Premises Energy Control for Real-Time Excess Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart buildings often face issues with surplus energy production, leading to wastage and negative pricing problems due to inefficient energy management systems, where excess energy is transferred back to the primary energy source, incurring unwanted costs.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising devices to measure real-time energy production and consumption, with a controller that determines overproduction and manages excess energy based on criteria such as spot prices, to optimize energy usage and reduce wastage and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If excess energy is transferred back to the primary energy source, then energy waste is reduced, but negative pricing costs are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy wasteVSAvoidnegative pricing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing excess energy in the energy storage device before it can be wasted or cause negative pricing issues. The controller proactively manages energy flow by directing surplus energy from the secondary source to the storage device, preventing the harmful effects of energy waste and negative pricing costs before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If real-time energy management is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves multiple functions within a single device: it monitors energy production from secondary sources, tracks energy consumption by loads, determines excess energy conditions, and manages energy flow to both loads and storage devices. This multi-functionality improves energy efficiency while minimizing the increase in system complexity by consolidating control functions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service through automated controller operations that continuously monitor energy parameters and automatically adjust energy distribution without external intervention. The controller independently determines when excess energy exists and directs it appropriately, enabling real-time energy management while reducing the operational complexity burden on users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The system effectively manages excess energy within the premises, minimizing wastage and financial burdens by optimizing energy usage and reducing the need for costly energy transfers, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the secondary energy source may be a solar module, wherein the solar module comprises at least one photovoltaic solar panel that absorbs sunlight as a source of energy and converts solar energy in the sunlight to produce electricity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4312333A1System and method for managing energy at premises
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 OPTIWATTI OY
  • EP4312333A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4312333A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4312333A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is a system (100, 200) for managing energy at premises (202, 404). The system comprises first device(s) (102, 204) configured to generate first measurement data indicative of real-time production of energy by first energy source(s) (214); second device(s) (104, 206) configured to generate second measurement data indicative of real-time withdrawal of energy from second energy source(s) (216); the first device(s) and the second device(s) configured to generate virtual measurement data indicative of real-time consumption of energy by load(s) (218); and controller (106, 210) communicably coupled to given device via transceiver(s) (108, 212). The controller is configured to receive given measurement data from given device; determine whether overproduction of energy occurs at given time; and when it is determined that overproduction of energy occurs, manage excess energy that is produced at given time according to at least one criterion, wherein amount of the excess energy is equal to said difference.