Selective Meter Load Shedding for Forecast-Based Network Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load shedding methods in distribution networks fail to effectively respond to variations in demand, leading to potential network collapse due to overconsumption.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing load shedding in distribution networks that involves forecasting overall consumption, determining eligible meters for load shedding, and sending targeted load shedding commands to selected meters to balance demand and prevent network overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If load shedding is applied to all meters uniformly, then network overload is prevented, but customer service quality deteriorates and unnecessary load reduction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distribution network into multiple zones based on geographic location and electrical characteristics, and further segments customers within each zone into different categories (residential, commercial, industrial) with different priority levels. This segmentation enables differentiated load shedding strategies where critical customers receive priority protection while non-critical customers undergo load reduction, thus maintaining network stability without uniformly impacting all customers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different load shedding control strategies to different zones and customer categories. Each zone has customized control parameters including threshold settings, priority levels, and response characteristics tailored to local demand patterns and network conditions. This allows the system to maintain high service quality for essential customers in critical zones while applying more aggressive load management in non-critical zones.
2Loss of energy
If load shedding commands are sent to all meters, then demand is reduced, but network complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and identifies only those meters that require load shedding based on real-time monitoring of network conditions and customer priority levels. The load shedding command generation mechanism selectively activates only for specific meters in specific zones where load reduction is actually needed, rather than broadcasting commands to all meters across the network. This extraction approach minimizes communication overhead and network complexity while achieving the necessary demand reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing load shedding only in specific zones and for specific customer categories when and where needed, rather than applying uniform load shedding across the entire network. The system dynamically adjusts the scope and intensity of load shedding based on real-time conditions, applying just enough control action to maintain network stability without unnecessarily complicating the network or disrupting essential services.
3Reliability
If load shedding is implemented without forecasting, then response time is faster, but network stability cannot be maintained due to insufficient demand control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using historical consumption data and machine learning algorithms to forecast future demand patterns and identify potential overload conditions before they occur. The system proactively generates load shedding schedules and pre-configures control parameters based on predicted demand scenarios, allowing the network to prepare and respond to potential overloads before they actually happen. This advance preparation maintains network stability while minimizing the need for reactive computational analysis during critical events.
Data Source
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AI summary
Load shedding is implemented in a distribution network of a resource in order to avoid overconsumption. The network comprises at least one network head and a plurality of meters configured to measure consumption of said resource by a customer and to transmit to the network head customer information representative of the customer's consumption over a determined time range. An overall forecast consumption is determined, from the customer information transmitted by the meters, for all the meters for the determined time range. One or more load shedding periods are determined, by comparing the overall forecast consumption to a predefined overall threshold. For each, the meters to be load shedding are selected according to the expected load shedding gains for the eligible meters. And a load shedding command is sent to them which concerns one or more future occurrences of the determined time range.