedule, in a further example the single operating mode in the framework of the first scenario may be one where the controller <NUM> is arranged to operate the PBR apparatus <NUM> to provide a frequency containment reserve (FCR) function for the disturbance state of the electrical grid <NUM>. Hence, the operating mode in which the PBR apparatus <NUM> provides the FCR function for the disturbance state may be referred to as a FCR-D mode of the PBR apparatus <NUM>. The electrical grid <NUM> may be considered to be in a disturbance state when the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> is outside the nominal system frequency range of the electrical grid <NUM> (e.g. outside the range from <NUM> to <NUM> in case of the <NUM> nominal system frequency fmid).

In this regard, the PBR apparatus <NUM> may be further arranged to operate in one of the FCR-D up mode or in the FCR-D down mode. In the FCR-D up mode the PBR apparatus <NUM> operates to temporarily decrease the supply of electric power from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM> in response to the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> falling below a predefined lower FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo, thereby contributing towards increasing the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid (hence the name FCR-D up). The lower FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo is smaller than or equal to the lower limit of the nominal system frequency range but above the FFR threshold frequency fffr (if applicable). As an example, assuming the nominal system frequency fmid of <NUM>, the lower FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo, may be set, for example, to <NUM>. In the FCR-D down mode the PBR apparatus <NUM> operates to temporarily increase the supply of electric power from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM> in response to the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> exceeding a predefined upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_hi, thereby contributing towards decreasing the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid (hence the name FCR-D down). The upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_hi is larger than or equal to the upper limit of the nominal system frequency range. As an example, assuming the nominal system frequency fmid of <NUM>, the upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo, may be set, for example, to <NUM>. Referring now to the FCR-D up mode, in the course of operation in the FCR-D up mode the controller <NUM> may adjust the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in dependence of the observed AC frequency f(t) according to one or more of the following charging power adjustment rules:.

In the FCR-D up mode, the controller <NUM> may adjust the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in view of the allowable SoC range, e.g. such the SoC level C(t) is kept within the allowable SoC range, as described in the foregoing in context of the FCR-N mode. In the FCR-D up mode, the one of more operating parameters of the PBR apparatus <NUM> for a time period k may comprise the following:.

As described in the foregoing for the FCR-N mode, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k may be considered as a virtual midpoint charging power or as a default charging power for the respective time period, which is applied as the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) unless the observed AC frequency f(t) falls below the lower FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo. In contrast, in case the observed AC frequency f(t) falls below the lower FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo, the controller <NUM> decreases the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) by the FCR-D power Pfcr,k and increases the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) back to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k when the observed AC frequency f(t) rises back above the lower FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo.

Along the lines described above, the FCR-D power Pfcr,k may be a predefined value set for the time period k that may be set, for example, based on the agreement with the respective operators of the PBR apparatus <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM>. Unlike in the FFR mode, the power pulse that may be issued in the FCR-D up mode does not have a predefined duration but the pulse may be continued as long as the observed AC frequency f(t) remains below the lower FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo. Another difference to the FFR mode in terms of provision of the power pulse arises from different threshold frequencies (ffcr_lo, fffr) that trigger provision of the power pulse, whereas a further difference arises from a reaction time to the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> falling below the respective ones of the thresholds ffcr_lo, fffr: in the FCR-D up mode the allowable time margin for initiating discharging of the power pulse since the observed AC frequency f(t) has fallen below the lower FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo may be, for example, in a range of a few seconds to a few tens of seconds, the FCR-D up mode hence serving to provide a slower reaction to decreased AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> while in some scenarios the resulting power pulse may be significantly longer than that of the FFR mode.

