Method and device for providing energy, in particular thermal energy, low carbon energy, in at least one building

Abstract

The apparatus comprises: an energy harvesting device connected in an energy transfer manner to a source comprising at least one carbon energy source, the at least one carbon energy source comprising a power distribution network; an energy conversion device at least partially powered by the harvesting device. There is a time-stamped estimate of the carbonization of the power production powering the distribution network, and the device operates for the purpose of optimization for at least one criterion, including a criterion for reducing the carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided by the device.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing low carbon energy, in particular thermal energy, in at least one building or the like, aiming at optimizing with respect to several criteria which may include installation costs, operating costs, reduced energy consumption, environmental considerations and the like.

[0002] The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

[0003] The invention also relates to a control system for implementing the method. Background Art

[0004] The present invention is particularly concerned with, but not limited to, relatively large building complexes, such as apartment buildings, building complexes, industrial complexes, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels or hotel complexes, school or university complexes, etc.

[0005] In the field of construction, devices for supplying energy from various sources are well known, such as the public gas or electricity distribution network, geothermal probes, solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic solar collectors, pneumatic thermal collectors, etc. It is also known that such systems include various devices for converting and using the collected energy, such as heat pumps, Joule effect heaters, air conditioners, boilers, etc. It is also known to implement a method that regulates the device by weighting the use of different sources and different devices according to needs and according to economic or other criteria.

[0006] Documents FR 2960099 A1, US 2008 / 092875 A1, WO 2015 / 014951 A2, EP 3012539 A1, EP 2141419 A1, FR 3065516 A1, EP 1 987298 B1, DE 10 2010033909 A1, DE 10022544 A1, US 2018 / 0283799 A1, KR 20130017182 A and KR 101801775 B1 describe systems of this type which are improved in various ways to optimize the use of the most advantageous resources in terms of cost and / or environment.

[0007] WO 2022 / 029235 A1 teaches operating the device according to a scenario that covers a period of time and specifies a combination of activation states of the devices of the device for each time slot of the period of time. The scenario is established in advance based on various predictions, including climate, building usage, and energy storage resource status.

[0008] There is an increasing desire to minimize the "carbon footprint" of human activities, which is the amount of carbon emissions, especially carbon dioxide, associated with these activities. The thermal energy supply system of a building is associated with this, both structurally and operationally. The carbon footprint of an installation is a function of the "carbonization" of the energy consumed (grams of CO2 per kWh) and the energy demand of the installation.

[0009] Some energy production plants, notably solar and aerothermal, operate without releasing carbon. However, due to their investment costs, footprint, limited electricity and / or especially the intermittent nature of their production, these plants usually have to coexist with other methods of heat production using electricity from the distribution network and / or carbon-based fuels. Heat pumps that extract calories or kilocalories (frigorie) from geothermal sources are an energy-efficient solution. However, the investment costs and footprint of geothermal collectors for a given average annual output usually make them impractical as the sole supplement to non-carbon resources. This leaves the use of heat pumps (possibly reversible) to extract calories or kilocalories from air sources, Joule effect heating powered by the grid and / or combustion heating.

[0010] Documents US 2008 / 0092875 A1 and US Pat. No. 7,958,885 B2 propose reducing the carbonization of the energy consumed by a thermal energy supply device by using a heat accumulator.

[0011] Minimizing the carbon footprint through a compromise between different energy sources, one of which is the public grid, faces the following difficulty: the carbonization of electricity supplied by the grid is highly variable. In a country like France, which has nuclear and hydroelectric power plants as well as wind and photovoltaic facilities, the electricity supplied by the grid is very low-carbon as long as a certain consumption threshold is not exceeded. This threshold depends on climatic and activity factors, as well as the time of day and the unavailability of certain non-carbon production facilities (nuclear power unit under maintenance, hydroelectric dam at minimum level, etc.). Any kWh called by the grid above the above threshold is likely to be highly carbon-intensive, because it is supplied by thermal power plants.

[0012] On the other hand, if carbon-based electricity can be used to generate heat energy very efficiently, then it may make sense to consume carbon-based electricity. For example, when conditions are suitable for the efficiency coefficient of the heat pump, it may be advantageous to use carbon or even high-carbon electricity to power a heat pump. Moreover, if cooling is required, electricity is not always an option. The problem of minimizing the carbon footprint of an energy supply installation in at least one building is therefore a complex problem, as it is affected by the energy supply structure, the demand structure, the installation structure, the climate and the thermal conditions within the building.

[0013] In addition, more and more countries are providing incentives in the form of labels, tender bonuses, financial benefits, etc. to installation projects and devices that meet decarbonization goals. Purpose of the Invention

[0014] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a method, a device and a control system for reducing the carbon footprint of thermal energy consumed in at least one building. Summary of the invention

[0015] According to the invention, a method for providing thermal energy in at least one building by means of a device comprising:

[0016] - an energy collection device connected in an energy transfer manner to a source comprising at least one carbon energy source, said at least one carbon energy source comprising an electricity distribution network;

[0017] - an energy conversion device powered at least in part by said collection device;

[0018] wherein, in order to meet the thermal energy requirements of the device, the device is operated with the purpose of optimizing with respect to at least one criterion;

[0019] Characterized in that a time-stamped estimate of the carbonization of electricity production supplied to the electricity network is provided, and that the at least one criterion comprises a moderation of the carbon footprint of thermal energy provided by the device.

[0020] Typically, the operation of the installation consists of a combination of defining the activation states of the various devices in the system at a given moment, according to the thermal energy demand from the building and its occupants and according to the available energy sources (e.g. distribution network, photovoltaic or solar thermal collectors, geothermal probes, thermal storage structures, boilers, etc.).

[0021] The invention provides an estimate of the carbonization of the electricity available on the electricity distribution network. This carbonization varies greatly over time depending on the instantaneous energy mix (share of nuclear, hydro, wind, photovoltaic, thermal) used to supply the distribution network.

[0022] There are several ways of estimating carbonation. Such an estimate may be obtained from an external service provider (which may be the distribution network operator or a third party entity). Alternatively, in particular in cases where such an estimate is not available, an estimate may be made within the framework of the method based on data such as meteorological data, calendar data, data related to the energy mix of the distribution network, etc.

[0023] The optimization of the method will then take this estimate into account in order to minimize the carbon footprint of the installation in the short and long term without compromising future performance. This optimization does not necessarily mean that the operating system ensures that the carbon footprint is as low as possible in the given circumstances. In fact, moderate carbon footprint is usually only one of the operating criteria. Other criteria are usually also considered, such as operating costs, maintenance management of certain equipment, management of heat storage / discharge equipment (if any), etc.

