Control system bypass for industrial refrigeration

Abstract

Some embodiments include a control bypass system for an industrial refrigeration facility. In some embodiments, the control bypass system includes a cloud scheduler and a bypass controller. The cloud scheduler can be located in a remote location. The cloud scheduler can create power extraction regulations for one or more refrigeration equipment items at the industrial refrigeration facility. For example, the power extraction regulations can include a desired power extraction level for one or more refrigeration equipment items at the industrial refrigeration facility, and the desired power extraction level changes over a time period. The bypass controller can be located at the industrial refrigeration facility and receive the power extraction regulations from the cloud scheduler, generate an environmental set point for one or more equipment items, and output the environmental set point to a device or system controller.

Description

Background Art

[0001] A successful control system may have sufficient sensor data and direct control over the equipment it is intended to control. However, there are situations where it is not possible to directly set the output of a controller (e.g., the speed of an electric motor, the position of a valve, the current through a heater, the flow rate of a pump, etc.). There are many situations where direct control may not be possible. For example, an existing control system may already be installed and may only provide a feasible interface through which the desired action is communicated to the equipment. In addition, a cold storage facility may be able to sense and control environmental parameters within the cold storage facility. Summary of the invention

[0002] Some embodiments include a system comprising: a cloud scheduler located in a remote location; and a bypass controller that receives a power withdrawal profile from the cloud scheduler and outputs an environmental set point to a device or system controller.

[0003] Some embodiments include a method comprising: receiving a power draw specification from a cloud scheduler; converting the power draw specification to a temperature set point; and communicating the temperature set point to a device or system controller.

[0004] Mentioning these illustrative embodiments does not limit or define the present disclosure, but provides examples to assist in understanding it. Additional embodiments are discussed in the detailed description, and further description is provided herein. The advantages provided by one or more of the various embodiments may be further understood by examining this specification or by practicing one or more of the embodiments presented.

[0005] Some embodiments include a control bypass system for an industrial refrigeration facility. In some embodiments, the control bypass system includes a cloud scheduler and a bypass controller. The cloud scheduler can be located in a remote location. The cloud scheduler can create power extraction regulations for one or more refrigeration equipment items at the industrial refrigeration facility. For example, the power extraction regulations may include the expected power extraction level for one or more refrigeration equipment items at the industrial refrigeration facility, and the expected power extraction level changes over time periods. The bypass controller can be located at the industrial refrigeration facility and receive the power extraction regulations from the cloud scheduler, generate an environmental set point for one or more equipment items, and output the environmental set point to a device or system controller. In some embodiments, the system controller includes a PID controller.

[0006] Some embodiments may include a method comprising: receiving power extraction regulations from a remote server at a bypass controller at an industrial refrigeration facility, the power extraction regulations including desired power extraction levels for one or more refrigeration equipment items at the industrial refrigeration facility, and the desired power extraction levels varying over a time period; at the bypass controller, converting the power extraction regulations into a temperature set point for a portion of the refrigeration facility based on a mathematical model of the one or more refrigeration equipment items; and transmitting the temperature set point to a refrigeration facility system controller coupled to the one or more refrigeration equipment items.

[0007] In some embodiments, the one or more items of refrigeration equipment include one or more of: motors, valves, containers, evaporators, condensers, pumps, compressors, doors, underground heating elements, lights, thawing equipment, centrifuges, and / or furnaces.

[0008] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving temperature data at the bypass controller from a temperature sensor at the portion of the refrigerated facility; determining at the bypass controller whether the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching a threshold temperature value for the portion of the refrigerated facility; and if the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching the threshold temperature value, then: generating a second temperature set point; and communicating the second temperature set point to the system controller.

[0009] Some embodiments include a bypass controller. The bypass controller may communicate with a cloud controller and an equipment controller at an industrial refrigeration facility. The bypass controller may include: a transceiver that receives data from a cloud scheduler located in a location remote from the industrial refrigeration facility; and a processor. The processor may receive a power draw specification for one or more refrigeration equipment items at the industrial refrigeration facility, the power draw specification including a desired power draw level for the one or more refrigeration equipment items at the industrial refrigeration facility, and the power draw level varies over a time period. The processor may generate an environmental set point for the one or more equipment items.

[0010] The processor may output the environmental set point to a device controller or a system controller.

[0011] In some embodiments, the processor may output the environmental set point via the transceiver. In some embodiments, the processor may output the environmental set point via an output separate and distinct from the transceiver. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an industrial facility control system according to some embodiments.

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a direct expansion single-stage vapor compression refrigeration system according to some embodiments.

[0015] Figure 3 It is an example schematic diagram of an existing PID control system.

[0016] Figure 4 is an example schematic diagram of a PID control system according to some embodiments.

[0017] Figure 5 is an example schematic diagram of a PID control system according to some embodiments.

[0018] Figure 6 is an example schematic diagram of a PID control system according to some embodiments.

[0019] Fig. 7A is a plot of the temperature during a defrost cycle for a system with and without a bypass controller, and Figure 7B It is a graph of power.

[0020] Fig. 8A is a graph of power draw of a chiller when the chiller is used as a thermal battery without control system bypass according to some embodiments, and Figure 8B is a graph of temperature.

[0021] Fig. 9A is a graph of power draw of a chiller when the chiller is used as a thermal battery with the control system bypassed, according to some embodiments, and Fig. 9B is a graph of temperature.

[0022] Fig.10 is a flow chart of a process for bypassing a control system according to some embodiments.

[0023] Fig.11 is a flow chart of a process for bypassing a control system according to some embodiments.

[0024] Fig.12 An illustrative computing system is shown for performing functions to facilitate implementation of the embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In some embodiments, a successful control system may have sufficient environmental sensor data and direct control over the equipment it is intended to control. However, there are situations where it is not possible to directly set the output of the controller (e.g., the speed of an electric motor, the position of a valve, the current through a heater, the flow rate of a pump, etc.). There are many situations where direct control may not be possible, such as, for example, an existing control system may already be installed and may only provide a feasible interface through which the desired action is delivered to the equipment. This can include, for example, that interfacing with an existing control system may only allow for pushing set points (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.), rather than giving direct control over the output (e.g., motor speed, valve position, applied voltage, etc.).

[0026] As another example, some means of changing the state of equipment may not directly set the state, but may set the rate of change of state. This may include, for example, a sliding valve whose position is controlled by rotating a rack and pinion mechanism (or a hydraulically actuated valve) to gradually increase or decrease the valve opening, which may set the rate of change of pressure within the container. In this case, the control action directly affects only the rate at which the valve opens, not the position of the valve itself.

