FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention, in general, relates to power load management systems. Particularly, the invention relates to power negotiator system and method adapted to aggregate power from multiple power sources to drive multiple sinks in an electric power system wherein the negotiator system is further capable of negotiating between currently active sinks and power sources to arrive at an optimal power
distribution solution across loads for a given power profile.DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0002] A traditional electrical power system comprises of sources and sinks. In a household power-consuming installation scenario, the load (sink) may be powered by multiple sources. For example, the power needs of a house may be met from multiple sources such as utility power, solar power, and inverter, or a combination of any or all of these sources. But such a system has some inherent drawbacks as specified herewith:

• The backup system might be wired to reach some of the sinks, assuming that all those sinks are switched ON at the same time.

• The solar power source is wired to reach some of the sinks, assuming that all those sinks are switched ON at the same time.

• A set of sinks cannot be dynamically assigned to any power source.

• No way to optimize power consumption.

• No way to prioritize sources based on cost, or sinks based on criticality.

[0003] Said limitations lead to systems being over-utilized or underutilized, both of which are non-optimal outcomes.

[0004] To exemplify the at least one aspect of the above-said scenario, consider a solar power source of 1 KW is connected to a domestic load of 3 KW. Here it is assumed that the solar power source powers only a part of the load. However, if the sinks connected to the solar power source are switched OFF at any time, there is no means to dynamically switch the remaining unconnected sinks to the said power source. For simplicity and convenience, reference has been made herein to a household power supply and electrical load scenario, without this representing any limitation to the actual scope of the present invention.

[0005] Various load management systems and methods thereof are known in the prior art literature. For example, the US Patent publication titled 'Adaptive Power Supply teaches an apparatus that includes a power negotiator configured to receive a power request signal, determine if the request signal is acceptable, and transmit a signal based on the determination. As per the invention, the source is AC Mains with unlimited power supply and a sink that uses very little power (mobile charger), wherein the latter adjusts to the charging power requirement. However, it does not teach any means wherein individual loads can negotiate with a central server or the other way around so as to reach an optimal power utilization solution.

[0006] Patent publication identified by WO2011031143 A1 discloses a mode of controlling energy transfer using LC tank circuit. Further, EP20110713271 teaches a method of managing the consumption and distribution of electricity in a user facility, wherein the user facility is connected to an electricity supply grid and the user facility comprises a grid connected on site generator.

[0007] EP1535384 A1 or PCT/CA2003/001349 teaches a system and method for power load management, wherein loads are monitored by a load management CPU before taking relevant action based on load feedback data. But as per this prior art, each load does not always communicate to a server and then decides to switch on. Instead, the system switches on the loads and then monitors if load has exceeded a given limit. Also, the said system does not provide a means wherein the end user can override the system if maximum load has been reached. Further, the said system does not have cloud data logging means or a means for analysis of individual loads corresponding to varying load conditions.

[0008] European publication - EP 0660486 A1 (EP19940119195) teaches an improvement in electric load management arrangement wherein various electric loads in a domestic scenario are assigned a different priority and the precondition is that a pre-determined highest allowable power input rating is by no way exceeded. However, it teaches no means wherein switching units can negotiate with processing and control element to override an assigned priority. Further, it does not let users set dynamic profiles based on their requirements.

[0009] US publication identified by US 20010030468 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for priority sequencing of loads that operates based on its unique configuration and without any programmable logic. But the said system is not capable of dynamically varying the load priority based on system requirements or user preferences.

[0010] From the foregoing it becomes evident that there exists a need for a system to optimize power consumption in an electric power system wherein a central server negotiates with individual loads and power sources to arrive at an optimal power distribution solution based on load priority determined by user preferences.

[0011] Our invention proposes a power negotiator system and method to request and aggregate power from multiple power sources to drive multiple sinks in an electric power system, wherein said system is further configured to negotiate between currently active sinks and power sources to arrive at an optimal power distribution solution across loads for a given power profile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to propose a power negotiator system and method to request and aggregate power from multiple power sources to drive multiple sinks in an electric power system.

