U.S. patent application number 13/682824 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for power control device.
This patent application is currently assigned to BIPCO-SOFT R3 INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is BIPCO-SOFT R3 INC.. Invention is credited to Simon JASMIN, Irene NORMANDIN, Gilles TRUDEL.
Application Number | 20130320762 13/682824 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46634699 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130320762 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TRUDEL; Gilles ; et
al. |
December 5, 2013 |
POWER CONTROL DEVICE
Abstract
A power control device for regulating the power that a load
consumes on the basis of the AC supply frequency. The system
includes decision logic that responds to a frequency deviation to
implement a power regulation strategy. The power regulation
strategy includes a power compensation phase during which the
electrical power that the load consumes is adjusted (reduced or
increased) to balance the load on the grid. The power regulation
strategy also includes a power restoration phase during which the
power to the load is restored (either increased or decreased). The
rate at which the power is adjusted during the power compensation
phase is higher than the rate at which the power is restored during
the power restoration phase.
Inventors: |
TRUDEL; Gilles; (Anjou,
CA) ; JASMIN; Simon; (Montreal, CA) ;
NORMANDIN; Irene; (Sherbrooke, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BIPCO-SOFT R3 INC. |
Warrens |
|
BB |
|
|
Assignee: |
BIPCO-SOFT R3 INC.
Warrens
BB
|
Family ID: |
46634699 |
Appl. No.: |
13/682824 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
307/31 ;
323/205 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 13/0006 20130101;
Y02B 70/30 20130101; H02J 3/00 20130101; H02J 3/14 20130101; H02J
2310/14 20200101; G01R 31/42 20130101; H02J 3/12 20130101; Y04S
20/222 20130101; G05F 1/70 20130101; Y02B 70/3225 20130101; Y04S
20/242 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
307/31 ;
323/205 |
International
Class: |
G05F 1/70 20060101
G05F001/70; H02J 3/00 20060101 H02J003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 1, 2012 |
CA |
2778345 |
Claims
1-42. (canceled)
43. A power control device for use in an AC power grid for
regulating an electrical power a load that is supplied by the AC
power grid consumes, the power control device comprising: a. a
frequency sensing functional block for detecting deviations of the
grid frequency from a nominal grid frequency; b. a logic functional
block for implementing a power regulation process during which the
power the load consumes is reduced when the frequency sensing
functional block determines that the grid frequency has deviated
from the nominal grid frequency, the power regulation process
reducing the power the load consumes in a continuous fashion with
relation to the degree of deviation of the grid frequency from the
nominal frequency; and c. an output for outputting a control signal
for controlling the power the load consumes on the basis of the
power regulation process.
44. A power control device as defined in claim 43, wherein the
power regulation process reducing the power the load consumes in a
non-stepwise fashion.
45. A power control device as defined in claim 43, wherein the
power regulation process reducing the power the load consumes
step-wise by implementing multiple discrete power levels, the
multiple discrete power levels including: a. a first power level
where the load consumes a nominal amount of power; b. a second
power level different from the first power level; and c. multiple
intermediate power levels between the first power level and the
second power level.
46. A power control device as defined in claim 45, wherein the
second power level is a nil power level where the load consumes no
power.
47. A power control device as defined in claim 43, wherein the
power regulation process reducing the power the load consumes
continuously and linearly with relation to the degree of deviation
of the grid frequency from the nominal frequency.
48. A power control device as defined in claim 43, wherein the
power regulation process reducing the power the load consumes
continuously and non-linearly with relation to the degree of
deviation of the grid frequency from the nominal frequency.
49. A power control device as defined in claim 47, wherein the
power regulation process reduces the power the load consumes
proportionately to the degree of deviation of the grid frequency
from the nominal frequency.
50. A power control device as defined in claim 49, wherein the
power regulation process reduces the power the load consumes at a
rate such that an approximate deviation of 5% of the grid frequency
from the nominal frequency results in no power being supplied to
the load.
51. A power control device as defined in claim 48, wherein the
power regulation process reduces the power to the load a rate that
increases with an increase in the deviation of the grid frequency
from the nominal frequency.
52. A power control device as defined in claim 51, wherein the
power regulation process reduces the power the load consumes to
about zero when the grid frequency deviates by about 3 Hz from a
nominal frequency of 60 Hz.
53. A power control device as defined in claim 43, comprising a
machine readable storage medium encoded with software for execution
by a CPU to implement at least in part the frequency sensing
functional block and the logic functional block.
54. A power control device as defined in claim 43, wherein the load
is a resistive load.
55. A power control device as defined in claim 43, wherein the
frequency sensing functional block includes an input to be coupled
to a power supply connection between the AC power grid and the
load.
56. A power control device for use in an AC power grid for
regulating an electrical power a load that is supplied by the AC
power grid consumes, the power control device comprising: a. a
sensing functional block for detecting a frequency instability
event within the grid; b. a logic functional block for implementing
a power regulation process during which the power the load consumes
is reduced when the sensing functional block determines that
frequency instability is occurring, the power regulation process
reducing the power the load consumes in a continuous fashion with
relation to a degree of frequency instability; and c. an output for
outputting a control signal for controlling the power the load
consumes on the basis of the power regulation process.
57. A power control device as defined in claim 56, wherein the
power regulation process reducing the power the load consumes in a
continuous non-stepwise fashion.
58. A power control device as defined in claim 56, wherein the
power regulation process reducing the power the load consumes
step-wise by implementing multiple discrete power levels, the
multiple discrete power levels including: a. a first power level
where the load consumes a nominal amount of power; b. a second
power level different from the first power level; and c. multiple
intermediate power levels between the first power level and the
second power level.
59. A power control device as defined in claim 58, wherein the
second power level is a nil power level where the load consumes no
power.
60. A power control device as defined in claim 56, wherein the
power regulation process reducing the power the load consumes
continuously and linearly with relation to the degree of frequency
instability.
61. A power control device as defined in claim 56, wherein the
power regulation process reducing the power the load consumes
continuously and non-linearly with relation to the degree of
frequency instability.
62. A power control device as defined in claim 60, wherein the
power regulation process reduces the power to the load
proportionately to a degree of increase of the frequency
instability.
63. A power control device as defined in claim 62, wherein the
power regulation process reduces the power to the load at a rate
such that when a grid frequency deviates from a nominal frequency
by 5% or more no power is supplied to the load.
64. A power control device as defined in claim 61, wherein the
power regulation process reduces the power to the load at a rate
that increases with an increase in a deviation of a grid frequency
from a nominal frequency.
65. A power control device as defined in claim 64, wherein the
power to the load is reduced to about zero when the grid frequency
deviates by about 3 Hz or more from a nominal frequency of 60
Hz.
66. A power control device as defined in claim 56, comprising a
machine readable storage medium encoded with software for execution
by a CPU to implement at least in part the sensing functional block
and the logic functional block.
67. A power control device as defined in claim 56, wherein the load
is a resistive load.
68. A power control device as defined in claim 56, wherein the
sensing functional block includes an input to be coupled to a power
supply connection between the AC power grid and the load.
69. A method for regulating an amount of power a load connected to
an AC power grid is allowed to consume, the method comprising: a.
detecting deviations of a frequency of the AC grid from a nominal
grid frequency via a power supply connection between the load and
the AC power grid; and b. reducing the power the load consumes in a
continuous fashion with relation to the degree of deviation of the
frequency from the nominal frequency.
70. A method as defined in claim 69, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power in a gradual and non-stepwise
fashion.
71. A method as defined in claim 69, wherein the step of reducing
the power to the load includes reducing the power step-wise by
implementing multiple discrete power levels, the multiple discrete
power levels including: a. a first power level where the load is
allowed to consume a nominal amount of power; b. a second power
level different from the first power level; and c. multiple
intermediate power levels between the first power level and the
second power level.
