Broadcast Load Control for Building-Wide Demand Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load control systems in buildings operate independently, lacking system-wide control and management capabilities, which prevents coordinated demand response and whole-building timeclock functions, such as adjusting all lights in response to utility demands or time schedules.
Innovation Solution
A load control system comprising independently-controlled units with commanders and energy controllers, connected by a broadcast controller that transmits wireless signals, allowing energy controllers to operate in different modes and respond to system-wide commands without requiring additional wiring, enabling demand response and timeclock functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If independently-operating systems are used in each room, then installation and maintenance become easier and system flexibility increases, but system-wide control and coordination capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent room-level units (commanders and energy controllers) that can be installed and configured separately, while a broadcast controller provides optional system-wide coordination. This segmentation allows easy installation and maintenance of individual units while enabling scalable system-wide control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy controllers are designed with universal functionality to operate both independently in response to local commanders and in coordination with system-wide commands from the broadcast controller. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to support both decentralized and centralized control modes.
2Ease of operation
If independently-operating systems are used in each room, then system flexibility and ease of installation improve, but demand response and whole-building timeclock functions cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent room units that maintain operational flexibility, while the broadcast controller provides optional system-wide coordination for demand response and timeclock functions. This segmentation preserves ease of operation for individual units while enabling advanced building-wide capabilities when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadcast controller serves as an intermediary that transmits system-wide commands to multiple energy controllers without requiring direct point-to-point connections. This intermediary approach enables demand response and timeclock functions while maintaining the independence and flexibility of individual room units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a system-wide control mechanism is added to independently-operating systems, then coordinated control capability improves, but system complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The broadcast controller acts as a wireless intermediary that enables system-wide coordinated control without requiring complex wiring infrastructure. It transmits commands wirelessly to multiple energy controllers, providing centralized coordination capability while minimizing additional physical infrastructure and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical/wired control connections with wireless communication between the broadcast controller and energy controllers. This substitution eliminates the need for additional wiring while enabling system-wide coordinated control, thereby reducing device complexity and installation burden.
4Device complexity
If wireless communication is used for system-wide control, then installation complexity decreases, but signal reliability and coverage area may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The broadcast controller serves as a dedicated wireless intermediary specifically designed to transmit control commands reliably throughout the building. By concentrating transmission responsibilities in a single dedicated device rather than relying on peer-to-peer wireless communication between all units, signal reliability is improved while maintaining low installation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to a plurality of electrical load includes a plurality of independent units responsive to a broadcast controller. Each independent unit includes at least one commander and at least one energy controller for controlling at least one of the electrical loads in response to a control signal received from the commander. The independent units are configured and operate independent of each other. The broadcast controller transmits wireless signals to the energy controllers of the independent units. The energy controllers do not respond to control signals received from the commanders of other independent units, but the energy controllers of both independent units respond to the wireless signals transmitted by broadcast controller. The energy controller may operate in different operating modes in response to the wireless signals transmitted by the broadcast controller.