WO2009108962A2 - An electrical power consumption management syste - Google Patents

An electrical power consumption management syste Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009108962A2
WO2009108962A2 PCT/ZA2009/000016 ZA2009000016W WO2009108962A2 WO 2009108962 A2 WO2009108962 A2 WO 2009108962A2 ZA 2009000016 W ZA2009000016 W ZA 2009000016W WO 2009108962 A2 WO2009108962 A2 WO 2009108962A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrical power
power consumption
management system
power supply
consumption management
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2009/000016
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2009108962A3 (en
Inventor
Daniel Jacobus Colyn
Original Assignee
Daniel Jacobus Colyn
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daniel Jacobus Colyn filed Critical Daniel Jacobus Colyn
Publication of WO2009108962A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009108962A2/en
Publication of WO2009108962A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009108962A3/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J1/00—Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
    • H02J1/14—Balancing the load in a network

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electrical power consumption management system.
  • the invention relates to a method of managing electrical power consumption and to an electrical power consumption management system.
  • Load shedding can be applied on a rotation basis, namely, where electrical power supply to areas is interrupted on a scheduled rotational basis during peak demand periods. In this way, total blackouts over large areas can be avoided.
  • a method of managing electrical power consumption including: monitoring a potential difference of an electrical power supply; monitoring a frequency of the electrical power supply; applying fuzzy logic to the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency; and generating a signal should either of the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency deviate from a predetermined range as determined by the fuzzy logic, the signal being arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption.
  • the signal may be arranged to cause an indicator to be activated, the method including permitting the indicator to be activated thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power available for consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
  • the signal may be arranged to cause a visibly detectable indicator to be activated, the method including permitting the visibly detectable indicator to be activated thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power available for consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
  • the signal may be arranged to cause an audibly detectable indicator to be activated, the method including permitting the audibly detectable indicator to be activated thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power available for consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
  • the signal may be arranged to cause an electrical power supply reduction device to be activated, the method including permitting the electrical power supply reduction device to be activated thereby to cause a reduction in electrical power supplied to an apparatus electrically connected to the electrical power supply.
  • an electrical power consumption management system including: monitoring means for monitoring a potential difference and a frequency of an electrical power supply; a microprocessor arranged to apply fuzzy logic to the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency; and signal generation means for generating a signal should the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency deviate from a predetermined range as determined by the microprocessor applying the fuzzy logic, the signal being arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption.
  • the electrical power consumption management system may further include an indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means so as to be activated in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means, thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
  • the indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means may include a visibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means.
  • the indicator may be in the form of a light generation device arranged selectively to become switched on.
  • the indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means may include an audibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means.
  • the indicator may be in the form of a sound generation device arranged selectively to become switched on.
  • the electrical power consumption management system may be housed in a casing.
  • the casing may be defined by a conventional electrical plug arranged selectively to be plugged into a mains electrical power supply.
  • the electrical power consumption management system may further include an electrical power supply reduction device arranged to become activated in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means so as to reduce electrical power supplied to an apparatus electrically connected to the electrical power supply.
  • the electrical power consumption management system may be arranged to be operatively connected between a mains electrical power supply and a geyser.
  • the electrical power consumption management system may be arranged to be operatively connected between a mains electrical power supply and an electrical stove.
  • the electrical power consumption management system may be arranged to be operatively connected between a mains electrical power supply and a swimming pool pump.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram indicating an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure IA shows a schematic block diagram indicating an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a display of an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the electrical power consumption management system being applied to a geyser;
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a display of an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the electrical power consumption management system being applied to a swimming pool pump;
  • Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a display of an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the electrical power consumption management system being applied to an electrical stove;
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic three dimensional diagram of a conventional three- point plug including an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention embodied within a casing of the conventional three- point plug.
  • an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
  • the electrical power consumption management system 10 includes monitoring means, generally indicated at 12, for monitoring a potential difference Pd and a frequency f of an electrical power supply 14.
  • the monitoring means 12 includes a microprocessor 16.
  • the microprocessor 16 is arranged to apply fuzzy logic to the monitored potential difference Pd and the monitored frequency f.
  • the potential difference Pd and the frequency f is passed through a voltage and a frequency transducer at 19 before being monitored by the microprocessor at 16. Fuzzy logic is applied by the microprocessor through an appropriate adaptive fuzzy control algorithm.
  • the electrical power consumption management system 10 further includes signal generation means 18 for generating a signal 20 should the monitored potential difference Pd and the monitored frequency f deviate from a predetermined range as determined by the microprocessor 16 applying the fuzzy logic.
  • the signal 20 is arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption, as will be described in greater detail below.
  • the signal 20 is arranged to activate electrical power reduction means, generally indicated at 22.
  • the electrical power reduction means 22 is in the form of an indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means 18 so as to be activated in response to receiving the signal 20.
  • the electrical power consumption management system 10 in this case, is operatively connected between an electrical power supply 14, such as, a mains electrical power supply, for example, and an electrically operable apparatus 30.
