Method and apparatus for managing demand response resources in a power distribution network
First Claim
1. A method in a computer system of selecting demand responsive loads in a power distribution network for inclusion in a demand response event having a defined load reduction target, said method comprising:
- determining that the demand response event has been triggered for the power distribution network;
identifying demand responsive loads in the power distribution network that are candidates for inclusion in the demand response event;
selecting a set of the demand responsive loads to include in the demand response event and determining corresponding load reduction values for the selected set of demand responsive loads based on using a mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, to determine which combination of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values maximizes a reduction in power loss in the power distribution network while simultaneously satisfying the defined load reduction target and a number of solution constraints that include one or more network operating constraints, including at least one of power flow limits, node voltage limits and distribution line capacity limits; and
saving or otherwise outputting a demand response solution that indicates the selected set of demand responsive loads and the corresponding load reduction values determined for the selected set of demand responsive loads,wherein the mathematical network model of the power distribution network comprises a mathematical representation of the power distribution network as a multi-phase unbalanced distribution network, including mathematical representations of the physical components in the power distribution network and the connecting relationships of those physical components.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect of the teachings herein, demand responsive loads are selected for involvement in a given DR event using an advantageous approach to selection that is based on using a mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in a power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values. The mathematical network model comprises a mathematical representation of the power distribution network as a multi-phase unbalanced distribution network, including mathematical representations of the physical components in the power distribution network and the connecting relationships of those components. As overall power loss in the system is a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections, the mathematical network model is used to evaluate system power loss under different demand response load selections, in a manner that automatically accommodates mesh networks and other complex network topologies, distributed generation sources, etc.
57 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method in a computer system of selecting demand responsive loads in a power distribution network for inclusion in a demand response event having a defined load reduction target, said method comprising:
-
determining that the demand response event has been triggered for the power distribution network; identifying demand responsive loads in the power distribution network that are candidates for inclusion in the demand response event; selecting a set of the demand responsive loads to include in the demand response event and determining corresponding load reduction values for the selected set of demand responsive loads based on using a mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, to determine which combination of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values maximizes a reduction in power loss in the power distribution network while simultaneously satisfying the defined load reduction target and a number of solution constraints that include one or more network operating constraints, including at least one of power flow limits, node voltage limits and distribution line capacity limits; and saving or otherwise outputting a demand response solution that indicates the selected set of demand responsive loads and the corresponding load reduction values determined for the selected set of demand responsive loads, wherein the mathematical network model of the power distribution network comprises a mathematical representation of the power distribution network as a multi-phase unbalanced distribution network, including mathematical representations of the physical components in the power distribution network and the connecting relationships of those physical components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A method in a computer system of selecting demand responsive loads in a power distribution network for inclusion in a demand response event having a defined load reduction target, said method comprising:
-
determining that the demand response event has been triggered for the power distribution network; identifying demand responsive loads in the power distribution network that are candidates for inclusion in the demand response event; selecting a set of the demand responsive loads to include in the demand response event and determining corresponding load reduction values for the selected set of demand responsive loads based on using a mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, to determine which combination of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values maximizes a reduction in power loss in the power distribution network while simultaneously satisfying the defined load reduction target and a number of solution constraints that include one or more network operating constraints, including at least one of power flow limits. node voltage limits and distribution line capacity limits; and saving or otherwise outputting a demand response solution that indicates the selected set of demand responsive loads and the corresponding load reduction values determined for the selected set of demand responsive loads, wherein using the mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values comprises evaluating power flow equations by applying the power and current balance laws at each bus or node represented in the mathematical network model, according to a known set of load values corresponding to the demand responsive loads, as adjusted for any particular combination of load reduction values being considered.
