Water Heater Load Shifting With Two-Way Utility Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water heater demand management systems are limited in accuracy, reliability, and detail, often requiring significant capital investment and offering only small economic incentives to customers, leading to slow adoption rates and inefficient peak load management.
Innovation Solution
A system that shifts energy demand from on-peak to off-peak times by using a controller at the user's location to monitor and control water heater temperatures, communicating with a central server to manage load shifting while maintaining service quality, utilizing existing WAN networks for data collection and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If unidirectional control systems are used to shed load during peak demand periods, then power utility control capability is improved, but system reliability and verification accuracy deteriorate because there is no upstream communication to verify command reception or load avoidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements two-way communication between the utility controller and water heater controller, enabling the water heater to send feedback signals confirming command reception and load shedding execution. This feedback mechanism allows the utility to verify system operation and detect defeats or malfunctions, directly resolving the reliability issue while maintaining automation.
2Ease of operation
If RF infrastructure (radio towers and backhaul) is deployed for water heater control, then communication capability is improved, but capital investment cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing power line communication infrastructure to serve dual purposes: both power delivery and data communication. By utilizing the already-deployed electrical grid for bidirectional communication between utility and water heaters, the system eliminates the need for separate RF towers and backhaul infrastructure, significantly reducing capital investment while maintaining communication capability.
3Ease of operation
If load shedding plans are offered with small economic incentives, then customer participation cost is reduced, but adoption rate deteriorates to slow uptake
Solution Approach 1:
The two-way communication system provides customers with real-time feedback on their load shedding participation, verification of command reception, and detailed information about load avoidance achievement. This transparency and customer awareness, enabled by the feedback mechanism, increases trust and motivation to participate in load shedding programs, thereby improving adoption rates even with modest economic incentives.
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 energy demand, delays or eliminates the need for new power generation facilities, reduces carbon emissions, and provides incentives for energy providers to offer lower rates or discounts, while ensuring customer hot water availability.
Implementation Method 1
an upper heating element which heats an upper volume of water in the tank
Implementation Method 2
a lower heating element which heats a lower volume of water in the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater temperature and controls heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use and/or capacity. Further embodiments may regulate load dependent properties of the power including voltage, phase and/or frequency.