  • the indicator When activated, the indicator is arranged to alert a consumer that electrical power consumption is approaching a limit on the electrical power supply at 14. The consumer can then switch off the apparatus 30 so as to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption. Accordingly, in this case, the electrical power reduction means 22 is dependant on human action to reduce power consumption.
  • the electrical power consumption management system 10 can be incorporated into a casing.
  • the casing can be defined by a casing 52 of a conventional electrical plug 50.
  • the electrical plug 50 is arranged selectively to be plugged into a mains electrical power supply in conventional fashion.
  • the plug 50 can be of the three-point type, as indicated in Figure 6, or can be of a two-point plug type, or the like, for example.
  • the indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means 18 can be in the form of a visibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal 20 from the signal generation means 18.
  • the indicator can be in the form of a light generation device 54, such as a light bulb, LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like, for example, arranged selectively to become switched on and off in response to receiving a signal 20 from the signal generation means 18.
  • the indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means 18 can be in the form of an audibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal 20 from the signal generation means 18.
  • the indicator can be in the form of a sound generation device 56, such as, a buzzer, or the like, for example, arranged selectively to become switched on. Accordingly, when a user sees the light generation device 54 in an on condition and/or hears the sound generation device 56, the user can switch of an electrical apparatus 30 connected to a mains electrical power supply thereby to reduce electrical power consumption.
  • an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 110.
  • the electrical power consumption management system 110 include an electrical power supply reduction device 112 arranged to become activated in response to receiving a signal 20 from the signal generation means 18 so as to reduce an electrical power supply to an apparatus 30 electrically connected to the electrical power supply 14, such as, a mains electrical power supply, for example.
  • the electrical power reduction means 22 is in the form of an electrical power supply reduction device 112 arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption without intervention by a user.
  • the electrical power consumption management system 110 is arranged to be operatively connected between the electrical power supply 14 and an electrically operable apparatus 30, such as, a geyser, an electrical stove, a swimming pool pump, or the like, - for example.
  • an electrically operable apparatus 30 such as, a geyser, an electrical stove, a swimming pool pump, or the like, - for example.
  • FIG. 2 of the drawings a circuit diagram of a typical circuit of the electrical power consumption management system 110, is generally indicated by reference numeral 210.
  • Figure 3 shows a display, generally indicated by reference numeral 310, of the electrical power consumption management system 110 when applied to a geyser.
  • Figure 3 shows a display, generally indicated by reference numeral 310, of the electrical power consumption management system 110 when applied to a geyser.
  • FIG. 4 shows a display, generally indicated by reference numeral 410, of the electrical power consumption management system 110 when applied to a swimming pool pump.
  • FIG. 5 shows a display, generally indicated by reference numeral 510, of the electrical power consumption management system 110 when applied to an electrically operable stove.
  • the displays 310, 410, 510 include coloured LEDs 312, 412, 512.
  • the LEDs can be coloured blue as indicated by b, green as indicated by g, yellow as indicated by y and red as indicated by r.
  • one of the LEDs 312, 412, 512 will light up on the display 310, 410, 510 in a 3 x 4 display panel 314, 414, 514.
  • the potential difference can be low as indicated by L, normal as indicated by N, or high as indicated by H.
  • the frequency f can be greater than a predetermined frequency fl as determined by using fuzzy logic, or the frequency f can be between the predetermined frequency fl and another predetermined frequency f2 as determined by using fuzzy logic, or the frequency f can be between the predetermined frequency f2 and another predetermined frequency f3 as determined by using fuzzy logic, or the frequency can be greater than f3.
  • a corresponding LED will light up on the display 310, 410, 510.
  • a green LED g will indicate 100% electrical power supplied to the geyser
  • a blue LED b will indicate 50% electrical power supplied to the geyser
  • a yellow LED y will indicate 25% electrical power supplied to the geyser
  • a red LED r will indicate 0% electrical power supplied to the geyser.
  • a green LED g will indicate 100% electrical power supplied to the swimming pool pump
  • a blue LED b will indicate 50% electrical power supplied to the swimming pool pump
  • a yellow LED y will indicate 0% electrical power supplied to the swimming pool pump
  • a red LED r will indicate 0% electrical power supplied to the swimming pool pump.
  • a green LED g and a blue LED b will indicate that power supplied to the stove is normal
  • a yellow LED y will indicate that the stove will be switched off in 10 minutes
  • a red LED r will indicate that the stove will be switched off in 1 minute.
  • a buzzer can be activated to alert a user of the stove of imminent interruption in electrical power supplied to the stove.
  • the electrical power consumption management system of the invention can be applied domestically, as described above with reference to a stove, a swimming pool pump, a mains plug, a geyser, and the like, for example, as well as on either a municipal or industrial level.
  • the electrical power consumption management system of the invention can be applied to street lighting, shopping mall lighting, and the like, for example.
  • the electrical power consumption management system of the invention can be applied to monitor potential difference and frequency on an electrical supply grid. Frequency is an indication of health of the grid and, typically, is consistent across the entire grid. A nominal value of potential difference, or voltage, varies across the grid as a result of variables such as transformer tap settings and losses. Typically, when a local area is relatively heavily loaded, the voltage drops.
  • the electrical power consumption management system of the invention learns a voltage and frequency pattern in an application and then through fuzzy logic determines when local and/or national conditions exceed a predetermined threshold of 80% of capacity, or the like, for example. If so, the load can be caused to be reduced automatically or by consumers when prompted by indicators, or the like, for example, of the electrical power consumption management system.
  • the fuzzy aspect enables the load to be in a certain region as opposed to fixed set points.
  • Fixed set points for voltage is undesirable since different streets have different absolute voltage values.
  • a fixed set point for frequency can be hazardous since it could cause instability on the grid if enough devices react at the same set point at the same time.
  • the electrical power consumption management system of the invention determines that a nominal voltage for a local area is 236 V.
  • a voltage of 220 V with a nominal frequency of 50 Hz would indicate a localized overload and the electrical power consumption management system of the invention would cause the load to be reduced.
  • the electrical power consumption management system of the invention would have determined that, for example, the frequency f would be within 49 Hz and 51 Hz 80% of the time. Should the frequency then suddenly drop to 48 Hz the electrical power consumption management system would determine a crisis and switch off electrical power to an associated load. In a summer season, the frequency could be between 49.9 Hz and 51.1 Hz 90% of the time. A drop to 49 Hz would then indicate overload.

