Method for determining a flexibility value for the energy absorption of a combination of at least two heat pumps, computer program product, computer-readable storage medium, and electronic computing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining a flexibility value (12) for the energy absorption of a combination of at least two heat pumps (14, 16) by means of an electronic computing device (10), comprising the steps of determining a maximum possible energy absorption value of the combination of at least two heat pumps (14, 16) by means of the electronic computing device (10); determining a current energy absorption value of the combination of at least two heat pumps (14, 16) by means of the electronic computing device (10); determining the flexibility value (12) on the basis of the maximum possible energy absorption value and the current energy absorption value by means of the electronic computing device (10); and transmitting the flexibility value (12) to a higher-level electronic computing device (30) by means of the electronic computing device (10). The invention also relates to a computer program product, a computer-readable storage medium and an electronic computing unit (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for determining a flexibility value for the energy consumption of a combination of at least two heat pumps, computer program product, computer-readable storage medium and electronic computing device

[0003] The invention relates to a method for determining a flexibility value for the energy consumption of a combination of at least two heat pumps by means of an electronic computing device according to the applicable patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding computer-readable storage medium and an electronic computing device.

[0004] Due to the electrification of heat supply as a result of decarbonization, more and more heat pumps are being installed. These heat pumps can be combined into so-called heat pump pools to act as a joint player in the energy market. This allows heat pump pools to offer flexibility. For example, they can be switched on together when there is a surplus of electricity in the grid, or they can be switched off together when there are supply bottlenecks. However, this requires the switchable or available output of the heat pump pool to be predicted as accurately as possible.

[0005] According to a study by the Fraunhofer Society, it's no problem to make a prediction for a heat pump pool that combines more than 100 heat pumps, each of which delivers a sufficiently accurate switchable output value. This doesn't require precise knowledge of every heat pump system. However, if the heat pump pools are smaller than 100, especially if they have a total of 10 heat pumps, the prediction is very inaccurate.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a method, a computer program product, a computer-readable storage medium and an electronic computing device by means of which a flexibility value for at least two heat pumps can be predicted in an improved manner.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method, a computer program product, a computer-readable storage medium, and an electronic computing device according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining a flexibility value for the energy consumption of a combination of at least two heat pumps using an electronic computing device. A maximum possible energy consumption value of the combination of at least two heat pumps is determined using the electronic computing device. A current energy consumption value of the combination of at least two heat pumps is determined using the electronic computing device. The flexibility value is determined as a function of the maximum possible energy consumption value and the current energy consumption value using the electronic computing device, and the flexibility value is transmitted to a higher-level electronic computing device using the electronic computing device.

[0009] This makes it possible, for example, to reliably determine the flexibility value of even a small number of heat pumps. This flexibility value can then be used to enable the group of heat pumps to participate in the energy market. In particular, if, for example, there is a surplus of electrical energy, a control signal can be generated by the electronic computing device for the at least two heat pumps depending on the determined flexibility value and transmitted to the two heat pumps, so that they perform an appropriate energy consumption based on their capacity.

[0010] In particular, a switchable output can be determined, which results from the flexibility of each individual heat pump. With a sufficiently large number of systems, in particular more than 100 heat pumps, a statistical balance is achieved. However, if only a few systems, in particular at least two, at least five, preferably at least ten, and preferably no more than ten, are combined within the heat pump pool, which in particular corresponds to the combination of at least two heat pumps, the flexible output or energy must be determined from the storage state (State of Charge - SoC) or the current temperatures within a corresponding heat storage unit.Using an equation, you can determine the amount of energy needed until, for example, a storage unit is full, the amount of energy needed until the storage unit needs to be recharged, which corresponds to a downshift, and the resulting electrical power. The electrical power can also be a partial load, for example.

[0011] In particular, the upstream process enables the most precise knowledge possible of the flexibility of a heat pump pool, which enables even a small pool of heat pumps to participate in the energy market.

[0012] The switchable output of a heat pump pool is determined by the flexibility of the system. Any form of storage can be used, for example, buffer storage, domestic hot water storage, heating circuit water storage, thermal inertia / mass of the building as storage, storage production processes, or similar.

[0013] This time-varying value can be determined either from the current state of the system, particularly from measured values, or from the historical behavior of the heat pump. In other words, the current energy consumption value can be actively determined based on current heat pump parameters or estimated based on historical values.

[0014] An aggregator, specifically an electronic computing device, estimates and aggregates the controllable output. Furthermore, the flexibility of heat pump pools in summer can be increased by incorporating reversible heat pumps, which can then also operate in cooling mode, for example, and offer their output accordingly.