[0027] As yet another example, some equipment may be controlled by an equipment controller or facility controller. These controllers may receive environmental set points (e.g., temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.) and control the equipment based on the environmental set points. However, these controllers may not be able to control the equipment based on power or energy requirements. And, for example, may not be able to do so while ensuring that certain environmental parameters remain within appropriate thresholds.

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an industrial facility control system 100 (e.g., such as an industrial cold storage facility) according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the industrial facility control system 100 includes a scheduler 105. The scheduler 105 can be a cloud-based computing system (e.g., Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, IBM Cloud, etc.) or a local computing system that can use various predictive techniques based on the state of the facility determined based on data from various sensors within the industrial facility 110 to control various controllable devices, which operation can occur through an on-site facility coordinator, or can occur directly from a cloud scheduler, or both. In some embodiments, the scheduler 105 can include various algorithms that can be used to optimize energy usage based on various metrics (e.g., such as based on energy usage within the industrial facility 110).

[0029] In some embodiments, the industrial facility control system 100 includes an industrial facility 110 and a scheduler 105. The industrial facility 110 may include any type of facility that may include various subsystems and / or systems. For example, the industrial facility 110 may be a cold storage facility, a factory, a farm, a packaging plant, a dairy, a planting facility, a hydroponic facility, a warehouse, a distribution center, a cement manufacturing facility, an oil and gas processing facility, a water treatment plant, an oil refinery, a petrochemical processing facility, a chemical processing facility, a natural gas processing facility, crop irrigation, a water district, desalination, etc.

[0030] In some embodiments, the industrial facility control system 100 may include a facility coordinator 115. The facility coordinator 115 may communicate with the scheduler 105 via any network connection. In some embodiments, the network connection may be a wired connection (e.g., such as via the Internet). In some embodiments, a communication channel between the facility coordinator 115 and the scheduler 105 may be initiated via a request from the facility coordinator 115. In some embodiments, the network connection may be a wireless connection (e.g., such as a 4G or 5G network (or similar network), an LTE network, a satellite network, etc.).

[0031] In some embodiments, the industrial facility 110 may include any number of controllable devices (e.g., such as motors 120 (e.g., fans, turbines, etc.), valves 125, containers, evaporators, condensers, pumps, compressors, doors, underground heating elements, lighting equipment, thawing equipment, centrifuges, furnaces, etc.). In some embodiments, the controllable devices may be controlled by device controllers that interface with the facility coordinator 115. For example, a container may be controlled by a container controller 130; an evaporator may be controlled by an evaporator controller 135; a condenser may be controlled by a condenser controller 140; a pump may be controlled by a pump controller 145, a channel door controller 150, a valve may be controlled by a valve controller, and a heater / heating element may be controlled by a heater / heating element controller or any other controllable device or controller. In some embodiments, these controllers may be coupled to the facility coordinator 115, may be integrated with the controllable devices, and / or may or may not be designed by the manufacturer of the controllable devices.

[0032] In some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 may communicate with each of the controllable devices and may provide commands to the various controllable devices.

[0033] In some embodiments, the industrial facility 110 may include any number of sensors (e.g., such as temperature sensors 170, tank pressure sensors 175, condenser pressure sensors 180, compressor oil pressure sensors 185, tank level sensors 190, humidity sensors, fan speed sensors, voltage sensors, or anemometers, flow meters, microphones, vibration sensors, pH meters, densitometers, chemical concentration sensors, or any other sensors 195). The sensors may include any type of transducer that can translate physical properties into electrical signals (analog or digital) that can be communicated to the facility coordinator 115 via a wired or wireless communication network. In some embodiments, the sensors may include any type of Internet of Things (IoT) device that can measure physical properties and communicate those properties to a network database (e.g., such as at the facility coordinator 115).

[0034] In some embodiments, industrial facility 110 may be a cold storage facility that may include any number of buildings. In some embodiments, industrial facility 110 may include one or more cold storage buildings that use a vapor compression refrigeration system to cool one or more rooms within the cold storage facility.

[0035] exist Figure 2 200. Refrigeration system 200 may include one or more compressors 205, one or more condensers 210, a container 215, one or more expansion valves 220, one or more evaporators 230, a plurality of evaporator fans 225, and a plurality of condenser fans 240. In some embodiments, condenser 210 may include a plurality of condenser fans 240. In some embodiments, evaporation member may include a plurality of evaporator fans 225. Container 215, although graphically shown as two containers, may be a single container. In some embodiments, container 215 may enclose refrigerant in both gaseous and liquid states. The liquid level in container 215 may vary based on various parameters.

[0036] In some embodiments, a circulating liquid refrigerant may be used in a refrigeration system 200 as a medium that absorbs and removes heat from a space to be cooled within an industrial facility 110 and then removes the heat elsewhere. The refrigeration system 200 may include a compressor 205, a condenser 210, a thermal expansion valve 220 (e.g., which may also be referred to as a throttling valve or a metering valve), an evaporator 230, or a container 215. The circulating refrigerant may enter the compressor 205 from the container 215 in a thermodynamic state called a vapor (e.g., a saturated vapor or an unsaturated vapor) and be compressed to a higher pressure, also resulting in a higher temperature. The hot compressed vapor may then be in a thermodynamic state called a superheated vapor and at a temperature and pressure at which it may be condensed by cooling water or cooling air flowing through coils or pipes in the condenser 210. This is where the circulating refrigerant may remove heat from the system. The removed heat may be carried away by water or air (whichever is acceptable). For example, a condenser fan 240 may blow air across the condenser 210, which may warm the air that is carrying the heat away.

[0037] The condensed liquid refrigerant in a thermodynamic state known as a saturated liquid can then be returned to the container 215 and retained therein. The liquid refrigerant can then be routed through the expansion valve 220 where it is subjected to an abrupt reduction in pressure. This pressure reduction can result in adiabatic flash evaporation of a portion of the liquid refrigerant. The autorefrigeration effect of the adiabatic flash evaporation can reduce the temperature of the liquid and vapor refrigerant mixture to a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the enclosed space to be refrigerated; this can occur within the evaporator 230.

[0038] The cold mixture may be routed through coils or tubes in the evaporator 230. One or more evaporator fans 225 may circulate warm air through the coils or tubes carrying the cold refrigerant liquid and vapor mixture in the enclosed space. The warm air evaporates the liquid portion of the cold refrigerant mixture. At the same time, the circulating air is cooled and thus reduces the temperature of the enclosed space. The evaporator 230 is where the circulating refrigerant absorbs and removes heat, which is then rejected in the condenser 210 and transferred to other places by the water or air used in the condenser 210.

