Energy Controller Class-Specific Curtailment for Power Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased number of energy-consuming devices often exceeds available power outlets, leading to energy over-consumption issues when multiple devices are operated concurrently, which existing energy management systems fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that includes an energy controller capable of transmitting class-specific energy curtailment signals to energy-consuming devices, allowing them to determine whether to curtail energy consumption or have the energy supply curtailed if an over-consumption condition exists, prioritizing device classes to minimize user impact and ensure essential services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple energy consuming devices are operated concurrently, then the energy demand increases, but the available power is exceeded causing over-consumption conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments energy consuming devices into different priority classes (e.g., critical, non-critical) and applies differentiated curtailment strategies to each class. The energy controller transmits class-specific curtailment signals to devices based on their priority classification, allowing essential devices to continue operating while non-essential devices are curtailed during over-consumption conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state of energy consuming devices by transmitting curtailment signals that modify their energy consumption parameters. Devices receive signals to adjust their operation from full power to reduced power or shutdown states, dynamically changing their energy consumption to match available power supply during over-consumption conditions.
2Reliability
If energy curtailment is applied to all devices, then the over-consumption condition is resolved, but essential services may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different curtailment policies to different devices based on their local characteristics and priority classifications. Critical devices (e.g., refrigerators, medical equipment) are exempted or given lower curtailment priority, while non-critical devices (e.g., entertainment systems, lighting) are curtailed first. This localized differentiation ensures essential services continue while resolving the overall over-consumption condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary classification of devices into priority classes before curtailment is needed. Devices are pre-tagged with their criticality level and curtailment preferences, so when over-consumption occurs, the energy controller can immediately transmit appropriate class-specific curtailment signals without disrupting essential services. Users can also pre-set their curtailment preferences for each device.
3Measurement precision
If class-specific curtailment signals are transmitted, then the curtailment process becomes more precise, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Energy consuming devices self-identify their class or priority level and store this information locally. When the energy controller transmits a class-specific curtailment signal, the device controller compares the signal against its stored class information and autonomously determines whether to curtail. This self-service approach enables precise targeting without requiring complex centralized control logic or continuous communication between the controller and each device.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy management system comprises at least one energy consuming device and an energy controller. The energy controller supplies energy to the energy consuming device and transmits an energy curtailment signal in response to an energy over-consumption condition. In one embodiment, the curtailment signal can be directed to a predetermined class of energy consuming device. In another embodiment, the energy consuming device can determine whether to curtail energy consumption in response to the curtailment signal. The energy controller can be in the form of a power strip.