[0013] It is also a primary object of the invention to propose a power negotiator system configured to negotiate the best possible combination of power sources to draw from and the sinks to turn for a given power profile.

[0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of power negotiation between multiple power sources and sinks based on assigned and dynamic profiles.

[0015] It is another object of the invention to provide a means whereby the user could temporarily upgrade the priority of individual sinks.

[0016] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a means to optimize power consumption in an electric power system.

[0017] Accordingly, the present invention proposes a power negotiator system to optimize power consumption in an electric power system, comprising of:

• negotiator module hosted in network cloud and coupled to a communication network;

• switch module comprising of at least one microcontroller, memory to store one or more programs configured to be partially or fully executable by the at least one microcontroller, wherein said switch module is coupled to the negotiator module via the communication network; and

• power aggregator module comprising of at least one microcontroller, memory to store one or more programs configured to be partially or fully executable by the at least one microcontroller, and power conversion circuitry, wherein said module is coupled to the negotiator module via the communication network.

[0018] The invention also proposes method of power negotiation between multiple power sources and sinks, comprising the steps of:

• assigning priority to individual sinks and power sources based on selected profile;

• computing total power available and present load handled for a selected profile by the negotiator module upon receiving new connection request from at least one sink;

• negotiating with currently live/active sinks to compute an optimal power distribution solution across loads for a given power supply profile by the negotiator module;

• granting or rejecting the connection request from the at least one sink based on the said power distribution solution; and

• sourcing additional power from the power aggregator in the event of shortage of power in the system.

[0019] It also proposes a method of power negotiation between multiple power sources and sinks wherein relative priority of at least one sink is temporarily upgraded on user initiation, the method comprising of the steps of:

• upgrading the priority of sink temporarily within set time frame if the connection request by said sink was initially denied by the negotiator module;

• sending new connection request to the negotiator module;

• computing the total power available and present load handled for the current profile by the negotiator module upon receiving the connection request;

• negotiating with currently active sinks to arrive at an optimal power distribution solution across loads for the current profile by the negotiator module; and

• granting the connection request made by the sink.

[0020] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the ensuing detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

[0021] FIG.1 shows the power negotiator system in the context of electric power system.

[0022] FIG.2 depicts the power negotiator system architecture.

[0023] FIG.3 shows the source side of the power negotiator system. [0024] FIG.4 illustrates the sink side of the power negotiator system.

[0025] FIG.5 shows the different status and control inputs that interact with the negotiator.

[0026] FIG.6 illustrates how a cost-optimal profile drives the decision of the negotiator.

[0027] FIG.7 depicts a flow chart of how user request is granted or denied by the negotiator and how the user can assign urgent priority to a sink request.

[0028] FIG.8 shows an example of power negotiation.

[0029] FIG.9 depicts the interface that a user is provided to interact with the internal state of the negotiator, for applying profiles.

[0030] FIG.10 shows web browser interface to set or modify profiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0031] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood however that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The following description and drawings are not to be construed as limiting the invention and numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. However in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail.

[0032] FIG.1 discloses the power negotiator system to aggregate power from multiple power sources and supply to multiple sinks in an electric power system, wherein the said system is further capable of identifying the best possible power sources to draw from and the sinks to turn on at any given time based on system parameters. The system comprises of top-level systems: i) pAggregator, ii) pSwitch and iii) p Cloud, as illustrated in FIG.2.

[0033] The pAggregator or Aggregator Module is installed on the source side and it controls the power drawn from different power sources. The pSwitch or Switch Module is equipped on the sink side and it negotiates with the sources to request power. The pCloud or Negotiator Module running the negotiation algorithm is hosted on a network cloud comprising of a plurality of cloud servers.

The different components of the said system are networked through a communication link or network that comprising of Ethernet, WiFi, Zigbee or similar wired/wireless communication standard.

[0034] The pAggregator architecture is depicted in FIG.3. In the preferred embodiment, the utility grid AC power is rectified to DC. The said rectified current, along with power output from other sources such as solar power and backup power, which are inherently DC sources, are passed through a DC current control unit to produce a cumulated DC supply. The cumulative DC supply is then converted to pure AC power source of required rating. The aggregator module comprises of microcontroller unit, associated memory wherein said microcontroller is configured to execute one or more programs or macros stored in the said memory, and power conversion circuitry.

