Appliance Control System for Grid-Aware Energy Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances do not effectively utilize information about the type of energy generation and load status of the electrical supply network to optimize energy consumption, leading to inefficiencies and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A method where a control device within or external to the appliance receives data on energy supply, including type of generation and load status, and generates a control signal to change the appliance's operating state, ensuring it consumes 'clean energy' when available and during low network load, thereby optimizing energy usage and environmental friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If household appliances operate continuously to maintain productivity, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases and environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device receives feedback information about energy supply conditions (renewable energy availability, load status) from the supply network and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the appliance's operating state, switching between active and standby modes based on real-time energy conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance transitions from a static continuous operation mode to a dynamic operation mode where the operating state (active/standby) changes dynamically based on real-time energy supply conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying renewable energy availability and network load status
2Ease of operation
If household appliances consume energy during peak demand periods, then ease of operation is improved, but the load status of the supply network worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary assessment of energy supply conditions before initiating appliance operation, checking whether renewable energy is available and whether network load is within acceptable limits, and only then allows the appliance to operate
3Device complexity
If household appliances do not monitor energy supply information, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to energy conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it monitors energy supply conditions, evaluates them against predetermined criteria, generates control signals, and manages appliance operating states, making it a multi-functional component that handles both monitoring and control tasks
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to enable a domestic appliance (1) to make better use of information provided by a power supplier. The invention relates to a method for operating a domestic appliance (1) wherein the domestic appliance (1) is supplied with power from a power supply system (5). A control unit (2) receives data which contain information on the power supply, especially information on how the power was generated and/or on the load condition of the power supply system (5). The control unit (2) checks whether a predetermined criterion relating to said information is met. Once said predetermined criterion is met, the control unit (2) produces a control signal which initiates a change in the operating state of the domestic appliance (1).