[0039] To complete the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator 230 becomes a saturated vapor again and is routed back to the compressor 205 .

[0040] In some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 may receive sensor data from one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the sensor data may be stored at the facility coordinator 115. In some embodiments, the sensor data may be delivered to the scheduler 105 and / or stored in a database in the cloud scheduler. In some embodiments, the sensor data may be stored at the facility coordinator 115 and delivered to the scheduler 105 at a predetermined rhythm (e.g., such as every minute, every few minutes, every 15 minutes, every hour, every day, every week, or every month). In some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 may also deliver information such as effective regulations, corrective actions applied, modifications to regulations, and the like. In some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 may apply certain corrective actions based on the sensor data.

[0041] In order to control the facility, in some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 may receive one or more regulations from the scheduler 105. The regulations may include one or more environmental, power or energy, process or facility set points to be performed or implemented by the facility coordinator 115. The regulations may be time-varying and / or change over time periods. In some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 may translate the regulations to implement environmental set points based on specific equipment, equipment, environment, controllers, etc. located within the industrial facility 110. In some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 may receive abstract or broad facility regulations and translate these regulations into translated regulations that may include, for example, environmental set points that may be implemented, applied or executed within a specific facility by changing equipment controllers and / or higher-level control systems, individual equipment actuator signals, etc., and / or some combination thereof. The facility coordinator 115 may translate the regulations from the scheduler 105 into actionable regulations at the specific industrial facility 110 based on various constraints and equipment at the specific industrial facility 110. In some embodiments, the scheduler 105 may perform a certain translation of the regulations and then transmit them to the facility coordinator 115.

[0042] In some embodiments, the scheduler 105 may provide regulations to attempt to optimize energy usage within the industrial facility 110. For example, the regulations may include energy or temperature set points for a particular industrial facility 110 and / or a portion of a component of the industrial facility 110 (e.g., such as one or more rooms or one or more blast cells); fan speed set points for one or more fans; container pressure set points or container level set points for one or more containers, compressor energy usage set points or compressor speed set points for one or more compressors; thaw time periods or schedules, durations of thaw sub-events within thaw events, condenser pressure set points for one or more compressors, irrigation access door position set points, pump power set points or pump speed set points for one or more water pumps, irrigation line valve set points for one or more irrigation line valves, fertilizer feed rates, flow rate set points for one or more water pumps, industrial agitator motor speed set points, or turbine speed set points for one or more motors, etc.

[0043] In some embodiments, the facility coordinator may include Fig.11 All or part of the components of computing system 1100 are shown.

[0044] Additionally, in some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 may receive one or more equipment constraints, operational constraints, or environmental constraints (jointly or individually, "constraints") from the scheduler 105, or have one or more equipment constraints, operational constraints, or environmental constraints hard-coded within the facility coordinator 115. The facility coordinator 115 may receive one or more constraints from the scheduler 105 at a given time and update the constraints at the facility coordinator 115. In some embodiments, the constraints may be hard-coded within the equipment or devices, or hard-coded within the facility coordinator 115. In some embodiments, certain hard-coded constraints may not be remotely modifiable.

[0045] For example, equipment constraints may include maximum tank pressure, minimum tank pressure, maximum tank level, minimum tank level, maximum compressor oil temperature, maximum compressor inlet pressure, minimum compressor discharge pressure, minimum operating compressor speed, maximum condenser pressure, maximum fan speed, minimum operating fan speed, etc. For example, any equipment constraint may be a function of operational, environmental, and other equipment conditions.

[0046] For example, environmental constraints may include maximum temperature, minimum temperature, maximum humidity, minimum humidity, maximum pressure, minimum pressure, lights on / off, etc. In some embodiments, environmental constraints may be specific to a facility, a subsection of a facility, or a given room within a facility. In some embodiments, environmental constraints may depend on a product, a product line, or a product type.

[0047] For example, operational constraints may include any type of constraints related to operations, or constraints that are not environmental constraints or equipment constraints. For example, operational constraints may include constraints for operations such as periodically thawing a specific duct, reducing fan speed during specific hours, reducing or turning off a fan when a door is open or during a period of time when it is being opened, freezing a specific item quickly within a specific time period, light on time, light off time, etc. For example, operational constraints may include time-based constraints.

[0048] In some embodiments, constraints can be hierarchical. For example, a temperature constraint can override a constraint that limits the time period during which a fan is running. As another example, a container pressure constraint can override a fan speed constraint. As another example, an equipment constraint can override an operational constraint. As another example, an equipment maintenance scheduling constraint can take precedence over a cooling power constraint or have a priority over a cooling power constraint. Constraints can take a hierarchy of priorities, including the immutable nature of a piece of equipment (e.g., fan speed is defined by zero and its maximum rpm, the liquid level of a container is defined by zero and the height of the container, etc.), environmental constraints (e.g., room temperature, humidity, etc.), and prescribed constraints (e.g., the scheduler specifies fan speed, cooling power, etc.). In all cases, the prescribed constraints have the lowest priority. As an example, a room temperature operating constraint can override an evaporator fan speed provision / cooling power extraction provision. As another example, a container pressure safety constraint can override an environmental constraint (e.g., such as a room temperature set point). Various other hierarchies can be defined and followed.

[0049] In some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 or scheduler 105 can provide rapid prototyping and real-time data analysis via cloud access to all sensor or process data. In some embodiments, custom user privilege levels can be set at the application level to ensure secure and reliable cloud access. In some embodiments, a secure buffer protocol can be used to ensure synchronization between the facility coordinator and the scheduler 105.

[0050] In some embodiments, the facility coordinator 115 or scheduler 105 may implement hierarchical set points, set point imbalances, or set point ranges to safely control individual components, controllable devices, or sensors. For example, an energy strategy may request a specific speed for an evaporator fan, but if the freezer temperature reaches a user-defined limit, the control system must override the request.

