Aggregate load management at a system level
First Claim
1. A method for aggregate load management, comprising:
- determining whether a load capacity limit within a utility power network will be exceeded;
selecting an aggregated demand reduction target to remain within capacity bounds if the load capacity limit is to be exceeded;
selecting a demand reduction strategy;
sending a first control signal that includes a first pulse width modulation level to a first controller in at least a first load component of the utility system based on the aggregated demand reduction target; and
sending a second control signal that includes a second pulse width modulation level different than the first pulse width modulation level to a second controller in at least a second load component of the utility system based on the aggregated demand reduction target,wherein respective magnitudes of the first and second pulse width modulation levels are based on the strategy selected, load levels at the first and second load components, types of loads at the first and second load components, availability of loads suitable for reduction at the first and second load components, and a local need for load reduction at the first and second load components, andwherein the first and second controllers include respective randomization algorithms to randomize on and off times of duty cycles for respective loads in the first and second load components over a control period.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for aggregate load management includes determining whether a load capacity limit within a utility power network will be exceeded, selecting an aggregated demand reduction target to remain within capacity bounds if the load capacity limit is to be exceeded, selecting a demand reduction strategy, and sending a control signal that includes a randomized PWM level, based on the strategy, to a controller in a load component of the utility system based on the reduction target. A method for component load management includes receiving a control signal from a utility system based on a utility demand reduction strategy, converting the signal into randomized PWM control of the load component in accordance therewith, receiving an updated control signal based on utility system monitoring of an aggregate load of a component of the utility system, and converting the updated signal into randomized PWM control of the load component in accordance therewith.
14 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for aggregate load management, comprising:
-
determining whether a load capacity limit within a utility power network will be exceeded; selecting an aggregated demand reduction target to remain within capacity bounds if the load capacity limit is to be exceeded; selecting a demand reduction strategy; sending a first control signal that includes a first pulse width modulation level to a first controller in at least a first load component of the utility system based on the aggregated demand reduction target; and sending a second control signal that includes a second pulse width modulation level different than the first pulse width modulation level to a second controller in at least a second load component of the utility system based on the aggregated demand reduction target, wherein respective magnitudes of the first and second pulse width modulation levels are based on the strategy selected, load levels at the first and second load components, types of loads at the first and second load components, availability of loads suitable for reduction at the first and second load components, and a local need for load reduction at the first and second load components, and wherein the first and second controllers include respective randomization algorithms to randomize on and off times of duty cycles for respective loads in the first and second load components over a control period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A system for aggregate load management, comprising:
-
at least one distinct software module, each distinct software module being embodied on a tangible computer-readable recordable medium; a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and operative for; determining whether a load capacity limit within a utility power network will be exceeded; selecting an aggregated demand reduction target to remain within capacity bounds if the load capacity limit is to be exceeded; selecting a demand reduction strategy; sending a first control signal that includes a first pulse width modulation level to a first controller in at least a first load component of the utility system based on the aggregated demand reduction target; and sending a second control signal that includes a second pulse width modulation level different than the first pulse width modulation level to a second controller in at least a second load component of the utility system based on the aggregated demand reduction target, wherein respective magnitudes of the first and second pulse width modulation levels are based on the strategy selected, load levels at the first and second load components, types of loads at the first and second load components, availability of loads suitable for reduction at the first and second load components, and a local need for load reduction at the first and second load components, and wherein the first and second controllers include respective randomization algorithms to randomize on and off times of duty cycles for respective loads in the first and second load components over a control period. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for load management at a component level, comprising:
-
receiving, via a first controller in a first load component, a first control signal from a utility system based on a utility demand reduction strategy; converting the first control signal into a randomized pulse width modulation control of the first load component in accordance with the first control signal and a randomization algorithm included in the first controller to randomize on and off times of duty cycles for respective loads in the first load component over a control period; receiving, via the first controller in the first load component, an updated control signal from the utility system based on utility system monitoring of an aggregate load of at least one component of the utility system; and converting the updated control signal into a pulse width modulation control of the first load component in accordance with the updated control signal and the randomization algorithm to randomize on and off times of duty cycles for respective loads in the first load component over another control period; wherein the first control signal includes a first pulse width modulation level, the first pulse width modulation level being different than a second pulse width modulation level of a second control signal received at a second controller for a second load component in the utility system, wherein respective magnitudes of the first and second pulse width modulation levels are based on the utility demand reduction strategy, load levels at the first and second load components, types of loads at the first and second load components, availability of loads suitable for reduction at the first and second load components, and a local need for load reduction at the first and second load components.
-
Specification