Regarding other aspects of operation in the FCR-D up mode, including definition of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, possible derivation of the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> following the power pulse provided from the charge storage <NUM> and/or application of the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k are similar to those described in the foregoing for the FFR mode, mutatis mutandis. However, for derivation of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k and the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k for the FCR-D up mode, an estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM>, is applied instead of the FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM>. This difference arises from the fact that pulse duration of the power pulse that may need to be discharged during the time period k+<NUM> is not known in advance and hence the amount of electrical energy required therefor may be based on an estimated maximum pulse duration tfcr_max, which enables computing the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM> as a product of the estimated maximum FCR-D pulse duration tfcr_max and the FCR-D power Pfcr,k+<NUM>, i.e. as Efcr,k+<NUM> = Pfcr,k+<NUM> · tfcr_max. In an example, the estimated maximum FCR-D pulse duration tfcr_max may be also applied as an upper limit for a duration of the power pulse in the FCR-D up mode. Moreover, also the example of FFR operation described in the foregoing with references to <FIG> applies to the FCR-D up mode as well, apart from application of the FCR-D power Pfcr,k, an incident pulse duration occurring in the respective time period and the lower FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_lo, respectively, instead of the FFR power Pffr,k, the FFR pulse duration tffr and the FFR threshold frequency fffr.

Referring now to the FCR-D down mode, in the course of operation in the FCR-D down mode the controller <NUM> may adjust the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in dependence of the observed AC frequency f(t) according to one or more of the following charging power adjustment rules:.

In the FCR-D down mode, the controller <NUM> may adjust the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) in view of the allowable SoC range, e.g. such the SoC level C(t) is kept within the allowable SoC range, as described in the foregoing in context of the FCR-N mode. In the FCR-D down mode, the one of more operating parameters of the PBR apparatus <NUM> for a time period k may comprise the following:.

As described in the foregoing for the FCR-N mode, the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k may be considered as a virtual midpoint charging power or as a default charging power for the respective time period, which is applied as the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) unless the observed AC frequency f(t) exceeds the upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_hi. In contrast, in case the observed AC frequency f(t) exceeds the upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_hi, the controller <NUM> increases the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) by the FCR-D power Pfcr,k and decreases the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) back to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k when the observed AC frequency f(t) falls back below the upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_hi. Along the lines of the FCR-D up mode, the power pulse that may be absorbed in the FCR-D down mode does not have a predefined duration but the pulse may be continued as long as the observed AC frequency f(t) remains above the upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_hi, while the required reaction time for initiating absorption of the power pulse in response to the observed AC frequency f(t) rising above the upper FCR-D threshold thresholds ffcr_hi may be similar to that applied in the FCR-D up mode.

Derivation of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k in the FFR mode is similar to that described in the foregoing for the FFR mode, mutatis mutandis, apart from different consideration of the power pulse, which in the case of FCR-D down mode involves the PBR apparatus <NUM> absorbing a power pulse from the electrical grid <NUM> instead of discharging one to the electrical grid <NUM> and which, consequently, sets a different requirement for an advantageous target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k: unlike in the FFR mode (and in the FCR-D up mode), an advantageous starting point for any time period of operation in the FCR-D down mode in terms of the initial SoC level Cst,k is any SoC level that allows for a power pulse to be absorbed in the beginning of the respective time period without increasing the SoC level C(t) above the upper SoC limit Cmax while the same applies for the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the respective time period. Hence, in continued operation in the FCR-D down mode the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k may be set to any value that enables absorption of a power pulse of the estimated maximum FCR-D pulse duration tfcr_max in the beginning of the next time period without increasing the SoC level C(t) above the upper SoC limit Cmax. Therefore, a suitable target SoC level Ctgt,k is below the upper SoC limit Cmax by at least the amount the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM> described in the foregoing in context of the FCR-D up mode. In an example, the estimated maximum FCR-D pulse duration tfcr_max may be also applied as an upper limit for a duration of the power pulse in the FCR-D down mode. Hence, the highest SoC level that enables absorption of the power pulse may be computed as the sum of the lower SoC limit Cmin and the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM> (i.e. Cmax + Efcr,k+<NUM>) and, consequently, the target SoC level Ctgt,k may be set to a value that is smaller than or equal to Cmin + Efcr,k+<NUM>.

