Stochastic Load Control for AC Frequency Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for maintaining AC frequency stability in power grids, which involve disabling loads through a control center, are costly and prone to communication failures, especially when power consumption exceeds generation, leading to potential damage to turbines and load malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A stochastic control system that determines whether to reduce AC power to loads by generating a random number and comparing it to a probability threshold based on the frequency deviation from the nominal value, allowing for decentralized load reduction without relying on a central communication system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a control center commands loads to reduce AC power consumption, then AC frequency is restored to nominal value, but communication system failures and high implementation costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control system into distributed autonomous controllers at consumer premises. Each controller independently monitors local AC frequency and makes load reduction decisions without centralized coordination, eliminating the need for complex communication infrastructure between the control center and loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous controllers enable loads to self-regulate power consumption based on local frequency measurements. Each controller independently determines when and how much to reduce load without external commands, making the system self-managing and eliminating dependency on communication systems for control signals.
2Power
If additional AC power sources are turned on, then power generation increases to meet demand, but capital and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously operating additional power sources, the patent applies partial action by temporarily reducing loads only when frequency deviation occurs. This selective, intermittent load reduction achieves frequency stabilization without the continuous cost of operating excess generation capacity.
3Reliability
If loads are disabled to restore frequency balance, then AC frequency returns to nominal value, but load malfunctions and consumer inconvenience occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by reducing load power consumption rather than completely disabling loads. This partial reduction is sufficient to restore frequency balance while maintaining loads in an operational state, avoiding the harmful effects of complete shutdown such as motor stalling and equipment stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts load reduction based on real-time frequency deviation. When frequency returns to nominal range, load reduction is automatically adjusted or terminated, ensuring loads operate normally under stable conditions while providing frequency stabilization only when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for stochastic control of at least one load is provided. Electric power generators provide alternating current (AC) to a plurality of consumer premises (CP). Each CP has one or more loads configured to be electrically powered by the AC. The stochastic control is performed at each consumer premises in a distributed manner. The stochastic control is used to maintain or increase the frequency of the AC provided by an AC electrical power distribution grid when such AC frequency falls below a nominal AC frequency of the AC electrical power distribution grid.