Off-grid building modules, programs, methods, and systems

Abstract

The goal is to enhance energy independence and sustainability in off-grid environments without requiring excessive power generation and storage facilities. [Solution] An off-grid building module according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a power generator, a power storage device for storing the electricity generated by the power generator, a power consumption device for consuming the electricity generated by the power generator or the electricity stored in the power storage device, a heat source supply means for collecting a heat-containing medium emitted in connection with daily activities, a heat exchange means for transferring the thermal energy of the heat-containing medium supplied from the heat source supply means to a clean heat medium, separating it from any impurities that may be contained in the medium, and a heat pump device that uses the heat transferred to the clean heat medium by the heat exchange means as a heat source to supply thermal energy to the power consumption device, and is capable of accommodating people without receiving electricity from the power grid or water from the water supply grid.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to off-grid building modules, programs, methods, and systems. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, due to growing interest in sustainable societies and increased disaster preparedness, there has been a growing demand for off-grid environments that are independent of public infrastructure such as power grids and water networks. In such environments, it is essential to make the most of the limited resources obtained from natural energy sources such as solar power.

[0003] Much of the electricity consumed in homes and commercial facilities is used to generate thermal energy for air conditioning and hot water supply. The heat contained in the wastewater from baths and showers (waste heat) generated as a result is largely released into the environment without being effectively utilized. As a technology to recover such unused waste heat, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a waste heat recovery type heat pump that recovers heat from heat source water such as factory wastewater and sewage. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-057467 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise of use in large factories and facilities stably connected to the power grid, and did not adequately consider the challenges specific to off-grid environments where energy sources are severely limited. In other words, in off-grid environments where the supply of electricity and water is limited, discarding the thermal energy generated from shower drainage, etc., without recovering it means that valuable electricity obtained from solar power generation, etc., must be newly consumed to compensate for the lost thermal energy. As a result, there was a problem that excessive power generation and storage equipment, such as more solar panels and larger capacity batteries, would be required to maintain a comfortable life.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to enhance energy independence and sustainability in off-grid environments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, an off-grid building module according to one aspect of this disclosure includes a power generator, a power storage device for storing the electricity generated by the power generator, a power consumption device for consuming the electricity generated by the power generator or the electricity stored in the power storage device, a heat source supply means for collecting a heat-containing medium emitted in connection with daily activities, a heat exchange means for separating the thermal energy of the heat-containing medium supplied from the heat source supply means from any impurities that may be contained in the medium and transferring it to a clean heat medium, and a heat pump device that uses the heat transferred to the clean heat medium by the heat exchange means as a heat source and supplies thermal energy to the power consumption device, and is capable of accommodating people without receiving electricity from the power grid or water from the water supply grid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure makes it possible to enhance energy independence and sustainability in off-grid environments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]This is an external perspective view showing an example of an off-grid building module to which this disclosure applies. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the thermal management system related to this disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a piping diagram showing an example of the configuration of the heat circulation equipment related to this disclosure. [Figure 4] This block diagram shows an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device related to this disclosure. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows an example of the functional configuration of the server related to this disclosure. [Figure 6] This block diagram shows an example of the functional configuration of a building module related to this disclosure. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the data structure of the heat source management table related to this disclosure. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the data structure of the driving log table related to this disclosure. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the basic operation of the heat recovery process related to this disclosure. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a dashboard screen displayed on the terminal device of this disclosure. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows the operation during dual-source control according to a modified example of this disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a block diagram representing the basic hardware configuration of a computer. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for describing the embodiments, common components are denoted by the same reference signs, and repeated descriptions are omitted. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure recited in the claims. In addition, not all of the components shown in the embodiments are essential components of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each drawing is a schematic diagram, and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. In this specification, the "heat source supply means", "heat exchange means", "control means", and "information providing means" recited in the claims respectively correspond to the "heat source tank (51)", "heat exchanger (52)", "control unit (303)", and "information providing module (3034)" described in the present embodiment, as an example.

[0011] Furthermore, in the following description, a "processor" refers to one or more processors. At least one processor is typically a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also be another type of processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The at least one processor may be single-core or multi-core.

[0012] Furthermore, the at least one processor may be a processor in a broad sense such as a hardware circuit (for example, FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) that performs part or all of processing.

[0013] In addition, in the following description, expressions such as "xxx table" may be used to describe information from which an output can be obtained corresponding to an input, but this information may be data of any structure, or may be a learned model such as a neural network that generates an output corresponding to an input. Accordingly, "xxx table" can also be referred to as "xxx information".

[0014] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the structure of each table is merely an example; one table may be divided into two or more tables, or all or part of two or more tables may constitute a single table.

[0015] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the subject of the process may sometimes be "program," but since a program is executed by a processor and performs defined processes using the memory and / or interface units as appropriate, the subject of the process may also be the processor (or a device such as a controller that has that processor).

[0016] The program may be installed on a device such as a computer, or it may reside on a program distribution server or a computer-readable (e.g., non-temporary) recording medium. Furthermore, in the following description, two or more programs may be implemented as a single program, or one program may be implemented as two or more programs.

[0017] Furthermore, in the following explanation, identification numbers are used as identification information for various objects, but other types of identification information (for example, identifiers including letters or symbols) may also be used.

[0018] Furthermore, in the following explanations, when describing similar elements without distinction, a reference code (or a common code among reference codes) may be used, and when describing similar elements with distinction, the element's identification number (or reference code) may be used.

[0019] Furthermore, in the following explanation, only control lines and information lines deemed necessary for the explanation are shown, and not all control lines and information lines are necessarily shown in the actual product. All components may be interconnected.

[0020] Each information processing device consists of a computer equipped with an arithmetic unit and a memory device. The basic hardware configuration of the computer and the basic functional configuration of the computer realized by said hardware configuration will be described later. For each of the terminal device 10 and the server 20, explanations that overlap with the basic hardware configuration and basic functional configuration of the computer described later will be omitted.