Along the lines described in the foregoing for the FFR mode, if using the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k derived according to the example described above, receiving electrical power at the energy storage <NUM> to absorb the power pulse to the electrical grid <NUM> during the time period k results in increase of the SoC level C(t) and, consequently, results in a failure the reach the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k unless the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) for the remainder of the time period k is decreased to compensate for the increased SoC level C(t). In an example, this may be accounted for by deriving the redefine nominal charging power <MAT> for the remainder of the time period k after absorption of the power pulse in dependence of the SoC level C(t) after absorption of the power pulse and the target SoC level Ctgt,k such that redefined nominal charging power <MAT> would result in reaching the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k if no further power pulses are absorbed from the energy storage <NUM> during the remainder of the time period k. Hence, in this example the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k is applied as the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) before absorbing the power pulse and the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) is adjusted to the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> after the power pulse has been absorbed to ensure reaching the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k. The redefined nominal charging power <MAT> may be derived in a manner similar to that described in the foregoing for the FFR mode.

Further along the lines described for the FFR mode, in another example the sufficiently low SoC level C(t) at the end of the time period k may be ensured via application of a further operating parameter for the FCR-D down mode: a temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k may be applied instead of the upper SoC limit Cmax to define the highest allowable SoC level for the time period k. The temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k may be also referred to as a virtual upper SoC limit. The temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k applied for the time period k is smaller than the upper SoC limit Cmax (i.e. Cmax,k < Cmax). In particular, the temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k may be set to a value that allows for a power pulse to be absorbed in the beginning of the time period k+<NUM> without increasing the SoC level C(t) above the upper SoC limit Cmax. In this regard, the temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k may be set to a value that is smaller than the upper SoC limit Cmax by at least the amount of the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM>, i.e. to a value that is smaller than or equal to Cmax - Efcr,k+<NUM>. Consequently, application of the temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k (instead of the upper SoC limit Cmax) for the time period k ensures sufficiently low SoC level C(t) at the beginning of the time period k+<NUM> and leaves some freedom in terms of reaching the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k since observance of the temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k guarantees sufficiently low SoC level C(t) at the end of the time period k, thereby rendering derivation of the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> during the time period k non-mandatory and/or allows for application of a redefined nominal charging power <MAT> that is higher than that defined in the example described in the foregoing.

Like in the FFR mode, also in the FCR-D down mode the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k may be zero, below zero (which corresponds to discharging the energy storage <NUM>), or above zero (which corresponds to charging the energy storage <NUM>), depending on the relationship between the initial SoC level Cst,k in the beginning of the time period k and the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k. In this regard, it is worth noting that since the power actually absorbed to the energy storage <NUM> in the course of a power pulse is a combined power of the currently applied nominal charging power Pin_mid,k and the FCR-D power Pfcr,k: in case the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k is below zero, the total power absorbed to the energy storage <NUM> during a power pulse is actually lower than the FCR-D power Pfcr,k, whereas in case the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k is above zero, the total power absorbed to the energy storage <NUM> during a power pulse is higher than the FCR-D power Pfcr,k, In the former case, assuming that the FCR-D power Pfcr,k is larger than the below-zero nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, part of the power pulse actually arises from temporarily increasing the power consumption from the electrical grid <NUM> due to discharging of the energy storage <NUM> being temporarily discontinued for the FCR-D pulse duration tfcr, whereas in case the FCR-D power Pfcr,k is not larger than the below-zero nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, the power pulse is actually a virtual one that arises from temporary reduction of the discharging power supplied from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM>. Hence, with a suitable selection of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k and the FCR-D power Pfcr,k it is actually possible to provide (at least partially) virtual power pulse that exceeds the charging capability of the energy storage <NUM>.

