Disconnect load control receiver for resistive heating loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power grid systems face challenges in managing peak power demand, especially with the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), leading to issues like upstream current flow, overvoltage, and increased costs due to the need for peak load generation during extended and flatter peak usage periods, which affects consumer satisfaction and the efficiency of resistive heating loads like water heaters.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power distribution control system that includes a disconnect load control receiver (DLCR) and a controller, which tracks 24-hour usage patterns to selectively delay demand response signals to resistive heating loads, reducing peak power demand while maintaining consumer satisfaction by deferring energy usage to lower cost times and managing energy supply from DERs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If demand response signals are sent to interrupt power to resistive heating loads during peak usage periods, then peak power demand is reduced, but consumer satisfaction deteriorates due to extended duration of peak demand (8+ hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats water during off-peak hours before anticipated peak demand periods. The controller monitors usage patterns and preemptively heats water storage tanks so that hot water is available when consumers need it, avoiding the need to interrupt power during extended peak periods and thereby maintaining consumer satisfaction while still reducing peak demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water storage tanks as intermediary energy storage devices between the resistive heating loads and the power grid. These tanks decouple the heating function from real-time power consumption, allowing the system to store thermal energy during off-peak hours and deliver it during peak hours, thus mediating between grid demand reduction goals and consumer hot water needs.
2Power
If traditional load control switches are used to interrupt power during peak demand, then power consumption during peak periods is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates as energy usage is merely shifted to another time
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition of water (liquid storage to thermal energy) as an energy buffer. By storing thermal energy in water tanks during off-peak periods and utilizing it during peak periods, the system transforms the timing of energy consumption rather than simply deferring it, effectively using thermal mass as a phase-based energy management mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs usage pattern monitoring and predictive algorithms that enable the water heating system to self-regulate its operation. The controller automatically learns and adapts to consumer usage patterns, making intelligent decisions about when to heat water without manual intervention, thereby optimizing energy efficiency while meeting consumer needs.
3Power
If demand response schemes operate for extended periods (8+ hours) to match extended peak demand, then peak power management is improved, but consumer awareness and dissatisfaction increase
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-heating water before peak demand periods rather than interrupting power during them, the system eliminates the need for consumers to be aware of extended demand response operations. The consumer experiences continuous hot water availability without knowing that demand management is occurring, thus preserving the benefit of extended peak management while eliminating consumer dissatisfaction.
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 system effectively reduces peak power demand within the electrical power grid by optimizing energy usage patterns, minimizing consumer impact, and efficiently utilizing energy from DERs, thereby reducing the need for expensive peak load generation and maintaining reliable water heating services.
Implementation Method 1
disconnect load control receiver for resistive heating loads such as water heaters
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power distribution control system configured to issue a demand response signal to cut power to a plurality of electrical power consuming loads within an electrical power distribution network to reduce a peak power demand within an electrical power grid during a peak power demand. Unlike conventional demand response systems, the controller in each consumer residence includes both a distributed control based on the ability to track individual 24 hour usage patterns and selectively delay the demand response signal on individual resistive heating loads based on usage patterns for the purpose of reducing a likelihood of consumers experiencing effects of the reduced peak power demand.