[0035] The pSwitch or Switch Module is shown in FIG.4. In the preferred embodiment, said pSwitch unit is adapted to be installed in a standard electrical modular switchbox employed in domestic electrical installations. Other implementations of the pSwitch module are also possible, and are included within the scope of the present invention. The switch module comprises of micro¬controller unit (MCU) adapted to drive a relay that connects the sink to the power source. The MCU is further configured to execute one or more programs or macros stored in its memory.

[0036] The parameters stored in the micro-controller unit include, but not limited to:

Priority of sink Peak power consumption Starting peak current Steady-state power consumption Whether dimmable.

[0037] The pCloud hosting the negotiation algorithm is implemented on network cloud as illustrated in
FIG.5. It implements the top-level functionality of the negotiator or decision maker. The negotiation algorithm comprises of objective functions for optimizing power subject to one or more constraints. The built-in objective functions include, but not limited to, a means to:

• Optimize Power
• Optimize Total Consumption
• Create custom user profiles
• Time of the day auto-profiles.
• Cost Optimization profile.

[0038] One of the said profiles, cost optimization profile, wherein the objective function is to operate at low cost, is shown in FIG.6. The network cloud is further configured to provide a plurality of service to various interacting programs.

[0039] When the switch on the standard electrical modular switchbox is switched ON, the MCU communicates the induced change in state to the pCloud. MCU also passes the assigned priority of said sink, and a set of parameters comprising of power required to turn it ON, dimmability, peak power, and starting current parameters to the cloud. Against the said data matrix, the negotiator module computes the total power available and present load handled for the selected profile and negotiates with active/live sinks to arrive at an optimal power distribution solution across loads corresponding to the present profile. Based on said optimal power distribution solution, the negotiator module grants or denies the ON request. If the ON request is granted, the sink is connected to the power supply by the switch module. This whole process is transparent to the user as it happens in a fraction of a second. The same procedure applies for ON request from more than one sink. In one embodiment, the optimal power distribution solution includes turning off one or more active sinks of lesser relative priority.

[0040] If the request is denied by the pCloud or Negotiator Module, a visual indication to that effect is provided to the user and the relay/sink is subsequently not switched ON. The system further provides a means to temporarily upgrade the priority of a sink within a set time frame (<500ms) if it has been denied permission by the negotiator module for a given profile. In the preferred embodiment, the said priority is upgraded through a 'delayed second pulse' generated by the user. The sequence of operation is depicted in FIG.7.

[0041] Referring to FIG.7, on upgrading the priority of a sink through a 'delayed second pulse', the switch module communicates the change of state to the negotiator module through a new ON request. The negotiator module again computes the total power available and present load handled for the selected profile and negotiates with currently active/live sinks to arrive at an optimal power distribution solution across loads for the present profile. The optimal power distribution solution may include turning off one or more active sinks of lesser relative priority or sourcing additional power from the aggregator if required. The priority of sink temporarily upgraded remains in effect until the sink is turned off. Another example of power negotiation is depicted in FIG.8.

[0042] Further, the pSwitch or switch module has built-in link timeout functionality to ensure graceful fallback in case of a link failure. In the event of disconnection in the communication link with the negotiator module, the switch module is adapted to shift to a fail-safe mode wherein the said module does all processing locally and functions like a normal electrical switch. The switch module also includes a means to continually check the status of the communication link and rejoin the network when the said link is restored.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, the negotiation parameters provided by the different power sources and sinks is captured in a profile matrix as depicted in FIG.9. The profile matrix comprises of entries for parameters that are passed by the sources and sinks during the negotiation process.

[0044] The system further includes a means for providing user controlled inputs wherein said inputs include but not limited to selecting pre-set profiles and creating custom profiles. Profiles are an intuitive way of representing a given set of parameters in the profile matrix. The matrix has entries for parameters that are passed by the sources and sinks for a given chosen profile. The system loads a default profile if the user does not explicitly select a profile or create a custom profile. User can then dynamically set a profile as per the requirements.

