Building-to-Grid Integration via Segmented MPC Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack a unified mathematical framework to simultaneously optimize building and power grid performance, as building control systems are not typically connected or integrated with the grid, and operate at different time-scales, complicating the integration of Buildings-to-Grid (BtG) systems.
Innovation Solution
A mathematical framework for BtG integration is developed, using model predictive control (MPC) to explicitly couple building and power grid control actions, accounting for time-scale discrepancies and dynamic power flow constraints, enabling optimized energy management and frequency regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If building control systems operate independently without grid integration, then building operation simplicity is maintained, but energy optimization and grid coordination are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the building control into multiple time-scales: fast-scale HVAC control and slow-scale operational decisions. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently while maintaining overall coordination, reducing the complexity of unified optimization without sacrificing energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A unified mathematical framework acts as an intermediary that couples building and grid control actions. This framework includes a fast-scale MPC controller for HVAC systems and a slow-scale optimizer for operational decisions, enabling coordination between building and grid while managing complexity through structured interaction protocols.
2Productivity
If building and grid control are integrated at the same time-scale, then unified optimization is achieved, but computational complexity and control difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into two distinct time-scales: fast-scale MPC control for HVAC systems that responds to immediate conditions, and slow-scale optimization for operational decisions that handles longer-term planning. This segmentation enables unified optimization benefits while avoiding the computational burden of single-time-scale control by allowing each layer to operate at its appropriate temporal resolution.
3Speed
If fast-scale MPC control is used for HVAC systems, then responsive temperature control is achieved, but computational burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture segments computational tasks across two time-scales: fast-scale MPC handles immediate HVAC control with optimized computational efficiency for rapid response, while slow-scale optimization handles operational decisions with less time-critical computations. This segmentation enables responsive control without requiring excessive computational power at all time-scales simultaneously.
4Device complexity
If building operational decisions are optimized slowly, then computational load is reduced, but responsiveness to grid conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control responsibilities by time-scale: fast-scale MPC control handles responsive HVAC adjustments to grid conditions with appropriate speed, while slow-scale optimization manages operational decisions with reduced computational complexity. This segmentation ensures that responsiveness requirements are met by the fast-scale layer without requiring the slow-scale optimizer to handle time-critical responses.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device can generate predictions for future consumptions for one or more buildings based on a variety of factors. The factors can include a local climate corresponding to each building, a mass and heat transfer for each building, a daily operation for each building, and an occupancy behavior for each building. A power flow can be determined for one or more power generators. The power flow can be determined based on the predictions of future consumption. A control input vector can be determined for the one or more buildings.