Consequently, in the FCR-D down mode the controller <NUM> controls the transfer of electric power between the energy storage <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM> (e.g. charging or discharging of the energy storage <NUM>) during the time period k in accordance with operating parameters defined therefor, e.g. according to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, the FCR-D power Pfcr,k and (optionally) the temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k. Since the transfer of electric power to and/or from the energy storage <NUM> during the time period k depends on occasions of the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> exceeding the upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr that may occur in an unpredictable manner, the SoC level of the energy storage <NUM> during the time period k may likewise change in an unpredictable manner. Consequently the SoC level C(t) at the end of the time period k, and hence in the beginning of the time period k+<NUM>, may be taken into account in determination of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the time period k+<NUM> according to the examples described above (that pertain to determination of these operating parameters for the FCR-D mode of the PBR apparatus <NUM> for the time period k).

Graphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of <FIG> illustrate a non-limiting example of respective changes in the observed AC frequency f(t), in the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) and in the SoC level C(t) as a function of time during a time period in the FCR-D down mode. In the example of <FIG>, the graph (i) shows the AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> as a function of time, where the AC frequency f(t) remains close to the nominal system frequency fmid apart from rising above the upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_hi for a short while. As described in the foregoing and illustrated in the graph (ii), the AC frequency f(t) rising above the upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_hi results in absorbing a power pulse from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM>, where the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) is increased by the amount defined by the FCR-D power Pfcr,k for the time segment that has the FCR-D pulse duration tfcr. Moreover, the graph (ii) further illustrates applying the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k before absorbing the power pulse and application of the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> (that is lower than the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k) after the power pulse has been absorbed. The graph (iii) illustrates two examples regarding the change in the SoC level C(t) of the energy storage <NUM> over time:.

As described in the foregoing, in other examples the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k may be larger than zero, thereby constantly increasing the SoC level C(t) at a rate defined by the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k, whereas absorption of the power pulse due to the AC frequency f(t) rising above the upper FCR-D threshold frequency ffcr_hi results in temporarily charging the energy storage <NUM> at an increased rate, followed by application of the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> (that is lower than the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k) to increase the SoC level C(t) at a reduced rate (in comparison to the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k) in order to bring the SoC level C(t) at the end of the time period to the midpoint SoC level Cmid (or to another target SoC level Ctgt,k). In further examples, alternatively or additionally, the application the redefined nominal charging power <MAT> after absorption of the power pulse (illustrated e.g. in the graph (ii) of <FIG>) may be omitted, thereby possibly resulting in a SoC level C(t) that is higher or lower than the midpoint SoC level Cmid (or another target SoC level Ctgt,k) at the end of the time period.

In a second scenario, the PBR apparatus <NUM> may be arranged to operate according to one of a plurality of (e.g. two or more) operating modes in a plurality of consecutive time periods of the time schedule such that one of the available operating modes is selected for each of said consecutive time periods of the time schedule. The two or more operating modes may include two or more of the FCR-N mode, the FFR mode, the FCR-D up mode and the FCR-D down mode described in the foregoing. The applied operating modes and one or more of their operating parameters may be selected or set in advance. The pre-selection of the operating modes and/or their respective operating parameter values may be at least partially based, for example, on the agreement between the respective operators of the PBR apparatus <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM>. While the basic operation in each of the FCR-N mode, the FFR mode, the FCR-D up mode and the FCR-D down mode in the course of the second scenario is similar to that described in the first scenario, the knowledge of upcoming changes in operating mode enables enhancing operation of the PBR apparatus <NUM> via setting or adjusting at least one of the operating parameters of the PBR apparatus <NUM> for the time period k in accordance of the respective operating modes selected for the time period k and for subsequent time periods following the time period k.

