Demand Response Translator for Utility Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utilities face challenges in managing resource consumption across various facilities during critical periods due to resource shortages, price fluctuations, and distribution network management, requiring effective demand response mechanisms that can efficiently translate utility instructions into device-specific commands to control loads.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes demand response logic to translate utility-provided information into pre-defined demand response levels, which are then converted into device states and commands, allowing devices to adjust resource consumption and report back, using a network-based communication infrastructure that includes intelligent meters and intermediaries to manage facility-wide responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If demand response information is directly transmitted to devices without translation, then communication simplicity is maintained, but device compatibility and operational effectiveness deteriorate due to varying device-specific command requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a demand response translator as an intermediary component that receives generic demand response information from utilities and translates it into device-specific commands. This translator acts as a mediator between the utility system and diverse end devices, converting standardized demand response signals into appropriate commands for different device types (HVAC, lighting, appliances) while maintaining communication simplicity at the utility level and achieving broad device compatibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If a customized translation system is developed for each device type, then device-specific control precision is improved, but system complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal demand response translator that can handle multiple device types through a standardized translation framework. The system maintains a library of device-specific command profiles and automatically selects the appropriate translation rules based on device type identification. This approach achieves device-specific control precision for HVAC, lighting, and appliance devices while avoiding the complexity of developing separate customized systems for each device type, as the single translator handles all device types through modular translation rules.
3Reliability
If demand response rules are hardcoded into the translation system, then translation reliability is improved, but system adaptability to new devices and protocols deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic translation rule system where demand response translation rules can be updated and configured without requiring system redesign. The translator loads translation rules from configurable sources (databases, configuration files, or remote servers) and can adapt to new device types and protocols by loading new rule sets. This maintains translation reliability through structured rule-based translation while enabling flexibility to accommodate emerging devices and communication protocols through dynamic rule updates.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing demand response services relative to a resource. Demand response information may be conveyed by a provider of the resource to demand-response logic. The logic may translate the demand response information into one of a pre-defined finite amount or number of demand response levels. These levels may be translated to device states, and in turn the device states may be translated to device commands. The translations may be based on rules designed to effect a resource usage scenario. The rules may be easily changed. The commands may be provided to devices at one or more facilities. The devices may control loads, which consume the resource, in accordance with the device commands. The devices may also provide information, such as conditions and resource consumption, relative to the facilities to the provider of the resource. The commands and information may be conveyed via local and wide communication networks.