Vehicle Air Conditioning Load Control Using Grid Frequency Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for balancing electricity supply and demand in electric transport vehicle fleets, such as rail transport, are inefficient in dynamically adjusting electricity consumption to match fluctuations in electricity network supply.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that acquire the difference between a reference frequency and the frequency of the voltage supplied by the electricity network, and modify the electricity consumption of the air conditioning system in electric transport vehicles accordingly, allowing for quick and gradual adjustments to consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electricity consumption of transport vehicles is increased to meet peak demand, then electricity supply balance is improved, but unnecessary power generation is activated
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors electricity network frequency as a feedback signal indicating supply-demand imbalance. When frequency deviates from nominal values, the air conditioning system automatically adjusts its power consumption to provide balancing reserves, eliminating the need for unnecessary power generation activation while maintaining supply balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioning system on transport vehicles serves dual functions: maintaining passenger comfort and providing grid balancing services. By autonomously responding to frequency deviations, the system enables vehicles to self-regulate their power consumption and contribute to grid stability without external control, transforming consumers into prosumers that actively participate in demand response.
2Reliability
If air conditioning system power is reduced to decrease electricity consumption, then electricity supply balance is improved, but interior temperature control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system dynamically adjusts its power consumption based on real-time electricity network frequency conditions. During frequency deviations indicating supply-demand imbalance, the system modulates compressor power and refrigerant flow to reduce consumption. The control algorithm prioritizes maintaining temperature within acceptable comfort ranges while providing necessary power reduction to restore grid balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the air conditioning system (compressor speed, refrigerant expansion valve opening, fan power) in response to frequency deviations. These parameter adjustments enable flexible power consumption modulation while maintaining temperature control within acceptable bounds, allowing the vehicle to contribute to grid balancing without compromising passenger comfort beyond tolerable limits.
3Speed
If frequency measurement and consumption modification are implemented in real-time, then response speed to supply fluctuations is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electricity network frequency measurement device already present in electric transport vehicles for protection and control functions is repurposed to detect supply-demand imbalances. The existing air conditioning system control infrastructure is utilized to implement power modulation. This multi-functional use of existing components enables real-time response to frequency deviations without adding significant system complexity, as the same hardware serves multiple purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for shedding, during a predefined period of time, the electricity consumption of a fleet (420) of electric transport vehicles supplied by an electricity network, the fleet (420) comprising at least one active electric transport vehicle (420a, 420b) in operation, and each electric transport vehicle (420a, 420b, 420c, 420d) comprising an air conditioning system (460) designed to modify a temperature of an interior of the electric transport vehicle;the method comprising, during the predefined period of time:acquiring a difference between a reference frequency and a frequency of a voltage supplied by the electricity network;modifying the electricity consumption of the air conditioning system (460) of said at least one active vehicle (420a, 420b) as a function of said difference.