Modular Utility Consumption Management System for Load Profile Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy consumption management systems face challenges in modular interoperability and predicting load management needs, leading to inefficient capital expenditure and mismatched solutions with individual site load profiles.
Innovation Solution
A modular utility consumption management system with a measurement module for data gathering and reporting, and a control module for optimized consumption control, allowing incremental investment and adaptation to changing site needs, enabling correlation with energy storage and generation modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete energy management system is installed upfront, then the site can have full consumption management capability, but the capital expenditure is high and the system may not be ideally suited to the site's individualized load profile
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management system is divided into separate functional modules: a measurement module that gathers consumption data, a control module that manages loads, and optional energy storage or generation modules. These modules can be installed incrementally based on the site's needs and budget, rather than requiring a complete system upfront.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement module is installed first to gather consumption data and characterize the site's load profile before any control or storage modules are added. This preliminary measurement phase allows the system to be tailored to the specific site requirements, ensuring optimal configuration without over-investing in unnecessary capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If management devices are installed without predicting load management needs, then the site can have management services in place, but the impact on consumption is unpredictable and devices may not be ideally suited to the site's load profile
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement module operates in advance to characterize the site's load profile and consumption patterns. This preliminary data collection enables accurate prediction of load management needs before control modules are installed, ensuring that the system is ideally suited to the site's specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement module continuously monitors consumption data and provides feedback about the site's actual load profile. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt and optimize control strategies based on real-world performance, improving the precision of consumption predictions over time.
3Device complexity
If modular implementation is used with measurement module first, then the capital expenditure is reduced and site-specific needs are identified, but the full consumption management capability is not immediately available
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into phased implementation stages: Phase 1 installs only the measurement module to minimize initial investment; subsequent phases add control modules and energy storage or generation modules as budget and needs dictate. Each phase builds upon the previous phase, gradually enhancing management capability while maintaining financial flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Modular consumption management systems provide benefits of adaptability, customization, and progressive investment to electrical utility customers, particularly those with loads and electrical systems capable of curtailment and mitigation. Providing modules based on measurements made and consumption patterns detected in load profiles of individual loads and the site as a whole is described. Control and mitigation capabilities and methods are described in conjunction with identifying correlative modules that will best serve the needs of the site being monitored by a measurement module. Combined measurement and control modules or control and mitigation modules are also described, as well as interchangeable modules that can be put in place when excess consumption patterns at the site change over time.