Air conditioning predictive power management system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional demand response programs face challenges in maintaining indoor temperature within desired ranges for households due to centralized control methods that fail to consider individualized usage patterns, leading to potential exceeding of power consumption limits during peak times.
Innovation Solution
A local behind-the-meter controller manages distributed energy resources (DERs) like air conditioners and electric vehicles by determining optimal start and end times of operation based on power consumption limits and outdoor temperature dynamics, ensuring combined power consumption remains within set limits without compromising quality of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If centralized control methods are used for demand response programs, then grid-level power management is achieved, but indoor temperature control within desired ranges is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control system into distributed local controllers at each household level. Each local controller independently manages its own DERs and monitors indoor temperature, while still contributing to overall grid power management. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of grid-level power management and localized temperature control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If DERs operate without predictive scheduling, then operational flexibility is maintained, but power consumption limits are exceeded during peak times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs predictive scheduling by forecasting future power consumption and outdoor temperature conditions. It pre-determines optimal start and end times for DER operations before peak demand periods occur, ensuring power consumption limits are met while maintaining operational flexibility through adaptive adjustments based on predicted conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If local behind-the-meter controllers are deployed, then individualized usage patterns are considered, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The local controller is designed to autonomously make scheduling decisions based on pre-programmed algorithms that consider individualized usage patterns, outdoor temperature forecasts, and power consumption limits. The controller self-manages DER operations without requiring complex user intervention or centralized micromanagement, thereby adapting to individual household needs while keeping the control logic manageable.
4Loss of energy
If DER operations are optimized for power reduction, then energy cost is minimized, but quality of service may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors actual indoor temperature conditions and compares them against desired ranges. This feedback loop allows the controller to adjust DER scheduling in real-time, ensuring that energy cost minimization efforts do not compromise quality of service. If temperature deviations are detected, the system modifies operations to maintain comfort while still achieving energy efficiency goals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively maintains indoor temperatures within comfort ranges while minimizing net home power consumption during peak times, avoiding power threshold violations and optimizing grid flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
an air conditioner that is configured to move heat from air within the structure to a medium outside the structure
Implementation Method 2
a heat pump that is configured to move heat from a medium outside the structure to air within the structure
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing a distributed energy resource (DER) within an indoor structure, the method including receiving a time window, receiving a power consumption limit, measuring an outdoor temperature, determining an indoor temperature of the indoor structure based at least on the measured outdoor temperature, the received power consumption limit, and the received time window, determining a minimum time of operation of the DER so that a power consumption of the DER is equal to or below the received power consumption limit during the received time window without compromising the quality of service controlled by the DER.