Water Heater Power Modulation for Renewable Load Smoothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for managing the variability and unpredictability of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaics and wind power, are inefficient and costly, particularly in large-scale deployments, and existing technologies do not effectively utilize the storage capacity of Joule water heaters to stabilize electricity supply.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a heating device with multiple heating means powered by the electrical network, controlled by a module that adjusts power consumption based on real-time data from the electrical network, using dimmers and relays to regulate power and manage energy storage in water heaters, allowing for efficient use of renewable energy and reducing peak demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water heaters are used to store thermal energy for load smoothing, then energy storage capacity increases, but system complexity increases due to control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The water heater control system automatically adjusts heating power based on received control signals without requiring complex user intervention or manual monitoring. The system self-regulates by receiving signals indicating energy surplus or deficit conditions and autonomously modifying its operation to store or reduce thermal energy accumulation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic panels are used for energy storage, then renewable energy utilization increases, but investment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables existing water heaters to serve dual purposes: traditional water heating and renewable energy storage. By controlling when water heaters operate (during photovoltaic surplus periods), the system allows these ubiquitous appliances to function as distributed energy storage assets, eliminating the need for dedicated expensive battery installations while still achieving renewable energy utilization.
3Productivity
If diffuse erasure techniques are used to cut off electrical equipment during peak consumption, then energy demand management improves, but user comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats water during periods of photovoltaic energy surplus before peak consumption periods occur. By storing thermal energy in advance in the water heater tanks, the system prepares hot water supply ahead of time, allowing diffused erasure techniques to be applied during peak periods without affecting user comfort, as the hot water is already available.
4Loss of energy
If water heaters operate at high power to consume excess renewable energy, then renewable energy absorption increases, but electronic compatibility standards are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power consumption of water heaters based on real-time conditions and control signals. Rather than operating at fixed high power levels that would cause electronic compatibility issues, the system modulates power consumption to match renewable energy availability while maintaining compliance with electronic standards through controlled, variable operation.
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 solution enables efficient and cost-effective management of renewable energy sources by adjusting heating device power consumption in response to energy surpluses or deficits, effectively stabilizing the electricity supply and utilizing existing water heater infrastructure without compromising user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device, the device comprising a plurality of heating means powered by an electrical network
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1) comprising: - a heating device (11), the device (11) comprising a plurality of heating means (110, 111, 112) supplied via an electric network (2); - a control module (12) for said heating device (11); the system being characterized in that each heating means (110, 111, 112) is supplied via a power actuator (120, 121, 122) at least one of which is a dimmer (120), each power actuator (120, 121, 122) being controlled by the control module (12) according to at least the data items descriptive of a state of said electric network (2) so that the heating means (110, 111, 112) associated with said power actuator (120, 121, 122) can have its power regulated.