[0024] Optimization can thus lead to, for example, a temporarily more carbon-intensive production with very high efficiency (this may be the case with thermodynamic production, where the efficiency is not constant but varies depending on the conditions in which the machine is operating).

[0025] Optimization therefore often results in a compromise where the carbon footprint of the plant is moderated, but the plant is not necessarily operating at its lowest possible carbon footprint at any given time.Moderatelying the carbon footprint of a thermal plant is therefore a balance sheet outcome that can be evaluated over time.

[0026] In some embodiments, data is acquired which includes meteorological data and data relating to the production of electricity supplied to the distribution network, and the carbonization estimate will take into account the data. The meteorological data is part of the information used to predict the thermal energy demand in the building. If the installation includes photovoltaic and / or solar thermal equipment, these data can also be used to predict the output of these equipment. Data related to the production of electricity supplied to the network are useful for obtaining or refining carbonization estimates. Although these data do not provide direct information about the carbonization of the electricity provided by the network, these data can help estimate the carbonization. Such useful data may be related to the number of nuclear reactors in operation and / or their total power. Such useful data may also be related to hydroelectric power management. Such useful data may be related to the expected power from wind turbines, etc.

[0027] In one embodiment, data comprising a history of carbonation of electricity that has been supplied to the electricity distribution network in one or more previous time intervals, preferably in at least one previous year, are acquired and the estimation will take into account said data. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the carbonation of corresponding dates and times in previous intervals (such as previous years) and in the current interval (such as the current year) can be compared.

[0028] Advantageously, the carbonization of the electricity supplied to the distribution network at the corresponding date and time in previous years is averaged and the estimate is obtained based on this average. The previous year may be the immediately preceding year or a selected year. For example, at least one previous year is selected based on its similarity to the current year, in particular in terms of meteorology and / or carbonization of the electricity produced supplied to the distribution network.

[0029] In one embodiment, at least one previous year is selected based on a similarity criterion with the current year, in particular in terms of meteorology and / or carbonization of the electricity production supplied to the distribution network.

[0030] When a carbonation value based on at least one previous year has been determined, according to a refinement, an estimate can be obtained by applying a correction which takes into account at least one current parameter (eg meteorological data).

[0031] The correction may also take into account certain parameters, such as changes in the thermal energy demand in the building according to calendar events (e.g. weekdays / weekends / public holidays / school holidays). The "corresponding date and time" mentioned above does not necessarily refer to the same date and time. For example, a "corresponding" date from the previous year may be selected based on the day of the week, whether the day is a weekday (public holiday or weekday) or the similarity with the current date in terms of weather. If, for example, July in the previous year was much hotter than August, and August in the current year is very hot, it would be better to match August 15th of the current year (a public holiday) with July 14th of the previous year (another public holiday).

[0032] In another or the same embodiment, the carbonization estimate may also take into account the availability of the generation facilities supplying the distribution network as a parameter of current interest. When a large portion of decarbonized generation resources (typically nuclear reactors and hydroelectric units) are shut down for maintenance, the network operator may have to activate carbon-based resources (such as thermal power plants) to supply the network, especially in the event of deteriorating factors, especially in the event of meteorological deterioration such as extreme temperatures.

[0033] In one embodiment, a time-stamped estimate is obtained based on the carbonization of electricity supplied by the distribution network during at least one year preceding a corresponding date, the corresponding date being selected with a calendar offset to be on the same day of the week as the date for which the estimate is generated. Generally, the offset date will still be close to the date for which the estimate is generated so that the climate data for the two dates are comparable.

[0034] In one embodiment, meteorological data are obtained, the carbonization of electricity production that has been supplied to the network at the corresponding date and time in a specific previous year is averaged, and the estimate is obtained by applying a correction to this average value compared to the average value of said previous year, this correction taking into account the meteorological data for the year for which the estimate is determined.

[0035] In an embodiment involving an apparatus comprising a combustion heating device, the combustion heating device is activated during a time period when the carbonization of the electricity provided by the network is estimated to be high. The carbonization of the network is a weighted average of the carbonization from carbon-free (nuclear, hydro) power generation, low-carbon (wind, solar) power generation, and high-carbon (thermal power plant) power generation. A higher average means that thermal energy is used in large quantities. In this case, it can be assumed that additional kWh will be supplied to the network through thermal power plants. If the additional kWh is used to generate heat at the consumer's site, this may be counterproductive in terms of carbon footprint. From both the overall carbon footprint and economic perspectives, it is better to burn the fuel directly at the consumer's site.

[0036] Preferably, the method is applied to an apparatus comprising at least one heat storage / release unit (such as a geothermal unit) and / or at least one tank system containing a heat storage / release fluid. Such an apparatus provides a very advantageous degree of freedom for the optimization according to the invention.

[0037] For example, as part of the optimization method, heat release is performed when the carbon content of electricity provided by the electricity distribution network is expected to be high, and heat storage is performed when the carbon content of electricity provided by the network is expected to be low.

[0038] According to another example, as part of the optimization, energy provided by the electricity network is consumed in a first time period when its carbonization is relatively low, thereby saving stored energy, and then the stored energy is subsequently consumed when the carbonization is higher than in the first time period.

[0039] In particular, at least some of this energy can be stored to replenish energy consumed at a later date.

[0040] In one embodiment, relatively highly carbonized electrical energy is supplied to a heat pump that operates between two heat sources that have a small temperature difference with each other. In this way, thermal energy can be obtained under favorable global conditions. In particular, this energy can be stored for later use when it is less favorable to obtain this energy globally. "Globally" refers to the cumulative degree of optimization of obtaining electrical energy and using it to produce thermal energy.

[0041] The method is preferably applied to an installation whose collection device comprises at least one renewable energy collection device, such as at least one photovoltaic collector, at least one solar thermal collector, at least one aerothermal collector, at least one geothermal collector. Such an installation, which supplies completely carbon-free energy in situ or in the immediate vicinity, promotes the optimization according to the invention with respect to the criterion of appropriately quantifying the carbon footprint of the thermal energy supplied to the installation.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, at the current plant operating time, the carbonation estimate is a time-stamped forecast for a certain period from the current time, and the optimization comprises defining a scenario which specifies a sequence of combinations of activation states of the equipment within the period, the scenario being defined in the sense of a global optimization within the period with respect to at least one criterion, the at least one criterion comprising a moderation of the carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided by the plant.

