Residential Load Controller Source Impedance Computation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Historically, electrical power grids face challenges in managing rapid load fluctuations due to the slow process of incentivizing load shifting and the need for real-time adjustments, which existing demand response systems cannot effectively address.
Innovation Solution
A residential electrical system with a load controller that measures and regulates voltage and current at power input terminals, computes source impedance, and detects changes in loading to identify and manage the activation or deactivation of electrical loads, thereby providing diagnostic information for grid optimization and user needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If demand response systems control electrical loads remotely to accommodate grid fluctuations, then grid load management is improved, but real-time response to rapid grid fluctuations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The load controller autonomously monitors voltage and current at power input terminals, computes source impedance, and detects load changes without requiring continuous remote control signals. This self-service capability enables real-time local decision-making that responds immediately to grid fluctuations while maintaining overall grid management efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously measures voltage and current at the power input terminals and computes source impedance in real-time. This feedback mechanism provides immediate information about grid conditions and load changes, enabling the controller to adjust electrical load operation instantly in response to rapid grid fluctuations
2Loss of information
If load controllers monitor voltage and current to compute source impedance, then diagnostic information quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load controller performs multiple functions using the same voltage and current measurements: it regulates electrical load operation, computes source impedance, and detects load changes. This multi-functionality approach provides comprehensive diagnostic information without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A load controller is connected with a residential electric load to regulate electric power drawn by the load from a residential a.c. electric power distribution system via power input terminals of the load. A voltmeter is connected to measure voltage at the power input terminals, and an ammeter is connected to measure electric current at the power input terminals. A microprocessor or microcontroller is programmed to compute a source impedance of the power distribution system as seen from the power input terminals using measured voltage and electric current at the power input terminals. The source impedance may be computed by determining an equivalent source voltage as equal to measured voltage at the power input terminals when the electric current at the power input terminals is zero, and computing the source impedance from measured non-zero electric current at the power input terminals in combination with at least the equivalent source voltage.