Abstract

A method of managing electrical power consumption, the method including monitoring a potential difference (Pd) of an electrical power supply, monitoring a frequency (f) of the electrical power supply, applying fuzzy logic to the monitored potential difference (Pd) and t monitored frequency (f), and generating a signal should the monitored potential difference (Pd) and the monitored frequency (f) deviate from a predetermined range as determined by the fuzzy logic, the signal being arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption.

Description

Title:
An electrical power consumption management system.
Field of the invention: This invention relates to an electrical power consumption management system. In particular, the invention relates to a method of managing electrical power consumption and to an electrical power consumption management system.
Background of the invention: It can happen that an increase in demand for electrical power exceeds a supply of electrical power generated within a national electrical power grid, or network. Typically, this can result in load shedding. Load shedding can result in power outages to areas serviced by the national electrical power grid. Such power outages can result in lost production time in industry, annoyance to the general public, and the like, for example.
Load shedding can be applied on a rotation basis, namely, where electrical power supply to areas is interrupted on a scheduled rotational basis during peak demand periods. In this way, total blackouts over large areas can be avoided.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method of managing electrical power consumption and an electrical power consumption management system, which can be used advantageously to reduce electrical power demand when electrical power demand approaches a limit on the electrical power supply of a national electrical power supply grid and to warn users thereof.
Summary of the invention:
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of managing electrical power consumption, the method including: monitoring a potential difference of an electrical power supply; monitoring a frequency of the electrical power supply; applying fuzzy logic to the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency; and generating a signal should either of the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency deviate from a predetermined range as determined by the fuzzy logic, the signal being arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption.
The signal may be arranged to cause an indicator to be activated, the method including permitting the indicator to be activated thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power available for consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
The signal may be arranged to cause a visibly detectable indicator to be activated, the method including permitting the visibly detectable indicator to be activated thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power available for consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
The signal may be arranged to cause an audibly detectable indicator to be activated, the method including permitting the audibly detectable indicator to be activated thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power available for consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
The signal may be arranged to cause an electrical power supply reduction device to be activated, the method including permitting the electrical power supply reduction device to be activated thereby to cause a reduction in electrical power supplied to an apparatus electrically connected to the electrical power supply.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrical power consumption management system, the electrical power consumption management system including: monitoring means for monitoring a potential difference and a frequency of an electrical power supply; a microprocessor arranged to apply fuzzy logic to the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency; and signal generation means for generating a signal should the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency deviate from a predetermined range as determined by the microprocessor applying the fuzzy logic, the signal being arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption.
The electrical power consumption management system may further include an indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means so as to be activated in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means, thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
The indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means may include a visibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means.
The indicator may be in the form of a light generation device arranged selectively to become switched on.
The indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means may include an audibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means.
The indicator may be in the form of a sound generation device arranged selectively to become switched on. The electrical power consumption management system may be housed in a casing.
The casing may be defined by a conventional electrical plug arranged selectively to be plugged into a mains electrical power supply.
The electrical power consumption management system may further include an electrical power supply reduction device arranged to become activated in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means so as to reduce electrical power supplied to an apparatus electrically connected to the electrical power supply.
The electrical power consumption management system may be arranged to be operatively connected between a mains electrical power supply and a geyser.
The electrical power consumption management system may be arranged to be operatively connected between a mains electrical power supply and an electrical stove.
The electrical power consumption management system may be arranged to be operatively connected between a mains electrical power supply and a swimming pool pump.