[0021] (First Embodiment) <1. Overview> This disclosure relates to an off-grid building module capable of accommodating people independently of the power grid and water supply system. This module stores electricity generated by a power generator in a storage device and supplies it to power-consuming devices such as air conditioners or water heaters. In addition, a heat source supply means collects a heat-containing medium (e.g., hot wastewater) discharged as a result of living activities, and a heat exchange means separates the thermal energy from impurities in the medium and transfers it to a clean heat medium. A heat pump device then uses this transferred heat as a heat source and supplies thermal energy to power-consuming devices, thereby realizing the sustainable use of energy.

[0022] <2. Building Modules> Figure 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of an off-grid building module 30 to which the thermal management system of this disclosure is applied. The building module 30 is a movable structure, such as a container house, and an interior space in which people can stay is constructed by exterior walls 31, a roof 32, and a floor 33.

[0023] Solar panels 34, an example of a power generation device, are installed on the roof 32. The electricity generated by the solar panels 34 is stored in a battery included in the energy supply and consumption equipment described later, and meets the electricity demand within the module. By equipping the building module 30 with such equipment, it operates independently of external infrastructure such as the power grid or water network.

[0024] The building module 30 can be equipped with a variety of facilities to achieve energy and water self-sufficiency. In addition to solar panels 34, wind turbines and other power generation devices may also be used. To secure water resources, a water storage device (rainwater tank, etc.) for storing rainwater and other water sources is provided, as well as a water purification device that purifies the stored water by filtration or ultraviolet sterilization, and treats and reuses the wastewater after use.

[0025] <3. Overall configuration of the thermal management system> Next, we will describe a thermal management system 1 installed inside the aforementioned building module 30, which enables energy self-sufficiency and efficient heat utilization. In this specification, a physical structure (enclosure) such as a container house in which people can stay, in which energy supply / consumption equipment 40 and heat circulation equipment 50 are arranged inside, is defined as a "building module" as a single unit. The thermal management system 1 may consist of this building module 30, a terminal device 10 operated by the user, and a server 20 that centrally manages multiple building modules. The building module 30 itself is capable of achieving energy self-sufficiency and optimizing heat utilization.

[0026] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the thermal management system 1. The thermal management system 1 mainly comprises terminal devices 10, a server 20, energy supply and consumption equipment 40, and thermal circulation equipment 50. Each of these devices and equipment is connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with one another via a network 80 (81). Here, the local network 81 is a LAN (Local Area Network) that handles communication between devices within the building module. The server 20 can also communicate with the outside world via a wide-area network 80 such as the Internet as needed.

[0027] The terminal device 10 is a user interface operated by a user (guest) or administrator, and is used for inputting various settings and displaying the system status. Internally, it consists of hardware such as a communication IF 12, an input device 13, an output device 14, memory 15, storage 16, and a processor 19 that controls these.

[0028] Server 20 can function as a management server that monitors the operational status of multiple building modules 30 connected via a network, collects and provides external environmental information (such as weather forecasts) that is commonly required by each module, or distributes and updates control programs within the building modules 30. Internally, it consists of hardware such as a communication interface 22, an input / output interface 23, memory 25, storage 26, and a processor 29 that manages these. The processor 29 executes programs stored in memory 25 and storage 26, thereby realizing the various functions described later.

[0029] The energy supply and consumption equipment 40 functionally integrates all the energy-related devices of the building module 30. This includes the solar panels 34 shown in Figure 1, a battery for storing the generated electricity, and various power consumption devices such as air conditioning and lighting.

[0030] The heat circulation equipment 50 is a series of devices for recovering and reusing heat emitted as a result of daily activities. The building module 30 improves the overall energy efficiency of the building module 30 by transmitting operation commands to this heat circulation equipment 50.

[0031] <4. Details of the heat circulation equipment> Figure 3 is a piping diagram showing a specific configuration example of the heat circulation equipment 50 in Figure 2. The heat circulation equipment 50 consists of two circulation loops: a primary loop through which a heat source medium containing impurities circulates, and a secondary loop through which a clean heat medium circulates.

[0032] The primary loop is a system for utilizing warm wastewater discharged as a result of daily activities as a heat source. Warm wastewater discharged from a bath or shower first flows into a heat source tank 51, which is a heat source supply means, and is temporarily stored there. From this heat source tank 51, the warm wastewater is pumped up by a primary pump 51a and sent to one of the flow paths of a heat exchanger 52 (for example, a plate heat exchanger). After heat is removed in the heat exchanger 52, the wastewater is returned to the heat source tank 51. Through this heat recovery process, the water temperature in the heat source tank 51 gradually decreases, but the heat source tank 51 is heated again when new warm wastewater flows in due to the use of a shower, etc. The control unit 303 of the building module 30 manages the amount of heat in the heat source tank 51 based on information from temperature sensors and water level sensors installed in the heat source tank 51. For example, the control unit 303 constantly monitors the water temperature in the heat source tank 51, and if the water temperature falls below a predetermined threshold (e.g., 7°C) that would make heat recovery inefficient, it temporarily stops the operation of the heat pump device 54, thereby performing control to prevent an excessive decrease in the overall energy efficiency of the system.

[0033] The secondary loop is a system that circulates a clean heat transfer medium to efficiently operate the heat pump device 54. The secondary pump 53 sends the heat transfer medium to the other flow path of the heat exchanger 52, where it receives heat from the warm wastewater of the primary loop. The heat transfer medium, preheated by the heat exchanger 52, is supplied to the heat pump device 54. The heat pump device 54 is, for example, a highly efficient water-cooled heat pump that uses water as a heat source (for example, "PAFMAC®" manufactured by Nippon P-MAC Co., Ltd.), and uses this preheated heat transfer medium as a heat source to compress and expand a refrigerant, thereby generating even higher temperature energy, which is supplied to power-consuming devices such as air conditioners.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the operation of the heat circulation equipment 50 is comprehensively controlled by a control unit 303 located in the building module 30. This control unit 303 controls each component of the heat circulation equipment 50, namely the multiple solenoid valves V (in Figure 3, V) as shown by the dotted lines in the figure. A , V B , V C , V D) and transmits control signals to pumps (51a, 53) and the heat pump device 54. The control unit 303 configures an optimal flow path corresponding to the operation mode (heating / cooling) by switching the opening / closing patterns of these solenoid valves V. For example, during heating operation, the solenoid valves V are controlled to suck warm drained water from the upper part of the heat source tank 51 and return low-temperature drained water after heat exchange to the lower part of the tank C and V D are opened, and the solenoid valves V A and V B are closed. On the other hand, during cooling operation, a cooling source for discharging heat from the system is used. Candidates for the cooling source include relatively low-temperature water in the heat source tank 51 (such as stored rainwater), outside air, or groundwater (not shown) if available, and the cooling source is selected based on, for example, energy efficiency (COP). For example, when using water in the heat source tank 51, the solenoid valves V are controlled to suck water from the lower part and return it to the upper part A and V B are opened, and the solenoid valves V C and V D are closed to configure the flow path.