72. A method as defined in claim 71, wherein the second power level
is a nil power level where the load consumes no power.
73. A method as defined in claim 69, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power continuously and linearly
with relation to the degree of deviation of the frequency from the
nominal frequency.
74. A method as defined in claim 69, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power continuously and non-linearly
with relation to the degree of deviation of the frequency from the
nominal frequency.
75. A method as defined in claim 73, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power proportionately to the degree
of deviation of the frequency from the nominal frequency.
76. A method as defined in claim 75, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power at a rate such that at about
5% deviation of the frequency from the nominal frequency results in
no power being supplied to the load.
77. A method as defined in claim 74, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power at a rate that increases with
an increase in a rate of deviation of the grid frequency from the
nominal frequency.
78. A method as defined in claim 77, wherein the step of reducing
the power to the load includes reducing the power to about zero
when the grid frequency deviates by about 3 Hz from a nominal
frequency of 60 Hz.
79. A method as defined in claim 69, wherein the load is a
resistive load.
80. A water heater, comprising: a. a resistive load for connection
to an AC power grid for heat generation; b. a power control device
for regulating electrical power consumed by the resistive load, the
power control device being configured for: i. detecting deviations
of the grid frequency from a nominal grid frequency; c. reducing
the power the resistive load consumes in a continuous fashion with
relation to the degree of deviation of the grid frequency from the
nominal frequency.
81. A water heater as defined in claim 80, wherein the power
control device reducing the power the resistive load consumes in a
non-stepwise fashion.
82. A water heater as defined in claim 80, wherein the power
control device reducing the power the resistive load consumes
step-wise by implementing multiple discrete power levels, the
multiple discrete power levels including: a. a first power level
where the load consumes a nominal amount of power; b. a second
power level different from the first power level; and c. multiple
intermediate power levels between the first power level and the
second power level.
83. A water heater as defined in claim 82, wherein the second power
level is a nil power level where the resistive load consumes no
power.
84. A water heater as defined in claim 80, wherein the power
control device reducing the power the resistive load consumes
continuously and linearly with relation to the degree of deviation
of the grid frequency from the nominal frequency.
85. A water heater as defined in claim 80, wherein the power
control device reducing the power the resistive load consumes
continuously and non-linearly with relation to the degree of
deviation of the grid frequency from the nominal frequency.
86. A water heater as defined in claim 85, wherein the power
control device reducing the power the resistive load consumes
proportionately to a change to the degree of deviation of the grid
frequency from the nominal frequency.
87. A water heater, comprising: a. a resistive load for connection
to an AC power grid for heat generation; b. a power control device
for regulating electrical power consumed by the resistive load, the
power control device being configured for: i. detecting an
occurrence of a frequency instability event on the basis of
frequency information derived via a power connection to the AC
power grid; and c. reducing the power the resistive load consumes
in a continuous fashion with relation to the degree of frequency
instability.
88. A water heater as defined in claim 87, wherein the power
control device reducing the power the resistive load consumes in a
non-stepwise fashion.
89. A water heater as defined in claim 88, wherein the power
control device reducing the power the resistive load consumes
step-wise fashion by implementing multiple discrete power levels,
the multiple discrete power levels including: a. a first power
level where the load consumes a nominal amount of power; b. a
second power level different from the first power level; and c.
multiple intermediate power levels between the first power level
and the second power level.
90. A water heater as defined in claim 89, wherein the second power
level is a nil power level where the resistive load consumes no
power.
91. A water heater as defined in claim 87, wherein the power
control device reducing the power the resistive load consumes
continuously and linearly with relation to the degree of frequency
instability.
92. A water heater as defined in claim 87, wherein the power
control device reducing the power the resistive load consumes
continuously and non-linearly with relation to the degree of
frequency instability.
93. A water heater as defined in claim 91, wherein the power
control device reduces the power the resistive load consumes
proportionately to a change to a degree of deviation of the grid
frequency from a nominal frequency.
94. A water heater as defined in claim 92, wherein the power
control device reduces the power the resistive load consumes at a
rate that increases with an increase in the deviation of the grid
frequency from a nominal frequency.
95. A method for increasing the frequency stability of an AC power
grid that supplies multiple and geographically dispersed dwellings
with electrical power, the method comprising: a. providing several
ones of the dwellings with an electrical load that is connected to
the AC power grid; b. deriving grid frequency information via a
power supply connection between the electrical load and the AC
power grid and determining on the basis of the grid frequency
information if the grid frequency deviates from a nominal grid
frequency; and c. reducing the power the electrical load consumes
in a continuous fashion with relation to the degree of deviation of
the grid frequency from the nominal grid frequency.
96. A method as defined in claim 95, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power in a gradual and non-stepwise
fashion.
97. A method as defined in claim 96, wherein the step of reducing
the power to the load includes reducing the power step-wise by
implementing multiple discrete power levels, the multiple discrete
power levels including: a. a first power level where the load is
allowed to consume a nominal amount of power; b. a second power
level different from the first power level; and c. multiple
intermediate power levels between the first power level and the
second power level.
98. A method as defined in claim 97, wherein the second power level
is a nil power level where the load consumes no power.
99. A method as defined in claim 95, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power continuously and linearly
with relation to the degree of deviation of the frequency from the
nominal frequency.
100. A method as defined in claim 95, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power continuously and non-linearly
with relation to the degree of deviation of the frequency from the
nominal frequency.
101. A method as defined in claim 99, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power proportionately to the degree
of deviation of the frequency from the nominal frequency.
102. A method as defined in claim 101, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power at a rate such that at about
5% deviation of the frequency from the nominal frequency results in
no power being supplied to the load.
103. A method as defined in claim 100, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power at a rate that increases with
an increase in a rate of deviation of the grid frequency from the
nominal frequency.
104. A method as defined in claim 103, wherein the step of reducing
the power to the load includes reducing the power to about zero
when the grid frequency deviates by about 3 Hz from a nominal
frequency of 60 Hz.
105. A method as defined in claim 95, wherein the load is a
resistive load.
106. A method for increasing the frequency stability of an AC power
grid that supplies multiple and geographically dispersed dwellings
with electrical power, the method comprising: a. providing several
ones of the dwellings with an electrical load that is connected to
the AC power grid; b. processing grid frequency information sensed
via a power connection between the AC power grid and the load to
detect a frequency instability event; and c. reducing the power the
electrical load consumes in a continuous fashion with relation to
the degree of frequency instability.
107. A method as defined in claim 106, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power in a gradual and non-stepwise
fashion.
108. A method as defined in claim 106, wherein the step of reducing
the power to the load includes reducing the power step-wise by
implementing multiple discrete power levels, the multiple discrete
power levels including: a. a first power level where the load is
allowed to consume a nominal amount of power; b. a second power
level different from the first power level; and c. multiple
intermediate power levels between the first power level and the
second power level.
109. A method as defined in claim 108, wherein the second power
level is a nil power level where the load consumes no power.
110. A method as defined in claim 106, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power continuously and linearly
with relation to the degree of frequency instability.
111. A method as defined in claim 106, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power continuously and non-linearly
with relation to the degree of frequency instability.
112. A method as defined in claim 110, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power proportionately to the degree
of frequency instability.
113. A method as defined in claim 112, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power at a rate such that at about
5% deviation of the frequency of the AC power grid from a nominal
frequency results in no power being supplied to the load.
114. A method as defined in claim 111, wherein the step of reducing
the power includes reducing the power at a rate that increases with
an increase in a rate of decrease of the frequency of the AC grid
from a nominal frequency.
