EMS Server Power Control via Local Controller Intermediary
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial facilities face challenges in controlling power consumption to stay below contracted demand limits, as existing technologies exhaust unique identification numbers for device control and lack efficient methods to regulate mean power consumption within set time limits.
Innovation Solution
A power control system comprising a server apparatus and power control apparatus that communicate via the Internet, using local area networks to transmit measurement values and control instructions, allowing the server to generate and enforce settings changes on load devices to reduce power consumption within demand time limits, thereby managing power usage below planned values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a server directly controls devices via the Internet using unique identification numbers, then device control capability is improved, but the finite number of unique identification numbers will be exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local controller as an intermediary device that receives control instructions from the server and relays them to multiple load devices. This mediator approach allows the server to control devices without directly addressing each device with a unique IP address, thus resolving the contradiction between device control capability and the limited number of unique identification numbers.
2Quantity of substance
If a local controller polls the server for control instructions, then the need for unique identification numbers is eliminated, but the efficiency of real-time power consumption regulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the server calculate and store optimal control settings for load devices in advance, based on predicted power consumption patterns and contract demand limits. When the local controller requests control instructions, the server can immediately provide pre-calculated settings rather than requiring complex real-time calculations, thus improving regulation efficiency while maintaining the polling architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the local controller reports actual power consumption data back to the server, which then adjusts future control instructions accordingly. This feedback loop enables the server to optimize power consumption regulation over time while working within the constraints of the polling-based control architecture.
3Manufacturing precision
If the server calculates control instructions for each load device individually, then precise power consumption control is achieved, but the calculation time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control strategy for multiple load devices into a unified approach. Instead of calculating optimal settings for each device independently, the server considers the aggregate power consumption of all controlled devices and determines control instructions that achieve the desired total power reduction. This merging of control strategies reduces calculation time while maintaining precision in meeting contract demand limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The server implements a universal control algorithm that can be applied to multiple load devices simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows the same calculation methodology to be used across different device types and locations, reducing the overall computational burden and calculation time while achieving precise power consumption control across the entire system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An EMS server 14 calculates an estimated value of an integrated power consumption at an expiration of a reference time, based on a current value of power consumption of at least one load device located in a consumer's facility and a remaining time in the reference time. The EMS server 14 controls the load device in accordance with the estimated value of the integrated power consumption and a response time. The response time refers to a time required to complete a change in power consumption of the load device in response to a change in a setting of the load device.