Thermal Reserve Load Switching for Grid Peak Demand Smoothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power grids struggle to efficiently manage peak demand and rapid changes in electricity usage due to the increasing integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), leading to instability and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A cloud-based demand response system that utilizes the thermal reserves of electrical loads, such as air conditioners and water heaters, to manage electrical demand by selectively turning off or adjusting these loads based on real-time power usage and market prices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional power grids use base load power plants to provide consistent power, then power supply stability is improved, but the ability to quickly respond to peak demand increases cost and reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidpeak demand response efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-cools buildings and pre-heats water in thermal storage tanks during off-peak hours when power demand is low. This preliminary action stores thermal energy that can be used during peak demand periods, allowing the grid to reduce peak power consumption without compromising comfort or supply stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the timing parameter of power consumption by shifting load operation from peak demand periods to off-peak periods. Thermal storage systems allow the same thermal service to be provided at different times, fundamentally changing when energy is consumed rather than how much is consumed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If peak load power systems are used to quickly meet increased demand, then power availability is improved, but operational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower availabilityVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling or heating during off-peak hours and stores the thermal energy in buildings' thermal mass or dedicated storage tanks. This eliminates the need to activate expensive peak load power systems, maintaining power availability while avoiding high operational costs during peak periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous thermal comfort for building occupants while discontinuous power consumption occurs - using stored thermal energy during peak periods rather than continuously operating high-power systems. This separates the continuity of service from the continuity of power draw

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Speed

If rapid changes in power demand occur, then responsiveness to user needs is improved, but grid stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower demand responsivenessVSAvoidgrid stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes thermal reserves in storage tanks and building thermal mass before peak demand periods. This preliminary action creates a buffer that allows rapid response to user needs during peak periods without causing rapid fluctuations in grid power demand, thus maintaining grid stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If Distributed Energy Resources are integrated into the grid, then renewable energy usage is improved, but grid voltage stability worsens due to upstream current flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy integrationVSAvoidvoltage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces thermal storage tanks and building thermal mass as intermediary elements between DERs and the grid. These intermediaries absorb excess energy during periods of high DER generation, preventing upstream current flow and voltage instability while allowing continued integration of renewable resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces peak power demand, smooths out power usage ramp rates, and enhances the grid's ability to accommodate DERs, thereby lowering operational costs and improving grid stability.

Implementation Method 1

loads having thermal reserves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Data Source

PatentUS12266934B2Demand response of loads having thermal reserves

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods are described herein that improve grid performance by smoothing demand using thermal reserves. The smoothed demand can reduce peak loads as well as the ramp rate of demand that will otherwise require the use of inefficient, expensive generation sources. These improvements are tied to the selective switching on or off electrical loads that are coupled to thermal reserves, effectively using the thermal reserves as an energy storage mechanism. Historical data of past usage can be used to create load model and ensure that effects on customer comfort are minimized while still accomplishing the beneficial effects for the overall grid, which enables grid owners to both reduce their operational cost by avoiding expensive generation and improve system reliability by achieving more predictable power demand.