Interactive Load Frequency Regulation via Scheduler Dispatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power grid frequency control methods rely heavily on ancillary generators and energy storage devices, which incur substantial overhead costs and energy waste due to inefficiencies, and do not effectively utilize existing loads for frequency regulation, leading to increased energy costs and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a central control entity, referred to as the Scheduler, to manage and dispatch interactive electrical loads, such as HVAC and hot water tanks, to provide frequency regulation capacity by adjusting their power consumption in response to real-time grid frequency control signals, mimicking the behavior of ancillary generators and enabling Secondary Frequency Control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ancillary generators are used for frequency control, then frequency regulation capacity is provided, but overhead costs and energy waste increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing electrical loads to provide frequency regulation services to the grid without requiring separate ancillary generators. Loads directly respond to frequency deviations by adjusting their power consumption, making the grid's own consumers serve the frequency control function. This eliminates the need for dedicated frequency control infrastructure and reduces energy waste associated with idle or throttled generators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing electrical loads perform dual functions: their primary load function and frequency regulation function. Instead of having separate devices for power consumption and frequency control, the same loads provide both services, reducing overall system complexity and eliminating the energy waste of dedicated frequency control devices that may not be fully utilized.
2Reliability
If ancillary generators are constructed and maintained for frequency control, then frequency regulation capacity is ensured, but construction and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Existing electrical loads that are already installed and operational are utilized to provide frequency regulation services. This eliminates the need for constructing new ancillary generator facilities and reduces maintenance requirements, as the frequency control function is embedded within the operation of existing load equipment rather than requiring separate dedicated infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating new physical infrastructure (ancillary generators), the patent creates a virtual frequency control resource by coordinating the collective response of existing loads. The control system effectively copies or replicates the frequency regulation function across many distributed loads rather than building centralized generation capacity.
3Reliability
If existing loads are not utilized for frequency regulation, then frequency control is provided by ancillary generators, but operational inefficiencies and energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Existing electrical loads directly participate in frequency regulation by detecting grid frequency deviations and autonomously adjusting their power consumption. This eliminates the need for ancillary generators to provide frequency control, thereby eliminating the operational inefficiencies and energy waste associated with throttling or cycling dedicated frequency control devices while maintaining reliable frequency control.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of interactive electrical loads defines an aggregation connected with an electrical power grid. A scheduler generates a baseline power consumption schedule for the aggregation, determines frequency regulation capacity of the aggregation, and controls actual power consumption of the aggregation based on the baseline power consumption and an Automated Generation Control (AGC) signal of the electrical power grid to operate the aggregation as an ancillary frequency control device of the electrical power grid with the determined frequency regulation capacity. The controlling may comprise generating baseline dispatch signals for implementing the baseline consumption schedule, adjusting the baseline dispatch signals based on the AGC signal to generate adjusted dispatch signals, transmitting the adjusted dispatch signals to the plurality of interactive electrical loads defining the aggregation, and generating an AGC response log based on differences between the adjusted dispatch signals and the baseline dispatch signals.