Power Management Method for Electrical Installations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to efficiently manage power distribution in electrical installations, particularly in EVPS systems, to prevent exceeding contract demand and ensuring safe operation without resizing the power grid, especially with the increasing energy demand from electric vehicle charging.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a central control unit (CCU) that measures and manages power consumption and generation dynamically, optimizing power distribution by setting a maximum available current reference for controllable loads and sources, adapting to demand curves and handling power grid saturation, while considering both controllable and non-controllable loads and sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electric vehicle charging demand increases, then energy supply capacity must increase, but contract demand limit is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current reference adjustment based on real-time power consumption monitoring. The control unit continuously calculates the difference between actual power consumption and contract demand, dynamically updating the maximum available current reference for EV charging stations. This allows the system to adapt to changing load conditions while ensuring contract demand is never exceeded, resolving the contradiction between meeting EV energy demands and maintaining reliability compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where the control unit monitors total power consumption from all sources, compares it against contract demand limits, and adjusts the maximum available current reference accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures that even as EV charging demand increases, the system automatically regulates power allocation to maintain contract demand compliance, thus improving energy supply capacity without compromising reliability.
2Speed
If maximum current reference is assigned to EV charging stations, then charging speed increases, but other controllable loads may be starved of power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by assigning maximum current reference only to the extent that total power consumption remains within contract demand limits. The control unit calculates the maximum available current reference as the difference between contract demand and actual power consumption, ensuring EV charging receives sufficient power without exceeding overall capacity. This prevents power starvation of other controllable loads while maintaining optimal charging speed within available resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the maximum available current reference parameter based on real-time conditions. When contract demand allows, EV charging stations receive higher current references for faster charging. When other controllable loads require power, the reference is adjusted downward. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing charging speed while maintaining overall power utilization efficiency across all loads.
3Productivity
If real-time power monitoring and dynamic current adjustment is implemented, then power distribution optimization is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit autonomously performs real-time power monitoring, calculation of maximum available current reference, and adjustment of EV charging station current limits without external intervention. The system self-regulates by continuously monitoring total power consumption and automatically adapting current references to maintain optimal power distribution. This self-service capability achieves high power distribution efficiency while minimizing the need for complex external control infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for managing power in electrical installations which: - determines a maximum power reference value (51) and establishes a safety margin for that value for an electrical installation (10, 20, 30, 40, 40), - determines a maximum initial current reference (53) based on the maximum power (51) and on a number of controllable or non-controllable loads or sources connected in the installation for each of the controllable loads or sources connected in the installation, - measures instantaneous consumption and sets (57) its maximum available current reference (54) for each controllable load (3'), - measures power generated and sets its maximum available current reference for each controllable source (7,9), - calculates a total consumption value for the electrical installation using the maximum available current reference for each controllable load or source and compares it with the maximum power (51), - determines whether at least one controllable load or source of the installation is connected to or disconnected from the electric line and determines a new maximum power reference value for the installation.