Wireless Power Control via Intermediary Bridge for Grid Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smartphones and similar devices cannot natively communicate with smartmeters due to incompatible wireless standards, limiting their ability to exchange information or commands for dynamic power management and electricity monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An access administrator with wireless communication capabilities, including Wi-Fi Direct, network Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, enables smartphones to communicate with electricity management units via power line communications, allowing for peer-to-peer connections and data exchange, facilitating dynamic power management and load reduction across power grids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If smartphones use their generic wireless systems, then they can generate and transmit wireless commands, but they cannot communicate with smartmeters due to incompatible standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device that bridges smartphones and smartmeters. This intermediary translates between the generic wireless protocols used by smartphones and the specialized protocols used by smartmeters, enabling communication without requiring changes to either the smartphone or smartmeter hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal communication interface that can handle multiple wireless protocols simultaneously. This interface allows a single device to communicate with various types of power management devices using different standards, making the system adaptable to different communication requirements while maintaining reliable connections.
2Measurement precision
If smartmeters incorporate real-time sensors and remote data transfer, then detailed power metrics are provided, but demand response control capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where real-time power consumption data from sensors is continuously monitored and fed back to the control unit. This feedback enables automatic demand response actions, such as adjusting appliance operation or shedding non-critical loads, based on real-time grid conditions and user-defined preferences, thereby increasing automation while maintaining precise measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to pre-configure demand response preferences, appliance priorities, and control parameters in advance. When demand response events occur, the system executes these pre-planned actions automatically, reducing the need for real-time decision-making while maintaining precise control over power consumption based on previously established measurement data.
3Measurement precision
If utilities implement tiered tariffs linked to instantaneous demand, then billing accuracy is improved, but peak demand reduction control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load management that automatically adjusts power consumption in real-time based on instantaneous demand conditions and tariff structures. The system dynamically shifts non-critical loads to off-peak periods, modulates appliance operation during peak periods, and provides real-time feedback to users, thereby actively reducing peak demand while maintaining precise measurement and billing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual demand management with automated electronic control mechanisms. Instead of relying on user awareness of tiered tariffs and manual intervention to reduce peak demand, the system uses automated controllers to execute demand response actions based on real-time measurements, thereby improving peak demand reduction effectiveness while maintaining accurate instantaneous demand measurement for billing purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reducing load across a portion of a power grid. The system (400) includes an access manager device (200) that forms part of a local power management network (600) and is configured for communication with a smartphone (10) and a smartmeter (300).