Grid Responsive Control Device for Frequency Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power grid management systems face challenges in maintaining frequency stability, leading to potential blackouts and inefficient energy distribution due to the lack of effective demand-side response mechanisms, which result in frequent load shedding and increased energy costs.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method that sense grid frequency and load energy storage levels to adjust energy consumption dynamically, using a central frequency based on historical data and randomization to prevent synchronized load changes, thereby stabilizing the grid and reducing switching rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If demand-side response mechanisms are implemented to balance generation and load, then grid frequency stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid frequency stabilityVSAvoidcontrol device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically senses grid frequency and load energy storage levels, then autonomously adjusts energy consumption without requiring external control signals or complex coordination systems. This self-service approach improves grid stability while avoiding the complexity of centralized control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously senses grid frequency and load energy storage levels, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust energy consumption. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic frequency stabilization without requiring complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If load shedding is used to prevent total collapse during extreme low-frequency conditions, then system stability is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device proactively adjusts energy consumption in response to frequency deviations before the system reaches critical collapse conditions. By taking preliminary action during moderate frequency deviations, the device prevents the need for extreme load shedding that would disrupt users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device automatically manages energy consumption adjustments without requiring user intervention or awareness. This self-service operation maintains system stability while keeping users unaware of the control actions, thus preserving user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If generators are operated below capacity to cope with potential contingencies, then system reliability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reducing generation capacity to maintain reliability, the invention inverts the approach by having loads actively reduce their energy consumption in response to grid conditions. This shifts the reliability burden from the generation side to the demand side, allowing generators to operate at full capacity while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device dynamically changes the energy consumption parameter of loads based on sensed grid frequency and load energy storage levels. This parameter adjustment enables the system to maintain reliability through demand modulation rather than reducing generation capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If randomization is used to prevent synchronized load changes, then grid stability is improved, but control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid stabilityVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device applies partial randomization to the trigger values rather than complete randomization. This partial action approach provides enough variability to prevent synchronized load changes across the grid, while maintaining sufficient control precision through the underlying sensing and adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2273648B1Grid responsive control device
Publication Date: 2014.07.16 OPEN ENERGI LTD
  • EP2273648B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2273648B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~2
  • EP2273648B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A control device for controlling an energy consumption of a load operably connected to an electricity grid, characterized in that said control device comprises: means for sensing a value of a physical variable of the grid, said physical variable varying depending upon a relationship between electricity generation and a loading on the grid; means for sensing a value of a physical variable of the load, said physical variable of the load being representative of energy stored by the load; means for varying an energy consumption of said load when a value of said physical variable of the grid reaches a trigger value; and means for determining the trigger value, said determining of the trigger value being dependent upon said sensed physical variable of the load.