DYNAMIC CONTROL OF SMALL-SCALE ELECTRICAL LOADS FOR MATCHING VARIATIONS IN ELECTRIC UTILITY SUPPLY

• US 20120083939A1
• Filed: 10/04/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Rognli, Roger W.
• Application Number:
  US13/252,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20120083939A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/297
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/28 The renewable source being wind energy
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/40 wherein a plurality of decentralised, dispersed or local energy generation technologies are operated simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/58 The condition being electrical
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/60 Limiting power consumption in the network or in one section of the network, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/70 Smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the energy generation sector
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/123 the energy generation units being or involving renewable energy sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

A method of collectively controlling small-scale electrical loads receiving energy from an electricity grid that includes sources of renewable generation causing variable electricity supply so as to match collective electricity load to electricity supply. The method includes setting a runtime delay time, sensing a request for energy from the electrical loads, preventing the loads from receiving the energy for the first delay time, and adjusting the runtime delay time based on changes in electrical supply.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a small-scale electrical load receiving energy from an electricity grid that includes sources of renewable generation causing variations in electricity supply of the electricity grid, the small-scale electrical load coupled to a load-matching device having a timer and controller that manage electricity load to electricity supply for the electrical load, the method comprising:

setting the timer of the load-matching device to a runtime delay time;

sensing at the load-matching device a request for power from the electrical load;

starting the timer of the load-matching device in response to the request for power from the electrical load;

causing the load-matching device to prevent the electrical load from receiving power from the electricity supply while the timer is delaying for the runtime delay time;

sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply;

causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first parameter, thereby adjusting a delay time prior to which the electrical load receives power from the electricity supply.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing at the load-matching device a request for power from the electrical load comprises sensing electrical current in an electrical line supplying power to the electrical load using a current transformer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply comprises sensing a frequency of the electricity supply.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply comprises sensing a voltage of the electricity supply.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply comprises sensing a power factor of the electricity supply.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply comprises sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply at a remote location.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply comprises sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply at a premise where the electrical load is located.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing a second parameter of the electricity supply, and causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first and the second parameter.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the timer of the load-matching device to a runtime delay time comprises receiving a runtime delay time at a communication module of the load-matching device, the runtime delay time transmitted over a communications network by a remote controller.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the timer of the load-matching device to a runtime delay time comprises setting the timer of the load-matching device prior to installation at a premise.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the load-matching device to prevent the electrical load from receiving power from the electricity supply while the timer is delaying the runtime delay time comprises causing a switch of the load-matching device connected to a power line of the electrical load to open.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first parameter comprises increasing a runtime delay time so as to decrease load on the electricity supply.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first parameter comprises decreasing a runtime delay time so as to increase load on the electricity supply.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first parameter comprises receiving an adjusted runtime delay time from a remote controller.

15. A load-matching device to dynamically control a small-scale electrical load receiving energy from an electricity grid that includes sources of renewable generation causing variations in electricity supply so as to manage electricity load to the variable electricity supply, the device comprising:

a switch electrically connectable to a power line of the small-scale electrical load and configured to selectively delay power to the electrical load; and

a controller communicatively coupled to the switch, the controller including a timer defining a runtime delay time and a sensor that detects a request for power from the electrical load, the controller being configured to cause the switch to delay power to the electrical load for the runtime delay time and to automatically adjust the runtime delay time based on a first parameter sensed as to the electricity supply, thereby dynamically adjusting a delay time prior to which the electrical load receives power from the electricity supply.

16. The load-matching device of claim 15, further comprising a communication module including a transceiver that communicates over a communications network.

17. The load-matching device of claim 16, wherein the communication module is configured to receive the runtime delay time as transmitted from a remote source over the communications network.

18. The load-matching device of claim 15, wherein the switch is a relay switch.

19. The load-matching device of claim 15, wherein the electrical load comprises a resistive electrical load.

20. The load-matching device of claim 15 further comprising a processor configured to adjust the runtime delay time based on the first parameter.

21. The load-matching device of claim 15, further comprising a current sensor in communication with the controller and configured to detect a request for power from the electrical load.

22. A load-matching device to dynamically control a small-scale electrical load receiving energy from an electricity grid that includes sources of renewable generation causing variations in electricity supply so as to manage electricity load to the variable electricity supply, the device comprising:

means for setting the timer of the load-matching device to a runtime delay time;

means for sensing at the load-matching device a request for power from the electrical load;

means for starting the timer of the load-matching device in response to the request for power from the electrical load;

means for causing the load-matching device to prevent the electrical load from receiving power from the electricity supply while the timer is delaying for the runtime delay time;

means for sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply; and

means for causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first parameter, thereby adjusting a delay time prior to which the electrical load receives power from the electricity supply.

23. The load-matching device of claim 22, wherein the means for sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply comprises sensing a first parameter selected from a group consisting of a frequency of the electricity supply, a voltage of the electricity supply, and a power factor of the electricity supply.

24. The load-matching device of claim 22 further comprising means for sensing a second parameter of the electricity supply, and means for causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first and the second parameter.

25. The load-matching device of claim 22, wherein the means for setting the timer of the load-matching device to a runtime delay time comprises receiving a runtime delay time at a communication module of the load-matching device, the runtime delay time transmitted over a communications network by a remote controller.

26. The load-matching device of claim 22, wherein the means for causing the load-matching device to prevent the electrical load from receiving power from the electricity supply while the timer is delaying the runtime delay time comprises causing a switch of the load-matching device connected to a power line of the electrical load to open.

27. The load-matching device of claim 22, wherein the means for causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first parameter comprises increasing a runtime delay time so as to decrease load on the electricity supply.

28. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions for implementing a method of controlling a small-scale electrical load receiving energy from an electricity grid that includes sources of renewable generation causing variations in electricity supply of the electricity grid, the small-scale electrical load coupled to a load-matching device having a timer and controller that manage electricity load to electricity supply for the electrical load, the method comprising:

setting the timer of the load-matching device to a runtime delay time;

sensing at the load-matching device a request for power from the electrical load;

starting the timer of the load-matching device in response to the request for power from the electrical load;

causing the load-matching device to prevent the electrical load from receiving power from the electricity supply while the timer is delaying for the runtime delay time;

sensing a first parameter of the electricity supply;

causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first parameter, thereby adjusting a delay time prior to which the electrical load receives power from the electricity supply.

29. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the method step of causing the load-matching device to prevent the electrical load from receiving power from the electricity supply while the timer is delaying the runtime delay time comprises causing a switch of the load-matching device connected to a power line of the electrical load to open.

30. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the method step of causing the load-matching device to automatically adjust the runtime delay time set in the timer based upon the first parameter comprises increasing a runtime delay time so as to decrease load on the electricity supply.