115. A method as defined in claim 114, wherein the step of reducing
the power to the load includes reducing the power to about zero
when the frequency of the AC grid deviates by about 3 Hz or more
from a nominal frequency of 60 Hz.
116. A method as defined in claim 106, wherein the load is a
resistive load.
117. A process for determining a degree of load reduction a power
grid manifests in response to a frequency instability event, where
the power grid supplies a multiplicity of loads which are
geographically distributed and remote from one another and each
load is controlled by a power control device, the power control
device: a. reducing the amount of electrical power the load is
allowed to consume in response to a frequency instability event;
and b. being responsive to a frequency encoded message impressed on
the power grid to reduce the electrical power the load is allowed
to consume, the method including: i. impressing on the power grid
the frequency encoded message to command the power control devices
associated with the respective loads to reduce the electrical power
the loads are allowed to consume, the impressing being performed in
the absence of a frequency instability event; and ii. observing a
collective response of the multiplicity of loads to the frequency
encoded message.
118. A process as defined in claim 117, including deriving from the
collective response a degree of load reduction the power grid
manifests.
119. A process as defined in claim 117, including deriving from the
collective response time information indicative of an evolution of
the load reduction versus time.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a controller for
controlling the power consumed by a load connected to an AC supply.
The invention also extends to control strategies for such load
control function. In a specific and non-limiting example of
implementation, the invention finds applications in electrical
power grids to improve the grid frequency stability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] To ensure the reliability of an electric power grid, the
administrator must continually maintain a power reserve in order to
compensate for a possible failure of energy production units. The
power reserve is essentially an excess production capacity on
standby. In normal conditions, the power generation units are run
at less than 100% such that a degree of reserve power is always
available. However, the maintenance of this reserve capacity is an
expensive proposition since the reserve constitutes a resource that
cannot be effectively monetized by the utility company.
[0003] An electric power grid will operate in normal conditions at
a fixed frequency (usually 50 or 60 Hz). The frequency remains
constant as long as the supplied power matches the power consumed
by the load. Any sudden changes in generation or load resulting in
an unbalance between generation and load will lead to a frequency
instability during which the frequency deviates from its nominal
value. Large frequency variations are undesirable because they
could lead to equipment trip or even a system collapse.
[0004] Frequency instability events are generally caused by the
sudden loss of a power generation unit or by the loss of a large
load and are characterized by a sudden frequency variation from the
frequency nominal value.
[0005] The reserve capacity in a power grid is thus tapped when the
frequency drops below a certain level. Electrical generation units
that supply power to the grid are equipped with a speed governor.
The speed governor continuously regulates the power output of
generation units in order to balance the generation with the load.
Thus when the frequency of the grid varies, the speed governor
responds to this variation to compensate it. For example, when the
frequency is higher than normal, the speed governor will simply
lower the power generated by the generation unit (therefore
reducing the amount of power supplied to the grid). Alternatively,
when the frequency is lower than normal, the speed governor will
increase the power generation. The speed governor however has some
inherent limitations. In particular, it is slow to respond since it
involves certain mechanical constraints. Depending of the type of
generation (hydraulic, gas, thermal, wind, etc. . . . ) some time
is required for the generation unit to increase its speed up to the
desired point.
[0006] System inertia is another aspect to frequency stability of
the power grid. "Inertia" refers to the ability of the grid to
buffer energy imbalances, such as excess load or excess generation
and thus prevent significant and rapid frequency variations. Any
power grid has a level of inherent inertia on its generation side.
This inherent inertia is in the form of mechanical energy stored in
the rotors of the generators. If the load on the power grid
increases, the rotor inertia of a generator will be able to
instantly respond to this increased load and thus dampen a
frequency drop. Similarly, if the load connected to the grid is
suddenly reduced, the rotor inertia will limit its tendency to
overspeed, hence increase the frequency of the supply voltage.
[0007] Accordingly, from the perspective of frequency stability,
some level of inertia in the power grid is desirable because it
acts as a mechanism to dampen frequency variations and thus
provides more time for slower frequency stabilization systems to
become active.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to a broad aspect the invention provides a power
control device for regulating the power that a load consumes, on
the basis of the AC supply frequency. The system includes decision
logic that responds to a frequency deviation to implement a power
regulation strategy. The power regulation strategy includes a power
compensation phase during which the electrical power that the load
consumes is adjusted (reduced or increased) to balance the load on
the grid. The power regulation strategy also includes a power
restoration phase during which the power to the load is restored
(either increased or decreased). The rate at which the power is
adjusted during the power compensation phase is higher than the
rate at which the power is restored during the power restoration
phase.
[0009] This approach allows increasing the frequency stability of
the grid by restoring the load at a rate which is relatively slow,
thus avoiding a load spike or dip that can trigger a secondary
frequency instability event. At the same time, the power
compensation can be implemented very quickly to rapidly respond to
a frequency deviation which is indicative of overloaded or an under
loaded grid.
[0010] In a specific and nonlimiting example of implementation, the
power control device operates independently without external
control input other than the AC frequency. This makes the
installation and deployment of the system simple since there is no
need to install a dedicated communication channel to carry commands
to the device.
[0011] The power control device can be coupled to a household
appliance to regulate its power consumption. Examples of such
household appliances include resistive heating devices such as
water heaters, air heating systems and clothes dryers, among
others. Resistive loads allow a continuous form of power regulation
during which electrical power that the appliance consumes is
adjusted by a degree that matches the level at which the AC
frequency has deviated. Thus, when a power reduction is being
implemented, such power reduction does not completely negate the
functionality of the appliance. For instance, in the case of a
water heater, water will still be heated albeit at a lower rate.
Also, resistive loads are easier to manage during the power
restoration phase since the system can gradually increase the
amount of power that the appliance can consume in order to avoid a
load spike.
[0012] From that perspective, continuous power regulation is to be
distinguished from a binary form of control where power to the load
is completely cut off during a power reduction and then instantly
and fully turned on during the power restoration. The downside of
this approach is that the full power restoration is likely to
overload the grid, essentially re-creating the problem that the
power reduction intended to solve.
[0013] A variant of the continuous power regulation approach is to
allow power regulation including multiple discrete steps. The
discrete steps include a full power step where the load is allowed
to consume its nominal amount of power, a no power step were no
electrical power is supplied to the load and one or more
intermediate steps where intermediate levels of electrical power
are supplied to the load. The number of intermediate power steps
can vary depending on the intended application, but at least one is
required.
[0014] By installing the power control device in a large number of
individual dwellings supplied by the power grid, an aggregate
control effect can be achieved to provide meaningful frequency
stabilization.
[0015] In another broad aspect, the invention provides a system for
regulating the power that a load is allowed to consume on the basis
of the AC supply frequency. The system includes decision logic that
responds to a frequency reduction to reduce the amount of
electrical power to the load. The system can also recognize
frequency encoded messages to implement certain commands, such as
partial or full load shedding (commands to be implemented
immediately or after a certain time delay) and deactivate the power
reduction strategy for a certain time, among others.
[0016] In a specific example of implementation, the AC frequency
encoded messages convey information that the system recognizes and
responds to. Information can be frequency encoded by generating
frequency variation patterns that the power control device which
observes the AC frequency can recognize. The frequency variations
are small to avoid negative effects on equipment supplied by the
grid. Also, the frequency variations are such as to avoid
triggering the load reduction response of the system. In a specific
and non-limiting example of implementation, the frequency variation
does not exceed 25% of frequency variation that is considered
acceptable in a power network before any corrective measures are
implemented. The frequency variation that is considered
"acceptable" would depend on the type of power grid. For isolated
power grids larger variations can be tolerated than in power grids
that are interconnected to other power grids.
[0017] For instance, the frequency variation pattern can be limited
to frequency excursions in the range from 60.1 Hz to 59.9 Hz, when
the nominal supply frequency is 60 Hz. This could be suitable for
an isolated power grid.