[0043] Based on the forecast including the carbonization forecast with timestamp, and based on the forecast of the demand for thermal energy in the installation and the availability of thermal energy sources other than the network, the scenario specifies, for each time, for example for each time period (e.g. a quarter of an hour), a combination of activation states of the devices of the installation. This embodiment of the invention reduces the demand for computing power while managing the thermal trajectory of the entire installation over time. For example, by using a building as a heat storage / release medium, it is possible to allow the building temperature to drop during energy-expensive and / or carbon-intensive time periods and predict more favorable time periods when reheating the building would be more favorable. Conversely, the scenario can also require that the building be heated when a later expected unfavorable time period is predicted (during which expected unfavorable time period consumption can be reduced by cooling the building).

[0044] If the plant includes heat storage / discharge facilities, the scenario can likewise provide for discharging heat when the electricity provided by the network is expected to be carbon intensive, and storing heat when the electricity provided by the network is expected to be low carbon.

[0045] Preferably, and more generally, the optimization for the carbon footprint moderation criterion does not aim at maximizing instant moderation, since this would result in the thermal reserve being systematically emptied unless there is a surplus of free carbon-free energy (e.g. local photovoltaic energy), and would therefore significantly reduce the value of such storage. Instead, what is sought is a global moderation over a specific period (in particular, in the case of a scenario, over the period covered by the scenario, which may typically be 12 months, for example).

[0046] In one embodiment, the step of providing a time-stamped forecast of the carbonization of electricity produced by the distribution network comprises: for each time-stamped time period, taking into account the carbonization of the time period (preferentially corresponding to a time period of at least one previous year) and a correction based on the difference between the current year and the at least one previous year. Such correction may be based on meteorological characteristics of the current year compared to a corresponding period of the previous year, changes in the pool of power generation facilities supplying the distribution network, changes in the use and / or equipment of the site, etc.

[0047] In one embodiment of the method:

[0048] - The time-stamped scenario specifies the energy flows from each device during each of the consecutive time periods within the period covered by the scenario in the sense of a global optimization with respect to at least one criterion, the at least one criterion comprising a criterion of moderate the carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided by the device.

[0049] - The device is operated by implementing the device at each moment taking this scenario into account.

[0050] Typically, scenarios built for the relatively far future (i.e., the next week, the next month or even further) are only one approach to the optimization sought. This approach is more or less appropriate in view of various contingencies predicted in the past or recently. Such contingencies may be meteorological, related to the actual use of the building, related to the availability of network generation resources and / or the availability of plant equipment, etc. This is why it is preferred to update the scenarios at least at a point in time after the start of the plant operation step so that the global optimization takes into account:

[0051] - any differences between the thermal energy supply history in the installation and the scenario before the update; and / or

[0052] - Any differences between the most recent forecast and the older forecast that the scenario was based on before it was updated.

[0053] No matter how complex the scenario design is, it is difficult to avoid differences between the actual situation and the situation expected by the scenario. If the prescribed scenario is strictly implemented, the result has certain shortcomings in meeting the needs and optimizing the criteria. Preferably, in order to offset this, the scenario also specifies adjustment methods for the actual demand for thermal energy at the current time and / or for the actual parameters of energy at the current time, which methods themselves are optimized for at least one criterion, the at least one criterion including the moderation of the carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided by the device. For example, if the occupants of the building use the thermostat to require more heating than the system will supply according to the scenario, the adjustment program specifies which devices must be activated or activated in a different way to provide this higher than expected power demand. In another example, if the electricity available on the network is more expensive or more carbon-intensive than the electricity according to the scenario, the balancing arrangement may specify, for example, to draw from storage or draw more from storage. In yet another example, if the heat pump in the system is defective, the adjustment program specifies which other one or more devices will be activated in a different way to compensate for the defect.

[0054] In one embodiment of the method, in addition to the carbon footprint moderation, the at least one criterion also comprises an operating cost moderation criterion and / or an energy efficiency criterion. Each criterion is assigned an evaluation scale commensurate with the evaluation scales assigned to the other criteria, and the optimization is based on the sum of the evaluations.

[0055] For example, the scale can be expressed in monetary units. Then, for example, the scale of the operating costs is calculated in real terms. Carbon footprint and energy efficiency are quantified in the same monetary units according to a fixed correspondence rule, for example in Euros per kWh and Euros per kg of CO2.

[0056] Advantageously, before setting up the scene, the following steps are performed:

[0057] - Determination of the annual schedule of the individual energy requirements of the building based on a dynamic thermal simulation of the building, its intended use and the annual climate of the building’s location;

[0058] - Create a catalogue of energy collection, conversion, use and / or storage equipment that is compatible with the arrangement and with the data related to the building's specifications;

[0059] - Virtually test different combinations of equipment from the catalog and different sizes of these equipment by means of computer iterations to identify the combination that will satisfy the described arrangement at least to a large extent;

[0060] - creating a time-stamped scenario for each of the combinations determined to satisfy the arrangement;

[0061] - selecting one of these determined combinations and the corresponding time-stamped scene taking into account at least one criterion together with device considerations; and

[0062] - Build a system that corresponds to the selected combination.

[0063] In this way, the technology based on the above scenario makes it possible not only to operate existing installations advantageously, but also to provide the installations with the best possible structure upstream in order to better meet at least one criterion, in particular the criterion of moderate carbon footprint.

[0064] Considerations associated with the device include, for example, investment amount, operating costs and at least one benefit that can be obtained from meeting energy efficiency and / or carbon footprint moderation standards. Such advantages may be favorable labels in terms of business and / or taxation.

[0065] According to a second aspect of the invention, a device for providing energy, in particular thermal energy, in at least one building or the like, said device comprising:

[0066] - Energy harvesting devices, each connected to a respective source in an energy transfer manner;

[0067] - an energy conversion device powered at least in part by said collection device;

[0068] - Energy using equipment;

[0069] - a control system capable of defining, for at least some of the devices, respective different activation states selected as a function of parameters, in particular climate parameters, in order to optimize according to a criterion,

[0070] It is characterized in that the control system implements the method according to the invention, whether or not it is supplemented by all or part of its refinements.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least one heat storage / release unit (eg a geothermal unit) and / or at least one tank system containing a heat storage / release fluid.

[0072] The collection device may include at least one renewable energy collection device, such as at least one photovoltaic collector, at least one solar thermal collector, at least one aerothermal collector and / or at least one geothermal collector.