[0051] In some embodiments, virtual sensors can be used. In some embodiments, a user can define a composition of multiple physical sensors or external data to create a virtual sensor. For example, a virtual sensor can be used in any scenario where a physical sensor can be used (e.g., triggering an alarm, or controlling a system process). For example, the suction pressure, the discharge pressure, and the compressor power can be transformed (e.g., using mathematical transformations) to create a virtual sensor representing the thermal power and efficiency of the compressor. In some embodiments, the cooling efficiency can include thermal work relative to electrical work over a period of time (e.g., the heat absorbed by the evaporator). For example, another virtual sensor can describe the cooling power (e.g., the heat removed) provided by a given evaporator or evaporator set via a mathematical transformation based on a model that is a function of the evaporator fan speed, air temperature, evaporator coil temperature, coolant flow rate through the evaporator, related equipment properties, or coolant properties or other related physical properties. For example, an alarm can be created to notify the operation when the compressor is performing poorly and requires maintenance.

[0052] In some embodiments, multi-input and / or multi-output process control can be implemented at the facility coordinator. For example, a user can define a custom control process that combines multiple sensors (e.g., including virtual sensors) to control multiple outputs via a user-defined control method (e.g., PID and deadband). For example, a custom control process can set a facility electrical load by combining sensors throughout the plant and dynamically adjusting multiple components of a refrigeration system simultaneously.

[0053] exist Figure 3 An example schematic diagram of a control system is shown in FIG. 1. In this example, a desired set point y* (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.) is given and fed to an existing PID controller 305 (proportional-integral-derivative controller) along with an output y from a physical system 310. The PID controller 305 can perform mathematical operations on the set point y* and the physical system output y and produce a control variable u, which is the result to be applied to the system.

[0054] Assuming that the existing control system does a good job of ensuring that the output y matches the desired set point y*, then this strategy is theoretically valid. There are many situations where this strategy may be suboptimal. For example, the PID controller 305 may be suboptimal when the existing control system is not well tuned, and therefore does a poor job of matching the output y to the set point y* (e.g., the output y oscillates wildly whenever the set point changes). As another example, the PID controller 305 may be suboptimal when one does not desire the y set point but rather the control variable u set point (e.g., that is, one wishes to directly manipulate the control effort or other state of the system rather than the system output y).

[0055] Some embodiments described in this disclosure may manipulate the set points of existing controllers to produce desired results.

[0056] Figure 4 is an example schematic diagram of a PID controller 305 according to some embodiments. The goal may be to set the system to a set point y* using the PID controller 305 controlling the control variable u. The PID controller 305 may be considered inverted, for example, as shown by the dashed line 405. For example, an external controller may mathematically infer the set point y* from the variable u* by reversing the operation inside the PID controller 305. For example, this may require assumptions about the output y (e.g., it is constant, linear, etc.).

[0057] In some embodiments, the system model physics may be inverted (e.g., line 410). For example, the PID dynamics may also be transformed. In some embodiments, the set point may first be set by the PID controller 305, which may attempt to get as close to the output y as possible. In this example, the temperature is not controlled, and the control variable u (e.g., the control outcome) is controlled. Rather than inferring the outcome (e.g., variable u) to get the set point, the temperature may be inferred to get the outcome. For example, an external controller may mathematically infer the set point y* from the variable u* by simulating the system using a quantitative physical model. For example, this may require making an assumption that the existing PID is ideal (such that the set point y* = set point y).

[0058] In some embodiments, the controller may choose to switch between the strategy of reversing PID operation and reversing the physical model.

[0059] Figure 5 is an example schematic diagram of a PID control system 500 according to some embodiments. In this example, a control system 505 can be coupled to a PID controller 305 and can receive feedback from the output of the PID controller 305: a control variable u. The control system 505 can input a set point u* and a control variable u. In some embodiments, the control system 505 can be a PID controller, a model predictive controller, or another controller.

[0060] In some embodiments, this example may include Figure 4 and / or Figure 3 Combinations of the examples shown. For example, making the appropriate assumptions described above, the PID control system 500 may be a model predictive control (MPC) using an existing PID controller 305 (to implement DIP) or system model physics (to implement PMS).

[0061] In some embodiments, the control system 505 may include an MPC, whose model is considered a combined system-PID model. In this example, the existing control system may be a PID control system.

[0062] Figure 6 600 according to some embodiments. Cloud scheduler 605 may include scheduler 105. Bypass controller 610 (e.g., ATLAS controller) may include facility controller 115 or control system 505. Existing control system 615 may include all or a subset of the equipment and / or controllers of industrial facility 110.

[0063] Three control loops are shown. For example, control loop 625 may be, for example, Figure 3 The existing PID control loop shown. For example, the control loop 625 can be a response control loop. For example, in the control loop 625, the existing controller can output a voltage signal from a sensor and input an environmental signal (e.g., temperature, pressure, motor speed, etc.).

[0064] For example, the control loop 630 may be Figure 5 630 is shown. In control loop 630, for example, bypass controller 610 (e.g., ATLAS controller) can input environmental signals (e.g., temperature, pressure, motor speed, etc.) from sensor set points, and / or output temperature set points. For example, control loop 630 may be less responsive than control loop 625, but more responsive than control loop 635.

[0065] The control loop 635 can be executed on a server in the cloud or on a local server. For example, the control loop 635 can be slower than slow, can include various power optimizations, and / or can operate on complex models. For example, in the control loop 635, the cloud scheduler 605 can extract data or signals from sensor output power, and / or input environmental signals (e.g., temperature, pressure, motor speed, etc.).

[0066] In some embodiments, the optimized power draw schedule can be calculated by the cloud scheduler 605, which can be a local or cloud-based server. The regulations can be passed down to the bypass controller 610, which can convert the power draw into a temperature set point that the existing control system 615 can accept via one of the above methods. For example, the bypass controller 610 can push the temperature set point to the existing control system 615, which can reside on an existing controller at the facility, for example. For example, the existing control system 615 can then output a voltage signal to the equipment within the facility, which can warn of its status and have the effect of drawing a possibly different amount of current. At the same time, the control loop 625 that is not under the direct control of the bypass controller 610 or the cloud scheduler 605 can continue to operate to match the temperature set point provided by the bypass controller 610.

[0067] In some embodiments, if the model being used by bypass controller 610 is accurate, the resulting power draw will match the prescribed power draw passed down from cloud scheduler 605 to bypass controller 610. Any disturbances in the equipment that may cause deviations between the predicted state trajectory and the actual trajectory may manifest as differences in the feedback signal, which bypass controller 610 can read and compare to its internal model to determine how it needs to change its temperature set point to maintain a power draw equal to the power draw set point.

[0068] In some embodiments, the control loop 630 may be used to reduce (e.g., Figure 2 These power spikes can be used, for example, to handle random disturbances from the opening of a refrigerator door by bypassing disturbances to the room temperature.