As an example in this regard, in the framework of the second scenario the PBR apparatus <NUM> may operate according to a method <NUM> that is illustrated by a flowchart depicted in <FIG>. The method <NUM> proceeds from operating the PBR apparatus <NUM> to control transfer of electrical energy between the energy storage <NUM> and the electrical grid <NUM> in dependence of the observed AC frequency f(t) of the electrical grid <NUM> in view of the minimum and maximum allowable SoC levels using one of a plurality of operating modes via adjustment of the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) that indicates the amount of electric power currently transferred from the electrical grid <NUM> to the energy storage <NUM>, as indicated in block <NUM>. The method <NUM> further comprises receiving respective indications of a first operating mode selected for a first time period and a second operating mode selected for a second time period, where the first and second time periods are consecutive time periods in a sequence of time periods and where the second time period follows the first time period in said sequence, as indicated in block <NUM>, and controlling the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) during the first time period in accordance with the first operating mode in dependence of the observed AC frequency f(t) and at least partially in dependence of the second operating mode selected for the second time period, as indicated in block <NUM>. Respective operations described with references to blocks <NUM> to <NUM> pertaining to the method <NUM> may be implemented, varied and/or complemented in a number of ways, for example as described in the foregoing and in the following with references to the operation of the PBR apparatus <NUM>.

Along the lines described in the foregoing, in each of the plurality of operating modes the applied nominal charging power Pin_mid,k is derived in dependence of the initial SoC level Cst,k in the beginning of the time period k and the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k, where definition or selection of the target SoC level Ctgt,k may depend on the operating mode of the time period k+<NUM>. Hence, in this regard the aspect of controlling the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) (cf. block <NUM>) may comprise defining the target SoC level for the first time period at least partially in dependence of the second operating mode (selected for the second time period), deriving the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the first time period at least in dependence of the initial SoC level Cst,k in the beginning of the first time period and the target SoC level Ctgt,k defined for the first time period, and controlling the instantaneous charging power Pin(t) during the first time period in view of the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k defined therefor in accordance with the charging power adjustment rules defined for the first operating mode.

As an example regarding a change from one mode of operation to another, in a scenario where the first operating mode (selected for the first time period) comprises the FCR-N mode and the second operating mode (selected for the second time period) comprises the FFR mode, the target SoC value Ctgt,k at the end of the first time period may be set to a value that is larger than or equal to the sum of the lower SoC limit Cmin and the FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM> (i.e. Cmin + Efrr,k+<NUM>), thereby enabling the PBR apparatus <NUM> to discharge a power pulse in the beginning of the second time period (in case it turns out necessary) without decreasing the SoC level C(t) below the lower SoC limit Cmin while allowing usage of above-zero nominal charging power for the second time period. Moreover, the target SoC value Ctgt,k so derived is preferably smaller than the midpoint SoC value Cmid while it may be within a predefined SoC margin Cm from the lower SoC limit Cmin. In this regard, the SoC margin Cm may be defined such that corresponds to a predefined percentage of the overall capacity of the energy storage <NUM> (e.g. a suitable percentage in a range from <NUM> to <NUM> %). Consequently, selection of the target SoC level Ctgt,k for the first time period in the FCR-N mode contributes towards providing an advantageous starting point for operation in the FFR mode in the second time period.

In another example pertaining to the transition from the FCR-N mode in the first time period to the FFR mode in the second time period, the operating parameters of the FCR-N mode may further comprise the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k described in the foregoing in context of the FFR mode. As described therein, the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k may be set to a value that is larger than or equal to the sum of the lower SoC limit Cmin and the FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM>, thereby ensuring sufficient SoC level C(t) that allows for a power pulse to be discharged from the energy storage <NUM> in the beginning of the second time period (if it turns out necessary) without decreasing the SoC level C(t) below the lower SoC limit Cmin. Consequently, application of the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k during the first time period in the FCR-N mode guarantees that the PBR apparatus <NUM> is able to validly operate in the FFR mode in the second time period.

The above-described example that pertains to a change from the FCR-N mode in the first time period to the FFR mode in the second time period applies to a transition from the FCR-N mode to the FCR-D up mode as well, mutatis mutandis, with the exception that the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM> is considered instead of the FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM> in derivation of the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the first time period or in derivation of the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k (whichever applies).

