Demand-Side Load Balancing Controller for Grid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical power distribution systems rely on supply-side management, which is inefficient in handling short-term variations in energy supply and demand, particularly with the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, leading to potential power outages and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A demand-side load balancing mechanism that utilizes a load balance controller to aggregate and control power consumption of multiple load balancing devices, such as HVAC units and lighting systems, in real-time to match energy supply with demand, using monitoring systems to adjust frequency and minimize deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If supply-side management is used to balance power generation and consumption, then the system can maintain stable power supply, but it becomes inefficient in handling short-term variations in energy supply and demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional supply-side management approach by implementing demand-side management. Instead of adjusting power generation to match consumption, the system adjusts consumption to match power generation from intermittent renewable sources. The load balancing devices at consumer premises actively modify their power consumption based on real-time grid conditions, thereby solving the contradiction by responding rapidly to supply variations without requiring supply-side infrastructure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-cooling or pre-heating spaces, pre-charging batteries, or pre-adjusting water heater temperatures before periods of high renewable generation or grid stress. The load balancing devices anticipate future power availability and consumption needs, taking advance actions to reduce peak demand and smooth load variations, thereby improving both reliability and response efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If intermittent renewable energy sources are integrated into the grid, then green energy supply increases, but short-term variations in energy supply cause inefficiencies and potential power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a real-time feedback mechanism where load balancing devices continuously monitor grid frequency and power availability, then automatically adjust their consumption accordingly. When renewable generation exceeds demand (causing frequency to rise), devices reduce consumption; when generation drops (frequency falls), devices increase consumption or discharge storage. This closed-loop feedback system ensures power supply continuity while maximizing renewable energy utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters of load balancing devices based on real-time grid conditions. Devices adjust temperature setpoints, charging rates, water heating temperatures, and other controllable parameters in response to varying renewable generation levels. These parameter changes allow the system to absorb excess renewable energy when available and maintain reliable supply when generation fluctuates, resolving the contradiction between renewable integration and supply continuity.
3Device complexity
If traditional power distribution systems are used, then infrastructure simplicity is maintained, but the system cannot rapidly scale energy demand to balance supply and demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution system into autonomous load balancing devices deployed at individual consumer premises, each capable of independent control and adjustment. Rather than requiring complex centralized infrastructure changes, the system divides functionality across many distributed devices that collectively provide demand balancing. This segmentation enables rapid demand scaling while maintaining relative simplicity of the overall distribution infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces smart meters and communication interfaces as intermediaries between the power grid and consumer devices. These intermediaries enable bidirectional communication, allowing the system to transmit grid condition signals to load balancing devices and receive status information back. This intermediary layer provides the necessary control capability without requiring fundamental changes to the physical distribution infrastructure, thus maintaining infrastructure simplicity while enabling rapid demand response.
Data Source
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AI summary
A load balance controller in communication with at least one energy generation source, at least one energy consumer, at least one load balancing device, and an electrical power grid is provided. The load balance controller is configured to: receive a value of at least one operational parameter of the electrical power grid corresponding to a load balance state of the electrical power grid, identify a threshold value for the at least one operational parameter, the threshold value corresponding to a load balance state where an amount of electrical power generated by the at least one energy generation source is substantially equivalent to an amount of electrical power consumed by the at least one energy consumer, determine a deviation of the value of the at least one operational parameter from the threshold value, and selectively control the power consumption of at least one load balancing device such that the deviation is minimized.