Setting up energy and/or automation infrastructure under continuing optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building energy and automation infrastructures are costly and time-consuming to plan and upgrade due to the increasing diversity and complexity of technologies, requiring manual engineering that fails to account for future needs and changes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for setting up energy and automation infrastructure that uses a library of assets to determine optimal configurations based on user requests, physical properties, and continuous monitoring, allowing for automated and reproducible adjustments to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual engineering processes are used for planning and upgrading building energy and automation infrastructures, then deep understanding and careful planning can be achieved, but the process becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual engineering processes with an automated computer-implemented optimization system. The system uses software algorithms to automatically generate, evaluate, and optimize infrastructure configurations based on building data, service requests, and component libraries, eliminating the need for manual mechanical engineering while maintaining or improving planning quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimization system performs self-service by automatically determining optimal infrastructure setups without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously processes building data, evaluates candidate configurations using merit functions, and generates optimized designs, enabling the planning process to serve itself rather than relying on external human expertise for each decision.
2Reliability
If manual engineering processes are used for planning and upgrading building energy and automation infrastructures, then careful planning can be achieved, but the process becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive manual engineering processes with an automated computer-implemented optimization system. The system uses software algorithms to automatically generate, evaluate, and optimize infrastructure configurations, eliminating the need for costly manual mechanical engineering while maintaining or improving planning quality through systematic automated optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the planning process by transitioning from manual human-driven decision-making to automated algorithmic optimization. By adjusting the optimization criteria and merit functions, the system can evaluate multiple configurations and identify cost-effective solutions that manual processes might overlook, thereby reducing overall planning costs while maintaining quality.
3Ease of manufacture
If infrastructure is planned at the time of building construction, then initial setup can be done, but future needs and changes cannot be easily accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic optimization system that can continuously adapt infrastructure configurations to changing building needs. The system allows for ongoing optimization by re-evaluating configurations based on updated building data, service requests, and performance metrics, enabling the infrastructure to dynamically adjust to future requirements rather than remaining static after initial construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor building performance and usage patterns, using this information to refine and optimize infrastructure configurations. The feedback loop enables the system to learn from operational data and automatically adjust recommendations, ensuring the infrastructure remains adaptable to evolving building needs and conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If diverse and complex building energy and control technologies are integrated, then capabilities are enhanced, but understanding and decision-making become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex infrastructure planning problem into manageable components by creating a library of discrete building components and systems. The optimization system evaluates combinations of these segmented elements rather than treating the entire system as a monolithic complex entity, making the planning process more tractable while still achieving integrated optimal solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal optimization framework that can handle diverse and complex building technologies through a single integrated software platform. The merit function and evaluation criteria are designed to work across multiple technology types and building configurations, providing a universal approach that simplifies decision-making despite the diversity of available technologies.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (100) for setting up energy and/or automation infrastructure (2) of a building and/or site (1), comprising the steps of: • providing (110) at least one request (3) for a service that the building and/or site (1), and/or its energy and/or automation infrastructure (2), is to offer to its user (U); • determining (120), based at least in part on all requests (3) for the services, a set of qualitative and quantitative requirements (4) for capabilities of the energy and/or automation infrastructure (2); • creating (130), using energy and/or automation infrastructure assets (5) obtained from a given library (6), candidate set-ups (2a) that meet the set of qualitative and quantitative requirements (4) for capabilities; • determining (140), for each such candidate set-up (2a), using a given merit function (7), a figure of merit (2b) with respect to one or more given optimization goals; and • determining (150) a candidate set-up (2a) with the best figure of merit (2b) as the optimal set-up (2a*) to be realized in the energy and/or automation infrastructure of the building and/or site (1).