Unitary Air Conditioner Token-Ring Power Coordination for Peak Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unitary air conditioners in multi-unit buildings create peak loads on electric power grids and have unique cooling demands due to varying environmental factors, leading to inefficient energy usage and increased billing costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing power line communication to form a token ring network among unitary air conditioners, where only assigned units receive power to manage energy distribution based on priority, reducing peak demand and allowing for coordinated cooling according to individual space needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple unitary air conditioners operate simultaneously to meet individual cooling demands, then each living space achieves desired temperature, but peak load on electric power grid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having air conditioners pre-cool their respective living spaces before peak demand periods. The controller coordinates operation schedules in advance, allowing units to operate during off-peak hours to lower temperatures, then reduces or delays operation during peak periods while still meeting cooling demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements periodic action by coordinating the cyclic operation of multiple air conditioners. Instead of simultaneous continuous operation, units are scheduled to operate in alternating cycles, with each unit running for a predetermined period then shutting down while others take over, thereby distributing the load over time while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If multiple unitary air conditioners operate simultaneously to cool living spaces, then cooling demand is met, but demand charge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools living spaces during off-peak billing periods when demand charges are lower. The controller schedules air conditioners to operate intensively during low-demand periods to lower temperatures, then reduces operation during peak billing periods, thereby shifting energy consumption to avoid high demand charges while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts the operation schedule of air conditioners based on real-time or forecasted demand charge conditions. It modifies run times, cycle durations, and coordination patterns adaptively to minimize energy costs during high-demand periods while ensuring cooling requirements are met during low-cost periods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each living space receives individual control over air conditioner operation, then unique cooling loads are addressed, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it coordinates operation schedules, communicates with all air conditioners, monitors cooling loads, and optimizes for both comfort and cost. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate control systems for each unit into a single coordinated system, managing complexity while enabling individualized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the controller receives status information from each air conditioner and living space, processes this data against coordination rules and cost considerations, and adjusts operation schedules accordingly. This closed-loop control enables individualized response to unique cooling loads while maintaining overall system coordination through automated feedback-driven adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system provide for the cooperative powering of unitary air conditioners. The method and system includes coordinating powering of unitary air conditioners in a multiunit building or other low level of aggregation in a power grid. Multiple unitary air conditioners can use a power line communication (PLC) communication module for communicating with other air conditioners that are within the same multiunit building. According to one aspect of the method and system, by using power line communications, multiple unitary air conditioners within a single building can form self-contained local area networks. The LAN can also support a token ring network. According to this token ring network, a predetermined number of tokens can be assigned within the token ring network.