Power Line Carrier Control for Demand-Side Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing demand-side management systems fail to effectively integrate electrical devices in private households due to remote control challenges and lack of optimal resource assessment, particularly because these devices are often not connected to the internet or shielded from radio signals, limiting their participation in regulating energy balance fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a switching unit and a control unit that can receive and send control signals via data networks, allowing for remote control of electrical appliances and determining energy requirements, enabling their participation in demand-side management by modulating switching signals onto the mains voltage and using existing data networks for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrical devices in private households are integrated into demand-side management, then the range of compensators is expanded and optimal resource assessment becomes possible, but remote control becomes difficult due to lack of internet/telephone connections and radio signal shielding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of compensatorsVSAvoidremote control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication system that uses power line carrier technology to transmit control signals through the existing electrical wiring infrastructure. This mediator enables remote control of electrical devices without requiring separate data connections or radio signal access, thus resolving the contradiction between expanding device integration and maintaining ease of remote operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to work through the universal power distribution network that already exists in all private households. By making the communication infrastructure universal (using existing electrical wiring rather than requiring dedicated data lines or radio receivers), the system achieves both broad adaptability to various devices and ease of operation through a single standardized interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional electrical appliances are controlled remotely, then energy balance fluctuations can be regulated, but optimal assessment of consumption resources is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy balance regulationVSAvoidconsumption resources assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where consumption data from electrical devices is collected and transmitted back to the control system. This feedback loop enables the control center to assess actual consumption resources in real-time, allowing for optimal regulation of energy balance fluctuations while maintaining accurate information about available consumption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the optimal integration of electrical devices in private households into demand-side management, allowing for efficient regulation of energy supply and consumption, thereby addressing energy balance fluctuations and improving load sharing decisions.

Implementation Method 1

The switching signals are preferably modulated onto the mains voltage as amplitude modulation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAmplitude modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP2539984B1Device and method for integrating electric devices into a system in the context of demand-side management
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 CHEMIN
  • EP2539984B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for integrating electric devices into a system in the context of demand-side management. This is achieved in that the device comprises at least one switching unit that switches the electric current to the corresponding electric device on or off and at least one control unit which contacts the switching unit in a data-transmitting manner and which can receive control signals from an external control point. Each switching unit switches on the corresponding electric device after receiving an ON-signal that is specified for said switching unit.