In a further example regarding a change from one mode of operation to another, in a scenario where the first operating mode (selected for the first time period) comprises the FCR-N mode and the second operating mode (selected for the second time period) comprises the FCR-D down mode, the target SoC value Ctgt,k at the end of the first time period may be set to a value that is smaller than or equal to a SoC level computed by subtracting the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM> from the upper SoC limit Cmax (i.e. Cmax - Efcr,k+<NUM>), thereby enabling the PBR apparatus <NUM> to absorb a power pulse in the beginning of the second time period (in case it turns out necessary) without increasing the SoC level C(t) above the upper SoC limit Cmax while allowing usage of below-zero nominal charging power for the second time period. Moreover, the target SoC value Ctgt,k so derived is preferably larger than the midpoint SoC value Cmid while it may be within the predefined SoC margin Cm from the upper SoC limit Cmax. In this regard, the SoC margin Cm may be defined in a manner similar to that described in the foregoing for transition from the FCR-N mode to the FFR mode. Consequently, selection of the target SoC level Ctgt,k for the first time period in the FCR-N mode contributes towards providing an advantageous starting point for operation in the FCR-D down mode in the second time period.

In another example pertaining to the transition from the FCR-N mode in the first time period to the FCR-D down mode in the second time period, the operating parameters of the FCR-N mode may further comprise the temporary upper SoC limit Cmin,k described in the foregoing in context of the FCR-D down mode. As described therein, the temporary upper SoC limit Cmin,k may be set to value that is smaller than or equal to a SoC level computed by subtracting the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM> from the upper SoC limit Cmax (i.e. Cmax - Efcr,k+<NUM>), thereby ensuring sufficient SoC level C(t) that allows for a power pulse to be absorbed to the energy storage <NUM> in the beginning of the second time period (if it turns out necessary) without increasing the SoC level C(t) above the upper SoC limit Cmax. Consequently, application of the temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k during the first time period in the FCR-N mode guarantees that the PBR apparatus <NUM> is able to validly operate in the FCR-D down mode in the second time period.

In a further example regarding a change from one mode of operation to another, in a scenario where the first operating mode (selected for the first time period) comprises the FFR mode and the second operating mode (selected for the second time period) comprises the FCR-N mode, the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the first time period may be set to the midpoint SoC value Cmid or to a value within the predefined SoC margin Cm centered at the midpoint SoC value Cmid (where the SoC margin Cm may be defined in a manner similar to that described in the foregoing). Along the lines described in the foregoing, having the SoC level C(t) at or relatively close the midpoint SoC level Cmid provides an advantageous starting point for the second time period in the FCR-N mode via enabling an equal or substantially equal amount of charging or discharging of the energy storage <NUM> to be applied while keeping the SoC level C(t) with the allowable SoC range. In a scenario where the initial SoC level Cst,k in the beginning of the first time period in the FFR mode is close to the lower SoC limit Cmin or at least below the midpoint SoC level Cmid, this may also result in setting the nominal charging power Pin_mid,k for the first time period to a positive value (i.e. one that results in charging the energy storage <NUM>), which in turn may enable provision of (at least partially) virtual power pulses that exceed the discharging capability of the energy storage <NUM> (as described in the foregoing) during the first time period.

The above-described example that pertains to a change from the FFR mode in the first time period to the FCR-N mode in the second time period applies to a transition from the FCR-D up mode to the FCR-N mode and to a transition from the FCR-D down mode to the FRC-N mode as well, mutatis mutandis.

