Consumer Power Management Device for Peak Load Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power distribution systems require peaker plants to meet high demand, leading to increased costs, environmental pollution, and reduced efficiency, with no emergency power provisions for consumers, resulting in higher electricity costs and potential equipment damage during outages.
Innovation Solution
An electric power management device with a battery and communication system at consumer premises, connected to an electric power provider, charges at off-peak times and discharges during high demand, controlled by the provider, providing emergency backup and shifting peak loads to reduce costs and capital expenditures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If peaker plants are constructed to meet high demand, then power supply reliability is improved, but capital expenditure and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the power supply system into distributed consumer-sited battery units rather than relying on a single centralized peaker plant. Each consumer premises has its own battery system that can be independently controlled, segmenting the overall power management function across multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Batteries are charged during off-peak hours in advance before peak demand occurs. The system performs preliminary energy storage when electricity is cheaper and demand is low, then discharges during peak periods to avoid the need for expensive peaker plant construction.
2Reliability
If peaker plants are built to ensure adequate power supply, then power availability is improved, but environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the previously harmful practice of burning dirty fuel in peaker plants into a beneficial system using clean battery storage. By charging batteries during off-peak hours and discharging during peak demand, the system eliminates the need for fossil fuel combustion, thereby converting a harmful power generation approach into an environmentally friendly one.
3Power
If peaker plants are constructed to meet peak demand, then power supply capacity is improved, but overall system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power management by continuously monitoring demand conditions and automatically switching between grid power and battery power. The central controller modulates battery charging and discharging operations in real-time based on peak and off-peak demand conditions, optimizing system efficiency while maintaining adequate power capacity.
4Ease of operation
If consumers purchase power during peak times, then immediate power needs are met, but electricity costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary energy storage by charging batteries during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper. Consumers then draw power from their stored battery energy during peak periods, avoiding the need to purchase expensive peak-time electricity while ensuring immediate power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller receives feedback signals from the utility company indicating peak and off-peak demand conditions. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts its operation to charge batteries during low-cost periods and discharge during high-cost periods, optimizing electricity cost savings while maintaining power availability.
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 solution provides consumers with lower electricity costs, emergency backup power, and environmental benefits by reducing the need for peaker plants, while improving utility efficiency and reliability, and enabling more efficient grid usage.
Implementation Method 1
An electric power management device with a battery and communication system at consumer premises, connected to an electric power provider, charges at off-peak times and discharges during high demand
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method provide emergency back-up power for communications, security and other systems of an electric power consumer, and for peak-shifting of the electrical load so that electricity is generated and stored when demand is low, and the stored power is used when demand is high. Embodiments include providing an electric power management device having a battery and a communication system at the premises of a consumer of electricity, and connecting the power management device to an electric power provider. The battery is charged at an off-peak time when a demand for electricity is low, as determined by the electric power provider; and discharged to provide electricity to the consumer at a time when the demand for electricity is high, as determined by the electric power provider. The charging and discharging is controlled by the electric power provider.