[0069] In some embodiments, the cloud scheduler 605 can send a power draw set point to the bypass controller 610. The bypass controller 610 can determine an optimized cooling schedule for the chiller to maintain the temperature limit based on the power draw set point using any type of mathematical model (e.g., a quantitative thermal model). When the bypass controller 610 pushes the corresponding optimized temperature set point schedule to the existing control system 615, any thermal disturbance (e.g., from unforeseen effects (e.g., heat flux through the door)) will cause the control loop 635 to start the chiller to match the temperature set point. This situation may not match the model at the bypass controller 610 because the temperature limit is wide enough to accommodate these fluctuations, and doing so will eliminate the electrical demand spike that would be required if the temperature set point was followed in a conventional manner.

[0070] In some embodiments, the cloud scheduler 605 can push an electrical draw schedule that is applied by the virtual control only if the chiller already has an immutable control system installed. The electrical draw schedule can be passed to the bypass controller 610, which determines the temperature set point schedule to begin applying to the system to achieve the desired electrical draw schedule and sends the temperature set point to the existing control system 615.

[0071] In some embodiments, a bypass control system may be used to reduce power spikes in an industrial refrigeration system due to random disturbances from the opening of a refrigerator door by bypassing disturbances to low pressure receiver (LPR) pressure and / or levels.

[0072] In some embodiments, the cloud scheduler 605 can use a mathematical model (e.g., such as a quantitative thermal model) to determine an optimal cooling schedule for the chiller by considering how much power is available to maintain the margins. When the bypass controller 610 pushes the corresponding optimal pressure set point schedule to the existing control system 615, any thermal disturbance (from unforeseen effects (e.g., heat flux through the door, expansion valve opening, thawing, etc.)) may cause the control loop 625 to start the compressor to maintain the tank pressure / level set point. This situation is not considered by the scheduler because the pressure / level range is wide enough to accommodate these fluctuations, and doing so will eliminate the electrical demand spikes that would be required if the set points were followed in a traditional manner.

[0073] In some embodiments, the cloud scheduler may provide an electrical draw schedule to the bypass controller 610. The bypass controller 610 may determine a pressure / level set point schedule to send to the existing control system 615 to be applied to the system to achieve the desired electrical draw schedule.

[0074] Fig. 7A is a plot of temperature during a defrost cycle for a system with and without bypass controller 610, and Figure 7B is a graph of power. In the upper graph (without the bypass controller 610), whenever a thaw event (e.g., an unexpected thaw event) occurs, the existing control system 615 can detect that the room temperature is above the temperature set point (e.g., set point line 715). A thaw event can be any event that injects a large amount of heat into the system to melt the ice on the evaporator. For example, the existing controller can sense the change in temperature and blow air to the refrigerator to try to compensate and bring the temperature to the set point.

[0075] In the lower plot, with bypass controller 610, an increase in temperature is accepted as long as the temperature is below the maximum temperature. In response to this, the system may not attempt to drive the temperature back to the temperature set point 715 immediately, and does not cause the power draw spike associated with bringing the temperature back down to the set point. In this example, the temperature stays within bounds, and the power draw is reduced. In some embodiments, if the temperature within the chiller approaches or exceeds Tmax, the bypass controller 610 may require the existing controller to turn on the chiller to ensure that the temperature stays within bounds.

[0076] Fig. 8A is a graph of power draw of a chiller when the chiller is used as a thermal battery without control system bypass according to some embodiments, and Figure 8B is a plot of temperature. In some embodiments, unexpected heat flux into a freezer / cooler / refrigerator can be mitigated by using room temperature as a thermal battery.

[0077] In some embodiments, the freezer / cooler / refrigerator can be operated under an optimized control schedule to minimize utility charges due to high energy usage and / or high energy prices during specific times of the day. These specific times can include any time period (e.g., such as between 12 noon and 5 p.m.).

[0078] In some embodiments, the system may determine that the price of electricity for use between certain hours (e.g., the hours of 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.) (or any other time period determined by the system or input by the user) is very high. An optimal schedule may be determined based on typical operation of the chiller, such as Fig. 8A 805 in FIG. 8 . The schedule provided by the cloud scheduler may dictate that the chiller be run at more power during cheap times and less power during expensive times. The cloud scheduler may calculate this based on the knowledge that the chiller temperature may be maintained within allowable limits (shown as black dashed lines) (e.g., such as between approximately 20° F. and 0° F.), which it may calculate using a mathematical model of the chiller. In some embodiments, the cloud scheduler may not have the capability to directly control chiller power draw, but may only have control over temperature set points, such as Figure 8B As shown by line 815 in .

[0079] For example, to consume the expected utility power, a mathematical model of chiller physics can be used to relate the consumed power to the resulting chiller temperature as a function of time. The result is that the chiller consumes the expected amount of power from the utility, assuming the model is a good representation of the real world physics. However, the model is not 100% accurate, so there may be discrepancies between the temperature set point and the actual chiller temperature ( Figure 8BThe difference between the line 820 in FIG. 8 and thus the scheduled power draw and the actual power draw ( Fig. 8A In this example, the source of the difference between the model and real-world reality is that unforeseen heat fluxes are generated, which can cause the actual chiller temperature to rise significantly. Since the chiller operates on a temperature control system, this temperature increase produces a corresponding increase in the actual power drawn from the utility, as Fig. 8A This is shown as line 810 in . This is unacceptable because such an increase in power draw is undesirable and will cost us a great deal of money.

[0080] In some embodiments, a control bypass system can compensate for this by developing a relationship between temperature and power draw using a control system model rather than using a physical model (which may be susceptible to unforeseen disturbances). In the case of a control system bypass, rather than scheduling a temperature set point ahead of time, a desired power draw (or any other parameter) can be scheduled ahead of time, and one of the methods described earlier in this document is applied to command an appropriate temperature set point to draw the desired amount of power from the chiller system.

[0081] In some embodiments, a disturbance 825 may create a non-negotiable change in physics that will affect power draw, temperature, or both. In some embodiments, a control system bypass may choose which of these outcomes is the most favorable. The following figure shows the same graph as before, but with a control system bypass. In this example, when an unforeseen heat flux (disturbance) occurs, the effects of the disturbance are completely absorbed into warming the freezer, rather than drawing more power from the utility during the expensive time window.

[0082] Fig. 9A is a graph of the power draw of a refrigerator when the refrigerator (or chiller) is used with a control system bypass according to some embodiments, and Fig. 9B is a graph of temperature. For example, a refrigerator can act as a thermal battery.