In a further example regarding a change from one mode of operation to another, in a scenario where the first operating mode (selected for the first time period) comprises the FFR mode and the second operating mode (selected for the second time period) comprises the FCR-D down mode, the target SoC value Ctgt,k at the end of the time period k may be set to a value that is smaller than or equal to a SoC level computed by subtracting the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM> from the upper SoC limit Cmax (i.e. Cmax - Efcr,k+<NUM>), thereby enabling the PBR apparatus <NUM> to absorb a power pulse in the beginning of the second time period (in case it turns out necessary) without increasing the SoC level C(t) above the upper SoC limit Cmax while allowing usage of below-zero nominal charging power for the second time period. Moreover, the target SoC value Ctgt,k so derived is preferably larger than the midpoint SoC value Cmid while it may be within the predefined SoC margin Cm from the upper SoC limit Cmax. Consequently, selection of the target SoC level Ctgt,k for the first time period in the FFR mode contributes towards providing an advantageous starting point for operation in the FCR-D down mode in the second time period.

In another example pertaining to the transition from the FFR mode in the first time period to the FCR-D down mode in the second time period, the operating parameters of the FFR mode may further comprise the temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k described in the foregoing in context of the FCR-D down mode. As described therein, the temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k may be set to a value that is smaller than or equal to a SoC level computed by subtracting the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM> from the upper SoC limit Cmax (i.e. Cmax - Efcr,k), thereby ensuring sufficient SoC level C(t) that allows for a power pulse to be absorbed to the energy storage <NUM> in the beginning of the second time period (if it turns out necessary) without increasing the SoC level C(t) above the upper SoC limit Cmax. Consequently, application of the temporary upper SoC limit Cmax,k during the first time period in the FCR-N mode guarantees that the PBR apparatus <NUM> is able to validly operate in the FCR-D down mode in the second time period.

The above-described example that pertains to a change from the FFR mode in the first time period to the FCR-D down mode in the second time period applies to a transition from the FCR-D up mode to the FCR-D down mode as well, mutatis mutandis.

As a further example regarding a change from one mode of operation to another, in a scenario where the first operating mode (selected for the first time period) comprises the FCR-D down mode and the second operating mode (selected for the second time period) comprises the FFR mode, the target SoC value Ctgt,k at the end of the first time period may be set to a value that is larger than or equal to the sum of the lower SoC limit Cmin and the FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM> (i.e. Cmin + Efrr,k+<NUM>), thereby enabling the PBR apparatus <NUM> to discharge a power pulse in the beginning of the second time period (in case it turns out necessary) without decreasing the SoC level C(t) below the lower SoC limit Cmin while allowing usage of above-zero nominal charging power for the second time period. Moreover, the target SoC value Ctgt,k so derived is preferably smaller than the midpoint SoC value Cmid while it may be within the predefined SoC margin Cm from the lower SoC limit Cmin. Consequently, selection of the target SoC level Ctgt,k for the first time period in the FCR-D down mode contributes towards providing an advantageous starting point for operation in the FFR mode in the second time period.

In another example pertaining to the transition from the FCR-D down mode in the first time period to the FFR mode in the second time period, the operating parameters of the FCR-D down mode may further comprise the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k described in the foregoing in context of the FFR mode. As described therein, the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k may be set to a value that is larger than or equal to the sum of the lower SoC limit Cmin and the FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM>, thereby ensuring sufficient SoC level C(t) that allows for a power pulse to be discharged from the energy storage <NUM> in the beginning of the second time period (if it turns out necessary) without decreasing the SoC level C(t) below the lower SoC limit Cmin. Consequently, application of the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k during the first time period in the FCR-D down mode guarantees that the PBR apparatus <NUM> is able to validly operate in the FFR mode in the second time period.

The above-described example that pertains to a change from the FCR-D down mode in the first time period to the FFR mode in the second time period applies to a transition from the FCR-D down mode to the FCR-D up mode as well, mutatis mutandis, with the exception that the estimated FCR-D pulse energy Efcr,k+<NUM> is considered instead of the FFR pulse energy Efrr,k+<NUM> in derivation of the target SoC level Ctgt,k at the end of the first time period or in the derivation of the temporary lower SoC limit Cmin,k (whichever applies).