[0045] A means for providing user inputs through web interface as depicted in FIG.10. The interface may be presented on a laptop, tablet, mobile or any other internet connected user device. Users can view historic data, and analyze system parameters as well as usage patterns on the browser interface.

[0046] For sake of clarity, consider an example wherein the user selects "night profile". At system level, the said profile selection translates to a search and modification of the profile matrix based on the chosen profile. That is, choosing 'night profile' might assign lower priority to "fans" at night and set "light" devices to a higher priority since lighting is more critical a utility at night than a fan.

[0047] The system is further configured to take decisions automatically. In one exemplary embodiment, the system uses a real-time clock to monitor time and change profiles/parameters accordingly. For example, at 6PM every day, the power negotiator may be configured to automatically switch from the "day" profile to "night" profile.

[0048] In the preferred embodiment, the switch module connects and communicates directly with the cloud. In another embodiment, the system includes a gateway configured to communicate with the cloud. The gateway is adapted to be installed on the communication network linking the switch module and negotiator module wherein said gateway is configured to partially or fully execute the negotiation algorithm.

[0049] Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawing, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are possible and are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart there from.

WE CLAIM

1. A power negotiator system to request and aggregate power from multiple power sources to drive multiple sinks in an electric power system, wherein said system is further configured to negotiate between power sources and

active sinks to arrive at an optimal power distribution solution for a given power profile, the system comprising of:

• negotiator module hosted in network cloud and coupled to a communication network;

• switch module comprising of microcontroller unit, memory to store one or more programs configured to be partially or fully executable by the microcontroller, wherein said switch module is coupled to the negotiator module via the communication network; and

• power aggregator module comprising of microcontroller unit, memory to store one or more programs configured to be partially or fully executable by the microcontroller, and power conversion circuitry, wherein said module is coupled to the negotiator module via the communication network.

2. The power negotiator system of claim 1, wherein the aggregator module is configured to dynamically aggregate power from multiple AC/DC power sources.

3. The power negotiator system of claim 1, wherein the negotiator module implements the negotiator algorithm.

4. The power negotiator system of claim 1, wherein the communication network coupling the switch module and negotiator module features a gateway configured to partially or fully execute the negotiator algorithm.

5. The power negotiator system of claim 1, wherein the switch module further comprises of:

• relay configured to be driven by the microcontroller; and

• means to continuously check the connectivity status with the negotiator module.

6. The power negotiator system of claim 1, wherein the switch module is adapted to be installed in a modular switch box.

7. The power negotiator system of claim 5, wherein the switch module is configured to enter fail-safe mode in the event of connectivity failure.

8. The power negotiator system of claim 1 further features a web interface configured to record user controlled inputs.

9. A method of power negotiation between multiple power sources and sinks, said method comprising the steps of:

• assigning priority to individual sinks and power sources based on selected profile;

• computing total power available and present load handled for the selected profile by the negotiator module upon receiving new connection request from at least one sink;

• negotiating with currently active sinks to compute an optimal power distribution solution across loads for selected profile by the negotiator module; and

• granting or rejecting the connection request from the at least one sink based on said power distribution solution.

10. A method of power negotiation, comprising the steps of:

• computing the total power available and present load handled for selected profile by the negotiator module;

• negotiating with currently active sinks to compute at an optimal power distribution solution across loads for selected profile by the negotiator module; and

• sourcing additional power from the power aggregator if required.

11. A method of power negotiation between multiple power sources and sinks wherein relative priority of at least one sink is temporarily upgraded on user initiation, the method comprising of the steps of:

• upgrading the priority of sink temporarily within set time frame if the connection request by said sink was initially denied by the negotiator module;

• sending new connection request to the negotiator module;

• computing the total power available and present load handled for the current profile by the negotiator module upon receiving the connection request;

• negotiating with currently active sinks to arrive at an optimal power distribution solution across loads for the current profile by the negotiator module; and

• granting the connection request made by the sink.

12. The method of claim 9 or 11, wherein the optimal power distribution solution comprises turning off at least one active sink of lesser relative priority.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the profile includes custom profiles.