[0018] For an interconnected power grid the frequency variation
pattern can be limited to frequency excursions in the range of
60.01 Hz to 59.99 Hz.
[0019] For clarity, the frequency variations considered acceptable
during the steady state operation of the power grid do not
constitute a frequency instability. As it will be discussed later,
"frequency instability" refers to more significant frequency
deviations, which require rapid correction. Typically, the loss of
a power generation unit causes a frequency instability.
[0020] The frequency encoded messages can thus be used to control
the power regulation behavior of the power control devices. This
can be useful for testing purposes or during contingencies when a
certain type of response is more desirable than another. In the
case of testing, the grid operator adjusts the frequency of the AC
supply to impress on it the desired message which is then sensed by
the multiplicity of power control devices connected to the grid. In
a specific example, the message can be such as to direct the power
control devices to reduce the power of the loads associated with
them. By observing the resulting behavior of the grid, the operator
can more precisely ascertain the collective level of load reduction
that is available and that can be effectively relied upon to
provide frequency stabilization. The operator can also ascertain
the profile of the load reduction response, in particular the time
to reduce the load by a certain amount.
[0021] In yet another broad aspect, the invention provides a method
for a grid operator to determine the degree of load reduction
available for frequency stabilization purposes, where the grid
supplies electrical loads, some of which are controlled by power
control devices that reduce the amount of electrical power
available to the load when the AC frequency drops below a certain
level. The method includes the step of impressing on the AC supply
a frequency encoded message directing the power control devices to
reduce the electrical power available for the load and observing
the effect of the collective reduction on the grid.
[0022] The frequency encoded message can be structured in different
ways. One example is to design the system to operate on the basis
of a predetermined number of messages, where each message is
represented by an individually recognizable frequency variation
pattern. The power control device is designed to recognize the
frequency variation patterns and implement the actions that are
associated with the patterns. Alternatively, the message may have a
structure allowing conveying multiple elements of information. This
is a more flexible approach since it allows for more communication
possibilities. In a specific example of implementation, the message
includes a command portion that basically tells the power control
devices what to do. In addition, the message also includes a time
variable portion that conveys in addition to the command portion
time information such as a delay or specific time at which the
command is to be implemented and/or the duration for the action
that the command entails.
[0023] As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention thus
provides a power control device for use in an AC power grid for
controlling an amount of electrical power a load that is supplied
by the AC power grid consumes. The power control device has a
frequency sensing functional block for detecting deviations of the
grid frequency from a nominal grid frequency and a logic functional
block for implementing a power regulation process. The power
regulation process implements a power compensation phase during
which the amount of power the load consumes is adjusted in
dependence of a detected deviation of the grid frequency and a
power restoration phase during which the amount of power the load
consumes is restored, the power compensation phase varying the
electrical power the load consumes at a rate that is higher than
the rate at which the electrical power is varied during the power
restoration phase. The power control device also includes an output
for outputting a control signal for controlling the power the load
consumes on the basis of the power regulation process.
[0024] As embodied and broadly described herein the invention
further provides a power control device for use in an AC power grid
for controlling an amount of electrical power a load that is
supplied by the AC power grid consumes. The power control device
has a sensing functional block for detecting a frequency
instability event and a logic functional block for performing a
power regulation process that implements a power reduction phase
during which the amount of power the load consumes is reduced in
response to detection of a frequency instability event and a power
restoration phase during which the amount of power the load
consumes is increased, the power reduction phase reducing the
electrical power the load consumes at a rate that is higher than
the rate at which the electrical power is increased during the
power restoration phase. The power control device also includes an
output for outputting a control signal for controlling the power
the load consumes on the basis of the power regulation process.
[0025] As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also
provides a method for improving the frequency stability of an AC
power grid to which are connected a multiplicity of loads, the
loads are geographically distributed and remote from one another.
The method includes performing for each load a power consumption
regulation function that includes: [0026] a. sensing a frequency of
the AC power supplied by the AC power grid at the load site to
detect a frequency instability event; [0027] b. reducing the
electrical power the load consumes in response to detection of a
frequency instability event; [0028] c. increasing the electrical
power the load consumes when the sensing indicates that the
frequency deviation subsides or has dissipated, the power being
increased at rate that is slower than the rate at which power is
reduced.
[0029] As embodied and broadly described herein the invention also
provides a power control device for use in an AC power grid for
controlling an amount of electrical power a load that is supplied
by the grid consumes, the power control device comprising: [0030]
a. a sensing functional block for detecting a frequency instability
event; [0031] b. a logic functional block for generating a control
signal in response to the detecting of the frequency instability
event to reduce the power the load consumes, in the absence of a
frequency instability event the logic functional block being
responsive to a frequency encoded message impressed on the AC power
grid to execute a command conveyed by the frequency encoded
message; [0032] c. an output for outputting the control signal for
reducing the power the load consumes.
[0033] As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention yet
provides a process for determining a degree of load reduction a
power grid manifests in response to a frequency instability event,
where the grid supplies a multiplicity of loads which are
geographically distributed and remote from one another and each
load is controlled by a power control device. The power control
device reduces the amount of electrical power the load is allowed
to consume in response to a frequency instability event. Further,
the power control device is responsive to a frequency encoded
message impressed on the power grid to reduce the electrical power
the load is allowed to consume. The process for determining the
degree of load reduction includes impressing on the power grid the
frequency encoded message to command the power control devices
associated with the respective loads to reduce the electrical power
the individual loads are allowed to consume, the impressing being
performed in the absence of a frequency instability event, and
observing a collective response of the multiplicity of loads to the
frequency encoded message.
[0034] As embodied and broadly described herein the invention
further encompasses a combination of power control devices which
control the electrical power that respective loads consume from a
power grid, wherein the loads are geographically distributed and
remote from one another. Each power control device has a sensing
functional block for detecting a frequency instability event over
the power grid and a logic functional bock for performing a power
regulation process that implements: (1) a power reduction phase
during which the amount of power the respective load consumes is
reduced in response to detection of a frequency instability event
and (2) a power restoration phase during which the amount of power
the respective load consumes is increased. The power reduction
phase implemented by individual ones of the power control devices
defining in combination a collective power reduction action, the
power restoration phase implemented by individual ones of the power
control devices defining in combination a collective power
restoration action, the collective power reduction action reducing
power consumption from the power grid at a rate that is faster than
the rate at which the collective power restoration action increases
power consumption from the power grid.
[0035] As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention
further encompasses a power control device for use in an AC power
grid for controlling an amount of electrical power a load that is
supplied by the AC power grid consumes. The power control device
has a sensing functional block for detecting a frequency
instability event and a logic functional bock for performing a
power regulation process. The power regulation process implements a
power compensation phase during which the amount of power the load
consumes is reduced in response to detection of a frequency
instability event and a power restoration phase during which the
amount of power the load consumes is increased, the power
compensation phase having a duration that is less than a duration
of the power restoration phase.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] A detailed description of non-limiting examples of
implementation of the present invention is provided hereinbelow
with reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 shows an example of an electrical power grid,
illustrating the power generation side and the distributed load
side of the power grid;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a bloc diagram of a power control device in
accordance with a non-limiting example of implementation of the
invention used to regulate the electrical power that a load is
allowed to consume, based on the AC frequency;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a more detailed bloc diagram of the power control
device shown in FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the process implemented by the
power control device for controlling an electrical load;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a graph which provides a specific example of a
power regulation strategy in relation to the AC frequency;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a graph which provides a specific example of a
non-linear power regulation strategy that is also in relation to
the AC frequency;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a graph which provides another example of a power
regulation strategy that has a dead-band within which little or no
power control takes place;
[0044] FIG. 8 is a graph that shows a frequency variation pattern
to communicate messages to the power control device; and
[0045] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process implemented by the power
control device to decode messages encoded by frequency variation
patterns.
