Home Energy Manager Survival Mode for Generator Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home energy management systems lack the ability to efficiently manage energy consumption during utility power interruptions, often requiring larger generators to provide basic home functionalities like hot water, lights, and cooking, which can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A home energy management system with a controller that communicates with energy-consuming devices and a generator to implement a 'survival mode' by actively controlling device operations, ensuring the total load does not exceed the generator's capacity, allowing smaller generators to provide similar functionality to larger ones by selectively switching on and off devices and adjusting their power states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a larger generator is used to provide basic home functionalities during power outages, then the reliability and functionality are improved, but the cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters of energy-consuming devices by adjusting setpoints (temperature, power levels) and duty cycles (on/off timing) to match the generator's limited power capacity while maintaining essential functionalities
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management system continuously monitors power availability and dynamically adjusts device operations in real-time, switching between different operational states and prioritizing essential loads based on current power conditions
2Reliability
If a larger generator is used to provide basic home functionalities, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves equivalent functionality to a larger generator by dynamically adjusting operational parameters of multiple devices, effectively 'creating' additional power capacity through intelligent control rather than physical expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic cycling of non-essential devices (turning them on and off in sequences) to distribute power demands over time, allowing a smaller generator to serve the same overall function as a larger continuous-power generator
3Loss of energy
If the generator capacity is limited, then the cost is reduced, but the functionality and reliability during power outages deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments devices into priority groups (essential vs. non-essential) and allocates power accordingly, ensuring critical functionalities like refrigeration and heating are maintained while non-critical devices are curtailed or cycled
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes priority hierarchies and operational protocols for different power availability scenarios, enabling automatic appropriate responses when power outages occur without requiring real-time complex decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for enabling an home energy management (HEM) system to work with a home power generator to run the home in a “survival mode” when the home has lost power from the main utility feed. The HEM controls the operation of the main appliances/loads to enable the homeowner to have basic functionality (hot water, lights, heat, cooking & preserving food) of their home, all while ensuring the max draw on the home does not exceed the output rating of the generator thereby allowing the use of a smaller generator while still providing functionality similar to larger generators resulting in energy and cost savings to the consumer.