Interruptible Load Control for Fluctuating Power Demand

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Solution Overview

Problem

The management of electric power production is complicated by the variability of renewable energy sources, leading to inefficient operations in traditional power plants due to rapid fluctuations in energy production and demand, resulting in increased costs, pollution, and reduced profitability.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that utilizes an interruptible load to optimize power generation by determining the net market value of electricity, processing tasks, and fuel, allowing for the efficient shutdown or startup of processing tasks to match energy demand and supply, thereby maximizing capacity utilization and minimizing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional power plants quickly ramp up production to meet evening demand increases, then consumer demand is met, but startup costs increase and pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speed to demand changesVSAvoidoperating cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-heating boilers and maintaining generators in a warm standby state during periods of low demand, so that when demand increases in the evening, the plants can ramp up quickly without full startup costs. This preliminary preparation reduces both response time and operating costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operating state of power plants between different modes (full operation, partial operation, warm standby, cold standby) based on real-time demand forecasting and market conditions. This dynamic state management allows optimal balance between response speed and operating cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If traditional power plants operate at full capacity throughout the day, then high capacity utilization is maintained, but surplus electricity must be offloaded causing frequency excursions and reduced profitability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity utilizationVSAvoidgrid frequency instability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors grid conditions, demand forecasts, and renewable generation levels, using this feedback to dynamically adjust power plant output. This feedback mechanism prevents overproduction by matching generation to actual demand, avoiding frequency excursions and the need to offload surplus electricity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operating parameters (generation level, plant state) based on varying conditions including time of day, renewable availability, and grid demand. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed full-capacity operation, the system maintains high utilization when appropriate while avoiding grid instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If renewable energy production fluctuates rapidly, then clean energy goals are advanced, but traditional power plants face operational inefficiency and increased costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollution reductionVSAvoidoperating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system acts as an intermediary layer between renewable energy sources and traditional power plants, using demand forecasting and market analysis to coordinate their operation. This intermediary control optimizes the mix of renewable and traditional generation, allowing traditional plants to operate efficiently while still advancing clean energy goals through strategic dispatch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11854096B2Methods and systems for meeting rapidly fluctuating power demands using interruptible load and stable power production

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 GEBHARDT ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

An automated control method for meeting rapidly fluctuating power demands with stable power production is disclosed. The method includes determining a market value of a unit of electricity sold on the grid, a fuel cost required to produce the unit of electricity, and a market value of a processing task requiring the unit of electricity. The method also includes calculating which of the electricity, processing, or fuel is most valuable; shutting off a running process when the value of the electricity is highest or the value of the fuel is highest; and starting a pending process when the net market value of the processing task is highest. The method may also include reducing electricity generation at a power plant when the value of electricity is negative, or exercising a futures contract to supply electricity.