Power Distribution Controller Balancing Grid and Alternate Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical power distribution systems lack efficient management of energy between grid and alternate sources, such as back-up generators, photovoltaic cells, and wind turbines, leading to suboptimal power cost minimization and reserve maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power distribution control device with a controller, relays, and sensors that monitors and switches electricity flow between alternate sources, the grid, and an optional battery to balance the electric load, using programmable algorithms to route electricity from a combination of these sources to minimize grid consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual or basic automatic control is used for power distribution, then system simplicity is maintained, but power cost minimization and reserve maintenance become inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors power availability, cost signals, and reserve levels from multiple sources (grid, generator, photovoltaic cells, wind turbines, battery) and automatically adjusts switching decisions based on real-time feedback. This closed-loop control enables efficient power cost minimization without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-management through automatic switching between power sources based on pre-programmed algorithms that evaluate cost signals and reserve requirements. The controller autonomously makes distribution decisions without external intervention, improving efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through rule-based automation.
2Productivity
If the system switches between multiple power sources to minimize costs, then power cost efficiency improves, but system reliability and coordination complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes switching algorithms and cost evaluation criteria before operation begins. The controller is pre-programmed with the hierarchy of power sources and the conditions for switching between them, ensuring reliable and consistent decision-making without requiring complex real-time calculations that could compromise system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system is segmented into distinct controllable modules (grid connection, generator connection, photovoltaic connection, wind turbine connection, battery connection), each with its own switching mechanism. This modular segmentation allows independent optimization of each source while maintaining overall system reliability through coordinated control.
3Productivity
If the controller continuously monitors all power sources and switches between them, then power distribution optimization improves, but device complexity and monitoring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can monitor multiple types of power sources (grid, generator, photovoltaic, wind, battery) through standardized interfaces. This universal design enables optimized power distribution across diverse sources without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same controller architecture handles all monitoring and switching functions.
Data Source
AI summary
The electrical power distribution control device controls the flow of electricity between the electric grid and one or more alternate sources, including, but not limited to, back-up generators, photovoltaic cells or wind turbines. The electrical power distribution control device monitors the status of the one or more alternate sources, an optional battery, and the electric grid and switches and balances the electric load between the one or more alternate sources and the electric grid to minimize power costs. The electrical power distribution control device comprises a controller, a plurality of relays, and a plurality of sensors.