Decentralized AC Frequency Stabilization via Consumer Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of short-term load changes in AC interconnection networks due to factors like electric car charging and weather-dependent solar and wind power usage poses a challenge in maintaining grid frequency stability, as traditional control mechanisms rely heavily on limited short-term controllable power plants.
Innovation Solution
A control device that measures AC frequency and adjusts electrical power consumption at individual consumer points, such as through dimming light sources or switching additional devices on/off, to stabilize the network frequency by regulating power consumption decentralizedly, complementing traditional power plant adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional control mechanisms relying on short-term controllable power plants are used, then grid frequency stability can be maintained under normal conditions, but the system becomes insufficient to handle increasing short-term load changes from electric car charging and weather-dependent renewable power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency control task by distributing control functions across multiple consumer endpoints rather than relying on centralized power plant control. Individual control devices at consumer locations independently adjust their local power consumption, collectively providing the adaptive capacity needed to handle short-term load changes while maintaining overall grid frequency stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If decentralized power regulation at consumer points is implemented, then the adaptability to handle short-term load changes improves, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control devices at consumer endpoints operate autonomously, measuring local frequency deviations and automatically adjusting their own power consumption without requiring complex centralized control signals. This self-service approach enables decentralized adaptation to grid conditions while keeping individual device complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of consumer devices dynamically based on grid frequency conditions. Control devices adjust power consumption parameters (such as dimming light sources or adjusting appliance operation) in response to frequency measurements, enabling flexible adaptation without requiring complex system architecture.
3Reliability
If consumer power consumption is regulated to stabilize frequency, then grid stability improves, but user comfort may be affected by noticeable disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The control devices implement partial power regulation at individual consumer locations rather than uniform full-scale control. By distributing the regulation burden across many consumers and adjusting power consumption partially at each location, the system achieves overall frequency stabilization while keeping individual disruptions imperceptible to users.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a control device for an electrical consumer, in particular for a light source, wherein the control device is configured to supply the electrical consumer with electrical power from an AC power grid, and the control device is configured to detect a deviation of the frequency of the alternating current from the AC power grid from a target frequency above an upper threshold and/or below a lower threshold, and, when an exceedance of the upper threshold is detected, to increase the power supplied to the consumer and/or, when a fall below the lower threshold is detected, to decrease the electrical power supplied to the electrical consumer.