Meter-Level AMI Load Shedding for Shared Feeder Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load shedding techniques require disconnection of entire feeders or distribution system sections, which critical services like hospitals and police stations share with non-critical loads, preventing the utility provider from maximizing non-critical load disconnection resources and providing social equity.
Innovation Solution
An advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) load shedding system that utilizes individual electricity meters to disconnect non-critical premises while maintaining service to critical loads by employing a control server and distributed agents to manage load shedding and restoration processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entire feeders or distribution system sections are disconnected for load shedding, then the electrical power grid is protected from overload, but critical services sharing the same feeder cannot be maintained and non-critical load disconnection resources cannot be maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distribution system at the individual meter level, enabling granular control of load disconnection. Each smart meter can be independently controlled to disconnect or remain connected, allowing the system to disconnect only non-critical loads while maintaining critical services on the same feeder. This resolves the contradiction by protecting grid stability through targeted disconnection while maximizing the utilization of non-critical load resources.
2Reliability
If entire feeders are disconnected for load shedding, then the electrical power grid is protected from overload, but social equity is compromised as non-critical loads on shared feeders cannot be disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting control to the individual meter level, the system gains the flexibility to selectively disconnect non-critical loads while maintaining critical services. The control server can identify and target specific non-critical meters for disconnection, ensuring social equity by distributing the load shedding burden appropriately across all non-critical ratepayers while maintaining grid stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts load disconnection based on real-time conditions, meter type identification, and service criticality. The control server can adaptively select which meters to disconnect, changing the disconnection pattern based on grid needs and service priorities, thereby achieving both grid stability and social equity.
3Productivity
If individual meters are used for precise load shedding, then non-critical load disconnection can be maximized and critical services maintained, but system complexity increases with control servers and distributed agents
Solution Approach 1:
The smart meters are equipped with embedded agents that enable self-service load shedding control. Each meter agent can independently receive and execute disconnection commands, manage local communication, and report status without requiring complex centralized control infrastructure. This reduces system complexity while maintaining the ability to maximize non-critical load disconnection and protect critical services.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system for disconnecting loads from the electrical grid are disclosed. An application programming interface (API) frontend of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) load shedding system may receive a load shedding activation command; in response to receiving the load shedding activation command, the API frontend may deploy a load shedding token to one or more electricity meters of the AMI load shedding system, and cause the one or more electricity meters to disconnect corresponding loads from the one or more electricity meters.