[0073] According to a third aspect of the invention, a system for regulating an installation intended to supply energy, in particular thermal energy, in at least one building or the like, the installation comprising:

[0074] - Energy harvesting devices, each connected to a respective source in an energy transfer manner;

[0075] - an energy conversion device powered at least in part by said collection device;

[0076] - Energy using equipment;

[0077] A control system capable of defining for at least some of the devices respective different activation states selected as a function of parameters, in particular climate parameters, in the sense of being optimized for a standard, characterised in that the system is designed to implement the method according to the invention in the device, whether or not supplemented by all or part of its improvements.

[0078] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device according to the present invention in a building; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] The following description should be understood as describing any feature or combination of features in terms used below or in more general terms, as long as such feature or combination of features produces a technical effect or advantage, even if such feature or combination of features only constitutes part of a sentence or paragraph.

[0081] exist Figure 1 In the example shown in the figure, the installation is associated with a building 1 on a plot of ground 2. The installation comprises energy collection equipment, which here comprises: at least one photovoltaic solar collector CPh, which converts solar radiation 33 into electrical energy; at least one thermal solar collector CTh, which converts solar radiation 33 into heat absorbed by a heat transfer liquid flowing through the collector; at least one aerodynamic heat exchanger Ath, which can act as a heat collector or heat sink (cold collector) for the heat transfer liquid, which flows through the collector, by exchanging calories between the heat transfer liquid and the external air 34; several geothermal probes 3; and at least one connection to a public electricity distribution network 36. The geothermal probes 3 are of BTES type and are sunken in the area of ​​the ground 2 and the corresponding subsoil, which is here called geothermal medium 31, to distinguish it from the natural soil 32 that is not thermally affected by the probes 3. There may also be a fuel tank or, as shown in the figure, a connection to a fuel distribution network 37, in particular fuel gas. In other embodiments, certain types of collection devices such as CPh, CTh and / or Ath are not present, since the invention can be implemented as long as the connection to the network 36 is not the only source of energy for the building capable of supplying thermal energy (heating and / or cooling) to the installation.

[0082] The electrical box 6 receives electrical energy from the network 36 and the photovoltaic collector Cph and supplies electricity from either of these two sources to the electrical output 7. In some embodiments, the box 6 or a specific box (not shown) can also inject into the distribution network 36 the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic collector CPh.

[0083] In addition, the device includes a set of thermal energy conversion and storage equipment 8, namely, in this example, a heat pump PAC, a boiler Comb connected to a fuel source 37 at special times, and a cold tank system 9 and a hot tank system 11 that usually contain added water. A set of heat pump PACs can cool and heat as needed. The cold tank system 9 is designed to store cold by freezing all or part of the water it contains and to release this cold by completely or partially melting its frozen content. Each tank system 9, 11 includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with a heat transfer fluid to receive or supply thermal energy directly or via an inserted heat pump together with the source.

[0084] The arrangement also comprises a set of user devices 10 for interacting with the users (building occupants, technical or management personnel) regarding the energy consumption of the building, such as lamps 12 and sockets 13, air conditioning modules AC, heating modules Ht, floor heating 14, domestic hot water distribution points 16 (only one of each is shown for simplicity).

[0085] The device also includes an optional connection assembly 17, which can establish appropriate connections between the heat collector 3, ATh, CTh, storage and conversion equipment 8, and utilization equipment 10. The connection assembly 17 generally includes pipes, a single-way solenoid valve 18, a multi-way solenoid valve 19, and a pump 21. The assembly 17 is connected to the detector 3 through a pipe 22 to circulate a heat transfer liquid (usually added water) in the detector 3, and the heat transfer liquid exchanges heat with the geothermal medium 31 in the detector 3.

[0086] The device also has a plurality of temperature, pressure and flow sensors, as well as ammeters and a plurality of control devices such as thermostats and switches, some of which are available to the user and others to the technician or the manager of the building. For this purpose, a temperature sensor Te for the heat transfer fluid entering the detector 3, a temperature sensor Ts for the heat transfer fluid leaving the detector 3, a flow meter D for measuring the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the detector 3, and an optional sensor Tg for the temperature of the geothermal medium 31 are briefly shown. It is known that beyond a certain depth (at which it is no longer affected by the surface temperature), the temperature of the geothermal medium 31 increases with depth (geothermal gradient). The sensor Tg is placed at a selected depth, which is selected so that the local temperature at this depth represents the average temperature of the geothermal medium 31.

[0087] Components 8, 10 and 17 are Figure 1 1 and 2. The blocks shown in the drawings are conceptual; in reality, several different devices in each of these components may be scattered throughout the building. This is particularly true for the utilization equipment 10, but is not limited to this. In addition, the classification between the conversion and storage equipment 8 and the utilization equipment 10 is somewhat arbitrary. For example, the heater Ht can be a Joule effect energy converter with heat storage capability. The double horizontal arrows 20 between these blocks symbolize the fluid connection between them.

[0088] The system can be configured in a variety of ways through a programmable logic controller (PLC) AUT that issues commands to selectively interconnect and control the activation status of the devices based on parameters including the demand level for each form of energy (electricity, heating, cooling, domestic hot water, etc.) and the power available from local collectors (CPh, CTh, Ath, 3).

[0089] In general, a variety of combinations of activation states of different devices can meet the requirements. The control unit CU executes an optimization program that issues recommendations to the controller AUT, enabling the controller AUT to select and activate the best combination of these activation states. These recommendations are priorities between devices with similar functions, and / or recommendations for activation levels of devices, and / or recommendations for operating modes of devices with at least two operating modes. Examples of devices with two possible operating modes are: devices that can be used for cooling or heating (heat pump PAC, if reversible), devices that can transfer or obtain energy (tank systems 9, 11), collectors that can operate as cold collectors or hot collectors (such as probes 3 or pneumatic heat collectors Ath), air conditioning modules AC that can operate as heating systems or cooling systems.

[0090] The recommendations issued by the control unit CU may be provided in the form of optional or cumulative possibilities with a priority order. Preferably, the controller AUT should not be prevented from meeting a demand due to overly stringent recommendations issued by the control unit CU. In particular, from the point of view of the users of the building, the arrangement should preferably be fully operational even if, for example, a device reaches its power limit or fails.