Brief Description of the drawings:
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram indicating an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure IA shows a schematic block diagram indicating an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a circuit diagram of an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a display of an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the electrical power consumption management system being applied to a geyser;
Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a display of an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the electrical power consumption management system being applied to a swimming pool pump;
Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a display of an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the electrical power consumption management system being applied to an electrical stove; and
Figure 6 shows a schematic three dimensional diagram of a conventional three- point plug including an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention embodied within a casing of the conventional three- point plug.
Detailed Description of preferred embodiments: Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, an electrical power consumption management system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
The electrical power consumption management system 10 includes monitoring means, generally indicated at 12, for monitoring a potential difference Pd and a frequency f of an electrical power supply 14. The monitoring means 12 includes a microprocessor 16. The microprocessor 16 is arranged to apply fuzzy logic to the monitored potential difference Pd and the monitored frequency f. Typically, the potential difference Pd and the frequency f is passed through a voltage and a frequency transducer at 19 before being monitored by the microprocessor at 16. Fuzzy logic is applied by the microprocessor through an appropriate adaptive fuzzy control algorithm. The electrical power consumption management system 10 further includes signal generation means 18 for generating a signal 20 should the monitored potential difference Pd and the monitored frequency f deviate from a predetermined range as determined by the microprocessor 16 applying the fuzzy logic. The signal 20 is arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption, as will be described in greater detail below. The signal 20 is arranged to activate electrical power reduction means, generally indicated at 22.
In one embodiment, the electrical power reduction means 22 is in the form of an indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means 18 so as to be activated in response to receiving the signal 20. The electrical power consumption management system 10, in this case, is operatively connected between an electrical power supply 14, such as, a mains electrical power supply, for example, and an electrically operable apparatus 30. When activated, the indicator is arranged to alert a consumer that electrical power consumption is approaching a limit on the electrical power supply at 14. The consumer can then switch off the apparatus 30 so as to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption. Accordingly, in this case, the electrical power reduction means 22 is dependant on human action to reduce power consumption. In one embodiment, the electrical power consumption management system 10 can be incorporated into a casing. Conveniently, and as can best be seen with reference to Figure 6 of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts, or features, unless otherwise stated, the casing can be defined by a casing 52 of a conventional electrical plug 50. It will be appreciated that the electrical plug 50 is arranged selectively to be plugged into a mains electrical power supply in conventional fashion. Accordingly, the plug 50 can be of the three-point type, as indicated in Figure 6, or can be of a two-point plug type, or the like, for example.
The indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means 18 can be in the form of a visibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal 20 from the signal generation means 18. Accordingly, the indicator can be in the form of a light generation device 54, such as a light bulb, LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like, for example, arranged selectively to become switched on and off in response to receiving a signal 20 from the signal generation means 18.
Instead, or in addition, the indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means 18 can be in the form of an audibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal 20 from the signal generation means 18. Conveniently, the indicator can be in the form of a sound generation device 56, such as, a buzzer, or the like, for example, arranged selectively to become switched on. Accordingly, when a user sees the light generation device 54 in an on condition and/or hears the sound generation device 56, the user can switch of an electrical apparatus 30 connected to a mains electrical power supply thereby to reduce electrical power consumption.
Referring to Figure IA of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts, or features, unless otherwise stated, an electrical power consumption management system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 110. The electrical power consumption management system 110 include an electrical power supply reduction device 112 arranged to become activated in response to receiving a signal 20 from the signal generation means 18 so as to reduce an electrical power supply to an apparatus 30 electrically connected to the electrical power supply 14, such as, a mains electrical power supply, for example. Accordingly, the electrical power reduction means 22 is in the form of an electrical power supply reduction device 112 arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption without intervention by a user.
