Building Operations Setpoint Control with Local Safety Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building management systems lack robustness in handling unpredictable site conditions, sensor malfunctions, and communication disruptions, leading to potential asset damage and occupant discomfort due to inappropriate setpoint adjustments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that defines and enforces a range of setpoints for building assets, including optimal, sub-optimal, and unsafe conditions, with a local controller adjusting setpoints to maintain safety and comfort by preventing extreme deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional building management systems adjust setpoints based on sensor inputs, then energy efficiency is improved, but system robustness deteriorates due to sensor malfunctions and communication disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining safe operating ranges and constraints for setpoints before actual control decisions are made. The local controller is pre-configured with knowledge of safe operating conditions, allowing it to autonomously reject unsafe setpoint adjustments without real-time communication, thus maintaining reliability while enabling energy efficiency optimizations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary layer (the local controller with embedded safety logic) between the central building management system and the building assets. This intermediary filters and validates setpoint adjustments locally, preventing harmful commands from reaching assets even when communication with the central system is disrupted or sensor data is erroneous.
2Productivity
If building operations optimizer makes aggressive setpoint adjustments to optimize performance, then productivity is improved, but asset safety deteriorates due to extreme deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter representation by transforming raw setpoint values into categorized safety assessments (safe, sub-optimal, unsafe). This parameter transformation enables the local controller to make intelligent decisions about whether to accept or reject setpoint adjustments based on their safety implications, rather than simply accepting all optimizer commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the local controller continuously monitors setpoint adjustments and compares them against predefined safety criteria. When unsafe adjustments are detected, the system provides feedback by rejecting the problematic setpoints and maintaining safe operating conditions, creating a closed-loop safety assurance system.
3Reliability
If local controller operates independently to ensure safety, then reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the central building management system handles optimization and decision-making, while the local controller handles safety validation and execution. This segmentation allows the local controller to have simple, rule-based safety logic rather than complex autonomous decision-making capabilities, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples techniques to manage building operations are described. A first range of setpoints, a second range of setpoints, and a third range of setpoints of an asset installed in a building is determined. Current setpoints for operating parameters of the asset which are determined by a building operations optimizer are monitored. If the current setpoints determined by building operations optimizer fall within the second range of setpoints or the third range of setpoints, the current setpoints are adjusted by controlling a local controller to bring the current setpoint back into the first range of setpoints that correspond to values of the operating parameters of the asset in accordance with predefined optimal operating conditions for the asset, thereby ensuring safety of the asset and comfort to occupants of the building.