[0015] Furthermore, it is also possible for the aggregation of the at least two heat pumps to be aggregated with another pool of heat pumps via the electronic computing device via an additional intermediate electronic computing device. Thus, corresponding regions with multiple pools of at least two heat pumps can be aggregated accordingly and thus participate in the energy market.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, a maximum output value of a respective heat pump is taken into account when determining the maximum possible energy absorption value. In particular, if, for example, one heat pump has an output of 5 kilowatts and another heat pump has an output of 10 kilowatts, these different output values ​​can be taken into account. This allows the flexibility value to be reliably determined accordingly. It is also advantageous if respective heat storage devices connected to a respective heat pump are taken into account when determining the maximum possible energy absorption value. This allows corresponding heat storage devices, for example in the form of buffer storage devices, domestic hot water storage devices, or corresponding heatable rooms to be taken into account in order to reliably determine the flexibility value. This allows the flexibility value to be determined in a simple manner.

[0017] It is also advantageous to consider the potential heat absorption capacity of an attached heat storage facility. For example, corresponding volumes can be considered for this purpose. This allows not only current values ​​but also future usable values, particularly in the form of the potential heat absorption value, to be determined. This enables a reliable prediction or estimation of the flexibility value.

[0018] It has also proven advantageous if the potential heat absorption capacity is determined as a function of a current state of the heat storage device and / or a volume of the heat storage device and / or a current temperature of the heat storage device and / or a material property of the heat storage device. In particular, the flexible power or energy can thus be determined from the storage state, in particular the state of charge or the current temperatures in the storage device, minimum temperatures, volumes and material properties of the storage medium, for example the density, heat capacity or the like. The building itself can also be viewed as a storage device. This makes it possible to reliably determine or estimate the potential heat absorption capacity and thus the flexibility value.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment provides that at least one respective operating parameter of a respective heat storage unit is adjusted. For example, it is possible for a target temperature, for example in the domestic water area or in the heating water area, to be increased accordingly so that an increased heat absorption capacity can be achieved. In particular, the electronic computing device can send corresponding control signals to the heat pumps in order to be able to adjust the corresponding operating parameters. This allows the combination of heat pumps to participate in the energy market with great flexibility. A further advantageous embodiment provides that the respective current ambient condition for a respective heat pump is taken into account when determining the maximum possible energy absorption value. For example, the current weather can be taken into account for the respective heat pump.Furthermore, if it's summer, for example, it's expected that heat absorption will be reduced. This can be taken into account, especially to determine essentially correct values ​​for the flexibility value.

[0020] It has also proven advantageous to consider a specific outside temperature as the respective ambient condition. In particular, future outside temperatures can also be considered for the flexibility value. This allows for a reliable determination of the flexibility value.

[0021] It has also proven advantageous if the at least two heat pumps are located in a common region. In particular, the at least two heat pumps are located essentially in the same region, in particular essentially adjacent to each other. This allows for a reliable determination of the level of flexibility within a region, particularly in terms of smart grids.

[0022] Another advantageous design provides for the determined flexibility value to be adjusted based on historical actual flexibility values. In particular, historical behavior can be evaluated to determine what was offered and what was actually delivered, for example, to correct "overly optimistic" offers during the next call. For example, if a heat pump offers 10 kW but actually only delivers 5 kW, the offer is adjusted accordingly. This allows the flexibility value to be reliably determined.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a time value for the specific flexibility value can be determined and additionally transmitted to the higher-level electronic computing device. A time value is understood, in particular, to be a period of time for which the corresponding flexibility can be provided. This makes it possible to create a plan as to the extent to which the energy consumption for the combination of heat pumps can be implemented. It is also advantageous if a potential cooling mode of a respective heat pump is taken into account when determining the flexibility value. Particularly with so-called split air conditioning systems, it is possible for these to function both as a heat pump and heat generator, as well as to have an operating mode in which cooling can take place.If, for example, high temperatures prevail in summer and energy consumption is still desired, it can be considered that an operating mode can be changed accordingly, for example, to perform cooling. In particular, the cooling performance can then be adjusted. Furthermore, appropriate control signals can then be generated, particularly via the electronic computing device, to switch from a heating mode to a cooling mode, for example.

[0024] The presented method is essentially a computer-implemented method. Therefore, a further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product with program code means that, when the program code means are executed by the electronic computing device, cause an electronic computing device to perform a method according to the preceding aspect.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium with at least one computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

[0026] Yet another aspect of the invention also relates to an electronic computing device for determining a flexibility value for the energy consumption of a combination of at least two heat pumps, wherein the electronic computing device is designed to carry out a method according to the preceding aspect. In particular, the method is carried out by means of the electronic computing device.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments of the method are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the computer program product, the computer-readable storage medium, and the electronic computing device. The measuring device has material features for this purpose in order to be able to carry out corresponding method steps.

