Building Power Management Using Forecast-Based Storage Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy management systems for buildings struggle to optimally utilize local renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic installations, leading to inefficiencies in power storage and distribution, which can result in increased carbon dioxide emissions and instability in power grids.
Innovation Solution
A local power system that includes a system controller connected to multiple storage devices, such as thermal and electric storage units, uses forecast data and past activation histories to determine future energy demands, optimizing the charging of storage devices and directing excess energy to the grid when necessary, thereby minimizing carbon footprint and grid instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If energy management systems control loads and storage devices to optimize power usage, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced and power grid stability is improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of orchestrating supply and demand increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring power supply availability from renewable sources, storage device states, and load requirements. The controller adjusts charging/discharging decisions and load control strategies based on real-time system state feedback, enabling optimized carbon emission reduction without requiring overly complex centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments power management into independent controllable units: renewable power sources, multiple storage devices with individual characteristics, and controllable loads. Each segment can be managed semi-independently, reducing overall system complexity while achieving coordinated optimization of power usage and emission reduction.
2Productivity
If local renewable energy sources are utilized more efficiently, then carbon footprint is minimized and grid stability is enhanced, but the complexity of managing multiple storage devices and energy distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-charging storage devices when renewable power is abundant and conditions are favorable, and pre-cooling or pre-heating thermal storage based on forecasted demand. This advance planning maximizes renewable energy utilization while simplifying real-time management decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as charging rates, discharging rates, and load control levels based on changing system conditions including renewable power availability, storage device states, and thermal requirements. This parameter optimization enables efficient renewable energy use without requiring complex structural changes.
3Loss of energy
If thermal storage devices are charged with renewable power, then renewable energy is better utilized and carbon emissions are reduced, but the risk of overheating and faulting increases if not properly managed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring thermal storage device temperature and charge state. When thermal storage approaches maximum capacity or temperature limits, the controller automatically reduces or stops charging from renewable sources, preventing overheating and faults while maximizing renewable energy utilization within safe operating limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing protective measures before overheating occurs. The controller monitors thermal storage state and preemptively adjusts charging rates or activates cooling mechanisms before temperature limits are reached, preventing fault conditions while maintaining optimal renewable energy utilization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Power management. A system comprising: a local supply of renewable power (6a, 6b, 6c), a first storage device (2a) having a first discharge characteristic, a first switch for electrically connecting the first storage device (2a) to the local supply of renewable power (6a, 6b, 6c), a system controller (1a, 5a, 5b) having a memory, being in operative communication with the first switch, with the local supply of renewable power (6a, 6b, 6c), the system controller (1a, 5a, 5b) being configured to: receive from the local supply of renewable power (6a, 6b, 6c) a signal indicative of available power; in response to that signal, read from the memory a first time history of past activations of the first storage device (2a); estimate a first future demand of power based on the first time history of past activations, then estimate a first charge X1 of the storage device (2a).