Appliance Controller Grace Period for Demand Response Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy management systems require manual operation of power-consuming devices during off-peak hours to reduce peak demand, which is inconvenient and often results in incomplete use or cumbersome overrides during peak demand periods, as they lack active control beyond simple on/off switching.
Innovation Solution
A controller is integrated with power-consuming devices to operate in normal or energy savings modes based on utility demand signals, providing a grace period for users to adjust settings and maintain operation during peak demand, allowing for reduced power consumption without immediate termination of functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a controller automatically switches power consuming devices off during peak demand periods, then energy savings are achieved, but user convenience deteriorates as users cannot access their devices when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between automated control during peak demand and manual control during off-peak periods. The controller monitors utility demand signals and automatically adjusts the level of user access and device operation based on current demand conditions, making the control mode flexible rather than fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides advance notification to users before automated control is activated during peak demand periods. This preliminary alert gives users an opportunity to manually adjust settings or prepare for the upcoming automated operation, reducing inconvenience while maintaining energy savings
2Loss of energy
If manual operation during off-peak times is required, then energy savings are achieved, but system complexity increases due to user burden of tracking peak/off-peak hours
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically monitors utility demand signals and self-adjusts device operation without requiring users to track peak/off-peak hours manually. The system handles the complexity of demand monitoring and control mode selection automatically, while users simply benefit from the energy savings
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from utility demand signals and automatically adjusts operation accordingly. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for users to manually determine when peak or off-peak periods occur, reducing operational complexity while maintaining energy efficiency
3Ease of operation
If immediate override is required when users inadvertently turn off devices during peak demand, then user convenience is improved, but energy savings are reduced due to immediate full power restoration
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of immediately restoring full power operation upon user interaction, the system provides a grace period during which partial operation is permitted. This partial action approach allows users to reactivate devices if needed while still maintaining some energy conservation, rather than immediately returning to full power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a grace period buffer that cushions the transition from automated control to manual operation. This time buffer allows users to reactivate devices if they were inadvertently turned off, while still maintaining energy savings during the transition period rather than immediately restoring full power
Data Source
AI summary
An energy consuming device comprises a power consuming feature/function and a controller operatively connected to the power consuming feature/function. The controller is configured to operate the device including the power consuming feature/function in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode during an associated off-peak demand period of an associated energy supplying utility and an energy savings mode during an associated peak demand period of the associated energy supplying utility. The controller is configured to provide a user a grace period during the associated peak demand period to allow the user to change the operating mode of the power consuming feature/function from the energy savings mode to another operating mode including the normal operating mode thereby allowing additional use of the power consuming feature/function during the associated peak demand period.