Control device, control method for water heater, and program

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies do not effectively decrease power reverse flow in response to instructions to suppress it, leading to power generation loss and inefficiency in designated periods.

Innovation Solution

A control device that acquires suppression instructions and commands a water heater to perform a water heat-up operation when specific conditions are met, improving power utilization efficiency by adjusting energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the water heater operates during the suppression period to consume generated power, then power utilization efficiency is improved, but the water heater's operational requirements (temperature, timing) must be satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation lossVSAvoidwater heater operation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines in advance whether the water heater can operate during the suppression period by checking if the generated power amount exceeds the sum of household consumption and water heater consumption. This preliminary assessment ensures that water heater operation is scheduled only when sufficient power is available, preventing operational conflicts while maximizing power utilization during suppression periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the water heater's operation schedule based on real-time power generation conditions and suppression period requirements. The control device flexibly determines operation timing and duration by comparing generated power amounts with consumption patterns, allowing the water heater to adapt its operation to both power availability and thermal requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy utilization and operational satisfaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the output of power generated by the power generator is suppressed to maintain supply-demand balance, then the supply-demand balance is maintained, but power generation loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply-demand balanceVSAvoidpower generation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful effect of power suppression (which causes power generation loss) into a beneficial opportunity by scheduling water heater operation during suppression periods. The control device identifies suppression periods and determines whether generated power exceeds consumption requirements, then activates the water heater to consume the otherwise wasted power. This transforms the suppression-induced power loss into useful energy utilization, maintaining supply-demand balance while reducing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If the water heater operates during the suppression period, then power utilization efficiency is improved, but the generated power must be sufficient to cover both household consumption and water heater consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower utilization efficiencyVSAvoidgenerated power amount

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by operating the water heater only during portions of the suppression period when sufficient generated power is available. The control device calculates whether the generated power amount exceeds the sum of household consumption and water heater consumption, and only schedules water heater operation when this condition is met. This partial operation approach maximizes power utilization efficiency without requiring excessive generated power, adapting the water heater's operation to the actual power availability during suppression periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 control device enhances power utilization efficiency by ensuring the water heater operates during designated suppression periods, reducing power generation loss and excess energy sales.

Implementation Method 1

commanding a water heater installed in the power-consuming area to perform a water heat-up operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11519612B2Control device, control method for water heater, and program

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

In a control device, an instruction acquirer acquires an instruction to suppress in a specified period supplying of generated power generated by power generator installed in a power-consuming area to a commercial electrical power system. Upon the instruction acquirer acquiring the instruction, a water heater controller commands a water heater installed in the power-consuming area to perform a water heat-up operation when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the specified period.