[0035] <5. Functions of Terminal Device> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 120, an input device 13, an output device 14, a position information sensor 150, a camera 160, an audio processing unit 17, a storage unit 180, and a control unit 190.

[0036] The input device 13 is a device for a user to input instructions and information, and is implemented by, for example, a touch-sensitive device 131 integrated with the display surface of the output device 14.

[0037] The output device 14 is a device for presenting information to a user, and is implemented by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display 141, or the like. The output device 14 displays data such as images, moving images, and text under the control of the control unit 190, and presents a dashboard screen and warning messages to be described later.

[0038] The location information sensor 150 detects the current location of the terminal device 10 using GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like.

[0039] Camera 160 is a device that receives light using a photodetector and outputs it as a captured image.

[0040] The audio processing unit 17 modulates and demodulates the audio signal. The audio processing unit 17 modulates the signal received from the microphone 171 and sends the modulated signal to the control unit 190. The audio processing unit 17 also sends the audio signal to the speaker 172.

[0041] The storage unit 180 is composed of, for example, flash memory and stores programs (OS, browser, dedicated applications, etc.) and data necessary for the operation of the terminal device 10. The storage unit 180 may also store user information 181 such as a user ID for identifying the user, the user's name, and affiliation.

[0042] The control unit 190 controls the operation of the entire terminal device 10 by having the processor execute a program, and performs the functions of an operation reception unit 191, a transmission / reception unit 192, and a display control unit 193. The operation reception unit 191 receives user operations to the input device 13. The transmission / reception unit 192 sends and receives data to and from the server 20. The display control unit 193 displays a dashboard screen or the like, which will be described later, on the output device 14 based on the data received from the server 20.

[0043] <6. Server Functions> Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of server 20. As shown in Figure 5, server 20 comprises a communication unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a control unit 203. Server 20 is responsible for managing and supporting multiple building modules 30 across the board. This system can be implemented in either a standalone configuration where each building module 30 operates autonomously, or a network configuration where server 20 cooperates.

[0044] The communication unit 201 performs processing to communicate with other devices (terminal device 10, energy supply / consumption equipment 40, heat circulation equipment 50, etc.) via the network 80.

[0045] The memory unit 202 stores programs executed by the server 20's processor (29 in Figure 2) and various data used for processing. For example, the memory unit 202 stores operation log data collected from each building module 30 and user information to be managed, as well as control programs or their update data that are distributed to each building module 30 and executed within them.

[0046] The control unit 203 is implemented by the processor executing a program and comprehensively controls the operation of the entire thermal management system 1. The control unit 203 includes, for example, a data acquisition module 2031 and an information provision module 2032 as the main functional units of this embodiment.

[0047] The data collection module 2031 collects log data (such as operating history) showing the operating status of each building module 30 from multiple building modules 30 connected via a network, for management and analysis purposes. It also has the function of acquiring and providing to each building module 30 weather data that can be used in common by each module, including not only weather forecasts but also weather data that includes at least one of the following: solar radiation, which is essential for predicting the amount of power generated by solar panels, and temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation by time of day, which contribute to the efficient operation planning of heat pumps.

[0048] The information provision module 2032 generates and provides additional information from a longer-term or cross-sectional perspective based on operational log data and external environmental information collected from multiple building modules 30 under its management. Specifically, it can generate, for example, the results of a comparative analysis of energy efficiency between each module.

[0049] <7. Functions of the Building Module> Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a building module 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the building module 30 operates autonomously and therefore includes a communication unit 301, a storage unit 302, and a control unit 303 internally. The control unit 303 shown in Figure 6 is responsible for the integrated control of the energy supply / consumption equipment 40 and the heat circulation equipment 50 (see Figure 2) physically located within the building module 30. The energy supply / consumption equipment 40 manages the supply, storage, and consumption of energy such as solar panels, storage batteries, and air conditioning, while the heat circulation equipment 50 is a series of facilities that recover and reuse heat from wastewater, etc. The control unit 303 works closely with these facilities to optimize the energy efficiency of the entire module.

[0050] The communication unit 301 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the terminal device 10 and the server 20 via the local network 81, etc.

[0051] The storage unit 302 stores various data such as programs executed by the control unit 303, the status of heat sources, and operating history. In this embodiment, the storage unit 302 stores a heat source management table 3021 that manages available heat sources, and an operation log table 3022 that holds system operation records in chronological order.

[0052] The control unit 303 functions as a central unit that comprehensively controls the operation of the entire building module 30 by having the processor read and execute a program from the memory unit 302. The control unit 303 mainly has the functions of a data acquisition module 3031, an optimization control module 3032, an equipment control module 3033, and an information provision module 3034.

[0053] The data acquisition module 3031 collects information about the state within the module, such as the water temperature or level of the heat source tank and the remaining charge of the storage battery, in real time from various sensors installed in the heat circulation equipment 50 and the energy supply / consumption equipment 40.

[0054] Based on the various data collected, the optimization control module 3032 formulates an operation plan, such as selecting the heat source to be used or determining the operating mode, in order to maximize energy efficiency (COP).

[0055] The equipment control module 3033 transmits specific control commands to physical equipment such as pumps, solenoid valves, and heat pump devices 54 in order to execute the operation plan devised by the optimization control module 3032.

