Building Private Utility Control for Multi-Source Power Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The public electrical grid faces challenges with inefficiency, reliability, and environmental concerns, leading to unpredictable energy costs and potential disruptions due to weather and cyber/physical threats, necessitating a more sophisticated approach for power generation and supply.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for enabling a private utility at a building, utilizing a computer system that analyzes data from multiple power sources, both onsite and offsite, to determine a preferred power source based on cost, reliability, and safety, and adjusts the power supply accordingly, incorporating a control subsystem to manage the power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secondary power source is manually activated when the primary power source fails or during high-price periods, then power supply reliability is improved, but operational complexity increases and decision-making becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-service operation by implementing intelligent monitoring and control mechanisms that autonomously manage power source selection and switching based on real-time conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops that monitor power source status, pricing signals, and operational conditions to automatically adjust power source activation decisions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and operational simplicity through intelligent automation
2Productivity
If multiple power sources are monitored and managed with intelligent decision-making, then power supply efficiency and cost-effectiveness are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions including monitoring, analysis, decision-making, and execution within a single unified platform that manages diverse power sources (grid, solar, battery, generator) through standardized protocols, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges data collection, processing, and control functions into an integrated intelligent management platform that coordinates multiple power sources through centralized decision-making, achieving high efficiency while consolidating complexity into a manageable unified system
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer systems for intelligent power supply are provided herein. The system enables a private utility at a building. The system includes a plurality of power sources. Each of the power sources is configured to provide power to the building when enabled. The system also includes at least one external data source, at least one onsite data source, and a computer system. The computer system is communicatively connected to the power sources, the external data source, and the onsite data source. The computer system receives external data from the external data source and building data from the onsite data source. The computer system determines a preferred power source based on the external data and the building data.