Demand-response system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Demand-response systems face challenges in controlling a wide variety of devices due to the difficulty in designing standardized control specifications and developing shared commands, which is costly and burdensome for device manufacturers, making it hard to achieve accurate demand-response without ascertaining the control specifications of each device.
Innovation Solution
A demand-response system utilizing a first and second aggregator apparatus, each controlling different device groups with dedicated commands, allowing the upper-tier aggregator to send energy adjustment requests without needing to know the control specifications of the devices, enabling accurate demand-response even without standardized specifications or a shared command.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standardized control specifications and shared commands are designed for all devices, then demand-response accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the device control architecture into two layers: upper-tier aggregator apparatus that sends standardized energy adjustment requests, and lower-tier aggregator apparatus that handles device-specific dedicated commands. This segmentation allows the upper tier to maintain simplicity while the lower tier manages device-specific complexities, resolving the contradiction between standardization and device diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower-tier aggregator apparatus acts as an intermediary between the upper-tier aggregator and the diverse device groups. It translates standardized energy adjustment requests into device-specific dedicated commands, enabling demand-response control without requiring direct standardization between the upper tier and individual devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If device manufacturers disclose control specifications for standardization, then shared command development is enabled, but manufacturer participation becomes difficult due to disclosure burdens
Solution Approach 1:
The lower-tier aggregator apparatus serves as an intermediary that shields device manufacturers from the need to disclose control specifications to the upper tier. The lower tier handles the translation between standardized requests and device-specific commands, allowing manufacturers to participate without direct standardization commitments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the standardization requirement from the direct interaction between upper-tier aggregator and devices. By placing the translation function in the lower-tier aggregator, the patent removes the burden of control specification disclosure from manufacturers while maintaining shared command compatibility at the upper tier level.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated commands are used for each device group, then demand-response accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple command types
Solution Approach 1:
The command system is segmented into two distinct layers: standardized energy adjustment requests at the upper tier and device-specific dedicated commands at the lower tier. This segmentation allows each layer to use appropriate command types for its function, maintaining accuracy while managing complexity through hierarchical organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower-tier aggregator apparatus acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple dedicated commands. It receives simple standardized requests from the upper tier and translates them into the appropriate device-specific commands, isolating the complexity from the upper tier while maintaining accuracy at the device level.
Data Source
AI summary
A demand-response system includes first and second aggregators and a power aggregator. The first aggregator performs demand-response-related control of a first heating device group including a heat pump device, and the second aggregator performs demand-response related control of a second heating device group. The power aggregator sends a second power adjustment request to the first and second aggregators using a command being common to the first and second aggregators. In accordance with the second power adjustment request, the first aggregator performs demand-response-related control of the first heating device group using a first dedicated command, and the second aggregator performs demand-response-related control of the second heating device group using a second dedicated command that is different from the first dedicated command.