Cellular Network Battery Load Shifting for Peak-Rate Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing power consumption and cost of mobile communication networks due to sophisticated cellular networks have led to a need for efficient energy management, particularly in managing energy loads between mains and battery backups to optimize costs and operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an energy controller that provisions battery backups and shifts power loads based on characteristics such as cost schedules, historical and predicted usage, and battery charge/discharge characteristics to minimize energy costs by using mains power during off-peak hours and battery power during peak hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If battery backup is used during peak electric rates to reduce energy costs, then energy cost is reduced, but battery life is shortened due to increased charge/discharge cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the load shifting strategy based on real-time conditions. The energy controller monitors battery state of charge, charge/discharge rates, and electric rate structures to optimize when to use battery power versus mains power, balancing cost reduction with battery life extension through adaptive control parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including battery charge/discharge rates, state of charge thresholds, and load shifting timing based on electric rate structures and battery health indicators. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes both cost savings and battery longevity
2Reliability
If battery backup capacity is increased to extend operation duration, then reliability during power disruptions is improved, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of power disruption risks and electric rate structures to pre-optimize battery sizing and configuration. By analyzing historical data and predicting future needs, the system determines the appropriate battery capacity before deployment, avoiding both oversizing and undersizing
Solution Approach 2:
The energy controller automatically manages battery charging, discharging, and monitoring without requiring complex external control systems. The system self-adjusts operational parameters based on embedded algorithms that monitor battery health, state of charge, and electric rate structures, reducing the need for additional control complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If load shifting is implemented to optimize energy costs, then energy cost is reduced, but loss of time occurs due to battery charging cycles during off-peak hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic load shifting aligned with electric utility rate structures, charging batteries during off-peak hours when rates are lower and discharging during peak hours. By synchronizing charging cycles with periodic rate variations, the system captures cost savings while minimizing time loss through efficient use of available charging windows
Solution Approach 2:
The energy controller continuously monitors battery state of charge, charging rates, and electric rate structures to provide real-time feedback on load shifting effectiveness. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of charging schedules to optimize cost savings while minimizing time loss, adapting to changing conditions in real-time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces energy costs by up to 5% and extends battery life by optimizing power usage based on time-of-use billing plans and dynamic switching, ensuring reliable cellular network operation during power disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
provision a battery backup to supply power to the system for X number of hours
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for load shifting power supply for a cellular network system. In embodiments, an energy controller can provision a battery backup to supply power to the system for X number of hours, and load shift power to the system between mains power and the battery backup based on one or more characteristics of the mains power. In some embodiments, the one or more characteristics of the mains power includes a cost schedule having on-peak and off-peak rates.