Power Saving Control Device for Load Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power saving control methods fail to reduce system power consumption when load device power reduction is inappropriate, leading to obstructed application of power storage devices and unnecessary utilization restrictions.

Innovation Solution

A power saving control device that determines whether to perform power saving control based on current power flow conditions, such as forward and reverse current flows, to ensure that power reduction contributes to stable system operation, thereby avoiding inappropriate power saving executions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If power saving control is performed by reducing load device power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but system power supply stability deteriorates when power storage devices are discharging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem power supply stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors power flow direction between power storage devices and the power system, using this feedback to dynamically adjust power saving control execution. When discharging is detected, power saving control is suppressed to maintain system stability; when charging or idle state is detected, power saving control is executed to reduce consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on real-time power flow conditions. The power saving control execution is made variable rather than fixed, adapting to changing system states (charging/discharging/idle) to optimize both energy efficiency and system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If power saving control is executed to reduce load device consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but power storage device application is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidpower storage device application
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from power flow monitoring to intelligently determine when power saving control should be executed or suppressed, allowing power storage devices to fulfill their intended energy management function rather than being obstructed by inappropriate power saving actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If power saving control is performed without considering power flow conditions, then power consumption is reduced, but load device utilization is unnecessarily obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidload device utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary assessment of power flow conditions before executing power saving control. By checking whether the power storage device is charging, discharging, or in idle state beforehand, the system avoids unnecessary power saving actions that would obstruct load device utilization while still achieving energy reduction when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3331117B1Power saving control device and power saving control method
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3331117B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3331117B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3331117B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A power saving control device (170) includes: an acquirer (171) that acquires a power saving request; and a controller (172) that determines whether or not power saving control for reducing a power consumption of a load device (150) is to be performed in response to the power saving request, and that, when determining that the power saving control is to be performed, performs the power saving control. When the load device (150) consumes power, the controller (172) determines that the power saving control is not to be performed under a condition that no power flows from a power system (180) into a facility (110) in which the load device (150) is installed, the condition being one of one or more conditions.