Building Energy Management Unit for Carbon Emission Load Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building automation systems lack the ability to effectively schedule loads based on both user preferences and environmental impact, particularly in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and energy costs, limiting their potential for energy cost management and environmental sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A method and energy management unit that schedules load operations in a building automation system by using carbon dioxide emission and energy cost data, allowing users to set constraints on emission and cost levels, and determining optimal schedules based on user preferences and expected emissions and costs, with the ability to receive data from service providers for accurate scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If building automation systems use traditional scheduling methods based on fixed preferences and sensor information, then system operation is simple and reliable, but the ability to reduce energy costs and environmental impact is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing carbon dioxide emission data and energy cost data for different time periods before scheduling is needed. This allows the scheduling algorithm to make informed decisions without real-time complexity, as the environmental impact data is prepared in advance based on historical patterns and predictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary scheduling layer that sits between the building automation system and the loads. This intermediary component processes user preferences, carbon dioxide emission data, and energy cost data to generate optimized schedules, thereby reducing direct system complexity while enabling sophisticated environmental management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users have limited control over building automation settings to only predefined preferences and actions, then system operation is simple and reliable, but user flexibility and ability to optimize energy costs are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments user control into distinct, manageable components: users can independently set preferences for specific loads, define time periods, and specify importance levels for different scheduling criteria. This segmentation allows users to exercise flexibility only where needed while maintaining simplicity in areas where default behavior suffices.
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling system dynamically adapts to user preferences and conditions. Users can adjust their preferences and constraints at any time, and the system recalculates schedules based on updated inputs, carbon dioxide emission data, and energy cost data, providing flexibility without requiring users to understand the underlying complexity.
3Loss of energy
If traditional energy management systems only consider predefined preferences and sensor data, then system complexity remains low, but the ability to minimize energy expenses and environmental impact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring carbon dioxide emission data and energy cost data, comparing actual performance against scheduled targets, and using this information to refine future scheduling decisions. This feedback loop enables progressive optimization of energy expenses and environmental impact while managing system complexity through iterative improvement rather than complex upfront design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by incorporating multiple variables into the scheduling optimization: carbon dioxide emission levels for different time periods, energy cost variations, user preference weights, and load-specific constraints. By systematically varying and optimizing these parameters, the system achieves superior energy cost minimization and environmental performance without requiring fundamentally complex system architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to method for scheduling the operation of at least one load (L) in a building automation system. The method comprises providing (S1) carbon dioxide emission control parameters based on carbon dioxide emission statistics, receiving (S2) user selection data in which the at least one load is associated with at least one of the carbon dioxide emission control parameters, and which user selection data comprises a user-selected constraint of a level of importance of limiting the operation of the at least one load to the selected at least one carbon dioxide emission control parameter, and determining (S3) a schedule according to which the at least one load is allowed to operate for a time period based on the user selection data and on carbon dioxide emission data concerning expected carbon dioxide emission during the time period. A computer program product and an energy management unit are also disclosed herein.