[0091] The controller AUT and the control unit CU can be combined into a single "intelligent" PLC. The subdivision proposed here is advantageous because it is compatible with pre-existing installations equipped with a conventional PLC AUT, which have been retrofitted according to the invention, in particular by adding the control unit CU and possibly some of the collection devices 3, CPh, CTh, ATh, conversion and storage devices 8, utilization devices 10 and connection devices 17. Another advantage of the subdivision proposed here is that all or part of the control unit CU can be installed remotely (as an alternative to the control unit CU shown here for illustrative purposes). This means that a single control unit CU can serve several installations. For example, the control unit CU may be owned by a service provider that provides services to the owner or tenant of the building 1. The control unit CU can also be shared by several buildings (such as the building 1) belonging to the same complex.

[0092] The electrical block 6 is connected to a PLC AUT which operates the electrical block. The power output 7 supplies power to three components 8, 10 and 17 as well as the PLC AUT and the control unit CU which are not shown.

[0093] The control unit CU has a computer connection port for connecting 23 to one or more data sources including weather forecasts (eg via the Internet).

[0094] To arrive at its recommendations, the control unit CU takes into account a wide range of data, including economic, meteorological and environmental data as well as data relating to the correct management of the geothermal medium 31, the tank systems 9 and 11 and the heat reserves in the building itself, depending on date, occupancy parameters etc.

[0095] According to the invention, one of the environmental parameters on which the control unit CU bases its recommendations is a time-stamped estimate of the carbonization of the electricity supplied by the network. Since the overall consumption of the customers of the network 36 varies rapidly during the course of a day (particularly at certain times of the day), the carbonization of the electricity may also vary rapidly, particularly the carbonization of kWh supplied in excess of the production capacity of non-carbon (hydro, nuclear) or low-carbon (wind, photovoltaic) generation facilities. This explains why it is preferred according to the invention to have fairly accurate time-stamped data.

[0096] For example, since the peak electricity demand period (winter morning period in cold or temperate regions, summer hot period in temperate or hot regions) is known, the control unit CU can propose to extract thermal energy from the storage during this period and to replenish the storage outside this period using the network 36, which supplies low-carbon electricity. In such a case, the system 9, 11 or the building is effective as a thermal reserve.

[0097] As another example of a long-term low-carbon strategy, it is known that the consumption of electricity on the network 36 is moderate and more regular during the transition seasons (April-May and September-October in temperate regions). The electricity provided during these periods is low-carbon. During these periods, the control unit CU may recommend consuming electricity from the network 36 to replenish the thermal reserves that will be very useful in the next season. This means, for example, cooling the geothermal medium 31 and / or the cold water system 9 in the spring to meet the air conditioning needs in the summer, or reheating the geothermal medium 31 and / or the cold water system 9 in the autumn to meet the needs of the cold season.

[0098] In tariff zones where the price per kWh supplied by the network 36 varies according to energy conditions, the pursuit of carbon moderation tends to converge with economic optimization, as periods of high tariffs tend to be periods of higher carbon production.

[0099] When the installation includes production equipment (such as photovoltaic collectors CPh, solar thermal collectors Cth and aerothermal collectors Ath), maximizing the instantaneous capacity of these equipment (depending on the instantaneous weather conditions) is consistent with minimizing the cost and carbon footprint of the installation, because the energy supplied to the installation by these equipment is free and completely carbon-free. If the thermal power that these equipment can deliver exceeds the needs of the installation, the optimization usually involves directing the excess power to the thermal storage equipment. However, this is not always possible or may involve a compromise. For example, in very hot weather, the thermal energy provided by collectors Ath and / or Cth can be used to heat a swimming pool, a hot water system 11 or a domestic hot water tank (for example, if they are already at a temperature at least approximately equal to the heat transfer fluid that has flowed through collectors Cth and / or Ath), or used to cool the cold tank system 9 (if the external Celsius temperature is positive while the contents of the tank system are partially frozen). In this case, the compromise may lead to a decision to activate the heat pump despite the high cost and / or carbon content of the electricity known a priori.

[0100] For example, if a hot period occurs late in the season, it may be more energy efficient to store heat during that hot period using a higher heat pump efficiency factor than to store heat later at much lower temperatures. Similarly, if a very cool period occurs late in the cold season, it may be advantageous to store kcal (frigorie) during that period for later use in cooling or air conditioning.

[0101] If the difference between the temperatures of the heat transfer fluid supplied by the collector Ath or Cth and the hot water system 11 or the hot water tank is small, the efficiency coefficient of the heat pump that draws calories from the collector Ath or Cth to supply these calories to the tank system 11 or the hot water tank will be excellent and will compensate for any low quality electricity consumed by the heat pump in terms of optimization in the sense of the present invention.

[0102] In another example, the outside temperature is about 5°C, electricity is expensive and / or carbon intensive, and the contents of the cold tank system 9 are partially frozen. The heat transfer fluid provided by the pneumatic heat collector Ath cannot directly supply kilocalories to the tank system 9, because its temperature is higher than the contents of the tank system. On the other hand, it would be efficient for the heat pump to extract calories from the tank system 9 and release these calories to the atmosphere via the pneumatic heat collector Ath operating as a heat source, which compensates for any low quality electricity consumed in terms of optimization in the sense of the present invention.

[0103] In such an example, the optimization can be not only instantaneous, but also global, i.e. including the future. Even if the level of immediate optimization is not satisfactory, the global optimization can be very satisfactory if the stored thermal energy makes it possible to avoid or limit the use of methods that are of much inferior quality in terms of optimization in the sense of the invention.

[0104] The study of the moderate carbonization is preferably only one of the criteria of the optimization according to the invention. Generally, the optimization sought is the best compromise between operating costs, exogenous energy consumption (i.e. energy other than that produced by the collectors of the installation), carbon footprint and thermal reserve management (in particular the temperature management of the geothermal medium, which temperature cannot drift in the medium for a long time).

[0105] Good thermal storage management is important. If this is neglected, it is almost always more advantageous to use the thermal reserves in the short term to meet all the thermal energy required for demand above and beyond that provided free of charge by the solar collectors Cph and Cth and the aerodynamic thermal collector Ath.

[0106] Therefore, more generally, as seen in the non-limiting example just above, the optimization is preferably a global optimization that includes the current moment and a certain period after the current moment. According to the present invention, if a better optimization at the current moment may lead to a worse optimization for the entire period, it is preferred to accept an "imperfect" optimization only at the current moment.

[0107] In order to obtain said time-stamped carbonization estimate, a first possibility is to obtain it from the network 36 operator and / or the electricity producer supplying the network 36 via the connection 23. However, currently at least in some countries, in particular France, said producers and operators provide neither a value of the carbonization of electricity at the current moment nor a forecast of its future carbonization.