[0046] In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood
that the description and drawings are only for purposes of
illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended
to be a definition of the limits of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0047] To facilitate the description, any reference numeral
designating an element in one figure will designate the same
element if used in any other figure. In describing the embodiments,
specific terminology is used but the invention is not intended to
be limited to the specific terms so selected.
[0048] FIG. 1 shows an electric power grid. Electricity is
generated at a power plant 10 and is transmitted over high voltage
transmission lines 12 to a voltage down step station 14. The
voltage down step station 14 lowers the electrical voltage (via
transformers for example) such that it may be distributed to
households 16 and industrial buildings 18 via residential
distribution lines 20.
[0049] In a specific example of implementation, the present
invention provides a power control device 32 that can regulate the
electrical load that household appliances or industrial equipment
is allowed to consume. By using a sufficient number of such power
control devices, a significant portion of the grid load is
controllable and can thus provide a significant effect on the
overall power demand. Accordingly, the power control can be invoked
to lower the electrical load in periods of peak demand and/or when
a power generation unit fails, thus reducing the production
capacity.
[0050] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the power control device 32, showing
the power control device 32 connected to an AC supply 30 (which is
the power grid) and to an electrical load 34. The power control
device 32 monitors the frequency of the AC supply 30. If the
frequency varies from its nominal value, the power control device
32 reacts accordingly to reduce the load accordingly or in
exceptional cases to increase it.
[0051] With reference to FIG. 3, a more detailed bloc diagram
showing the different components of the power control device of
FIG. 2 are shown. The power control device 32 is computer based and
uses software to interpret the AC frequency and implement the
desired load regulation strategy. More specifically, the power
control device 32 has an input/output interface 40, a CPU 42, a
machine readable storage 44 and power electronics 46. Signals
representative of the AC frequency are communicated to the power
controller 32 via the input/output interface 40. The input/output
interface 40 reads the frequency information, digitizes it and
makes it available to the CPU 42 for processing.
[0052] The machine readable storage 44 is encoded with software
executed by the CPU 42. The software implements the power
regulation strategy. The I/O interface 40 outputs control signals
that are generated by the software to command power electronics 46
for performing the actual power control. The power electronics 46
typically would include thyristors or power transistors that can
lower the RMS voltage supplied to the electrical load 34. The power
electronics 46 can simply chop segments of the voltage wave to
effectively lower the RMS supply voltage hence, the amount of power
the load consumes.
[0053] The control signals output from the I/O interface 40 convey
information indicating the amount of power reduction desired. In
response to these control signals the power electronics 46 control
the AC voltage wave accordingly.
Examples of Loads that can be Controlled
[0054] The loads that are the most suitable to be controlled by the
power control device 32 are resistive loads. The power consumed by
a resistive load can be adjusted by varying the supply voltage to
provide a continuous range of power consumption regulation.
[0055] Another example of a load that also can be controlled by the
power control device 32 is a load that consumes power at several
discrete levels. In such case, the power control device varies the
power consumption of the load by selecting the maximal level of
power consumption of the load. Note that in the latter case, the
power control device may not need to adjust the AC voltage that is
applied to the load. Rather, it sends control signals to the load
to direct the load to cap its power consumption at a particular
level.
[0056] In one specific example of implementation, the electrical
load 34 is a water heater in a dwelling. If a decrease in the power
consumption of the water heater is necessary, the power electronics
46 will reduce the supply voltage according to the programmed
control strategy to obtain the desired power consumption reduction.
The decrease in power level can be enforced for a short period of
time (for example, ten to thirty minutes) to avoid an excessive
cooling of the water load. In this particular example it is
unlikely that the power consumption reduction will affect in a
major fashion the functionality of the apparatus and would be
almost imperceptible to the end user. The large thermal mass of the
water load (assuming that it is at the set point temperature when
the load reduction was initiated) may reduce the water temperature
by a few degrees and be virtually unnoticeable by the end user. As
will be further discussed below, such an effect would be even less
perceptible if the power control occurs at times during which the
water heater is not being heavily used, such as during the
night.
[0057] Another example of a load suitable to be controlled is a
heating system in a commercial building or a home. In such
embodiments, if it is necessary to decrease the power consumption
of the load, the power controller 32 can instruct the heating
system to reduce the consumed power for a period of thirty minutes
for example. During such a control period, it can be understood
that the overall temperature of the commercial building or home may
not vary greatly. Hence, such a variation to the end user would
once again be small. Note that the heating system may be of
resistive nature (electrical heating elements) that can be
regulated via the power electronics 46.
[0058] Alternatively, the heating system may be regulated simply by
lowering the temperature set point. Consider the situation where
the user sets the thermostat of the dwelling at 20 degrees Celsius.
In a normal mode of operation, the heating system is controlled
such as to maintain that temperature level. The control adjusts in
a continuous fashion the amount of power supplied to the load
depending on the temperature error (the difference between the set
point and the actual temperature). The amount of heating power the
heating system dispenses at any given time is controlled by power
electronics in the thermostat such that as the actual temperature
gets closer to the set point, the heating power supplied is reduced
to avoid overshoots. Maximal heating power is supplied when there
is a large spread between the actual temperature and the set point.
When the power control device 32 commands a reduction of the power
consumption of the heating system, it does so by reducing the
temperature set point to by a value commensurate with the degree of
reduction desired. In the above example, the set point can be
reduced by 1 degree to 19 degrees, which will for all practical
purposes be imperceptible to the user. In this example, of
implementation, the power control device 32 can be integrated into
an electronic thermostat that already uses a power electronics
stage to control the heating system. More specifically, if the
thermostat uses a computer based electronic control system, the
power control functionality can be implemented by loading the
software code which will monitor the AC frequency and issue the
necessary control signals to the existing power electronics
stage.
[0059] In another example of implementation, power control of a
heating system can be effected without changing the temperature set
point but rather the strategy used by the thermostat to track the
set point. In this example, the power control device adjusts the
responsiveness of the control strategy, reducing the system gain
when the electric power consumption is to be reduced. With a lower
gain, the heating system will track the set point less aggressively
and while the temperature can still reach the set point it will
take longer to do so.
[0060] Yet another example of a load suitable to be controlled
would be an industrial facility implementing a process that
requires a significant amount of electrical energy but whose power
consumption can be reduced to some degree over a certain period of
time without any major drawback on the process itself. An example
is an aluminum smelter.
[0061] Another example of an apparatus to which a power controller
can be connected is an oven for food preparation purposes. For
example, if the oven is set to operate at a temperature of
450.degree. F., a reduction in power supplied to the oven for a
short period of time will not drastically change the temperature of
the oven. The oven control can be similar to the heating system
control described earlier.
[0062] Electrical vehicle charging is yet another example where
power control is possible. In this example, a reduction in the
amount of power made available to a charging station would simply
increase the amount of time needed to charge the vehicle. In some
embodiments, this could represent an increase of thirty minutes to
an hour which would be largely unnoticeable by the end user,
especially if the charging takes place at night when the end user
is less likely to use the vehicle.
[0063] Note that the electrical vehicle charging stations is an
example in which power control may need to occur at discrete
levels. It is known that an electrical vehicle can be charged at
either 220/240V or 110/120V. Charging at a higher voltage is
generally desirable because the charging time is reduced. A power
regulation strategy may involve lowering the charge voltage from
220/240V to 110/120V for some period of time during which a load
reduction is desirable and then raising the voltage back to
220/240V. The voltage switch can be done in any way known in the
art but the process may also require communication with the vehicle
(that usually includes some control logic) to notify the logic that
the charging rate will change.
