Smart Grid Appliance Control for Real-Time Power-Rate Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric power systems lack real-time power-rate management and consumer-oriented communication, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage and inability to incentivize consumers to adjust their consumption patterns, which is addressed by integrating smart grid technology to enable two-way communication between consumers and suppliers.
Innovation Solution
An electric appliance with a communication device connected to a smart grid network, a sensing device to detect operation modes, and a control device that adjusts operations based on real-time power information to implement power-saving modes during peak usage times, allowing users to make informed decisions about energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If real-time power-rate management and two-way communication are implemented, then energy efficiency and consumer incentive are improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the communication device receives real-time power-rate information from the smart grid network and feeds it back to the control device. The control device then adjusts appliance operation based on this feedback, enabling dynamic energy management that improves efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured information flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device serves as an intermediary between the smart grid network and the control device, translating and transmitting power-rate information. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by creating clear interfaces and communication protocols, reducing the complexity burden despite adding real-time management capabilities.
2Loss of energy
If appliances automatically adjust operation based on power-rate information, then power-saving effectiveness is improved, but user control and operational flexibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts appliance operation modes based on real-time power-rate information received from the smart grid. The system can switch between different operation states (normal mode, power-saving mode, standby mode) depending on current power rates, providing adaptive energy management that responds to changing conditions while maintaining user-defined preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters such as operation timing, power consumption levels, and mode selection based on power-rate information. The control device modifies these parameters dynamically to achieve power-saving goals while respecting user-set constraints and preferences, balancing automation with user control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If power-rate information is made available in real-time, then consumer incentive to adjust usage is improved, but infrastructure and communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a receiver for power-rate information and a transmitter for appliance control commands. It also functions as a local processor, interpreting power-rate data and translating it into actionable instructions for the control device, reducing the need for separate dedicated components and simplifying infrastructure requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric appliance and a control method thereof are disclosed. The electric appliance includes a communication device connected with a smart grid net to recognize electric power information including power-rate information for each time period, a sensing device configured to sense a predetermined operation mode and an operation state according to the operation mode, and a control device configured to implement power-saving operation based on the received electric power information and the state information sensed by the sensing device.