The electrical power consumption management system 110 is arranged to be operatively connected between the electrical power supply 14 and an electrically operable apparatus 30, such as, a geyser, an electrical stove, a swimming pool pump, or the like, - for example.
In Figure 2 of the drawings, a circuit diagram of a typical circuit of the electrical power consumption management system 110, is generally indicated by reference numeral 210.
Figure 3 shows a display, generally indicated by reference numeral 310, of the electrical power consumption management system 110 when applied to a geyser. Figure
4 shows a display, generally indicated by reference numeral 410, of the electrical power consumption management system 110 when applied to a swimming pool pump. Figure
5 shows a display, generally indicated by reference numeral 510, of the electrical power consumption management system 110 when applied to an electrically operable stove.
In Figures 3 to 5 of the drawings, the displays 310, 410, 510 include coloured LEDs 312, 412, 512. Conveniently, the LEDs can be coloured blue as indicated by b, green as indicated by g, yellow as indicated by y and red as indicated by r. Depending on the state of the potential difference Pd and the frequency f as determined by the electrical power consumption management system 110 and as compared with fuzzy logic parameters for the potential difference Pd and the frequency f as determined by the electrical power consumption management system 110, one of the LEDs 312, 412, 512 will light up on the display 310, 410, 510 in a 3 x 4 display panel 314, 414, 514. The potential difference can be low as indicated by L, normal as indicated by N, or high as indicated by H. The frequency f can be greater than a predetermined frequency fl as determined by using fuzzy logic, or the frequency f can be between the predetermined frequency fl and another predetermined frequency f2 as determined by using fuzzy logic, or the frequency f can be between the predetermined frequency f2 and another predetermined frequency f3 as determined by using fuzzy logic, or the frequency can be greater than f3.
Depending on the state of the potential difference Pd and the frequency f as determined by the electrical power consumption management system 110, a corresponding LED will light up on the display 310, 410, 510. In Figure 3, a green LED g will indicate 100% electrical power supplied to the geyser, a blue LED b will indicate 50% electrical power supplied to the geyser, a yellow LED y will indicate 25% electrical power supplied to the geyser and a red LED r will indicate 0% electrical power supplied to the geyser. In Figure 4, a green LED g will indicate 100% electrical power supplied to the swimming pool pump, a blue LED b will indicate 50% electrical power supplied to the swimming pool pump, a yellow LED y will indicate 0% electrical power supplied to the swimming pool pump and a red LED r will indicate 0% electrical power supplied to the swimming pool pump. In Figure 5, a green LED g and a blue LED b will indicate that power supplied to the stove is normal, a yellow LED y will indicate that the stove will be switched off in 10 minutes and a red LED r will indicate that the stove will be switched off in 1 minute. In the case of a yellow and a red LED, a buzzer can be activated to alert a user of the stove of imminent interruption in electrical power supplied to the stove. It will be appreciated that the electrical power consumption management system of the invention can be applied domestically, as described above with reference to a stove, a swimming pool pump, a mains plug, a geyser, and the like, for example, as well as on either a municipal or industrial level. For example, the electrical power consumption management system of the invention can be applied to street lighting, shopping mall lighting, and the like, for example.
In use, the electrical power consumption management system of the invention can be applied to monitor potential difference and frequency on an electrical supply grid. Frequency is an indication of health of the grid and, typically, is consistent across the entire grid. A nominal value of potential difference, or voltage, varies across the grid as a result of variables such as transformer tap settings and losses. Typically, when a local area is relatively heavily loaded, the voltage drops. The electrical power consumption management system of the invention learns a voltage and frequency pattern in an application and then through fuzzy logic determines when local and/or national conditions exceed a predetermined threshold of 80% of capacity, or the like, for example. If so, the load can be caused to be reduced automatically or by consumers when prompted by indicators, or the like, for example, of the electrical power consumption management system.
The fuzzy aspect enables the load to be in a certain region as opposed to fixed set points. Fixed set points for voltage is undesirable since different streets have different absolute voltage values. A fixed set point for frequency can be hazardous since it could cause instability on the grid if enough devices react at the same set point at the same time.
For example, after a certain period of time, such as, a day, a week, a month, or the like, for example, the electrical power consumption management system of the invention determines that a nominal voltage for a local area is 236 V. A voltage of 220 V with a nominal frequency of 50 Hz would indicate a localized overload and the electrical power consumption management system of the invention would cause the load to be reduced. The electrical power consumption management system of the invention would have determined that, for example, the frequency f would be within 49 Hz and 51 Hz 80% of the time. Should the frequency then suddenly drop to 48 Hz the electrical power consumption management system would determine a crisis and switch off electrical power to an associated load. In a summer season, the frequency could be between 49.9 Hz and 51.1 Hz 90% of the time. A drop to 49 Hz would then indicate overload.