[0108] In response to this situation, the present invention provides a time-stamped forecast that is generated based on information related to the carbonization of electricity currently being distributed on the network 36 and to be distributed on the network 36 in the future.

[0109] Such information may relate to the carbonization of the electricity provided by the network 36 over the previous year or more, day by day or even hour by hour or preferably quarter by hour. Such information may come from a public or private source. A private source may be a database created in a previous year specifically for the implementation of the present invention.

[0110] Other relevant information relates to the availability of the various generation facilities supplying power to the network 36. From one year to the next, some resources may have been temporarily or permanently shut down, while others may have been (re)operated. Other relevant information may relate to general demand levels, which evolve with demographics, increasing electrification of energy consumption, and also in the opposite direction with energy-saving measures such as increased insulation of homes.

[0111] In one embodiment, the carbonization of the electricity provided by the network 36 is estimated based on the carbonization observed in the past at the corresponding date and time. The carbonization recorded in the past is preferably the average of the carbonization recorded at the corresponding date and time in several previous years. The date of the current year and the corresponding date of the previous year may be the same calendar date. But different dates of the same day of the week can also be matched, for example, two Mondays can be matched. Public holidays, school holiday dates, or even days with similar weather conditions can be matched. In general, it is impossible to achieve a perfect match between a certain day of the current year and a certain day of the previous year or the average of some days in previous years. However, in one embodiment, the carbonization estimate with a timestamp at the current moment is regarded as the carbonization at the corresponding date and time in the previous year, or the average of the carbonization at the corresponding date and time in previous years. In fact, since carbonization is not indispensable for the normal operation of the device, a rough estimate is sufficient in some cases.

[0112] In other embodiments, the timestamped estimate is refined. After obtaining a first approximation of the carbonation, for example as described above, a correction is applied to the estimate to obtain a timestamped carbonation estimate. If the corresponding dates are the same calendar date, the correction can take into account the differences inherent in the calendar (weekday or weekend, whether it is a holiday, whether it is a school holiday). If the corresponding dates are chosen "intelligently", as described above, the correction will take into account, for example, changes in the production of the supply network 36 (such as the growth of wind farms, temporary or final shutdown or (re)operation of nuclear power plant units), changes in the power provided by the network 36 between the current year and the previous year under consideration, and weather differences between the current year and the previous year. By analyzing the available data of previous years in terms of calendar, meteorology, power provided by the network, carbonization of power, evolution of power generation methods, etc., the correction to be applied to each changing parameter can be determined.

[0113] In one embodiment, each optimization criterion is assigned an evaluation scale commensurate with the evaluation scales assigned to the other criteria, and the optimization is performed by finding the extreme value of the sum of the evaluations. For example, the scale is a monetary scale expressed in monetary units, such as euros. In this case, the operating costs are calculated in real terms, with a monetary scale assigned to each kg of CO2 emitted (whether in the form of carbonization of electricity from the network 36 or in the form of local combustion emissions) if the installation has at least one combustion unit Comb, and another monetary scale for each kWh consumed. Depending on how the cost of non-renewable primary energy per kWh supplied via the network 36 is evaluated, the kWh can be weighted differently for local combustion and for acquisition via the network 36.

[0114] The value of carbon per kg of CO2 emitted may be based on the market value of CO2 (usually expressed in Euros per tonne), and / or on taxes and image penalties associated with high CO2 emissions.

[0115] Having thus expressed the three parameters relevant to the optimization in commensurate terms, a combination of activation states of the devices in the apparatus at a given moment is sought which meets the requirements and for which the sum of the values ​​of the three parameters is optimal, i.e., the sum of the values ​​of the three parameters is minimal when the scale is in monetary units.

[0116] As already mentioned, the optimization should preferably take into account the thermal storage management of the plant. Figure 1 In the example shown in , these are the reserves in the tank systems 9 and 11 and the geothermal medium 31. It is not desirable that the optimization systematically lead to a reduction in the thermal reserves.

[0117] To achieve this, a first option is to impose a heat content trajectory on each storage structure. In the case of hot tank systems 11 and geothermal media 31, the heat content can be measured by temperature. In cold tank systems 9, the temperature is generally stable and equal to the temperature at which the liquid and solid phases coexist. The heat content can be measured, for example, by the degree of filling, since the total mass of liquid and solid is constant, while the mass volume of solids is different from the mass volume of liquids. Under this first option, the actual heat content is measured, the deviation of the actual heat content from the trajectory of the heat content is calculated, the deviations are summed and the sum is added algebraically to the device demand to obtain the corrected demand. A combination of equipment states is selected to return the reserves to their respective trajectories.

[0118] According to a second preferred option, the reserves are managed as part of a global optimization that includes not only the current moment but also a period after the current moment. In this case, a certain deficit of the reserves or even an increased thermal loss of the reserves in relation to the trajectory of the reserves may be accepted when following the trajectory would be disadvantageous in terms of the selected optimization criteria (operating costs, carbonization and exogenous energy consumption in the above example) and when it is expected that making up the loss later will reduce the penalty. In the same or another global optimization method, the excess thermal reserves may be maintained or increased when the penalty for time optimization is relatively small and when it is expected that the excess reserves will be of greater benefit in terms of optimization at a later time (for example, when high carbonization and / or high prices of the electricity supplied by the electricity network 36 are predicted).

[0119] Generally, the installation will require most of the heat or cold during the course of a year, depending on its location (hot, cold, windy, north or south facing, etc.) and use (residential, office, industrial, vacation, etc.). Moreover, geothermal environments are almost always a particularly favorable heat source for the purpose of immediate optimization, taking into account the chosen optimization criteria (operating costs, energy consumption of the installation and carbon footprint). However, if calories and kilocalories are systematically extracted from the geothermal medium, its long-term temperature will drift in the opposite direction of the majority demand (i.e., if the majority demand is for heating, its long-term temperature will fall). After a few years, heat becomes increasingly difficult to extract, until the geothermal medium eventually becomes unusable, which is disastrous for the initial investment. This is why, as described above, the invention proposes to regulate the heat extraction from the geothermal medium in the sense of respecting the temperature trajectory (considered ideal). This control can be indirect: before starting the installation, the reactivity (temperature change) of the geothermal medium is measured when a given amount of heat is extracted. In operation, the temperature is not regulated directly, but rather according to the heat extraction performed, which can be converted into the temperature of the geothermal medium according to the initial tests. This indirect temperature control is more accurate than direct measurement using sensor Tg, since the instantaneous temperature changes in the geothermal medium are very slow, and therefore the instantaneous temperature change between two closely spaced times is very small. With this type of indirect control, the presence of sensor Tg is not necessary, and if it is present, its only purpose is to check from time to time the law of correspondence between extraction and temperature changes, and to correct it in the event that a permanent difference between the measured temperature and the trajectory seems to be forming. In the absence of sensor Tg, adverse drifts of the geothermal environment are still observed, which can be evidenced by a decrease in the extraction efficiency.