[0083] In some embodiments, the cloud scheduler can calculate an optimized schedule assuming an idealized model with lower power draws during times with high utility prices. During expensive parts of the day, the resulting power draw is significantly reduced. For example, during this time, the compressor can draw power when necessary to reduce the pressure of the vessel, and it can do this by running the control system on the vessel pressure. In some embodiments, to produce the desired utility power draw, the cloud controller can use a mathematical model to determine the physical relationship between the pressure of the vessel and the required compressor power draw, and then push a pressure set point schedule to the control system to try to match the actual power draw with the desired power draw.

[0084] In some embodiments, an unexpected disturbance may occur that increases the pressure in the vessel more than the model anticipates. When this occurs, the vessel pressure may rise, and the control system may run the compressor to compensate, which may use utility power during expensive parts of the day. For example, with the control system bypassed, the desired power draw schedule may be determined as before, but the model of the control system (rather than the vessel pressure and condenser physics) may be used to relate the pressure set point to the power draw used by the compressor. The associated figures appear the same as the previous two figures, except that the temperature axis is replaced by pressure.

[0085] like Fig. 9B As shown, the temperature 815 maintained within the refrigerator remains within the temperature threshold.

[0086] Fig.10 is a flow chart of a process 1100 for bypassing a control system according to some embodiments. The process 1000 may include additional blocks, some blocks may be skipped or may not be used, and / or the blocks may occur in any order.

[0087] Process 1000 begins at block 1005. A bypass control system (e.g., facility coordinator 115) may receive a power extraction provision. For example, the power extraction provision may be received from a remote server (e.g., such as from scheduler 105). For example, the power extraction provision may include power levels for one or more equipment items in a facility (e.g., such as a cold storage facility). For example, the power extraction provision may include a power profile that changes over time. For example, the power extraction provision may include a lower power profile during times of high energy demand and / or high energy prices. For example, the power extraction provision may include a higher power profile during times of low power demand and / or low energy prices. For example, the power extraction provision may apply to all equipment items at a facility, a subset of equipment items, or one equipment item at a facility.

[0088] At block 1010, process 1000 determines or creates environmental set points for one or more equipment items based on the power provision. For example, the environmental set points may include temperature set points, humidity set points, pressure set points, etc. For example, the environmental set points may not include energy set points or power set points. For example, the environmental set points may include a temperature set point for a chiller. For example, the temperature of a chiller may be controlled by many different equipment items. The environmental set points may be created based on various models of equipment items and / or facilities that relate environmental parameters to power consumption.

[0089] At block 1015, the environmental set point may be sent to a cold storage facility system controller and / or one or more equipment items. For example, the cold storage facility system controller may include a PID controller or similar controller. For example, the cold storage facility system controller may include one or more of the following: a container controller 130, an evaporator controller 135, a condenser controller 140, a pump controller 145, and / or a channel door controller 150, etc. For example, the cold storage facility system controller may include a chiller controller.

[0090] At block 1020, one or more of the equipment items and / or environmental parameters within the cold storage facility may be measured from one or more sensors. These sensors may include temperature sensors 170, container pressure sensors 175, condenser pressure sensors 180, compressor oil pressure sensors 185, container level sensors 190, and / or other sensors 195.

[0091] In some embodiments, the sensor data and / or actual power consumption data can be used to update the model used by the bypass controller to modify the model used in block 1010 to create an environmental set point according to the power extraction regulations. The updated model can be created and / or updated at the bypass controller and / or the cloud controller.

[0092] At block 1025, if the bypass controller or the cold storage facility system controller determines that the environmental parameter is not below the upper threshold or is not above the lower threshold, process 1000 may proceed to block 1030. If the bypass controller or the cold storage facility system controller determines that the measured environmental data is above or near the upper threshold and / or below or near the lower threshold, process 1000 may proceed to block 1040. In some embodiments, a single threshold value may be used (e.g., such as an upper temperature threshold value).

[0093] For example, the upper threshold for the temperature threshold may be about 0° C. and the lower threshold for the temperature threshold may be about -20° C. As another example, the upper threshold for the temperature threshold may be about -5° C. and the lower threshold for the temperature threshold may be about -15° C.

[0094] At block 1030, an updated environmental set point may be generated based on, for example, the measured power and / or the measured environmental parameters.Following block 1025, an updated environmental set point may be determined to bring the environment back within the upper and lower thresholds.

[0095] At block 1035, the updated environmental set point may be sent to the cold storage facility system controller and / or one or more equipment items.

[0096] At block 1040, power draw power levels may be measured with respect to one or more equipment items in the facility, such as, for example, as specified in a power draw regulation. For example, power draw measurements may be received at a bypass controller from an external source and / or from a power sensor. The power draw measurements may include instantaneous power draw, average power draw over a predetermined time period, or any type of power draw measurement, among others.

[0097] At block 1045, if the power draw level is not at the specified level, process 1000 proceeds to block 1030, and the environmental set point may be adjusted to drive the power draw level lower.

[0098] If the power draw level is at the specified level, process 1000 proceeds to block 1050 where the environmental set point can be set to the environmental value measured at block 1020. After block 1050, process 1000 can return to block 1020.

[0099] Fig.11 is a flow diagram of a process 1100 for bypassing a control system according to some embodiments. The process 1100 may include additional blocks, some blocks may be skipped or may not be used, and / or the blocks may occur in any order.

[0100] Process 1100 begins at block 1105. A bypass control system (e.g., facility coordinator 115) may receive a power extraction provision. For example, the power extraction provision may be received from a remote server (e.g., such as from scheduler 105). For example, the power extraction provision may include power levels for one or more equipment items in a facility (e.g., such as a cold storage facility). For example, the power extraction provision may include a power profile that changes over time. For example, the power extraction provision may include a lower power profile during times of high energy demand and / or high energy prices. For example, the power extraction provision may include a higher power profile during times of low power demand and / or low energy prices. For example, the power extraction provision may apply to all equipment items at a facility, a subset of equipment items, or one equipment item at a facility.

[0101] At block 1110, one or more of the equipment items and / or one or more environmental parameters within the cold storage facility may be measured from one or more sensors. For example, these sensors may include a temperature sensor 170, a container pressure sensor 175, a condenser pressure sensor 180, a compressor oil pressure sensor 185, a container level sensor 190, and / or other sensors 195.

[0102] At block 1115, power draw power levels may be measured with respect to one or more equipment items in the facility (or the entire facility), e.g., such as specified in a power draw specification. For example, power draw measurements may be received at the bypass controller from an external source and / or from a power sensor. The power draw measurements may include instantaneous power draw, average power draw over a predetermined time period, or any type of power draw measurement, etc.