-
-
5. A method in a computer system of selecting demand responsive loads in a power distribution network for inclusion in a demand response event having a defined load reduction target, said method comprising:
-
determining that the demand response event has been triggered for the power distribution network; identifying demand responsive loads in the power distribution network that are candidates for inclusion in the demand response event; selecting a set of the demand responsive loads to include in the demand response event and determining corresponding load reduction values for the selected set of demand responsive loads based on using a mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, to determine which combination of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values maximizes a reduction in power loss in the power distribution network while simultaneously satisfying the defined load reduction target and a number of solution constraints that include one or more network operating constraints, including at least one of power flow limits, node voltage limits and distribution line capacity limits; and saving or otherwise outputting a demand response solution that indicates the selected set of demand responsive loads and the corresponding load reduction values determined for the selected set of demand responsive loads, wherein using the mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values comprises finding the combination of load reduction values that minimizes, subject to the solution constraints, a power loss function for the power distribution network subject that is expressed as a function of the load reduction values and of a set of system states, and wherein the solution constraints include any load reduction limits and load reduction timing restrictions associated with the demand responsive loads, and further include the network operating constraints, as applied to the set of system states. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A computer system configured to select demand responsive loads in a power distribution network for inclusion in a demand response event having a defined load reduction target, said computer system comprising:
-
one or more memory or storage elements; input/output interface circuitry; and a processing circuit operatively associated with the input/output interface circuitry and the one or more memory or storage elements, said processing circuit configured to; determine that the demand response event has been triggered for the power distribution network; identify demand responsive loads in the power distribution network that are candidates for inclusion in the demand response event; select a set of the demand responsive loads to include in the demand response event and determine corresponding load reduction values for the selected set of demand responsive loads based on using a mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, to determine which combination of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values maximizes a reduction in power loss in the power distribution network while simultaneously satisfying the defined load reduction target and a number of solution constraints that include one or more network operating constraints, including at least one of power flow limits, node voltage limits and distribution line capacity limits; and save or otherwise output a demand response solution that indicates the selected set of demand responsive loads and the corresponding load reduction values determined for the selected set of demand responsive loads, wherein the mathematical network model of the power distribution network comprises a mathematical representation of the power distribution network as a multi-phase unbalanced distribution network, including mathematical representations of the physical components in the power distribution network and the connecting relationship of those physical components. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
-
-
12. A computer system configured to select demand responsive loads in a power distribution network for inclusion in a demand response event having a defined load reduction target, said computer system comprising:
-
one or more memory or storage elements; input/output interface circuitry; and a processing circuit operatively associated with the input/output interface circuitry and the one or more memory or storage elements, said processing circuit configured to; determine that the demand response event has been triggered for the power distribution network; identify demand responsive loads in the power distribution network that are candidates for inclusion in the demand response event; select a set of the demand responsive loads to include in the demand response event and determine corresponding load reduction values for the selected set of demand responsive loads based on using a mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, to determine which combination of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values maximizes a reduction in power loss in the power distribution network while simultaneously satisfying the defined load reduction target and a number of solution constraints that include one or more network operating constraints, including at least one of power flow limits, node voltage limits and distribution line capacity limits; and save or otherwise output a demand response solution that indicates the selected set of demand responsive loads and the corresponding load reduction values determined for the selected set of demand responsive loads, wherein the processing circuit is configured to use the mathematical network model to evaluate the power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, based on evaluating power flow equations, including applying the power and current balance laws at each bus or node represented in the mathematical network model, according to a known set of load values corresponding to the demand responsive loads, as adjusted for any particular combination of load reduction values being considered.
-
-
13. A computer system configured to select demand responsive loads in a power distribution network for inclusion in a demand response event having a defined load reduction target, said computer system comprising:
-
one or more memory or storage elements; input/output interface circuitry; and a processing circuit operatively associated with the input/output interface circuitry and the one or more memory or storage elements, said processing circuit configured to; determine that the demand response event has been triggered for the power distribution network; identify demand responsive loads in the power distribution network that are candidates for inclusion in the demand response event; select a set of the demand responsive loads to include in the demand response event and determine corresponding load reduction values for the selected set of demand responsive loads based on using a mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, to determine which combination of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values maximizes a reduction in power loss in the power distribution network while simultaneously satisfying the defined load reduction target and a number of solution constraints that include one or more network operating constraints, including at least one of power flow limits, node voltage limits and distribution line capacity limits; and save or otherwise output a demand response solution that indicates the selected set of demand responsive loads and the corresponding load reduction values determined for the selected set of demand responsive loads, wherein the processing circuit is configured to use the mathematical network model to evaluate the power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, based on finding the combination of load reduction values that minimizes, subject to the solution constraints, a power loss function for the power distribution network that is expressed as a function of the load reduction values and of a set of system states, and wherein the solution constraints include any load reduction limits and load reduction timing restrictions associated with the demand responsive loads, and further include the network operating constraints, as applied to the set of system sates. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
-
-
16. A computer system configured to select demand responsive loads in a power distribution network for inclusion in a demand response event having a defined load reduction target, said computer system comprising:
-
one or more memory or storage elements; input/output interface circuitry; and a processing circuit operatively associated with the input/output interface circuitry and the one or more memory or storage elements, said processing circuit configured to; determine that the demand response event has been triggered for the power distribution network; identify demand responsive loads in the power distribution network that are candidates for inclusion in the demand response event; select a set of the demand responsive loads to include in the demand response event and determine corresponding load reduction values for the selected set of demand responsive loads based on using a mathematical network model to evaluate power loss in the power distribution network as a function of different combinations of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values, to determine which combination of demand responsive load selections and corresponding load reduction values maximizes a reduction in power loss in the power distribution network while simultaneously satisfying the defined load reduction target and a number of solution constraints that include one or more network operating constraints, including at least one of power flow limits, node voltage limits and distribution line capacity limits; and save or otherwise output a demand response solution that indicates the selected set of demand responsive loads and the corresponding load reduction values determined for the selected set of demand responsive loads, wherein the processing circuit is configured to express the power loss function as a summation of branch power losses over a plurality of branches represented in the mathematical network model, and to compute the power loss in each branch as a function of the modeled branch resistance and the square of the branch current magnitude calculated according to the different combinations of load reduction values.
-
Specification