[0064] Yet another example of the load that could be controlled by
the power control device 32 is a clothes dryer. The clothes dryer
includes a heating system that can be regulated in a continuous
fashion as described earlier. In a period of usage, the power
control device 32 can reduce the amount of electrical power made
available to the heating system of the dryer. From the point of
view of the end-user, this electrical power reduction will
translate into a longer drying time.
Power Regulation Strategy
[0065] FIG. 4, illustrates a flow chart of an example of the
process implemented by the power control device 32 for controlling
an electrical load. After the power control device 32 is in an
active state (generally represented by a "Start" condition at step
50), the logic of the power control device 32 proceeds to step 52
where the AC frequency is measured to determine if a power
regulation strategy needs to be implemented.
[0066] The purpose of the AC frequency assessment is to detect an
unbalance between the generation side of the grid and the load side
thereof, which is reflected by the frequency deviation. Typically,
the larger the deviation the larger the unbalance is. The output of
step 52 is thus a frequency value. Since the power control device
32 performs digital data processing, the frequency value is
preferably generated in a digital format. Any suitable methodology
can be used to convert the AC analog waveform into digital
frequency information. A possible refinement is to perform several
frequency measurements and to compound those measurements into a
single representative value, such as by averaging them.
Specifically, the power control device 32 is programmed to acquire
over a predetermined period of time a frequency measurement which
is stored in the memory of the power control device 32. In a
specific example a frequency measurement can be made at every 100
ms interval, but this value can vary without departing from the
spirit of the invention. Generally, measurement interval depends on
the processing speed of the CPU 42; the faster the CPU 42 and the
system overall, the larger the number of frequency measurements in
a given time period.
[0067] The frequency measurement is done by computing the period of
one or more consecutive cycles of the AC voltage and deriving from
the period information the fundamental frequency. When the
frequency is measured at each 100 ms, and assuming a 100 ms
measurement window, the system measures the period of at least one
AC voltage cycle within that 100 ms window.
[0068] The memory of the power control device 32 keeps a certain
number of frequency measurements. As a new measurement becomes
available, it is stored in the memory and the oldest measurement
overwritten. All the frequency values that are stored in the memory
are averaged as a new frequency measurement becomes available. The
average measurement smoothes out short term frequency variations
that may not be representative of the grid frequency stability.
[0069] Note that instead of averaging the frequency measurements,
other ways to blend this data into a single representative value
exist without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0070] Thus, the output of the processing at step 52 is a compound
frequency measurement on the basis of which the power regulation
strategy is determined. The power control device 32 implements
decision logic based on the compounded frequency measurement in
order to determine the control strategy to be employed.
Subsequently, the power control device 32 sends a corresponding
command to the power electronics 46 (via control signals, for
example) as represented by step 56 to be described later.
[0071] Step 54 of the process thus uses the compounded frequency
measurement as an input in determining if power control is required
and optionally the strategy to be employed (when different
strategies can be used). In instances when the distribution grid is
stable and the frequency is within a nominal acceptable range the
processing at step 54 determines that no power control is necessary
and no further action takes place. This processing loop repeats
constantly to provide a continuous monitoring of the grid frequency
stability. However when the compounded frequency reflects a degree
of grid frequency instability, step 54 invokes a power control
response.
[0072] Generally, the power regulation strategy has two main
phases. The initial phase is a response to a grid frequency
instability event. The purpose of this response is to adjust the
power consumed by the electrical load 34. In this specification it
is referred to as "power compensation". It is advantageous to
perform the power compensation as quickly as possible in order to
stabilize the frequency of the AC supply. From that perspective, a
fast system response is a desirable attribute. Note that in most
cases, the power compensation will be a power reduction since most
frequency instability events are caused by a sudden loss of a power
generation unit.
[0073] The degree of power reduction is related to the severity of
the frequency instability. The larger the instability, the more
significant the power reduction will be. The specific relationship
between the frequency instability and the degree of power reduction
can be linear or nonlinear.
[0074] When a large number of power controllers 32 are installed in
the electrical network or grid, each of them responds independently
to the frequency instability event. However, since the responses
are coherent and predictable they all add up to a combined load
reduction that has a grid-wide effect.
[0075] The second phase of the power regulation strategy is the
power restoration phase. During this phase the electrical power
that the load 34 consumes is restored. The restoration can be
either an increase of power (if the initial response was a decrease
of power to address the loss of a power generation unit) or a
decrease of power (if the initial response was an increase of power
to address a grid under load condition). Again, most practical
cases would fall in the first category since the majority of the
frequency instability events are due to a loss of a generation
unit. An important consideration during the power restoration phase
is to perform this restoration without triggering a further
frequency instability event by overloading or under loading the
grid which is likely to occur if the power restoration is performed
at once. For that reason the power restoration is performed at a
rate which is slower than the rate at which power was initially
adjusted.
[0076] For clarity, the expression "power restoration performed at
a rate which is slower than the rate at which power was initially
adjusted" or any other equivalent expressions that may be used in
the specification means that it takes less time to adjust initially
the power to the load 34 from the level at which it was when the
frequency instability event was detected (initial power level) to
another level (adjusted power level) than it takes to restore it
back from the adjusted power level to the initial power level, once
it is determined that the frequency instability event is subsiding
or is no longer present. This definition applies from the
perspective of the individual power control device 32, the power
grid or both.
[0077] In a specific example of implementation where power is
restored by increasing the power that the load 34 is allowed to
consume, the power control device 32 increases the power the load
is allowed to consume in a gradual manner.
[0078] In a different example of implementation the individual
power control devices 32 restore the power to the load in a
non-gradual stepwise fashion. Advantageously, the individual power
control devices 32 do so in a non-synchronized way over a
predetermined time period and the net effect on the grid is still a
somewhat progressive and continuous load increase.
[0079] FIG. 5 is a graph depicting several specific examples of the
power compensation phase of the power regulation strategy in
relation to the AC frequency. In a first example, which is
effective when the AC frequency is reduced as a result of a loss of
a power generation unit, the response is represented by a line of
constant slope (slope A) which establishes a linear relationship
between the grid frequency and the allowable power the load 34 can
consume. Operation point A occurs at a rated frequency of 60 Hz
when the load is fully supplied (100% supplied). However, when the
frequency is decreasing below the rated value to a point at which a
frequency instability event is considered to be occurring the
electrical power available to the load 34 is reduced proportionally
to the frequency deviation. The rate at which the load 34 is
reduced in relation to the frequency can be set to any desired
value. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a frequency
drop of 5% (3 Hz) will result in no power being consumed by the
load. The value of this slope corresponds to the frequency
variation (in percentage) that creates a load variation of 100%.
Note that such a drop value (5%) fits with the standard settings of
speed governors of power plants. In other examples of
implementation, the drop can be set to values less than 5%. In yet
other embodiments, the drop can be set to values above 5%.
[0080] Slope A provides a load reduction response that is effective
against a frequency drop in the grid caused by the loss of a
generation unit. However this load reduction response is not
effective in instances where the frequency of the grid increases
beyond its nominal value, that is due to an under load
situation.
