Electrical Load Control for Frequency Response and Cost Shifting

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in allowing electrical components connected to a power network to simultaneously participate in both frequency-responsive services and other electrical-power consumption strategies, such as peak-price avoidance, due to economic obstacles and operational incompatibilities.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the rate of energy transfer between electrical components and the network using a baseline power function derived from slow-moving market forces and a fast-moving power function responsive to network imbalances, allowing components to follow multiple strategies while minimizing economic deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If electrical components operate to minimize energy consumption during peak pricing periods or hold power in reserve for revenue maximization, then economic benefits are improved, but the ability to participate in frequency-responsive services deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption costVSAvoidparticipation in frequency-responsive services

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system segments the power function into two distinct components: a baseline power function B(t) that operates on a slow timescale to optimize economic objectives, and a fast-moving power function F(t) that operates on a fast timescale to provide frequency-responsive services. This segmentation allows each function to operate independently in its optimal timescale without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between economic optimization and frequency response participation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the baseline power function B(t) based on the operating frequency of the electrical component. When the component operates above or below its rated frequency, the baseline function is modified to account for the changed operating conditions, allowing the component to maintain both economic optimization and frequency-responsive capability under varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If electrical components simultaneously follow multiple power consumption strategies, then versatility is improved, but operational compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous strategy participationVSAvoidoperational compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system segments the power function into two distinct components: a baseline power function B(t) that operates on a slow timescale to optimize economic objectives, and a fast-moving power function F(t) that operates on a fast timescale to provide frequency-responsive services. This segmentation allows each function to operate independently in its optimal timescale without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between economic optimization and frequency response participation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the baseline power function B(t) based on the operating frequency of the electrical component. When the component operates above or below its rated frequency, the baseline function is modified to account for the changed operating conditions, allowing the component to maintain both economic optimization and frequency-responsive capability under varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If electrical components provide frequency-responsive services with fast response times, then balancing service quality is improved, but economic optimization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speed to network imbalancesVSAvoideconomic cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control system segments the power function into two distinct components: a baseline power function B(t) that operates on a slow timescale to optimize economic objectives, and a fast-moving power function F(t) that operates on a fast timescale to provide frequency-responsive services. This segmentation allows each function to operate independently in its optimal timescale without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between economic optimization and frequency response participation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12142919B2Control method and system for operating an electrical component

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 OPEN ENERGI LTD

AI summary

A control method and system for operating an electrical component from an electrical distribution network maximises the advantage to be gained from the component simultaneously following two power-consumption strategies. The first strategy D(t) is relatively slow-moving, for example increasing consumption when electricity prices are lower, whereas the second F(t) requires fast-moving adjustments, for example when providing a frequency responsive service to counter network power imbalances. The method involves operating the component to follow a strategy with the fast-moving function F(t) superimposed on a baseline power function B(t), with B(t) derived from the slow-moving function D(t). In applying the invention to a binary component (i.e. one that is either “off” or “on”) that is providing the responsive service as part of a group of such components, B(t) is derived both from D(t) and also from past values of F(t). The effect of F(t) is mitigated by determining the value of B(t) for each of a sequence of subintervals by a method that takes into account its contribution to power consumption in all previous subintervals.