[0056] The information provision module 3034 calculates the energy saving effect or CO2 reduction amount from heat recovery and generates screen data to display the results on the user's terminal device 10. The information provision module 3034 also processes information such as comparison with planned power consumption to provide the user with an incentive according to the degree of energy saving achieved. This incentive may include, for example, issuing a discount coupon that can be used on the next visit, providing a commemorative gift, or providing a benefit such as a discounted accommodation.

[0057] <7. Data Structure> In this embodiment, the main data structures managed by the storage unit 302 of the building module 30 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Note that the data structures described are examples and do not exclude data not described.

[0058] Figure 7 shows an example of the data structure of the heat source management table 3021. This table is used by the optimization control module 3032 to manage the status of each available heat source and select the optimal heat source. Specifically, it includes items such as "heat source ID," "heat source name," "current temperature," "available heat quantity," and "usage priority." The "heat source ID" uniquely identifies each heat source. The "heat source name" stores names such as "heat source tank" and "outside air." The "current temperature" stores the latest temperature obtained from sensors by the data acquisition module 3031, and the "available heat quantity" stores the amount of heat calculated from the current water level or temperature. The optimization control module 3032 can evaluate not only the "current temperature," which affects the instantaneous energy efficiency of the heat pump, but also the "available heat quantity," which indicates the sustainability of the heat supply. This allows for the development of more sophisticated operation plans, such as prioritizing the selection of a heat source that can stably supply heat throughout the required operating time, even if the temperature is slightly lower, rather than a heat source that has a high temperature but is quickly depleted. Additionally, the "Usage Priority" field optionally stores the priority used in dual-source control.

[0059] Figure 8 shows an example of the data structure of the operation log table 3022. This database is used to record the operating status of the system in chronological order. Specifically, it includes items such as "Log ID," "Timestamp," "Operating Mode," "Selected Heat Source ID," "Power Consumption," "Heat Generated," and "COP" (Coefficient of Performance), which indicates the energy efficiency of the system. The "Log ID" uniquely identifies each log, and the "Timestamp" indicates the date and time of recording. The "Operating Mode" indicates the purpose of operation, such as heating or cooling, and the "Selected Heat Source ID" indicates the heat source actually used. "Power Consumption" is the amount of electricity input, and "Heat Generated" is the amount of thermal energy obtained from it. The "COP," calculated from both, indicates the energy efficiency of the system. This log data can be used, for example, to evaluate the performance of the system.

[0060] <8.Operation> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the basic operation flow of the heat recovery process according to this embodiment. This process is autonomously executed by the cooperation of each functional module constituting the control unit 303 of the building module 30. The trigger for starting this process can be flexibly set in response to the detection of the inflow of hot wastewater, although it is based on the occurrence of heat demand, as will be described later.

[0061] First, in step S1, as a basic operation trigger for this system, the control unit 303 detects that a heat demand, such as heating or hot water supply, has been generated from the energy supply / consumption equipment 40. Triggered by this request, the control unit 303, via the data acquisition module 3031, checks whether a usable heat source (warm wastewater) is stored in the heat source tank 51 at a predetermined temperature and quantity. On the other hand, depending on the system's operating mode or energy conditions, it is also possible to prioritize the generation of a heat source. In that case, the data acquisition module 3031 detects the inflow of warm wastewater into the heat source tank 51, triggering the system to utilize the stored heat in preparation for subsequent heat demands.

[0062] Next, in step S2, the optimization control module 3032 confirms that both an available heat source and a heat demand exist, and then makes a final decision on whether to start the heat recovery process. This decision verifies whether the temperature of the warm wastewater in the heat source tank 51 has a sufficient predetermined temperature difference from the temperature of the secondary heat transfer medium to enable efficient heat exchange. If it is determined that there is a sufficient temperature difference, the optimization control module 3032 decides that the heat recovery process should be started and instructs the equipment control module 3033 to start operation. This instruction includes a series of equipment control commands, such as driving the primary pump 51a to circulate the medium from the heat source to the heat exchanger, controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve V to configure the optimal flow path, and finally starting the heat pump device 54 to generate thermal energy. On the other hand, if it is determined that a sufficient temperature difference cannot be secured, the optimization control module 3032 does not perform heat recovery and instructs the equipment control module 3033 to operate in the normal operating mode using the air-cooled heat exchanger.

[0063] Next, in step S3, the equipment control module 3033 sends a drive command to the primary pump 51a, which sends the warm wastewater from the heat source tank 51 to the heat exchanger 52, which is a heat exchange means. Inside the heat exchanger 52, the thermal energy of the warm wastewater is transferred to a non-contact, clean heat transfer medium and recovered (primary heat exchange).

[0064] Next, in step S4, the equipment control module 3033 sends a start command to the heat pump device 54 in order to use the preheated, clean heat transfer medium as a heat source. The started heat pump device 54 then draws more heat from the heat transfer medium, generates higher temperature energy (secondary heat exchange), and supplies it to the power-consuming device, which is the air conditioner or water heater.

[0065] <9. Screen example> Figure 10 shows an example of a dashboard screen displayed on the display 141 of the terminal device 10. This screen is designed to allow the user to intuitively understand the energy status of the building module 30 and to raise awareness of energy-saving actions. The basic data for generating this screen (current power generation amount, recovered heat amount, etc.) may be generated by the control unit 303 of the building module 30 and sent directly to the terminal device 10, or the data may be sent from the building module 30 to the terminal device 10 via the server 20.

[0066] The information display area 1411 at the top of the screen displays basic information such as the current date, time, and weather or temperature obtained from an external source.

[0067] In the resource status display area 1412 located below it, the current status of "power generation," "power consumption," and "battery remaining capacity," as notified by the energy supply and consumption equipment 40, is displayed numerically along with icons.

[0068] The heat recovery effect display area 1413 in the center of the screen visualizes the effect of heat recovery, which is the core function of this building module 30. Specifically, the "amount of heat recovered today" calculated by the control unit 303 of the building module 30 and the "amount of CO2 reduced" calculated based on that are displayed quantitatively.

