Active Load Management for Dispatchable Grid Reserve Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current demand-side management approaches for utilities are inadequate in providing accurate and timely dispatchable operating reserve, particularly regulating and spinning reserve, due to reliance on statistical trends and limited consumer involvement in energy consumption preferences.
Innovation Solution
An active load management system (ALMS) that remotely monitors and manages power consumption at individual service points, using empirical data to estimate and provide dispatchable operating reserve by selectively interrupting or reducing power to devices, incorporating consumer preferences and variability factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If statistical trends and limited consumer involvement are used for demand-side management, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of operating reserve estimation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where consumer power consumption data is continuously collected, analyzed, and used to adjust demand-side management strategies. The system monitors actual power usage patterns and feeds this information back to improve operating reserve estimates, creating a closed-loop system that enhances precision while maintaining manageable complexity through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables consumers to actively participate in demand-side management by providing their own power consumption preferences and allowing the system to automatically adjust their power usage patterns. This self-service approach improves measurement precision by incorporating actual consumer behavior data while reducing the need for complex centralized control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If active load management with consumer preferences is implemented, then operating reserve reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that simultaneously performs power consumption monitoring, consumer preference collection, operating reserve estimation, and active load management. By consolidating these functions into a unified platform, the system improves operating reserve reliability through comprehensive data analysis while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer between utility companies and consumers that handles the complexity of data collection, analysis, and control. This intermediary process automatically manages consumer preferences and load adjustments, improving reliability through sophisticated processing while shielding users from the underlying system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If empirical data collection and analysis are performed, then measurement precision of power savings improves, but loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously collecting and pre-processing power consumption data during normal operation. The system maintains running totals and patterns of power usage, so when operating reserve estimation is needed, the analysis can be performed quickly using pre-processed data, reducing the time loss while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous collection and analysis of power consumption data rather than performing batch processing. This continuous action allows the system to maintain up-to-date empirical data for accurate power savings measurement while processing information in real-time, eliminating delays associated with periodic data collection and analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for providing operating reserves to an electric power grid are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises at least one power consuming device, at least one controllable device, and a client device constructed and configured in network communication. The at least one controllable device is operably coupled to the at least one power consuming device. The at least one controllable device is operable to control a power flow from the electric power grid to the at least one power consuming device responsive to power control instructions from the client device. Each of the at least one power consuming device has an actual value of power reduced and/or to be reduced based on revenue grade metrology, and confirmed by measurement and verification. The actual value of power reduced and/or to be reduced is a curtailment value as supply equivalence and provides operating reserve for the electric power grid.