[0103] At block 1120, an environmental set point for one or more equipment items may be determined and / or created from a mathematical model based on the provisions, the measured power draw, and / or the measured environmental parameters. For example, the environmental set point may include one or more of the following: a temperature set point, a humidity set point, a pressure set point, etc. For example, the environmental set point may not include an energy set point or a power set point. For example, the environmental set point may include a temperature set point for a chiller. For example, the temperature of a chiller may be controlled by many different equipment items. The environmental set point may be created based on one of various models of equipment items and / or facilities that relate environmental parameters to power draw.

[0104] At block 1125, if the bypass controller or the cold storage facility system controller determines that the measured environmental parameter is not within the upper threshold or the lower threshold, process 1100 may proceed to block 1130. If the bypass controller or the cold storage facility system controller determines that the measured environmental parameter is above or near the upper threshold and / or below or near the lower threshold, process 1100 may proceed to block 1135. In some embodiments, a single threshold value (e.g., such as an upper temperature threshold value) may be used.

[0105] For example, the upper threshold for the temperature threshold may be about 0° C. and the lower threshold for the temperature threshold may be about -20° C. As another example, the upper threshold for the temperature threshold may be about -5° C. and the lower threshold for the temperature threshold may be about -15° C.

[0106] At block 1130, an updated or modified environmental set point may be generated. For example, an updated environmental set point may be determined to bring the environment back below or further below an upper threshold or above or further above a lower threshold. After block 1130, process 1100 may proceed to block 1145. At block 1145, the updated or modified environmental set point may be sent to a refrigeration facility system controller and / or one or more equipment items.

[0107] At block 1135, if the measured power draw level is not at the prescribed level, the process 1100 proceeds to block 1145. At block 1145, the environmental set point determined at block 1120 may be sent to the cold storage facility system controller and / or one or more equipment items. At block 1135, if the measured power draw level is at the prescribed level, the process 1100 proceeds to block 1140 and the environmental set point is set to the measured environmental parameter. At block 1145, the environmental set point may be sent to the cold storage facility system controller and / or one or more equipment items.

[0108] Fig.12 The computing system 1200 shown may be used to perform any embodiment of the present invention. As another example, the computing system 1200 may be used to perform any calculation, identification, and / or determination described in this document (e.g., such as process 1000 or process 1100). The computing system 1200 includes hardware elements that may be electrically coupled via a bus 1205 (or may communicate in other ways, where appropriate). The hardware elements may include one or more processors 1210, including but not limited to one or more general-purpose processors and / or one or more special-purpose processors (e.g., digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration chips, etc.); one or more input devices 1215, which may include but are not limited to a mouse, a keyboard, etc.; and one or more output devices 1220, which may include but are not limited to a display device, a printer, etc.

[0109] The computing system 1200 may also include (and / or communicate with) one or more storage devices 1225, which may include, but are not limited to, local and / or network accessible storage, and / or may include, but are not limited to, disk drives, drive arrays, optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices (e.g., random access memory ("RAM") and / or read-only memory ("ROM")), which may be programmable, flash memory updateable, etc. The computing system 1200 may also include a communication subsystem 1230, which may include, but are not limited to, a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device and / or a chipset (e.g., a Bluetooth device, an 802.6 device, a Wi-Fi device, a WiMax device, a cellular communication facility, etc.), etc. The communication subsystem 1230 may allow data to be exchanged with a network (e.g., the network described below, to name just one example) and / or any other device described herein. In many embodiments, as described above, the computing system 1200 will also include a working memory 1235, which may include a RAM or ROM device.

[0110] The computing system 1200 may also include software elements, shown as currently being located within the working memory 1235, including an operating system 1240 and / or other code (e.g., one or more application programs 1245), which may include the computer program of the present invention, and / or may be designed to implement the method of the present invention and / or configure the system of the present invention, as described herein. For example, one or more processes described with respect to the method discussed above may be implemented as code and / or instructions that can be executed by a computer (and / or a processor within a computer). A collection of these instructions and / or codes may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., the storage device 1225 described above).

[0111] In some cases, the storage medium may be incorporated within or in communication with the computing system 1200. In other embodiments, the storage medium may be separate from the computing system 1200 (e.g., removable media (e.g., compact disk, etc.)), and / or provided in the form of an installation package so that the storage medium can be used to program a general-purpose computer through the instructions / code stored thereon. These instructions may take the form of executable code that can be executed by the computing system 1200, and / or may take the form of source code and / or installable code that, when compiled and / or installed on the computing system 1200 (e.g., using any of a variety of commonly available compilers, installers, compression / decompression utilities, etc.), then takes the form of executable code.

[0112] Unless otherwise specified, the term "substantially" means within 5% or 10% of the referenced value or within manufacturing tolerances. Unless otherwise specified, the term "approximately" means within 5% or 10% of the referenced value or within manufacturing tolerances.

[0113] The conjunction "or" is inclusive.

[0114] Numerous specific details are set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, devices, or systems known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the claimed subject matter.

[0115] Some parts are presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digital signals stored in a computing system memory (e.g., computer memory). These algorithmic descriptions or representations are examples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the art of data processing to convey the essence of their work to other technicians in the field. An algorithm is a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar processes that lead to a desired result. In this case, the operation or process involves the physical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, but not necessarily, these quantities can take the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, transmitted, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. Mainly for common reasons, it has sometimes proven convenient to refer to these signals as bits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerical values, etc. However, it should be understood that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that throughout the discussion of this specification, terms such as "process," "compute," "calculate," "determine," and "identify" are used to refer to the actions or processes of a computing device (e.g., one or more computers or one or more similar electronic computing devices) that manipulate or translate data represented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities within a memory, register, or other information storage device, transmission device, or display device of a computing platform.

[0116] The one or more systems discussed herein are not limited to any particular hardware architecture or configuration. A computing device may include any suitable arrangement of components that provide results conditioned on one or more inputs. Suitable computing devices include a multi-purpose microprocessor-based computer system that accesses stored software that programs or configures a computing system from a general-purpose computing device to a dedicated computing device that implements one or more embodiments of the present subject matter. Any suitable programming, scripting, or other type of language or combination of languages ​​may be used to implement the teachings contained herein in software to be used in programming or configuring a computing device.

