Streamlined utility portals for managing demand-response events

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utility companies face challenges in managing peak electricity demand due to limited tools for intuitive and flexible management of demand response events, leading to consumer discomfort and potential undermining of demand response programs.

Innovation Solution

The development of utility portals that enable utility companies to communicate effectively with energy management systems, allowing for intelligent management of demand response events through network-connected devices, including enrollment processes, energy shifting predictions, and user interface optimizations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If utility companies build additional power plants to satisfy peak demand, then the ability to meet peak demand is improved, but the cost and efficiency worsen due to prohibitive construction costs and underutilization of capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to satisfy peak electricity demandVSAvoidinefficiency of underutilized power plant capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling of residences before peak demand periods by pre-charging thermal energy storage systems and adjusting thermostat setpoints during off-peak hours. This advance action reduces the need for additional peak generation capacity while maintaining comfort standards during high-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extends cooling operation into the evening hours after peak demand subsides, continuously removing heat from residences during periods when electricity is cheaper and generation capacity is underutilized. This continuous operation maximizes the useful output of existing power plants while maintaining residence temperature within comfort bands throughout the entire day.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If utility companies implement traditional load shedding by directly controlling cooling systems, then peak demand is reduced, but consumer comfort and program participation worsen due to inadequate cooling during hot periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduction of peak electricity demandVSAvoidconsumer comfort and satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-cools residences before anticipated peak demand periods by lowering thermostat setpoints and charging thermal storage systems during off-peak hours. This advance preparation ensures that residences remain comfortable during peak periods without requiring active cooling during high-demand windows, thereby maintaining consumer satisfaction while achieving load reduction goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors residence temperature, outdoor conditions, and consumer comfort preferences, using this feedback to dynamically adjust control strategies. This feedback mechanism ensures that load shedding actions do not compromise consumer comfort standards and allows real-time optimization of demand response effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If utility companies use simple on-off control of cooling systems during demand response events, then peak demand is reduced, but consumer comfort and program reliability worsen due to temperatures exceeding comfort bands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeak demand reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmaintaining temperature within comfort bands

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts thermostat setpoints and cooling system operation based on real-time conditions including residence temperature, outdoor weather conditions, predicted peak demand timing, and consumer comfort preferences. This dynamic control maintains temperatures within comfort bands while achieving effective peak demand reduction through optimized timing and magnitude of load adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple operational parameters including thermostat setpoint temperature, cooling system capacity modulation, and operational timing to optimize both peak demand reduction and comfort maintenance. By adjusting these parameters based on predicted conditions and actual measurements, the system achieves reliable temperature control while effectively reducing peak electricity demand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10832266B2Streamlined utility portals for managing demand-response events

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A method for automatically enrolling a smart-home device in a demand-response program includes receiving an identification of a user account that is sent from a utility provider computer system based on an agreement that the smart-home device will be enrolled in the demand-response program. The identification of the user account is also sent to indicate to the device management server that the smart-home device should be sent to a location associated with the user account. The method also includes causing the smart-home device to be sent to the location associated with the user account. The method additionally includes receiving an indication from the smart-home device that the smart-home device has been installed at the location associated with the user account, and enrolling the smart-home device in the demand-response program.