[0028] A computing unit / electronic computing device can be understood in particular as a

[0029] A data processing device can be understood as containing a processing circuit. The processing unit can therefore, in particular, process data to perform arithmetic operations. This may also include operations for performing indexed access to a data structure, such as a look-up table (LUT).

[0030] The computing unit may, in particular, contain one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers, and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more single-chip systems (SoCs). The computing unit may also contain one or more processors, for example one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more graphics processing units (GPUs), and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). The computing unit may also include a physical or virtual network of computers or other of the aforementioned units.

[0031] In various embodiments, the computing unit includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units.

[0032] A memory unit can be a volatile data memory, for example a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM), or a non-volatile data memory, for example a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory or flash EEPROM, a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), a magnetoresistive random access memory,MRAM (magnetoresistive random access memory) or phase-change random access memory (PCRAM). For applications or application situations that may arise with a method according to the invention and that are not explicitly described herein, it may be provided that, according to the method, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is output and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0033] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0034] Further features and combinations of features of the invention will become apparent from the figures and their description, as well as from the claims. In particular, further embodiments of the invention do not necessarily have to contain all features of one of the claims. Further embodiments of the invention may have features or combinations of features not mentioned in the claims.

[0035] The single figure shows a schematic block diagram according to an embodiment of an electronic computing device.

[0036] In the figure, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0037] The figure shows a schematic block diagram according to an embodiment of an electronic computing device 10. The electronic computing device 10 is designed to determine a flexibility value 12 for the energy absorption of a combination of at least two heat pumps 14, 16.

[0038] In the present exemplary embodiment, it is shown in particular that a first heat pump 14 is assigned to a first house 18. The first house 18 has, for example, a first heating circuit 20 and a first buffer storage tank 22. A second house 24, in turn, has a second heat pump 16. The second house 24 can have a second heating circuit 26 and a second buffer storage tank 28. The houses 18, 24 can be considered either private houses 18, 24 or industrial facilities.

[0039] In the present exemplary embodiment, a method for determining the flexibility value 12 for the energy consumption of a combination of at least two heat pumps 14, 16 using the electronic computing device 10 is shown. A maximum possible energy consumption value of the combination of at least two heat pumps 14, 16 is determined using the electronic computing device 10. A current energy consumption value of the combination of at least two heat pumps 14, 16 is then determined using the electronic computing device 10. The flexibility value 12 is then determined as a function of the maximum possible energy consumption value and the current energy consumption value using the electronic computing device 10. The flexibility value 12 is then transmitted to a higher-level electronic computing device 30 using the electronic computing device 10.The higher-level electronic computing device 30 can, for example, be part of a higher-level energy market.

[0040] In particular, it can be provided that a maximum power value of a respective heat pump 14, 16 is taken into account when determining the maximum possible energy absorption value. Furthermore, a respective heat accumulator 20, 22, 26, 28 connected to a respective heat pump 14, 16 can be taken into account when determining the maximum possible energy absorption value. Furthermore, a potential heat absorption capacity of an connected heat accumulator 20, 22, 26, 28 can also be taken into account. For example, the potential heat absorption capacity can be determined as a function of the current state of the heat accumulator 20, 22, 26, 28 and / or a volume of the heat accumulator 20, 22, 26, 28 and / or a current temperature of the heat accumulator 20, 22, 26, 28 and / or a material property of the heat accumulator 20, 22, 26, 28. Furthermore, at least one operating parameter of a respective heat accumulator 20, 22, 26, 28 can be adjusted.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be provided that a respective current ambient condition 32 for a respective heat pump 14, 16 is taken into account when determining the maximum possible energy consumption value. For example, a respective outside temperature can be considered as the respective ambient condition 32.

[0042] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least the heat pumps 14, 16 are fixed in a common region 34.

[0043] Furthermore, it can be provided that the specific flexibility value 12 is adjusted based on historical actual flexibility values. It can also be provided that a time value for a specific flexibility value 12 is determined and additionally transmitted to the higher-level electronic computing device 30.

[0044] Furthermore, a potential cooling mode for the respective heat pumps 14, 16 can be taken into account when determining the flexibility value 12.

[0045] The figure further shows that, for example, a second region 36 with third houses 38 can also be provided, wherein the third houses 38 each have additional heat pumps 40. For this purpose, a further electronic computing device 42 can be provided, which in turn determines corresponding flexibility values ​​of the third houses 38. The higher-level electronic computing device 30 can then, for example, control the two regions 34, 36 accordingly as a further aggregation step and thus serve as a higher-level aggregator.

