Electrical Component Control for Dual Power Consumption Strategies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to enable electrical components, such as generators and loads, to simultaneously participate in peak-price-avoidance strategies and frequency-responsive services, leading to inefficiencies in balancing electrical supply and demand, particularly with the integration of renewable energy sources which are less reliable.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows components to adjust energy transfer rates based on both a baseline power function derived from slow-moving market conditions and a fast-moving power function responsive to network imbalances, enabling simultaneous participation in multiple power strategies while minimizing economic costs and maintaining energy reserves within acceptable ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If components operate to minimize energy consumption during peak pricing periods, then economic costs are reduced, but the ability to respond dynamically to network frequency imbalances is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The power function is segmented into two distinct components: a slow-moving baseline power function that handles economic optimization over longer periods, and a fast-moving power function that handles rapid frequency-responsive adjustments. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently within its optimal timescale without interfering with the other's objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the component's power consumption by superimposing a fast-moving power function onto a slow-moving baseline power function. The fast-moving component responds to real-time frequency deviations while the baseline component maintains economic optimization, creating a dynamically adaptive system that operates effectively across multiple timescales.
2Reliability
If components provide frequency-responsive services with rapid adjustments, then network balancing is improved, but economic costs increase due to suboptimal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The power function is segmented into two distinct components: a slow-moving baseline power function that handles economic optimization over longer periods, and a fast-moving power function that handles rapid frequency-responsive adjustments. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently within its optimal timescale without interfering with the other's objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The fast-moving power function applies only the necessary degree of adjustment required for frequency response, rather than excessive adjustments that would unnecessarily increase economic costs. The baseline power function compensates for any suboptimality by optimizing the overall operating point over longer periods.
3Ease of operation
If a single power function is used for control, then operation is simplified, but the ability to simultaneously achieve economic optimization and network balancing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two previously separate control strategies into a single unified power function by superimposing the fast-moving power function onto the slow-moving baseline power function. This combining allows the component to simultaneously participate in both peak-price-avoidance schemes and frequency-responsive services through a single integrated control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified power function serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides economic optimization through the baseline component while also enabling rapid frequency-responsive adjustments through the fast-moving component. This multi-functionality allows a single control mechanism to achieve dual objectives that were previously requiring separate systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A control method and system for operating an electrical component from an electrical distribution network maximises the advantage to be gained from the component simultaneously following two power-consumption strategies. The first strategy D(t) is relatively slow-moving, for example increasing consumption when electricity prices are lower, whereas the second F(t) requires fast-moving adjustments, for example when providing a frequency responsive service to counter network power imbalances. The method involves operating the component to follow a strategy with the fast-moving function F(t) superimposed on a baseline power function B(t), with B(t) derived from the slow-moving function D(t). In applying the invention to a binary component (i.e. one that is either "off" or "on") that is providing the responsive service as part of a group of such components, B(t) is derived both from D(t) and also from past values of F(t). The effect of F(t) is mitigated by determining the value of B(t) for each of a sequence of subintervals by a method that takes into account its contribution to power consumption in all previous subintervals.