Intermediate Energy Management Device for Load Shedding Priority
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Residential electrical installations with a single load shedding device are limited in managing a variable number of electrical devices, and the introduction of multiple devices in parallel leads to ineffective power management due to independent operation, failing to efficiently handle high-power loads like electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate energy management device with multiple output channels, each with a priority level, that receives management information from an electricity meter and generates load shedding orders to connected devices, allowing for effective allocation of priority and efficient energy management without modifying existing load shedding devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single load shedding device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to manage a variable number of electrical devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The load shedding functionality is segmented into multiple independent output channels, each capable of managing specific electrical devices. The intermediate device divides the management of electrical devices into multiple priority levels (priority channel and non-priority channel), allowing flexible adaptation to variable numbers of devices without requiring system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate energy management device serves multiple functions: it acts as a protocol converter between TIC and EIB formats, functions as a priority allocator among devices, and serves as an intermediary between the electricity meter and multiple load shedding devices. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple load shedding devices are introduced in parallel, then the adaptability to manage more devices is improved, but the effectiveness of power management deteriorates due to independent operation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple load shedding devices are merged into a coordinated system through the intermediate device. The intermediate device receives a single TIC message from the electricity meter and distributes coordinated EIB messages to multiple load shedding devices, ensuring they operate as a unified system rather than independently. This maintains reliability while increasing the number of manageable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate energy management device acts as an intermediary between the electricity meter and multiple load shedding devices. It translates the single TIC protocol message into multiple coordinated EIB protocol messages, ensuring synchronized operation of all connected devices based on the same power management decision, thus maintaining effectiveness while managing more devices.
3Productivity
If priority allocation is implemented, then the efficiency of energy management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different output channels are assigned different priority levels (priority channel vs. non-priority channel), creating local quality differences in how devices are managed. This allows critical devices to receive preferential treatment during load shedding while maintaining overall system efficiency, with the complexity managed through clear channel differentiation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The device has a communication bus (24) e.g. multi-pair cable, for obtaining input management information in conformity with a format of predetermined information from an electric meter (10). Output channels (26, 28) have associated priority level, where one of the output channels is connected to be connected to unballasting devices (12, 14). A generation unit generates output management information associated respectively to each output channel from the input management information and the associated priority levels, where the output management information conforms to predetermined format. An independent claim is also included for a method for managing energy.