[0069] The message area 1414 at the bottom of the screen displays text indicating the current operating status of the 30 building modules or providing energy-saving advice to the user. In the example in Figure 10, specific feedback is displayed such as, "We are efficiently operating the heating system by reusing waste heat. We have succeeded in saving approximately 30% of electricity while maintaining a comfortable room temperature." Such displays allow users to realize that their daily actions contribute to energy efficiency, which is expected to encourage further cooperation.

[0070] <10.Summary> In off-grid environments, energy sources are limited to unstable sources such as solar power generation, so generating thermal energy for air conditioning or hot water supply, which are essential for comfortable living, puts a significant strain on precious electricity resources. In this embodiment, thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted, such as that contained in wastewater, is safely and efficiently recovered via a heat exchange means and reused as a heat source for the heat pump device 54. The control unit 303, built into the building module 30, grasps the system status in real time from various sensor information and optimally controls the operation of each device to maximize energy efficiency. As a result, new power consumption for heat generation is significantly reduced, making it possible to sustainably realize a comfortable living environment with limited energy without requiring excessive power generation and storage equipment.

[0071] (modified version) The above embodiments mainly described a configuration that utilizes a single heat source, wastewater heat, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The following examples show modifications relating to the utilization of various heat sources or advanced control combining them.

[0072] (Variation 1: Utilization of diverse heat sources) The heat source supply means can be configured to collect various unused heat sources present within and around the building module 30, in addition to hot wastewater. These heat sources can be broadly categorized into, for example, waste heat from daily activities, waste heat from equipment, and natural energy / environmental heat.

[0073] As a source of waste heat associated with daily activities, in addition to the warm wastewater from the bath or shower described in the first embodiment, the remaining bathwater, which is at a higher temperature before being drained, can also be used as a heat source. Heat may also be recovered from the exhaust gas (warm exhaust gas) of combustion equipment such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove. In this case, since the exhaust gas contains combustion products such as soot, it is desirable that the heat exchange means be equipped with a filter or the like to remove these impurities.

[0074] As for waste heat from equipment, it is also effective to recover waste heat generated from various equipment operating within the module, such as outdoor units of air conditioners, heat dissipation panels of refrigerators, and exhaust from ventilation systems, and utilize it as a heat source for heat pumps.

[0075] As a form of natural energy and environmental heat, thermal energy present in the environment surrounding the module can be utilized. For example, by using geothermal heat, which has a stable temperature throughout the year, as a heat source or cooling source for a heat pump, stable and highly efficient operation that is less affected by outside temperature becomes possible. In addition, in special locations such as hot spring areas, geothermal heat can be used as a powerful heat source.

[0076] (Modified example 2: Dual-source control) While the previous modification demonstrated the potential for utilizing various heat sources, this modification describes "dual-source control," which dynamically selects and switches the optimal heat source from among multiple heat source candidates according to the system's operating conditions. Specifically, it considers the recovered heat from water systems such as domestic wastewater and the ambient heat from air systems such as outside air as the two main heat sources, and controls them to maximize the energy efficiency (COP) of the heat pump. This enables highly efficient system operation throughout the year. COP (Coefficient of Performance) is an efficiency indicator that shows how much thermal energy was transferred (supplied or removed) relative to the amount of electricity consumed. A higher COP value means that a larger amount of heat can be obtained with less energy.

[0077] The basic configuration of this system consists of two systems: a water-based heat recovery system for storing the hot wastewater shown in Figure 3, and an air-cooled heat exchanger (not shown) for direct heat exchange with the outside air. As an additional configuration, a geothermal heat exchange system (not shown) can be connected to utilize the geothermal heat, which has a stable temperature throughout the year, by exchanging heat with a medium circulating through pipes buried underground. Furthermore, a water storage tank (not shown) can be provided to use rainwater or treated wastewater as a cooling source. In addition, in special locations such as hot spring areas, it is possible to utilize geothermal heat as a heat source via a dedicated heat exchange system.

[0078] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the operation flow during dual-source control in this modified example. This process is triggered when the control unit 303 of the building module 30 receives an air conditioning operation request, and each functional module executes it autonomously.

[0079] First, in step S11, the data acquisition module 3031 recognizes the current operating mode (heating or cooling) in response to the operation request and acquires information on all relevant heat source / cooling source candidates. Specifically, it mainly acquires information from the temperature sensor and water level sensor in the heat source tank 51 from the water-based heat recovery system, and information from the outside temperature sensor and humidity sensor installed near the air-cooled heat exchanger from the air-based system. In addition, if additional systems such as a ground heat exchange system are connected, it also acquires information from the sensors installed in them and passes it to the optimization control module 3032.

[0080] Next, in step S12, the optimization control module 3032 calculates an evaluation value for each available heat source / cooling source candidate based on the received data and selects the optimal heat source or cooling source. This evaluation value is mainly determined by two factors: the estimated COP under the current operating conditions and the available heat quantity, which indicates the sustainability of the heat supply. The estimated COP is calculated in real time by the control unit 303 based on temperature information obtained from sensors in each system and the performance characteristics of the heat pump device 54. For example, during heating operation (indoor setting 22°C), the estimated COP is 2.5 when the outside air is 2°C, and the estimated COP is 4.0 when the geothermal heat is 15°C, while the estimated COP is calculated to be 5.0 when the hot wastewater from the heat source tank is 28°C and the water volume is sufficient. By comparing the evaluation values ​​of each candidate, the hot wastewater with the highest expected efficiency is selected as the heat source. On the other hand, during cooling operation (indoor setting 26°C), if the estimated COP is 3.0 when using outside air (35°C) as the cooling source and 5.5 when using rainwater from the rainwater tank (20°C) as the cooling source, the control unit will select rainwater, which is expected to be more efficient. However, if the amount of water in the rainwater tank is deemed insufficient for the required operating time, outside air may be selected from the perspective of sustainability.