[0081] More particularly, it can be seen that if the frequency of
the AC supply increases beyond its rated value, the load will be
maintained fully supplied (i.e.: the load will not increase to
respond to an increase in frequency). This is because a load cannot
be supplied beyond the maximum value for which it has been
designed. Therefore, in order to accommodate increases in frequency
that would necessitate an increase in load beyond the rated value,
a different strategy can be considered where the load is supplied
at less than 100% of the rated value when the frequency is at its
nominal value. For example, with reference to the line of slope B
of FIG. 5, an example of implementation of a different power
compensation response is shown wherein the power control device
operates the load (operation point B) at about 70% of the rated
value when the frequency is nominal. In this embodiment, if the
frequency of the AC supply increases above 60 Hz, the power control
device will be able to increase the power supplied to the load. The
operation point at the nominal frequency can be set to any desired
value such as to accommodate both increases and decreases in
frequency. In some embodiments, the determination of the operation
point can be made in terms of historical data, wherein the
operation point is chosen such as to accommodate a maximum possible
value of frequency that has previously been attained. Thus, it can
be appreciated that the operation point can be set to any
percentage of the rated value deemed suitable.
[0082] Both power compensation examples illustrated in FIG. 5 are
based on linear relationships between frequency and controlled load
(% of load rated value). Alternatively, the variation in controlled
load in relation to the variation in frequency can also occur in a
non-linear manner as shown in FIG. 6. The non-linear function has
the advantage of providing a more aggressive load reduction effect
with increasing frequency drop.
[0083] With further reference to FIG. 7, an example of a power
compensation is illustrated which implements a dead band where no
power control takes place as long as frequency variations are
within the dead band boundaries. The dead band spread can be set on
the basis of a frequency variation window within which frequency
variations occur but are considered normal. In other words, as long
as the frequency remains within that frequency variation window the
frequency of the power grid is considered to be stable and no
frequency instability is occurring. A frequency instability occurs
when the frequency exceeds the window boundaries. In the example of
FIG. 7, the nominal AC frequency is at 60 Hz, and the frequency
variation window, which is centered on the 60 Hz value has a spread
of .+-.0.1 Hz. This means that as long as the AC frequency remains
within that window, it is considered stable and it will not invoke
any power compensation response.
[0084] However, a variation in frequency outside the range of
.+-.0.1 Hz from the operation point at 60 Hz will cause the power
control device 32 to increase or decrease the power consumed by the
load accordingly.
[0085] The power regulation strategy also implements a power
restoration phase during which the power the load consumes is
restored to its original value. The power restoration phase
includes at least one power control action and optionally two
consecutive power control actions. The single power control action
is a power variation (power increase or power decrease to the
load). The optional power control action is the power maintenance
action during which the power to the load is maintained (held
steady) for a certain duration. The power maintenance action
precedes the power variation action.
[0086] The power restoration phase is triggered when the frequency
instability event is subsiding. The determination of the trigger
point of the power restoration phase is made on the basis of the
frequency of the AC supply.
[0087] In a specific example of implementation, the power
restoration phase is triggered at about the same time the frequency
variation peaks. In the instance the frequency instability event is
the result of a loss of a power generation unit, the frequency
variation peak will correspond to the maximal downward frequency
excursion. The maximal downward frequency excursion is detected by
sensing the frequency rate of change versus time. Below a certain
level of frequency decrease, it may be assumed that the frequency
variation peak has been reached or will shortly be reached. For
example, when the frequency decreases at a rate less than 0.01
Hz/sec, the power restoration phase is triggered.
[0088] During the power variation action of the power restoration
phase, the power that the load is allowed to consume is restored at
its original level (increased or decreased depending on the reason
for the frequency instability event) over a time period that is
sufficiently long to avoid triggering a secondary frequency
instability event. More specifically, the power to the load is
varied at a lower rate than the rate at which the power was
adjusted (reduced or increased) during the power compensation
phase. In other words it takes less time to bring the power
consumed by the load from level A down to level B (assuming the
power compensation responds to a drop of frequency) to bring it
back up to level A from level B.
[0089] During the power variation action, the rate of power
variation is determined by measuring the time from the moment the
power starts to increase from level B to the moment the power has
reached level A. Similarly, during the power compensation phase,
the rate of power variation is determined by measuring the time
over which the power reduction from level A down to level B
occurred.
[0090] The power restoration phase may include a minimal time delay
before the power to the load starts increasing. For example, the
delay may be set to anywhere from about 2 seconds to about 2 hours,
more preferably from about 5 minutes to about one hour and most
preferably from about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes. Accordingly,
once the power restoration phase starts, a timer is started
programmed with the desired delay period. Concurrently with the
start of the power restoration phase, the power maintenance action
is initiated, during which the power to the load is held steady at
the level it was when the power restoration phase was triggered.
The power maintenance action continues while the timer operates and
before the delay period has expired. At the expiration of the delay
period the power increase action is invoked during which the power
the load is allowed to consume is progressively increased. The rate
of power increase is lower than the rate at which the power was
diminished during the power compensation phase.
[0091] A second possibility is to factor the time delay in the rate
of power increase. In such instance, the power restoration phase
only has a power increase action, which starts at the same time the
power restoration phase starts. In this example, the power to the
load starts increasing immediately after the power restoration
phase is initiated. The rate of power increase is determined such
that full power to the load will be restored over a period of time
that cannot be less than a threshold. The threshold can be anywhere
from 2 seconds to 2 hours. Again, the rate of power increase is
lower than the rate at which the power was diminished during the
power compensation phase.
[0092] Note that in both scenarios above the threshold may not be
static but it can be conditioned on to the severity of the
frequency instability. As an example, the threshold is a function
of the degree of frequency deviation during the frequency
instability event; the larger the deviation the longer the
threshold.
[0093] In the examples above, the overall duration of the power
restoration phase exceeds the duration of the power compensation
phase. The duration of the power compensation phase is defined
between the moment the power to the load is reduced in response to
a frequency instability event and the beginning of the power
restoration phase. Thus, time wise the power compensation phase and
the power restoration phase share a common boundary. The duration
of the power restoration phase is defined between the moment the
power restoration phase is triggered and the time the power to load
is fully restored, thus at the completion of the power variation
action.
[0094] Another possibility is to use a power restoration strategy
that has a degree of randomness to it. In this case when a large
number of households supplied by the grid and using independent
power control devices 32 will increase their power consumption
following a grid instability event, the increase will happen
gradually without creating a load spike. For instance, the power
restoration phase for an individual power control device 32 can be
such that the load fully recovers at once, in other words there is
no progressive load increase. The restoration time is not fixed but
varies between boundaries, say 5 minutes to 3 hours. When the power
restoration phase is initiated, the power control device 32
initiates the power maintenance action and randomly sets the time
for transitioning to the power increase action within those
boundaries. In this example, the power to the load will be switched
up to its nominal value at once, anywhere from 5 minutes to 3
hours. In the population of the power control devices 32 in the
entire power grid that manage the individual loads, this random
selection is effected and would result in an overall recovery
operation that is gradual and balanced out over the entire power
restoration time window. Thus, from a power grid perspective, the
load will increase progressively over the power restoration time
window as individual power control devices 32 switch their loads
back to nominal value.
[0095] Note that in the case of an individual power control device
32, the power to the load will increase at a rate that may not be
lower than the rate of decrease during the power compensation
phase. However, collectively, the rate of power increase will be
lower since the individual power switch back events are spread over
a time period that is longer than the period over which the power
was reduced.
[0096] Another alternative is to provide the power control device
32 with an auto-learning ability to adapt the power regulation
strategy based on past events, such as to fine tune the system
response. For example, the power control device 32 can take into
account usage data in connection with the load that is being
controlled in order to adjust the power regulation strategy such as
to reduce inconvenience to the end user as much as possible. For
instance, the power control device 32 stores information about
energy usage of the load over a period of time, say weeks or
months, to determine patterns of heavier usage and patterns of
lighter usage. If a power control is required, the strategy is
conditioned on the basis of expected usage of the load during that
period. For example, if the energy usage pattern indicates that the
load is not being used or only lightly used during the night, then
a frequency instability event occurring during the night will
trigger a more aggressive load reduction susceptible to assist grid
frequency stabilization and less likely to inconvenience the end
user. In contrast, if the power restoration occurs during the day
where the load usage is higher, then the load reduction response is
less aggressive to reduce user inconvenience. By "less aggressive"
is meant that the load will be reduced to a lesser degree and/or
the load will be restored faster.
