Dynamic Load Balancing Controller for Poly-Phase Grid Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional load-balancing in poly-phase power systems is tedious, inefficient, and impractical for larger systems, as it requires manual accounting and adjustment of loads across phases, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic load-balancing system that uses a central control unit to monitor and adjust loads across phases using bidirectional plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and solar/wind power generators, with a controllable switchgear and DC/AC inverters to optimize energy distribution and integration with the utility grid, allowing for dynamic phase assignment and reactive power sourcing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual load-balancing is used in poly-phase power systems, then the system can achieve load balance across phases, but the process becomes tedious, time-consuming, and impractical for larger systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic load-balancing where the controller autonomously monitors phase loads and dynamically assigns single-phase loads to appropriate phases without human intervention. The controller continuously evaluates load conditions and automatically switches loads between phases to maintain balance, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for manual accounting and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical switching and wiring adjustments with electronic control. The controller uses electronic switching devices to dynamically assign loads between phases based on real-time monitoring, substituting the tedious manual process with automated electronic decision-making and execution.
2Reliability
If manual load-balancing is used, then load distribution can be adjusted, but the process becomes inefficient and inaccurate for larger numbers of loads
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically monitors all connected loads and phases, continuously evaluating load conditions and making real-time assignments without human intervention. This self-service capability ensures accurate and efficient load distribution across multiple phases, handling any number of loads without the inefficiencies of manual processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous monitoring of phase loads with feedback control. The controller receives real-time information about load conditions on each phase and automatically adjusts assignments to maintain optimal balance, ensuring high accuracy and efficiency even as the number of loads increases.
3Productivity
If dynamic load-balancing with central control is implemented, then load distribution efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central controller performs multiple functions: monitoring phase loads, dynamically assigning single-phase loads to appropriate phases, providing backup power coordination, and managing overall system operation. This multi-functionality consolidates control capabilities into a single device, improving efficiency while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
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 achieves efficient and flexible load balancing, enabling demand management, emergency backup power, and ancillary services by dynamically adjusting loads and energy storage, improving overall system efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
DC/AC inverters to optimize energy distribution and integration with the utility grid
Data Source
AI summary
Our system improves the efficiency and functionality of a grid-interactive or grid-tied power system that utilizes one or more local power sources and one or more local energy storage devices. The purpose is the coordination, optimization and efficient control, regulation, and transfer of electrical energy among several energy storage devices, power generators, the utility grid, and connected local electrical loads. The coordinated control and utilization of local storage and generation combined with coordinated integration with the utility grid results in an overall system that can be more flexible, economical, and efficient than any of the individual components can be, when operated separately. It uses dynamic adjustment, feedback, and other control modules/methods.