Microgrid Load Shedding via Intelligent Electronic Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microgrid systems face challenges in managing load distribution and balancing generated power with load demand, leading to potential disruptions in power delivery due to constraints in communication networks and lack of efficient load shedding and restoration techniques.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an intelligent electronic device (IED) with a comparator, contingency breaker, processor, runback controller, and shedding/restoration controller, which reviews available system capacity and dispatches loads based on user-settable thresholds, allowing for adaptive load shedding and restoration by controlling generators and breakers to balance power generation with load demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional load management methods are used in microgrid systems, then system operation continues with conventional control, but power delivery disruptions occur due to inability to balance generated power with load demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load management by continuously monitoring system capacity and automatically adjusting load shedding/restoration decisions based on real-time conditions. The controller adapts its behavior dynamically by comparing current load demand against available generation capacity and energy storage state, enabling the system to respond flexibly to changing conditions and maintain power delivery stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring system capacity, load demand, and generation output, then using this information to make informed load management decisions. The controller receives feedback on system state and adjusts load shedding/restoration actions accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliability through adaptive response to actual system conditions.
2Reliability
If load shedding and restoration techniques are implemented to balance power generation with load demand, then system stability improves, but communication network constraints may limit the effectiveness of control signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of system capacity and load conditions before implementing load shedding or restoration. By pre-evaluating the system state and predicting required control actions, the system can prepare and transmit control signals more effectively, reducing the impact of communication network constraints by having decisions ready in advance based on monitored conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If intelligent electronic devices with multiple controllers are deployed to manage load distribution, then load management capability increases, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple control functions (load shedding, load restoration, system monitoring, and capacity assessment) into a single intelligent electronic device. This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive load management capability while avoiding the complexity and cost of deploying separate specialized devices for each function, as the IED performs all control tasks through integrated controllers and processing units.
Data Source
AI summary
System, methods, and techniques for load management in a microgrid are disclosed. A system of load management includes one or more processors configured to receive a time threshold value defining a time period of power demand in a microgrid, determine a battery rating of the microgrid, and trigger load shedding or load restoration in the microgrid based on one or more of the time threshold value and the battery rating. The load shedding includes selecting and shedding a first load in the microgrid for load shedding, thereby removing a measured power consumption of the selected first load from an overall power consumption of the microgrid by the shedding. The load restoration includes selecting and restoring the first load in the microgrid, there by adding the measured power consumption of the selected first load to an overall power consumption of the microgrid by restoration.