Method and apparatus for automatic interleaving of cycled loads in a microgrid
A method and apparatus for autonomous, automatic interleaving of cycled loads coupled to a grid. In one or more embodiments, the method comprises (i) determining, by a smart load coupled to a grid, a first grid stress value; (ii) comparing, by the smart load, the first grid stress value to an activation threshold; (iii) waiting, by the smart load, when the first grid stress value is less than the activation threshold, a delay period; (iv) determining, by the smart load and after the delay period ends, a second grid stress value; (v) comparing, by the smart load, the second grid stress value to the activation threshold; and (iv) activating, by the smart load, when the second grid stress value is less than the activation threshold.
1. A method for autonomous, automatic interleaving of cycled loads coupled to a grid, comprising:
determining, by a smart load coupled to a grid, a first grid stress value;
comparing, by the smart load, the first grid stress value to an activation threshold;
waiting, by the smart load, when the first grid stress value is less than the activation threshold, a delay period;
determining, by the smart load and after the delay period ends, a second grid stress value;
comparing, by the smart load, the second grid stress value to the activation threshold; and
activating, by the smart load, when the second grid stress value is less than the activation threshold.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delay period is a random amount of time within a delay window.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delay period is a function of number of missed opportunities for the smart load to turn on during a time period in which the smart load is waiting to turn on.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delay period is dynamically adjusted based on a state of the smart load.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the activation threshold is determined such that activation of the smart load does not cause a system in which the smart load operates to operate over its rated capacity.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the activation threshold is dynamically determined.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second grid stress values are computed utilizing a frequency bias from a secondary control system, a voltage bias from the secondary control system, and a reference stress bias from a tertiary control system.
8. An apparatus for autonomous, automatic interleaving of cycled loads coupled to a grid, comprising:
a controller for a smart load coupled to a grid, the controller comprising one or more processors and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the one or more processors to determine a first grid stress value;
compare the first grid stress value to an activation threshold;
wait, when the first grid stress value is less than the activation threshold, a delay period;
determine, after the delay period ends, a second grid stress value;
compare the second grid stress value to the activation threshold; and
activate the smart load when the second grid stress value is less than the activation threshold.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the delay period is a random amount of time within a delay window.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the delay period is a function of number of missed opportunities for the smart load to turn on during a time period in which the smart load is waiting to turn on.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the delay period is dynamically adjusted based on a state of the smart load.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the activation threshold is determined such that activation of the smart load does not cause a system in which the smart load operates to operate over its rated capacity.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the activation threshold is dynamically determined.
14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first and the second grid stress values are computed utilizing a frequency bias from a secondary control system, a voltage bias from the secondary control system, and a reference stress bias from a tertiary control system.
15. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a program that, when executed by a processor, performs a method for autonomous, automatic interleaving of cycled loads coupled to a grid, comprising:
determining a first grid stress value associated with a smart load coupled to a grid;
comparing the first grid stress value to an activation threshold;
waiting, when the first grid stress value is less than the activation threshold, a delay period;
determining, after the delay period ends, a second grid stress value associated with the smart load;
comparing the second grid stress value to the activation threshold; and activating, when the second grid stress value is less than the activation threshold, the smart load.
16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the delay period is a random amount of time within a delay window.
17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the delay period is a function of number of missed opportunities for the smart load to turn on during a time period in which the smart load is waiting to turn on.
18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the delay period is dynamically adjusted based on a state of the smart load.
19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the activation threshold is determined such that activation of the smart load does not cause a system in which the smart load operates to operate over its rated capacity.
20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the first and the second grid stress values are computed utilizing a frequency bias from a secondary control system, a voltage bias from the secondary control system, and a reference stress bias from a tertiary control system.