[0117] Embodiments of the methods disclosed herein may be performed in the operation of these computing devices. The order of the blocks presented in the above examples may be changed, for example, the blocks may be reordered, combined and / or decomposed into sub-blocks. Certain blocks or processes may be performed in parallel.

[0118] The use of "suitable for" or "configured to" herein is intended to be open and inclusive language that does not exclude devices that are suitable for or configured to perform additional tasks or steps. In addition, the use of "based on" is intended to be open and inclusive in that a process, step, calculation, or other action that is "based on" one or more stated conditions or values ​​may actually be based on additional conditions or values ​​beyond the stated conditions or values. The headings, lists, and numbering included herein are for ease of explanation only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0119] Although the subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments of the subject matter, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can easily generate changes, modifications and equivalents to these embodiments when realizing the understanding of the foregoing. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure has been presented for the purpose of illustration and not limitation, and does not exclude the inclusion of these modifications, modifications and / or additions to the subject matter, as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A system for controlling refrigeration equipment at an industrial refrigeration facility, the system comprising: a cloud scheduler located in a location remote from the industrial refrigeration facility, the cloud scheduler creating a power draw provision for one or more items of refrigeration equipment located at the industrial refrigeration facility and communicating the power draw provision to the refrigeration facility, the power draw provision including a desired power draw level for one or more items of refrigeration equipment located at the industrial refrigeration facility and the desired power draw level varying over a time period; and A bypass controller located at the industrial refrigeration facility receives power draw regulations from the cloud scheduler, generates environmental set points for the one or more equipment items based on the power draw regulations, and outputs the environmental set points to a device controller or a system controller, wherein the device controller or the system controller controls the one or more equipment items at the industrial refrigeration facility, and wherein the environmental set points include a first environmental set point that does not include an energy set point or a power set point.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The one or more items of refrigeration equipment include one or more of: motors, valves, containers, evaporators, condensers, pumps, compressors, doors, underfloor heating elements, lights, thawing equipment, and centrifuges.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the container is a furnace.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein: The bypass controller: receiving temperature data from temperature sensors at portions of the cold storage facility; determining whether the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching a threshold temperature value for the portion of the cold storage facility; as well as If the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching the threshold temperature value, then: generating a second temperature set point; as well as The second temperature set point is communicated to the system controller.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein: The system controller or the device controller includes a PID controller.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein: The environmental set point changes over a period of time.

7. A method for controlling refrigeration equipment, comprising: receiving, at a bypass controller at an industrial refrigeration facility, a power draw specification from a remote server, the power draw specification including a desired power draw level for one or more items of refrigeration equipment located at the industrial refrigeration facility, and the desired power draw level varying over a time period; at the bypass controller, converting the power draw regulation to an environmental set point for a portion of the refrigeration facility based on a mathematical model of the one or more items of refrigeration equipment and the power draw regulation; as well as The environmental set points are communicated to a refrigeration facility system controller coupled to the one or more items of refrigeration equipment, wherein the environmental set points include a first environmental set point that does not include an energy set point or a power set point.

8. The method for controlling refrigeration equipment according to claim 7, wherein: The one or more items of refrigeration equipment include one or more of: motors, valves, containers, evaporators, condensers, pumps, compressors, doors, underfloor heating elements, lights, thawing equipment, and centrifuges.

9. The method for controlling refrigeration equipment according to claim 8, wherein the container is a furnace.

10. The method for controlling refrigeration equipment according to claim 7, further comprising: receiving temperature data at the bypass controller from a temperature sensor at the portion of the refrigerated facility; determining, at the bypass controller, whether the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching a threshold temperature value for the portion of the refrigerated facility; as well as If the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching the threshold temperature value, then: generating a second temperature set point; as well as The second temperature set point is communicated to the system controller.

11. The method for controlling refrigeration equipment according to claim 7, further comprising: receiving, at the cold storage facility system controller, temperature data from a temperature sensor at the portion of the cold storage facility; determining, at the cold storage facility system controller, whether the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching a threshold temperature value for the portion of the cold storage facility; as well as If the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching the threshold temperature value, then: generating a second temperature set point; as well as The second temperature set point is communicated to the system controller.

12. The method for controlling refrigeration equipment according to claim 7, wherein: The power draw regulations vary based on utility prices.

13. The method for controlling refrigeration equipment according to claim 7, wherein: The cold storage facility system controller includes a PID controller.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for performing a method: receiving, at a bypass controller at an industrial refrigeration facility, a power draw specification from a remote server, the power draw specification including a desired power draw level for one or more items of refrigeration equipment located at the industrial refrigeration facility, and the desired power draw level varying over a time period; at the bypass controller, converting the power draw regulation to an environmental set point for a portion of the refrigeration facility based on a mathematical model of the one or more items of refrigeration equipment and the power draw regulation; as well as The environmental set points are communicated to a refrigeration facility system controller coupled to the one or more items of refrigeration equipment, wherein the environmental set points include a first environmental set point that does not include an energy set point or a power set point.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein: The one or more items of refrigeration equipment include one or more of: motors, valves, containers, evaporators, condensers, pumps, compressors, doors, underfloor heating elements, lights, thawing equipment, and centrifuges.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the container is a furnace.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein: The computer-readable medium also includes instructions for: receiving temperature data at the bypass controller from a temperature sensor at the portion of the refrigerated facility; determining, at the bypass controller, whether the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching a threshold temperature value for the portion of the refrigerated facility; as well as If the temperature data has exceeded or is approaching the threshold temperature value, then: generating a second temperature set point; as well as The second temperature set point is communicated to the system controller.

18. A bypass controller in communication with a cloud controller and an equipment controller at an industrial refrigeration facility, the bypass controller comprising: a transceiver that receives data from a cloud dispatcher located in a location remote from the industrial refrigeration facility; and A processor that: receiving a power draw specification for one or more items of refrigeration equipment at the industrial refrigeration facility, the power draw specification comprising a desired power draw level for the one or more items of refrigeration equipment located at the industrial refrigeration facility, and the desired power draw level varying over a time period; generating an environmental set point based on the power draw specification, the environmental set point for the one or more items of equipment; and The environmental set point is output to an equipment controller or a system controller, wherein the equipment controller or the system controller controls the one or more equipment items at the industrial refrigeration facility, and wherein the environmental set point includes a first environmental set point that does not include an energy set point or a power set point.

19. The bypass controller of claim 18, wherein: The processor outputs the environmental set point via the transceiver.

20. The bypass controller of claim 18, wherein: The processor outputs the environmental set point via an output separate and distinct from the transceiver.

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