Power Consumption Management via Staggered Device Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing electric power consumption fail to proactively optimize device operations to meet global power consumption preferences and local constraints, leading to peak consumption issues and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows user devices to communicate and coordinate their power consumption plans with smart meters and energy suppliers, adjusting deferred start times and energy consumption profiles to distribute power usage evenly and comply with maximum power limits, thereby optimizing energy delivery and avoiding peak consumption periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If devices are instructed to cease energy consumption entirely, then global power consumption preferences are met, but programmed tasks may not be executed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation state of devices between active and standby modes based on real-time power consumption targets and task progress, rather than using fixed cease-or-execute instructions. This allows flexible adaptation to meet power preferences while ensuring task completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where device controllers report task progress and power consumption status to the energy management system, which then adjusts operational instructions accordingly. This ensures that power reduction actions do not compromise task execution reliability.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If all devices programmed with deferred start run at the same time when a tariff change signal arrives, then optimum tariff conditions are achieved, but peak consumption is created
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the simultaneous start-up of multiple devices into staggered time slots, distributing the power demand across different time intervals rather than allowing all devices to start simultaneously. This eliminates peak consumption while maintaining tariff optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary scheduling and coordination of device start times before the actual tariff change occurs, pre-calculating optimal start times that distribute load and avoid peaks while still capturing tariff benefits.
3Ease of operation
If devices operate without proactive management, then local electric power use constraints are simplified, but global power consumption preferences are not met
Solution Approach 1:
Devices are equipped with embedded controllers that automatically receive and execute power management instructions from the energy management system without requiring user intervention. This maintains operational simplicity for users while enabling sophisticated global power consumption management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for managing electric power consumption of a client device, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving (701) a request to start an operating program associated with an energy consumption plan comprising at least one step; exchanging (703) data with an external device, regarding the operation request as well as the selected energy consumption plan of the device; receiving (705) a modified energy consumption plan wherein said modified energy consumption plan has been set by taking into account energy consumption plan of at least one other device as well as a maximum power consumption limit; and executing (707) said at least one step of the energy consumption plan.