Information Delivery Network Power Switching During Grid Outages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information delivery networks face interruptions due to regional power grid outages, as backup batteries provide limited power and can drain quickly, leading to service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Active components in the network determine to receive electric power from user premises, which can be provided to other components, and communicate with devices to assess power input paths based on price, renewable source availability, and grid power reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active components receive power from the power grid, then power supply is stable and reliable, but the system is vulnerable to regional outages and weather-related failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system into multiple independent power sources (power grid, user premises, renewable sources) rather than relying on a single centralized source. Each power source can operate independently, allowing the system to maintain reliability during grid outages while adapting to different power availability conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of power source selection based on real-time conditions such as grid reliability, cost, and availability. The active components can switch between different power sources (grid, user premises, renewable) depending on the current operational context, thereby maintaining reliability while adapting to varying conditions.
2Reliability
If backup batteries are used during power outages, then power continuity is maintained, but batteries drain quickly and provide limited power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power sources (power grid, user premises power, renewable energy sources, and backup batteries) into a unified power supply system. This combination allows the system to maintain power continuity by drawing from multiple sources simultaneously or sequentially, extending the effective duration of power supply beyond what a single battery could provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing alternative power input paths from user premises and renewable sources before power outages occur. This proactive approach ensures that when grid power fails, the system can immediately switch to pre-configured alternative sources, maintaining continuity without relying solely on battery duration.
3Loss of energy
If power is drawn from user premises, then grid dependence is reduced and cost efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to multiple power input paths
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing user premises to provide power to the information delivery network components. User premises with excess power (from renewable sources or grid) can directly supply nearby active components, reducing the need for centralized power distribution and lowering overall power costs while maintaining manageable complexity through localized power exchange.
4Productivity
If multiple power sources are integrated, then power cost efficiency improves and renewable energy utilization increases, but the system requires complex power path determination
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where active components communicate with each other and with power source management systems to share information about power availability, cost, and quality. This feedback enables automatic determination of optimal power paths based on real-time conditions, improving cost efficiency and renewable energy utilization while managing determination complexity through distributed intelligence rather than centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for leveraging user premises supplied electric power to power active components in an information delivery network. In response to one or more conditions, an active component may switch an input power path from using grid-supplied or battery power to draw power from a user premises. The decision to switch the power path may be based on a number of conditions, for example, whether power is available from the grid, the relative cost of power from the user premises and whether the power from the user premises includes power from a renewable source.