[0081] Next, in step S13, the equipment control module 3033 generates and transmits commands to control the relevant pumps, solenoid valves, fans, etc., so that the heat pump device 54 is connected to the physical system corresponding to the selected heat or cooling source. Specifically, switching control is performed such that if hot wastewater is selected, the circulation pump and related solenoid valves of the heat source tank 51 are activated; if outside air is selected, the fan of the air-cooled heat exchanger is activated; if geothermal energy is selected, the circulation pump of the geothermal heat exchange system is activated; and if rainwater or the like is selected, the circulation pump of the corresponding water storage tank is activated. Once the configuration of the flow paths, etc., is complete, a start command is sent to the heat pump device 54 to start operation.

[0082] By implementing dual-source control in this way, the system can dynamically adapt to changes in the environment or conditions, maximizing energy efficiency throughout the year. For example, even when the outside temperature is extremely low during winter heating operation, the system automatically selects a higher-temperature source, such as warm wastewater, as the heat source, thereby suppressing a decrease in COP and maintaining stable, highly efficient operation. As a result, the amount of electricity consumed for heat generation is minimized, valuable energy resources obtained from solar power generation, etc., are conserved, and this greatly contributes to achieving both energy sustainability and comfort in off-grid environments.

[0083] Furthermore, this control system uses a hybrid operation that combines a water-cooled system (for example, 70% of the total operating time) with a water-cooled system (which has a high COP throughout the year) as the base, while supplementing it with air-cooled operation (for example, 30% of the total operating time) during high-load periods in summer and winter when heating and cooling demands are particularly high. This hybrid operation makes it possible to maximize the overall energy efficiency of the system without compromising comfort, even in situations where high heating and cooling capacity is required.

[0084] (Modification 3: Standalone configuration) In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the server 20 and the terminal device 10 are configured as separate devices, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible to install a standalone device (or control panel) within the building module 30 that integrates the autonomous control functions inherent in the building module 30 and the user interface functions of the terminal device 10 into a single enclosure. In this case, the single device directly controls each piece of equipment within the building module without going through the external server 20, and completes the display of information to the user and the acceptance of operations.

[0085] <Basic Computer Hardware Configuration> Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of computer 90. Computer 90 comprises at least a processor 901, main memory 902, auxiliary memory 903, and a communication interface IF991. These are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus.

[0086] The processor 901 is hardware for executing the instruction set written in a program. The processor 901 consists of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc.

[0087] Main memory 902 is used to temporarily store programs and data processed by programs, etc. For example, it is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0088] Auxiliary storage device 903 refers to a storage device for saving data and programs. Examples include flash memory, HDD (Hard Disc Drive), magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and semiconductor memory.

[0089] The IF991 communication interface is an interface for inputting and outputting signals for communication with other computers via a network using wired or wireless communication standards. A network consists of various mobile communication systems, such as the internet, LANs, and wireless base stations. For example, a network includes 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and wireless networks that can connect to the internet via designated access points (e.g., Wi-Fi®). When connecting wirelessly, communication protocols include, for example, Z-Wave®, ZigBee®, and Bluetooth®. When connecting via a wired connection, the network also includes connections made directly via USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables, etc.

[0090] Furthermore, by distributing all or part of each hardware configuration across multiple computers 90 and connecting them to each other via a network, a computer 90 can be virtually realized. Thus, the concept of computer 90 includes not only a computer 90 housed in a single enclosure or case, but also a virtualized computer system.

[0091] <Basic Functional Configuration of Computer 90> The functional configuration of the computer realized by the basic hardware configuration of computer 90 (Figure 12) will be explained. The computer comprises at least one functional unit: a control unit, a memory unit, and a communication unit.

[0092] Furthermore, the functional units of computer 90 can also be realized by distributing all or part of each functional unit across multiple computers 90 interconnected via a network. The concept of computer 90 includes not only a single computer 90 but also a virtualized computer system.

[0093] The control unit is realized when the processor 901 reads various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 903, loads them into the main memory device 902, and executes processing according to those programs. The control unit can realize various functional units that perform information processing depending on the type of program. In this way, the computer is realized as an information processing device that performs information processing.

[0094] The memory unit is implemented by the main memory 902 and the auxiliary memory 903. The memory unit stores data, various programs, and various databases. The processor 901 can also reserve memory areas corresponding to the memory unit in the main memory 902 or the auxiliary memory 903 according to the program. The control unit can also cause the processor 901 to perform operations such as adding, updating, and deleting data stored in the memory unit according to the various programs.

[0095] A database, specifically a relational database, is used to manage and link together tabular data sets called masters, which are structurally defined by rows and columns. In a database, tables are called tables, masters are called masters, the columns of tables are called columns, and the rows of tables are called records. In a relational database, relationships can be established and linked between tables and masters. Typically, each table and master has a primary key column to uniquely identify records, but setting a primary key column is not mandatory. The control unit can instruct the processor 901 to add, delete, or update records in specific tables and masters stored in the memory unit, according to various programs. Furthermore, by storing data, various programs, and various databases in the memory unit, the information processing device and information processing system related to this disclosure can be considered to have been manufactured.

[0096] Furthermore, the databases and masters in this disclosure may include any data structures (lists, dictionaries, associative arrays, objects, etc.) in which information is structurally defined. Data structures also include data that can be considered as data structures by combining data with functions, classes, methods, etc. written in any programming language.

[0097] The communication unit is implemented by the communication IF991. The communication unit provides the functionality to communicate with other computers 90 via the network. The communication unit can receive information transmitted from other computers 90 and input it to the control unit. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to perform information processing on the received information according to various programs. The communication unit can also transmit information output from the control unit to other computers 90.

[0098] Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc., may be implemented in hardware, in whole or in part, for example, by designing them as integrated circuits. The present invention can also be implemented by software program code that realizes the functions of the embodiment. In this case, a storage medium on which the program code is recorded is provided to a computer, and the processor of that computer reads the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium itself realizes the functions of the embodiment described above, and the program code itself and the storage medium on which it is stored constitute the present invention. Examples of storage media used to supply such program code include flexible disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, hard disks, SSDs, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, etc.

