Load Control Unit Using Temporal Energy Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load control methods in electrical distribution systems face challenges such as high costs and complexity in measuring energy usage, lack of individual equipment-level control, artificial duty cycles, and inefficient feedback mechanisms, leading to suboptimal load shedding and customer discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A load control unit (LCU) that profiles equipment energy usage by duration, allowing individualized load control based on past and current data, reduces load shedding impact on customers, and gradually eases equipment back online to manage demand, using a time diversity protocol for flexible load management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If demand metering devices are used to measure energy usage at customer sites, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from complex demand meters and implements it using simple existing energy meters combined with temporal analysis. Instead of adding specialized measurement devices, the system uses basic energy meter data processed through temporal patterns to derive demand measurements, thereby achieving precise measurement without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical demand metering hardware with a computational approach using temporal energy measurements. Rather than using mechanical or electronic demand meters that directly measure power demand, the system substitutes a computational model that calculates demand from sequential energy measurements taken with standard energy meters, eliminating the need for specialized measurement hardware.
2Device complexity
If aggregate level control is used for load management, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of control is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control approach by applying temporal analysis at the equipment level rather than using uniform aggregate control. Each piece of equipment receives individualized control signals based on its specific temporal energy usage patterns, enabling precise load control without requiring complex centralized management of each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables equipment to effectively control itself by using its own historical energy usage patterns to generate appropriate control signals. The temporal analysis model allows each equipment to maintain its operational characteristics while automatically participating in load control, achieving precise control without complex external management.
3Device complexity
If artificial duty cycles are imposed on equipment, then load control is simplified, but reliability of equipment operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control signals that adapt to the actual operational needs of equipment based on real-time temporal energy measurements. Rather than imposing fixed artificial duty cycles, the system continuously adjusts control signals to match equipment requirements, ensuring reliable operation while maintaining load control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor actual equipment energy usage and adjust control signals accordingly. By using temporal patterns of energy consumption as feedback, the system ensures that control actions align with actual equipment needs, preventing unreliable operation caused by inappropriate duty cycle imposition.
4Power
If load control is implemented during peak demand, then power generation capacity requirements are reduced, but customer comfort is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts load control actions to occur before peak demand periods by analyzing temporal energy patterns to predict upcoming demand peaks. Control signals are issued in advance to reduce equipment usage prior to peak periods, thereby reducing overall peak demand without causing customer discomfort during critical times when equipment is actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system strategically skips load control during periods when equipment is critically needed for customer comfort by using temporal patterns to identify and avoid control actions during sensitive periods. The temporal analysis enables the system to rush through or skip control cycles when customer comfort would be adversely affected, while still achieving peak demand reduction during less sensitive periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for load control in an electrical distribution system using energy usage profiles based on temporal measurements. A load control unit (10) installed at a customer site profiles equipment (E1-En) directly connected to the load control unit and remotely located equipment (RE1-REn) wirelessly connected to the load control unit using measurements of time rather than energy usage. This reduces the cost and complexity of the load control unit. Profiling is done for individual pieces of load controlled equipment rather than for the site as a whole. This improves data resolution. The load control unit controls the load only when the equipment is powered, and adaptively synchronizes load shedding during this time, so to improve local load control performance. Termination of a load control event results in gradual reduction in load shedding so to control the inrush of demand seen by the distribution system. Performance metrics related to the load control are provided to the utility such that complexity of the system is reduced through decreased computations.