Building control system with multi-objective control of carbon emissions and occupant comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building owners lack the technological capability to significantly reduce their carbon footprint due to reliance on utility grids and existing technologies are difficult to integrate into existing building systems, hindering the achievement of carbon neutrality.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling building equipment that includes a graphical user interface for balancing carbon emissions control with other objectives like occupant comfort and operating costs, using an objective function to generate control decisions and adjust weights based on performance differences, with predictive optimization techniques to manage energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If building owners install solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries separately, then carbon emissions can be reduced, but the system complexity and integration difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and building equipment into a single integrated modular energy unit. This merging approach allows the system to function as a unified entity with coordinated control, reducing the complexity of installing and integrating separate components while achieving carbon emission reductions through optimized energy management.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular energy unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating electricity from solar and wind sources, storing energy in batteries, and controlling building equipment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems and simplifies integration into existing building infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If building owners rely on existing utility grids, then operational simplicity is maintained, but the capability to reduce carbon footprint is significantly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The modular energy unit enables buildings to generate and manage their own energy through integrated renewable energy sources and storage systems. This self-service capability allows building owners to reduce their carbon footprint without relying on external utility grids, while the automated control system maintains operational simplicity through centralized management.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If control strategies prioritize carbon emissions reduction, then environmental performance improves, but occupant comfort and operating costs may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on real-time conditions, balancing carbon emissions reduction with occupant comfort and operating costs. The objective function allows flexible weighting of different goals, enabling the system to adapt its strategy according to priority changes while maintaining overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as equipment runtime, energy storage levels, and renewable energy utilization to optimize the balance between carbon emissions and occupant comfort. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can achieve environmental goals without compromising reliability or comfort standards.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If separate components are installed for carbon reduction, then environmental goals can be addressed, but installation and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components that can be manufactured and tested independently, then easily assembled into a complete integrated unit. This segmentation approach simplifies manufacturing and installation processes while maintaining the benefits of system integration for carbon emission reductions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling building equipment includes providing a user interface comprising a graphical representation of a relationship between a carbon emissions control objective and a second control objective that competes with the carbon emissions control objective over a range of control strategies for the building equipment, and assigning a weight to the carbon emissions control objective or the second control objective in an objective function. The weight is associated with a control strategy that corresponds to a user selection based on the graphical representation. The method also includes generating control decisions for the building equipment using the objective function with the weight assigned to the carbon emissions control objective or the second control objective and operating the building equipment in accordance with the control decisions.