System for controlling a demand response of a plurality of electrical heating devices and use thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling the demand response of electrical heating devices are complex and do not utilize simple control actions that can be implemented by local thermostatic controllers. They also fail to maximize the utilization of renewable energy sources and do not consider the dynamic response of the energy supply system.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based supervisory control system that activates a specific number of local electrical heating devices based on information about the degree of import and export of electricity between an electrical-energy exchange means and a local microgrid. The system operates in either a renewables self-consumption mode or a peak-load shifting mode to optimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a cloud-based supervisory control system activates a specific amount of local electrical heating devices based on import/export electricity degree, then the utilization of renewable energy sources is maximized and carbon footprint is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cloud-based supervisory control system acts as an intermediary between local heating devices and the electricity microgrid, managing the complexity of optimizing renewable energy utilization while keeping local device architecture simple
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-charges thermal energy stores during periods of high renewable energy availability and low electricity import, proactively preparing energy reserves before peak demand periods occur
2Reliability
If the system operates in peak-load shifting mode to prevent strong burdens on electrical-energy exchange means, then the reliability of energy supply is improved, but the loss of time for heating response increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating by activating electrical heating devices during off-peak periods to pre-charge thermal energy stores, ensuring reliable energy supply during peak periods without compromising heating response when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between renewables self-consumption mode and peak-load shifting mode based on real-time electricity import/export conditions, optimizing the balance between energy supply stability and heating response time
3Ease of operation
If local thermostatic controllers implement simple control actions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to maximize renewable energy utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based supervisory control system serves as an intermediary that handles the complex optimization of renewable energy utilization, allowing local thermostatic controllers to maintain simple control actions while the overall system maximizes renewable energy usage
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from electricity import/export data to dynamically adjust heating device activation, enabling simple local control actions to contribute to overall renewable energy maximization through cloud-coordinated demand response
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
The system effectively adjusts the number of active heating devices to match the ratio of import to export electricity, minimizing the use of non-renewable energy sources and reducing the carbon footprint. It also helps in maintaining a steady and predictable energy exchange, preventing temporary burdens on the electrical-energy exchange means.
Implementation Method 1
A system for controlling a demand response of a plurality of electrical heating devices (EHDs)... activate, among all of a plurality of local electrical heating devices (EHDs), a specific amount of local electrical heating devices (EHDs)
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for controlling a demand response of a plurality of electrical heating devices is provided and a use thereof is suggested. The system is characterized in that it comprises a cloud-based supervisory control (CSC) system which is configured to activate, among all of a plurality of local electrical heating devices (EHDs) of the system, a specific amount of local electrical heating devices (EHDs) depending on a received information about a degree of import and export of electricity for a specific point in time between a electrical-energy exchange means connected to the system and a local, decentralized electricity microgrid connected to the system. The advantage of the system is that it can control the demand response of the electrical heating devices more economically and ecologically. The system has also an operation mode which is capable of preventing the occurrence of strong burdens on the electrical-energy exchange means connected to the system (e.g. a regional-scale or national-scale macrogrid, or local fossil-fuelled back-up generation plant).