[0097] In another example, the power regulation strategy can be
adapted on the basis of the real-time condition of a particular
load. For example, if the load is a water heater and the water is
at a low temperature (the spread between the actual water
temperature and the set point is large), this water heater can
acquire a "privileged" status such that the power regulation
strategy will be less aggressive than a situation where the water
is at or near the set point temperature. Specifically, the power
control will reduce the load to a lesser degree and/or will recover
the load faster. The same behavior can be considered with a heating
system load where it may be desirable to reduce the power control
in instances where a significant demand is placed on the heating
system before the grid instability event occurred.
[0098] FIG. 8 illustrates a graph showing a frequency variation
pattern that is impressed by the grid operator in the electrical
grid and that can be used to communicate messages to the individual
power control devices that continuously read the AC frequency.
[0099] The messages are frequency encoded which is accomplished by
varying the frequency of the AC supply. The variations are small to
avoid creating a frequency instability event. For example, the
variations to perform the encoding can be kept at a percentage of
the nominal or allowable frequency variation of the power grid. The
percentage can be 25% for example. In a more specific example, in
the case of an isolated power grid, the encoding can be done over a
range of 0.2 Hz, preferably over a range of 0.15 Hz. In the case of
an interconnected power grid a range of 0.05 Hz is appropriate.
[0100] In a specific example of implementation, the memory 44
stores representations of different frequency variation patterns
that the power control device 32 should be able to recognize. Since
the memory 44 stores a number of frequency measurements to compute
an average value, the logic of the power control device 32 compares
the patterns to the set of frequency data to determine if a pattern
is being transmitted.
[0101] Every time a new frequency measurement is stored in the
memory 44, the content of the buffer with the frequency
measurements is compared to the library of patterns the power
control device 32 is designed to recognize. If a pattern is
recognized then an action is taken.
[0102] Furthermore, patterns of frequency variation may vary in
duration. For example, some patterns may be established within a
period of 3 seconds (i.e.: from a time t=0 seconds to a time t=3
seconds), while others may be established within a period of less
than 2 seconds (i.e.: from a time t=5 seconds to a time t=6
seconds). In addition, longer patterns taken over periods of more
than 5 seconds can also be stored in the memory 44 for comparison.
It is to be understood that a given set of data may be consulted
(and compared) in multiple comparative trials in order to "fit" the
data to possible patterns stored in memory 44. Thus, several
comparative iterations may be necessary within a given period of
time in order to associate the dynamically collected data to a
pattern stored in memory 44. For example, shown in FIG. 8 are
different sets of data A, B, C, D and E representing different
portions of the graph from time t=0 seconds to t=7 seconds. Thus,
at t=3 seconds, data set A may be compared to given patterns within
memory 44. If no matches are found, then data sets B or C may be
compared to patterns stored in memory 44. At the same time as the
comparisons of data sets A, B or C occur, different combinations of
data sets may also be compared in memory 44. For example, a data
set comprising sets A and B (or alternatively B and C, or
alternatively A and B and C) may be compared all the while
comparing data sets D and E as they are collected. In addition, it
is not necessary that data sets be connected in time. For example,
a given pattern stored in memory 44 may comprise a time
differential between different acquired data. For example, data
sets A and C can correspond to a pattern wherein a corrective
action may be associated with data sets A and C regardless of the
data contained between A and C (i.e.: regardless of the data set
B).
[0103] The action performed when a frequency variation pattern is
recognized can be a command that directs the power control device
32 to do something. Examples of such commands will be provided
below.
[0104] The frequency encoded messages me structured in different
ways. One example is to design the system to operate on the basis
of a limited number of messages, where each message is represented
by an individually recognizable frequency variation pattern. The
power control device 32 is designed to recognize the frequency
variation patterns and implement the actions that are associated
with the patterns. The action will likely be combined action and
include a command associated with some parameter, such as a time
parameter.
[0105] Alternatively, the message may have a structure allowing
conveying multiple elements of information. This is a more flexible
approach since it allows for more communication possibilities. In a
specific example of implementation, the message includes a command
portion that basically tells the power control devices what to do.
In addition, the message also includes a time variable portion that
conveys in addition to the command portion time information such as
a delay or specific time at which the command is to be implemented
and/or the duration for the action that the command entails. The
message can be structured by frequency encoding symbols, such as
individual bits. The power control device is designed to decode the
message by decoding the individual symbols, assembling the message
and then executing the command.
[0106] A possible message structure would include a header portion
that is a frequency variation pattern that can be recognized by the
individual power control devices 32 as a signal that a message is
being sent. The header recognition is performed as discussed in
connection with FIG. 8, where the frequency data is compared to a
pattern stored in memory. Once a header is detected, the power
control device 32 senses individual symbols. A particular symbol
can be a specific frequency variation pattern occurring over a
predetermined time period. For example, the system can be designed
to transmit one symbol every second.
[0107] The logic of the power controller 32 assembles the symbols
to determine the command that is to be executed.
[0108] The distinguish different message portions from one another
a specific frequency variation pattern can be used, which when
detected indicates to the logic of the power control device 32 the
end a symbol stream and the beginning of a new one. In this
fashion, the command portion of the message can be distinguished
from the time variable portion.
[0109] To terminate the message, an end of message frequency
variation pattern can be sent.
[0110] FIG. 9, illustrates a flow chart outlining the steps
implemented by the power control device 32 to decode and then
execute frequency encoded messages. At step 92, the power control
device 32 measures the AC frequency as discussed earlier. At step
94, a frequency variation pattern is constructed by mapping
individual frequency values to time intervals. For example, the
mapping would include associating a particular frequency value to a
particular time period over which that frequency value was
maintained.
[0111] The resulting frequency/time map is compared to a pattern
stored in the memory of the power control device 32, at step 96.
Assuming a match exists, as shown at step 98, the matching
operation derives a command that is then executed. The command is
implemented at step 100.
[0112] One example of a specific command that can be frequency
encoded is to invoke the initial phase of the power regulation
strategy, namely the power compensation phase. Such command allows
the grid operator to determine the collective response of the
population of power control devices 32 to a frequency instability
event. That determination allows the operator to know the degree of
load reduction capacity that is effectively available in the grid
in the case a frequency instability event occurs.
[0113] The test involves the generation of the frequency encoded
message. This is done by adjusting the frequency of the supply
(when no frequency instability is present) to build the message
which propagates over the entire grid and is received by each power
control device 32. The message signals the power control devices to
reduce the power the respective loads consume by a predetermined
amount. The response of the power control devices 32 is determined
by observing the state of loading of the grid. The timing and
degree of load reduction is recorded and provides valuable
information that can predict how the grid will react should a
frequency instability event occur. The degree of loading on the
grid can be determined by looking at the frequency variation that
would occur as a result of the triggering of the power control
devices 32. Since the effect is a load reduction, the resulting
imbalance with the generation side will translate into a frequency
increase. The degree of frequency increase is indicative of the
degree of load reduction that is available.
[0114] As to the timing of the response, the frequency variation is
mapped versus time to determine how the response, once triggered
evolves time wise. The important parameter is deriving how fast the
degree of loading of the grid is lessened.
[0115] Another example of a command is to inhibit the power control
function for a predetermined time period. This command is useful to
prevent the power control function to occur when the grid is being
restored following a power outage.
[0116] Another example of a command is to trigger the power
compensation phase preemptively when an overload on the grid is
expected to occur or has occurred but frequency instability is not
yet observable.
* * * * *