Building Energy Management for Surplus Power Self-Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy management systems struggle to efficiently utilize electricity generated by energy generators within buildings, often resulting in surplus energy being fed into the power grid rather than being used by energy consumers.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that integrates an energy measurement device connected to the data network, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of energy absorption by electrical devices. The system determines surplus energy and adjusts the operation of energy consumers to utilize this surplus, minimizing feed-in to the power grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If surplus energy is fed into the power grid, then the power grid stability is maintained, but the energy consumer cannot utilize the generated energy and incurs higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management system continuously monitors the building's power grid status, energy generator output, and energy consumer demand through data connections. The controller receives real-time data about surplus energy availability and automatically adjusts energy consumer operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that optimizes energy utilization without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management system autonomously determines when surplus energy is available and automatically controls the energy consumers to utilize this energy. The system self-regulates by comparing generated energy with consumption needs and making control decisions without external intervention, enabling the building to serve its own energy needs efficiently
2Productivity
If the energy consumer operates continuously, then energy demand is met, but surplus energy from the generator is wasted and fed into the power grid
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management system dynamically adjusts the operation of energy consumers based on real-time surplus energy availability. The controller modulates energy consumer activity levels according to the fluctuating output of the energy generator, enabling the system to adapt its consumption pattern to match generation patterns and maximize utilization of self-generated energy
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively identifies periods when surplus energy will be available and pre-configures energy consumers to operate during these periods. By forecasting generator output and planning energy consumption in advance, the system ensures that energy consumers are ready to utilize surplus energy when it becomes available, preventing energy waste
3Loss of energy
If the energy consumer is controlled to use surplus energy, then energy costs are reduced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring energy generator output, assessing energy consumer demand, determining surplus energy availability, and executing control decisions. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated controller, reducing overall system complexity while achieving energy cost efficiency
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
The system effectively reduces the amount of surplus energy fed into the power grid by utilizing it within the building, thereby optimizing energy usage and reducing costs for energy consumers.
Implementation Method 1
the electrical power is determined in the energy meter based on the current flowing through the connecting cable
Implementation Method 2
The energy meter advantageously performs a power measurement based on voltage and current
Implementation Method 3
The electrical device generates thermal energy depending on the excess electrical power
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
In an energy management system with a data network, at least one energy consumer is integrated with an energy generator into a building electrical network, which is connected to a power grid via an electricity meter connected to a connection line, the energy generator is electrically connected to the building electrical network via an inverter and a generator line, and the energy consumer is connected to the building electrical network with an electrical consumer connection located between the inverter and an electricity meter, with a controller of the energy consumer being connected to the data network.