[0099] Furthermore, the program code that implements the functions described in this embodiment can be implemented in a wide range of programming or scripting languages, such as assembler, C / C++, Perl, Shell, PHP, and Java (registered trademark).

[0100] Furthermore, the program code for the software that implements the functions of the embodiment may be distributed via a network and stored in a storage means such as a computer's hard disk or memory, or in a storage medium such as a CD-RW or CD-R, and the computer's processor may read and execute the program code stored in the storage means or storage medium.

[0101] The functions realized by the components described herein may be implemented in a circuit or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), CPUs (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to realize the functions described herein. A processor is considered a circuit or processing circuitry, including transistors and other circuits. A processor may be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in memory. In this specification, circuitry, unit, and means are hardware programmed to perform or execute the functions described herein. Such hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein, or any hardware known to be programmed to perform or execute the functions described herein. If the hardware is a processor that is considered to be a type of circuitry, then the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to constitute the hardware and / or processor.

[0102] While several embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, these embodiments can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0103] (Note) The details described in each of the above embodiments are noted below.

[0104] (Note 1) An off-grid building module in which a person can stay without receiving electricity from the power grid or water from the water supply system, comprising: a power generator; a power storage device for storing the electricity generated by the power generator; a power consumption device for consuming the electricity generated by the power generator or the electricity stored in the power storage device; a heat source supply means for collecting a heat-containing medium emitted as a result of daily activities; a heat exchange means for separating the thermal energy of the heat-containing medium supplied from the heat source supply means from any impurities that may be contained in the medium and transferring it to a clean heat medium; and a heat pump device that uses the heat transferred to the clean heat medium by the heat exchange means as a heat source and supplies thermal energy to the power consumption device.

[0105] (Note 2) The off-grid building module described in (Note 1) is characterized in that the heat-containing medium collected by the heat source supply means is warm wastewater discharged from a bath or shower.

[0106] (Note 3) The heat-containing medium collected by the heat source supply means is the combustion exhaust gas discharged from a fireplace or wood-burning stove. The heat exchange means comprises a filter that removes combustion products contained in the combustion exhaust gas, as described in (Appendix 1), for the off-grid building module.

[0107] (Note 4) The heat source supply means collects waste heat obtained from at least one of the power-consuming devices, such as an air conditioning outdoor unit, a refrigerator, and a ventilation system, in an off-grid building module as described in any of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 3).

[0108] (Note 5) An off-grid building module according to any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 4), further comprising control means for selecting a heat source or cooling source to be used from among multiple heat source candidates, including outside air and purified water, and controlling the operation of a heat pump device.

[0109] (Note 6) The control means selects a heat source or cooling source that maximizes the energy efficiency of the heat pump system according to at least one of the season, time of day, weather, temperature and available heat of each heat source candidate, and the operating mode of the heat pump system, as described in (Appendix 5).

[0110] (Note 7) The control means, when the heat pump device performs heating operation, preferentially selects a heat-containing liquid as the heat source, as described in (Appendix 6), for the off-grid building module.

[0111] (Note 8) The control means controls the operation of the heat pump system by combining a water-based heat source candidate and an air-based heat source candidate, as described in (Appendix 6) or (Appendix 7) of the off-grid building module.

[0112] (Note 9) An off-grid building module as described in any of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 8), further comprising a means for providing information to the user, which calculates at least one of the amount of heat recovered by the heat exchange means, the energy saving effect based on the amount of heat recovered, and the carbon dioxide reduction effect.

[0113] (Note 10) A thermal management method implemented in an off-grid building module, comprising: a step of a heat source supply means collecting a medium containing heat emitted in connection with living activities; a step of a heat exchange means transferring the thermal energy of the heat-containing medium supplied from the heat source supply means to a clean heat medium, separating it from any impurities that may be present in the medium; and a step of a heat pump device supplying thermal energy to power consumption devices within the building module, using the heat transferred to the clean heat medium by the heat exchange means as a heat source.

[0114] (Note 11) A program for operating a computer comprising a processor and memory, wherein the processor A program for causing a heat source to collect a heat-containing medium emitted as a result of daily activities; a heat exchange means to transfer the thermal energy of the heat-containing medium supplied from the heat source to a clean heat medium, separating it from any impurities that may be present in the medium; and a heat pump device to supply thermal energy to power consumption devices within an off-grid building module, using the heat transferred to the clean heat medium by the heat exchange means as a heat source.

[0115] (Note 12) A system comprising a processor and memory, wherein the processor causes a heat-containing medium emitted in connection with daily activities to be collected by a heat source supply means, the heat energy contained in the heat-containing medium supplied from the heat source supply means to be transferred by a heat exchange means to a clean heat medium separated from any impurities that may be contained in the medium, and the heat transferred to the clean heat medium by the heat exchange means to be used as a heat source to supply thermal energy to a heat pump device to power consumption devices within an off-grid building module. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1... System 10…Terminal device 20... Server 30…Off-grid building module 40…Energy supply and consumption equipment 50…Heat circulation equipment 51…Heat source tank (heat source supply means) 52...Heat exchanger (heat exchange means) 54… Heat pump device 303...Control unit (control means) 3034... Information provision module (means of providing information) 80…Wide-area network 81…Local network

Claims

1. Power generation equipment, A power storage device that stores the electricity generated by the aforementioned power generation device, A power consumption device that consumes the electricity generated by the power generation device or the electricity stored in the energy storage device, A heat source supply means for collecting a heat-containing medium emitted as a result of daily activities into a heat source tank, A primary loop through which the heat-containing medium circulates, and a secondary loop through which a clean heat medium circulates, A heat exchange means for separating the thermal energy of the heat-containing medium flowing through the primary loop from impurities that may be contained in the medium and transferring it to a clean heat medium, A heat pump device that uses the heat transferred to the clean heat transfer medium flowing through the secondary loop as a heat source and supplies thermal energy to the power consumption device, A control means for selecting a heat source or cooling source to be used from among multiple heat source candidates, including outside air and purified water, and controlling the operation of the heat pump device, It was placed, The primary loop is configured as a circulating channel that returns the medium, after heat has been removed by the heat exchange means, back to the heat source tank. The control means is configured to perform dual-source control by calculating and comparing evaluation values ​​for each heat source candidate based on the estimated energy efficiency under current operating conditions calculated from the temperature of each heat source candidate, as well as the available heat quantity indicating the sustainability of heat supply calculated from the current water level or temperature, and then dynamically switching the connection system of the heat pump device by selecting the heat source or cooling source that is expected to have the highest efficiency according to the evaluation value. An off-grid building module that can accommodate people without receiving electricity from the power grid or water from the water supply system.