[0120] More generally, according to the invention, the optimization sought is a global optimization starting at or shortly before the intervention time and extending from the current moment to a certain period in the future.

[0121] To this end, predictions of the relevant parameters are used to estimate the thermal energy demand of the building at various future points in time, and to select the optimal combination of equipment states of the installations at these points in time to meet this demand.

[0122] The parameters that may be considered for prediction are typically all or part of the following list: outside temperature, sunshine, wind speed, energy purchase price, energy resale price, environmental parameters (including carbonization of the electricity provided by the network 36 and possibly atmospheric pollution parameters), occupancy level of the building, state of the thermal reserves in the storage structure, etc.

[0123] The forecast of the climate parameters and energy tariff applicable in the future period is provided in the form of an input 23 which can be directly fed to the control unit CU. In practice, the input 23 is usually a connection to one or more servers via the Internet, which are connected to the control unit CU. Figure 1 The representation in is purely illustrative. In the case of carbonization, if a prediction is not available, a prediction can be established in the control unit CU or remotely using the method described above and transmitted to the CU via input 23.

[0124] In general, the method for global optimization of the thermal energy supply in a building preferably corresponds in principle to the method described in WO 2022 / 029235 A1. In this context, only modifications to this known method will be described, such that the global optimization tends to minimize the carbon footprint of the thermal energy supply of the installation.

[0125] At the current time of operation of the device, the estimate of the carbonization of the electricity provided by the distribution network 36 is a time-stamped forecast for a certain period from the current time. The optimization includes defining a scenario that specifies a sequence of time-stamped combinations of activation states of the device during the period. A time period defined by its date and time (e.g., the start time of the time period) is assigned to each state combination. Typically, all time periods have the same duration (e.g., a quarter of an hour) and these time periods follow each other in time. The scenario is defined in terms of a global optimization for at least one criterion over a period of time, the at least one criterion including the moderation of the carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided by the device. A multi-criteria optimization is performed (e.g., as described above). Typically, for each time period of the period, there is a sum of the criteria under a common scale (the scale expressed in monetary units in the above example). The optimal scenario is the following scenario: the result obtained by adding the sums obtained for each different time period is the most favorable, that is, if the scale is expressed in monetary units of cost, the result obtained by adding the sums is the smallest. The search for the optimal scenario is usually performed by computer iteration.

[0126] In one embodiment, once a time-stamped scenario has been determined, the system operates by implementing the device at each moment in time taking into account the scenario.

[0127] Preferably, it is planned to update the scenario during its running to take into account any differences between the thermal energy supply history in the installation and the scenario before the update and / or any differences between the latest predictions and old predictions on which the scenario before the update was based.

[0128] In an improved embodiment, the scenario also provides for methods of adjusting the actual demand for thermal energy at the current time and / or the actual parameters of the energy at the current time, these methods themselves being optimized with respect to at least one criterion including the moderation of the carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided by the installation. Figure 1 In the example shown, if the controller AUT encounters a thermal energy demand that differs from that predicted by the scenarios, it adjusts the scenarios according to the adjustment procedure that is valid for the current time period.

[0129] When constructing or renovating a building or complex, meeting requirements for labels and / or tax deductions is a good idea. They also provide a commercial argument by demonstrating their ecological advantages and potential energy savings during use.

[0130] With this in mind, in addition to the optimization methods described so far, one embodiment of the invention proposes not only to optimize the energy supply of the installation, but also to design the installation upstream so that a particularly advantageous optimization can be achieved with respect to criteria, including in particular the criteria of moderate carbon footprint associated with meeting the thermal energy demand. This can be done as follows:

[0131] - Generate an annual schedule of the various energy requirements of a building based on a dynamic thermal simulation of the building, its intended use and the annual climate of the building’s location;

[0132] - Create a catalogue of energy collection, conversion, use and / or storage equipment that is compatible with the arrangement and with the data related to the building's specifications;

[0133] - Virtually test different combinations of catalog equipment and equipment sizes through computer iterations to determine the combination that will satisfy the described arrangement at least to a large extent;

[0134] - creating a time-stamped scenario for each of the combinations determined to satisfy the arrangement;

[0135] - selecting one of these determined combinations and the corresponding time-stamped scene taking into account at least one criterion together with device considerations; and

[0136] - Build a system that corresponds to the selected combination.

[0137] The "Dynamic Thermal Simulation" or DTS mentioned above, is a study carried out before a building is constructed, which provides the arrangement of the thermal energy demand of the building as a function of factors such as the site location, orientation, sun exposure, whether the site is windy, the building materials used and the insulation measures to be implemented, and the purpose of the building (residential, office, hotel, etc.). Depending on the country, this study or an equivalent study may be designated by different local terms.

[0138] Considerations associated with the device include capital investment, operating costs, and at least one benefit that can be obtained from meeting energy efficiency and / or carbon footprint moderation standards.

[0139] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown. Figure 1 The arrangement shown is only one of countless possible examples and is only a very schematic illustration of a real arrangement which would involve more than one device of each type, more than one geothermal detector, for example up to 100+ detectors, and typically more than one building, etc.

[0140] The invention can be applied to a wide variety of building complexes. In some cases, both heat (for homes, offices, etc.) and cold (for example, for cold stores) are needed. In other cases, only heat is needed (cold countries) or almost only cold is needed (hot countries). The invention is compatible with all these special cases.

