Field Area Network Gateway for Real-Time Grid Load Shedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current demand response systems face challenges in efficiently managing load on electrical distribution grids, particularly in balancing supply and demand with the increasing integration of renewable energy sources, as they struggle to implement real-time target load adjustments across multiple endpoints effectively.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an Energy Management System (EMS) that sends demand response signals to Field Area Network Gateway (FANG) devices, which are connected between substation transformers and Demand Response Remote Communication Equipment (DR RCE), enabling selective power control and load reduction across endpoint devices, using voltage and current transformers for data sampling and communication through powerline networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If demand response systems use traditional communication and control architectures, then system simplicity is maintained, but real-time load balancing capability and responsiveness to target load adjustments deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the distribution grid into multiple phases, each served by a dedicated FANG device. This segmentation enables independent real-time control of each phase, improving load balancing capability while distributing system complexity across multiple manageable units rather than requiring a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
FANG devices serve as intermediary components between the EMS and DR RCE devices. Each FANG device receives target load adjustment signals from the EMS and translates them into phase-specific control commands for DR RCE devices, enabling real-time load balancing while simplifying the overall control architecture through standardized intermediary interfaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If demand response systems implement comprehensive real-time control across multiple endpoints, then target load adjustment accuracy is improved, but system response time and implementation efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control function into phase-specific FANG devices that independently manage their respective phases. This segmentation enables parallel processing of load adjustment commands across multiple phases, achieving accurate target load adjustments while reducing overall system response time through concurrent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
FANG devices continuously monitor phase conditions and pre-position control commands based on predicted load patterns. This preliminary action enables the system to respond more quickly to target load adjustments while maintaining accuracy, as the infrastructure is already in place and configured for immediate execution.
3Productivity
If demand response systems reduce power to endpoint devices to meet target load adjustments, then load balancing performance is improved, but consumer discomfort and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies differentiated control strategies to different phases and different endpoint devices based on local conditions. FANG devices can selectively control specific phases or groups of devices rather than uniformly reducing power across the entire system, achieving load balancing while minimizing consumer discomfort in less critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where FANG devices monitor actual load conditions and consumer responses in real-time. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of control strategies, allowing the system to meet target load adjustments while adapting to minimize consumer discomfort and operational costs based on observed conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy management system (EMS) is connected to a distribution grid upstream of substation transformers and provides a demand response (DR) program signal to the distribution grid. The program signal specifies a target load adjustment. A plurality of DR RCE (Demand Response Remote Communication Equipment) are connected to phases of the distribution grid downstream of a corresponding substation transformer. Each DR RCE controls an operation of a plurality of endpoint devices. A plurality of FANG devices, each connected to phases of the distribution grid downstream of a corresponding substation transformer, receives the DR program signal via the grid. Each FANG device selectively controls power to its endpoint devices in response to a received DR program signal. As a result, the FANG device reduces the total power applied to its endpoint devices in response to the DR program signal.