2. The off-grid building module according to claim 1, wherein the control means further monitors the temperature of the medium in the heat source tank and stops the operation of the heat pump device when the temperature falls below a predetermined threshold.

3. The off-grid building module according to claim 1, wherein the heat-containing medium collected by the heat source supply means is hot wastewater discharged from a bath or shower.

4. The heat-containing medium collected by the heat source supply means is combustion exhaust gas discharged from a fireplace or wood-burning stove. The off-grid building module according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange means comprises a filter that removes combustion products contained in the combustion exhaust gas.

5. The off-grid building module according to claim 1, wherein the heat source supply means collects waste heat obtained from at least one of the power consuming devices, an air conditioning outdoor unit, a refrigerator, and a ventilation system.

6. The control means, when the heat pump device performs heating operation, preferentially selects a heat-containing liquid as the heat source, as described in claim 1, for the off-grid building module.

7. The control means controls the operation of the heat pump device by combining a water-based heat source candidate and an air-based heat source candidate, as described in claim 1.

8. The off-grid building module according to claim 1, further comprising an information provision means for calculating at least one of the amount of heat recovered by the heat exchange means, the energy saving effect based on the amount of heat recovered, and the carbon dioxide reduction effect, and presenting this information to the user.

9. A thermal management method implemented in an off-grid building module that is capable of accommodating people without receiving electricity from a power grid or water from a water supply system, The steps include: a heat source supply means collecting a heat-containing medium emitted as a result of daily activities into a heat source tank; In an environment in which the heat-containing medium circulates in a primary loop and a clean heat medium circulates in a secondary loop, the heat exchange means separates the thermal energy of the heat-containing medium flowing in the primary loop from any impurities that may be contained in the medium and transfers it to the clean heat medium flowing in the secondary loop. The steps include: a control means selecting a heat source or cooling source to be used from among multiple heat source candidates, including outside air and purified water, and controlling the operation of the heat pump device; The heat pump device supplies thermal energy to power consumption devices within a building module, using the heat transferred to the clean heat transfer medium flowing through the secondary loop as a heat source. Includes, The primary loop is configured as a circulating channel that returns the medium, after heat has been removed by the heat exchange means, back to the heat source tank. A method for controlling the operation of the heat pump system, wherein the control means calculates and compares an evaluation value for each heat source candidate based on the estimated energy efficiency under current operating conditions calculated from the temperature of each heat source candidate, as well as the available heat amount indicating the sustainability of heat supply calculated from the current water level or temperature, and performs dual-source control by selecting the heat source or cooling source that is expected to have the highest efficiency and dynamically switching the connection system of the heat pump system.

10. A program for operating a computer that includes a processor and memory, The aforementioned processor, A step of having a heat-containing medium emitted as a result of daily activities collected by a heat source supply means into a heat source tank, In transferring heat from a primary loop through which the heat-containing medium circulates to a secondary loop through which a clean heat medium circulates, the heat exchange means provides a step of separating the thermal energy of the heat-containing medium flowing through the primary loop from any impurities that may be contained in the medium and transferring it to the clean heat medium flowing through the secondary loop. The steps include: selecting a heat source or cooling source to be used from among several heat source candidates, including outside air and purified water, and having the control means control the operation of the heat pump device; The steps include: using the heat transferred to the clean heat transfer medium flowing through the secondary loop as a heat source, causing the heat pump device to supply thermal energy to the power consumption devices within the off-grid building module; Make it run, The primary loop is configured as a circulating channel that returns the medium, after heat has been removed by the heat exchange means, back to the heat source tank. In the step of controlling the operation of the heat pump system, the control means is configured to perform dual-source control, which involves calculating and comparing evaluation values ​​for each heat source candidate based on the estimated energy efficiency under current operating conditions calculated from the temperature of each heat source candidate, as well as the available heat quantity indicating the sustainability of heat supply calculated from the current water level or temperature, and then dynamically switching the connection system of the heat pump system by selecting the heat source or cooling source that is expected to have the highest efficiency according to the evaluation value. The aforementioned off-grid building module is a program that allows people to stay in it without receiving electricity from the power grid or water from the water supply system.

11. A system comprising a processor and memory, The processor is, A heat-containing medium emitted as a result of daily activities is collected in a heat source tank by a heat source supply means. In transferring heat from a primary loop through which the heat-containing medium circulates to a secondary loop through which a clean heat medium circulates, the heat exchange means separates the thermal energy of the heat-containing medium flowing through the primary loop from any impurities that may be present in the medium and transfers it to the clean heat medium flowing through the secondary loop. From among multiple heat source candidates, including outside air and purified water, the heat source or cooling source to be used is selected and the operation of the heat pump device is controlled by the control means. Using the heat transferred to the clean heat transfer medium flowing through the secondary loop as a heat source, the heat pump device supplies thermal energy to the power consumption devices within the off-grid building module. The primary loop is configured as a circulating channel that returns the medium, after heat has been removed by the heat exchange means, back to the heat source tank. The processor is configured to control the operation of the heat pump system by having the control means calculate and compare evaluation values ​​for each heat source candidate based on the estimated energy efficiency under current operating conditions calculated from the temperature of each heat source candidate, as well as the available heat amount indicating the sustainability of heat supply calculated from the current water level or temperature, and then dynamically switch the connection system of the heat pump system by selecting the heat source or cooling source that is expected to have the highest efficiency according to the evaluation value, thereby performing dual-source control. The off-grid building module to which this system applies is a system that allows people to stay without receiving electricity from the power grid or water from the water supply system.

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