Claims

1. A method for providing thermal energy in at least one building by means of a device, the device comprising: - an energy collection device (CPh, CTh, Ath, 3, 6) connected in an energy transfer manner to a source (31, 33, 34, 36, 37) comprising at least one carbon energy source (36, 37), the at least one carbon energy source comprising an electricity distribution network (36); - an energy conversion device (PAC, Comb) powered at least in part by said collection device; wherein, in order to meet the thermal energy requirements of the device, the device is operated with the purpose of optimizing at least one criterion; Characterized in that a time-stamped estimate of the carbonization of electricity production supplied to the electricity network (36) is provided, and that the at least one criterion includes reducing the carbon footprint of thermal energy provided by the device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Data are acquired, the data comprising meteorological data and data relating to the production of electricity supplied to the electricity distribution network (36), and the carbonisation estimation takes the data into account.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Data comprising a history of carbonization of electricity that has been supplied to the distribution network during one or more previous time intervals, preferentially during at least one previous year, are acquired and the carbonization estimation takes into account said data.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The carbonization of electricity production that has been supplied to the network at the corresponding date and time in a particular previous year is averaged and the estimate is obtained based on the average.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The at least one previous year is selected according to a similarity criterion to the current year, in particular according to a similarity criterion in terms of meteorology and / or carbonization of the production of electricity supplied to the distribution network.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The estimate is obtained by applying a correction taking into account at least one current parameter to the carbonation based on at least one previous year.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Meteorological data are acquired and taken into account by the carbonization estimation as current parameters.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The carbonization estimation takes into account the availability status of the power generation installations supplying the distribution network (36) as a current parameter.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The carbonation estimation takes into account as current parameters the day of the week to which the estimation relates and / or whether this day is a weekday.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The time-stamped estimate is obtained based on carbonization of electricity provided by the distribution network (36) during at least one year prior to a corresponding date, the corresponding date being selected with a calendar offset to be on the same day of the week as the date for which the estimate is generated.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the device comprises a combustion heating device (Comb), characterized in that: The combustion heating device is activated during time periods when the carbonization estimate of the electricity provided by the network (36) is high.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The method is applied to an installation comprising at least one heat storage / release device, such as a geothermal device (3), and / or at least one tank system (9, 11) containing a heat storage / release fluid.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that When the carbon content of the electricity provided by the network (36) is expected to be high, heat release is performed, and when the carbon content of the electricity provided by the network (36) is expected to be low, heat storage is performed.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that As part of the optimization, energy provided by the electricity distribution network (36) is consumed during a first time period when its carbonation is relatively low, thereby conserving stored energy, and the stored energy is subsequently consumed when the carbonation is higher than during the first time period.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The electrical energy with relatively high carbonization is supplied to a heat pump which operates between two heat sources having a small temperature difference with each other.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that The method is applied to an apparatus whose collection device includes at least one renewable energy collection device, such as at least one photovoltaic collector (CPh), at least one solar thermal collector (STh), at least one aerodynamic thermal collector (Ath), at least one geothermal collector (3).

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that At a current operating time of the device, the carbonation estimate is a time-stamped forecast for a certain period from the current time, and the optimization includes defining scenarios that specify a sequence of combinations of activation states of the equipment within the period, the scenarios being defined in the sense of a global optimization within the period for the at least one criterion, the at least one criterion comprising a moderation of the carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided by the device.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The step of providing a time-stamped forecast of the carbonization of electricity production provided by the distribution network comprises, for each time-stamped time period, taking into account the carbonization of the time period and, where appropriate, a correction based on the difference between the current year and at least one previous year, the time period preferably corresponding to at least one previous year.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that: - the scenarios with timestamps specify the energy flows from the different devices during each of the consecutive time periods within the period covered by the scenarios in the sense of global optimization with respect to at least one criterion, the at least one criterion comprising a criterion of moderate carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided by the devices; - operating the apparatus by implementing the device at each moment in time, taking into account the scenario.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that At least at a point in time after the step of operating the apparatus is initiated, the scenario is updated such that the global optimization takes into account: - any differences between the history of thermal energy supply in the installation and the scenario before the update; and / or - Any differences between the most recent forecast and the older forecast on which the scenario was based before the update.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The scenario also specifies methods for adjusting the actual demand for thermal energy at the current time and / or the actual parameters of the energy at the current time, these methods themselves being optimized with respect to at least one criterion, the at least one criterion comprising the moderation of the carbon footprint of the thermal energy provided by the installation.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that Before setting up the scenario, perform the following steps: - Determination of the annual schedule of the individual energy requirements of said building based on a dynamic thermal simulation of the building, its intended use and the annual climate of the building site; - Create a catalogue of energy collection, conversion, use and / or storage equipment that is compatible with said arrangement and with the data related to the specifications of said building; - Virtually testing, by computer iteration, different combinations of equipment from said catalogue and of different sizes of these equipment, in order to identify a combination that would satisfy said arrangement, at least to a large extent; - creating a time-stamped scenario for each of the combinations determined to satisfy the arrangement; - selecting one of these determined combinations and the corresponding time-stamped scene taking into account the at least one criterion together with device considerations; as well as - Build a system that corresponds to the selected combination.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that Considerations associated with the device include capital investment, operating costs, and at least one benefit that can be obtained from meeting energy efficiency and / or carbon footprint moderation standards.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that In addition to the moderation of the carbon footprint, the at least one criterion also includes a criterion for moderation of operating costs and / or an energy efficiency criterion, and each criterion is assigned an evaluation scale commensurate with the evaluation scales assigned to the other criteria, and the optimization is performed based on the sum of the evaluations.

25. A device for providing energy, in particular thermal energy, in at least one building or the like, said device comprising: - Energy harvesting devices (Cph, CTh, Ath, 3, 6), each connected to the corresponding source in an energy transfer manner; - an energy conversion device (PAC, Comb) powered at least in part by said collection device; - Energy using equipment (10); - a control system capable of defining, for at least some of the devices, respective different activation states selected as a function of parameters, in particular climate parameters, for optimization according to a criterion, Characterized in that the control system implements the method according to one of claims 1 to 24.

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that The device comprises at least one heat storage / release device, such as a geothermal device (3, 31) and / or at least one tank system (9, 11) containing a heat storage / release fluid.

27. The device according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that The collection device comprises at least one renewable energy collection device, such as at least one photovoltaic collector (CPh), at least one solar thermal collector (CTh), at least one aerodynamic thermal collector (Ath), at least one geothermal collector (3).

28. A system for controlling a device for providing energy, in particular thermal energy, in at least one building or the like, the device comprising: - Energy harvesting devices (CPh, CTh, Ath, 3, 6), each connected to a corresponding source (31, 33, 34, 36) in an energy transfer manner; - an energy conversion device (PAC, Comb) powered at least in part by said collection device; - Energy using equipment (10); A control system which is capable of defining corresponding different activation states for at least some of the devices in the sense of optimization for a standard, which are selected according to parameters, in particular climate parameters, and is characterized in that the system is designed to implement a method according to one of claims 1 to 24 in the device.

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