<FIG> schematically illustrates some components of an apparatus <NUM> that may be employed to implement the controller <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> comprises a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store data and computer program code <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> may further comprise communication means <NUM> for wired or wireless communication with other apparatuses and/or user I/O (input/output) components <NUM> that may be arranged, together with the processor <NUM> and a portion of the computer program code <NUM>, to provide a user interface for receiving input from a user and/or providing output to the user. In particular, the user I/O components may include user input means, such as one or more keys or buttons, a keyboard, a touchscreen or a touchpad, etc. The user I/O components may include output means, such as a display or a touchscreen. The components of the apparatus <NUM> are communicatively coupled to each other via a bus <NUM> that enables transfer of data and control information between the components.

The memory <NUM> and a portion of the computer program code <NUM> stored therein may be further arranged, with the processor <NUM>, to cause the apparatus <NUM> to perform at least some aspects of operation of the controller <NUM>. Although the processor <NUM> is depicted as a respective single component, it may be implemented as respective one or more separate processing components. Similarly, although the memory <NUM> is depicted as a respective single component, it may be implemented as respective one or more separate components, some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent / semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

The computer program code <NUM> may comprise computer-executable instructions that implement at least some aspects of operation of the controller <NUM> when loaded into the processor <NUM>. As an example, the computer program code <NUM> may include a computer program consisting of one or more sequences of one or more instructions. The processor <NUM> is able to load and execute the computer program by reading the one or more sequences of one or more instructions included therein from the memory <NUM>. The one or more sequences of one or more instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor <NUM>, cause the apparatus <NUM> to perform at least some aspects of operation of the controller <NUM>. Hence, the apparatus <NUM> may comprise at least one processor <NUM> and at least one memory <NUM> including the computer program code <NUM> for one or more programs, the at least one memory <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> configured to, with the at least one processor <NUM>, cause the apparatus <NUM> to perform at least some aspects of operation of the controller <NUM>.

The computer program code <NUM> may be provided e.g. a computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable non-transitory medium having the computer program code <NUM> stored thereon, which computer program code <NUM>, when executed by the processor <NUM> causes the apparatus <NUM> to perform at least some aspects of operation of the controller <NUM>. The computer-readable non-transitory medium may comprise a memory device or a record medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc or another article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program. As another example, the computer program may be provided as a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program.

Claim 1:
A power balancing reserve, PBR, apparatus (<NUM>) for an electrical grid (<NUM>), the PBR apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
an energy storage (<NUM>) for storing electrical energy and having a minimum allowable state of charge, SoC, level and a maximum allowable SoC level defined therefor; and
a controller (<NUM>) for controlling transfer of electrical energy between the energy storage (<NUM>) and the electrical grid (<NUM>) in dependence of an observed AC frequency of the electrical grid (<NUM>) in view of said minimum and maximum allowable SoC levels using one of a plurality of operating modes via adjustment of an instantaneous charging power that indicates the amount of electric power currently transferred from the electrical grid (<NUM>) to the energy storage (<NUM>),
characterized in that the controller (<NUM>) is arranged to:
receive, before starting a first time period, respective indications of a first operating mode selected for said first time period and a second operating mode selected for a second time period, where the first and second time periods are consecutive time periods in a sequence of time periods of predefined duration and where the second time period follows the first time period in said sequence, and
control the instantaneous charging power during the first time period in accordance with one or more power adjustment rules defined for the first operating mode, wherein said controlling is carried out according to a predefined schedule and in dependence of said observed AC frequency,
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is arranged to:
define, before starting the first time period, a target state of charge, SoC, level of the energy storage (<NUM>) for the end of the first time period at least partially in dependence of the second operating mode selected for the second time period;
derive, before starting the first time period, a first nominal charging power for the first time period at least in dependence of an initial SoC level of the energy storage (<NUM>) in the beginning of the first time period and said target SoC level; and
control, during the first time period according to said predefined schedule, the instantaneous charging power during the first time period in view of the first nominal charging power in accordance with the one or more charging power adjustment rules defined for the first operating mode.