Claims

Claims:
1. A method of managing electrical power consumption, the method including: monitoring a potential difference of an electrical power supply; monitoring a frequency of the electrical power supply; applying fuzzy logic to the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency; and generating a signal should the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency deviate from a predetermined range as determined by the fuzzy logic, the signal being arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption.
2. The method of managing electrical power consumption as claimed in claim 1, in which the signal is arranged to cause an indicator to be activated, the method including permitting the indicator to be activated thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
3. The method of managing electrical power consumption as claimed in claim 2, in which the signal is arranged to cause a visibly detectable indicator to be activated, the method including permitting the visibly detectable indicator to be activated thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
4. The method of managing electrical power consumption as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the signal is arranged to cause an audibly detectable indicator to be activated, the method including permitting the audibly detectable indicator to be activated thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
5. The method of managing electrical power consumption as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the signal is arranged to cause an electrical power supply reduction device to be activated, the method including permitting the electrical power supply reduction device to be activated thereby to cause a reduction in electrical power supplied to an apparatus electrically connected to the electrical power supply.
6. An electrical power consumption management system, the electrical power consumption management system including: monitoring means for monitoring a potential difference and a frequency of an electrical power supply; a microprocessor arranged to apply fuzzy logic to the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency; and signal generation means for generating a signal should the monitored potential difference and the monitored frequency deviate from a predetermined range as determined by the microprocessor applying the fuzzy logic, the signal being arranged to cause a reduction in electrical power consumption thereby to manage electrical power consumption.
7. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in claim 6, which further includes an indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means so as to be activated in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means, thereby to alert a consumer that electrical power consumption is approaching a limit on electrical power supply.
8. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in claim 7, in which the indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means includes a visibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means.
9. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in claim 8, in which the indicator is in the form of a light generation device arranged selectively to become switched on.
10. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 inclusive, in which the indicator operatively connected to the signal generation means includes an audibly detectable indicator arranged to become switched on in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means.
11. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in claim 10, in which the indicator is in the form of a sound generation device arranged selectively to become switched on and off.
12. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11 inclusive, in which the electrical power consumption management system is housed in a casing.
13. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in claim 12, in which the casing is defined by a convention electrical plug arranged selectively to be plugged into a mains electrical power supply.
14. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 13 inclusive, which further includes an electrical power supply reduction device arranged to become activated in response to receiving a signal from the signal generation means so as to reduce an electrical power supply to an apparatus electrically connected to the electrical power supply.
15. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 14 inclusive, in which the electrical power consumption management system is arranged to be operatively connected between a mains electrical power supply and a geyser.
16. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 14 inclusive, in which the electrical power consumption management system is arranged to be operatively connected between a mains electrical power supply and an electrical stove.
17. The electrical power consumption management system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 14 inclusive, in which the electrical power consumption management system is arranged to be operatively connected between a mains electrical power supply and a swimming pool pump.
18. A method of managing electrical power consumption substantially as herein described.
19. An electrical power consumption management system substantially as herein described and illustrated.
PCT/ZA2009/000016 2008-02-25 2009-02-24 An electrical power consumption management syste WO2009108962A2 (en)

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EP2990904A1 (en) * 2014-08-26 2016-03-02 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives Method for managing the power consumption of an electrical network

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Cited By (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2990904A1 (en) * 2014-08-26 2016-03-02 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives Method for managing the power consumption of an electrical network
FR3025326A1 (en) * 2014-08-26 2016-03-04 Commissariat Energie Atomique METHOD FOR MANAGING ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION OF AN ELECTRICITY NETWORK

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