[0046] In particular, it is thus intended that the switchable output is derived from the flexibility value 12 of each individual system. With a sufficiently high number in the state of the art, a statistical balance results. However, if, as in the invention, only a few heat pumps 14, 16 are combined in the heat pump pool, the flexible output or energy must be determined from the storage state, in particular the so-called state of charge or the current temperature within the heat storage units 20, 22, 26, 28, minimum temperatures, volumes, and material properties of the storage medium, for example, the density or heat capacity. A building itself can also be considered and used as a storage unit.Using an equation, the amount of energy required until the storage tank is full, or the amount of energy required until the storage tank needs to be recharged (known as downshifting), and the resulting electrical output can be determined. The electrical output can also be a partial load, for example. Additionally, the storage tank target temperature can be raised, thereby increasing the amount of energy required. An additional electric heater can also be taken into account if necessary.

[0047] If larger heat pumps 14, 16 are part of the heat pump pool, for example, from production processes or high-temperature applications, the flexibility potentials for these are also determined from known measured values. It can then be provided that an aggregator, i.e., the electronic computing device 10, evaluates the current status and uses this to estimate and summarize flexibility potentials. Alternatively or additionally, the aggregator uses the historical behavior of individual heat pumps 14, 16 to estimate and summarize flexibility potentials. This can be done purely autoregressively or, if necessary, with the help of additional measured values ​​from the building.

[0048] Furthermore, the electronic computing device 10 can evaluate historical behavior regarding what was offered and what was delivered in order to correct "overly optimistic" offers during the next call. For example, if the first heat pump 14 offers 10 kW but only delivers 5 kW, the offer is adjusted accordingly.

[0049] Furthermore, the flexibility of heat pump pools can be increased, especially in summer when there is little flexibility available due to a lack of heat demand, except for domestic hot water heating, by incorporating reversible heat pumps 14, 16 into the pool, which then provide flexibly switchable electrical power by providing cooling. It goes without saying that the heat pump pool can also be supplemented with additional systems. In particular, this allows the additional systems downstream of the meter to be considered for each system and included in the flexibility assessment.

[0050] List of reference symbols

[0051] 10 electronic computing device

[0052] 12 Flexibility value 14 first heat pump

[0053] 16 second heat pump

[0054] 18 first house

[0055] 20 first heating circuit

[0056] 22 first buffer storage 24 second house

[0057] 26 second heating circuit

[0058] 28 second buffer storage

[0059] 30 higher-level electronic computing device

[0060] 32 Environmental condition 34 first region

[0061] 36 second region

[0062] 38 third house

[0063] 40 additional heat pumps

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for determining a flexibility value (12) for the energy consumption of a combination of at least two heat pumps (14, 16) by means of an electronic computing device (10), comprising the steps: - determining a maximum possible energy consumption value of the combination of at least two heat pumps (14, 16) by means of the electronic computing device (10); - determining a current energy consumption value of the combination of at least two heat pumps (14, 16) by means of the electronic computing device (10); - determining the flexibility value (12) as a function of the maximum possible energy absorption value and the current energy absorption value by means of the electronic computing device (10); and - transmitting the flexibility value (12) to a higher-level electronic computing device (30) by means of the electronic computing device (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a maximum power value of a respective heat pump (14, 16) is taken into account when determining the maximum possible energy consumption value.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that respective heat accumulators (20, 22, 26, 28) attached to a respective heat pump (14, 16) are taken into account when determining the maximum possible energy absorption value.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that a potential heat absorption capacity of an attached heat accumulator (20, 22, 26, 28) is taken into account.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the potential heat absorption capacity is determined as a function of a current state of the heat accumulator (20, 22, 26, 28) and / or a volume of the heat accumulator (20, 22, 26, 28) and / or a current temperature of the heat accumulator (20, 22, 26, 28) and / or a material property of the heat accumulator (20, 22, 26, 28).

6. Method according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one respective operating parameter of a respective heat accumulator (20, 22, 26, 28) is adjusted.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a respective current ambient condition (32) for a respective heat pump (20, 22, 26, 28) is taken into account when determining the maximum possible energy consumption value.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that a respective outside temperature is taken into account as a respective ambient condition (32).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two heat pumps (14, 16) are fixed in a common region (34).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determined flexibility value (12) is adjusted on the basis of historical actual flexibility values.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a time value for the determined flexibility value (12) is determined and additionally transmitted to the higher-level electronic computing device (30).

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a potential cooling mode of a respective heat pump (14, 16) is taken into account when determining the flexibility value (12).

13. Computer program product with program code means which cause an electronic computing device (10) to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 12 when the program code means are processed by the electronic computing device (10).

14. A computer-readable storage medium comprising at least one computer program product according to claim 13.

15. Electronic computing device (10) for determining a flexibility value (12) for the energy absorption of a combination of at least two heat pumps (14, 16), wherein the electronic computing device (10) is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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