Energy Management System Peak Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utilities face increased costs and strain on energy production and supply due to peak demand, which can lead to sudden drops in energy consumption causing inefficiencies and potential blackouts, and existing solutions focus solely on minimizing energy use without considering the overall energy production system.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that optimizes facility energy consumption by employing a system controller to adjust operational modes of energy-consuming devices based on priority, energy need, and demand state, utilizing local energy storage and generation, and distributing energy demand to reduce peak loads and strain on the energy supply chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If utilities increase energy production capacity to meet peak demand, then energy supply reliability is improved, but system cost and operational strain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by charging local energy storage devices during off-peak hours before peak demand occurs. The controller predicts peak demand periods and pre-charges storage devices, so that when peak demand arrives, the facility can draw from stored energy rather than requiring additional utility production capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Local energy storage devices act as intermediaries between the utility grid and the facility load. The storage devices buffer the relationship between utility supply and facility demand, allowing the facility to decouple its operations from utility peak demand periods while maintaining reliable power supply.
2Loss of energy
If facilities minimize energy consumption during peak demand, then cost is reduced, but sudden demand drops cause inefficiencies and potential blackouts in the energy supply system
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of local energy storage devices during off-peak periods, so that during peak demand periods the facility can draw from stored energy rather than drawing down utility supply. This preliminary action prevents sudden demand drops while still achieving cost savings by avoiding peak period consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic charging during off-peak hours and discharging during peak hours, creating a cyclical pattern that smooths overall demand. This periodic action allows the facility to minimize consumption during expensive peak periods while maintaining system stability through the buffering effect of storage devices.
3Device complexity
If facilities use only external energy supply, then system complexity is minimized, but vulnerability to peak demand pricing and supply strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management system provides multiple functions: it manages external grid connection, controls local energy storage charging/discharging, monitors facility energy consumption, and makes intelligent dispatch decisions. This multi-functionality allows the facility to benefit from both external supply reliability and local storage independence without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The facility serves itself by using local energy storage to meet its own peak demand requirements, reducing dependence on external utility supply during expensive periods. The system autonomously manages energy dispatch based on pricing signals and consumption patterns, allowing the facility to self-regulate its energy cost and supply strain impact.
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy management system (100) manages energy consumption of managed device(s) (102) disposed to receive energy via a meter (106) connected to an energy supply (10). A system controller (101) instructs the managed device(s) to employ an operational mode based on the priority, the energy need, the demand state, and whether the energy consumption rate of the managed device(s) exceeds energy available from at least one of the external energy source and internal energy source (116, 117).