Central Controller for Thermal Energy System Power Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal energy systems face inefficiencies in managing heating and cooling grids, particularly in combined systems, which lead to high electric power consumption and environmental drawbacks due to reliance on electrical energy for cooling.
Innovation Solution
A central controller is introduced to manage the flow of thermal fluid in thermal energy systems, adjusting outlet temperatures of heating and cooling circuits based on power consumption data to optimize energy usage, thereby reducing total electric power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a combined heating and cooling grid is implemented to provide both heating and cooling from a single system, then system versatility and resource utilization are improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control into multiple independent layers: a central controller manages overall system coordination and optimization, while local controllers at each building level handle individual heat pump and cooling machine operations. This segmentation allows the complex combined heating-cooling system to be managed through distributed intelligence, reducing the burden on any single controller while maintaining system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic control where the central controller continuously adjusts operating parameters (temperatures, flow rates, power settings) of heat pump assemblies and cooling machine assemblies based on real-time data from power consumption sensors, temperature sensors, and flow meters. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize performance without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Use of energy by moving object
If outlet temperatures are continuously adjusted to optimize energy efficiency, then electric power consumption is reduced, but system stability and response time are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The central controller periodically adjusts outlet temperatures of heat pump assemblies and cooling machine assemblies in controlled intervals rather than continuously. The controller monitors power consumption data over time periods, compares against target values, and implements temperature adjustments at scheduled intervals. This periodic action allows the system to reduce energy consumption while maintaining stability by avoiding constant fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control where sensors continuously monitor outlet temperatures, power consumption, and flow rates, feeding this data back to the central controller. The controller processes this feedback and adjusts temperatures accordingly, ensuring that energy optimization actions do not compromise system stability. The feedback mechanism allows real-time correction of any instability caused by temperature adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple thermal devices are added to energy grids to improve heating and cooling capacity, then system functionality is enhanced, but efficiency management and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The central controller is designed as a universal management platform that can handle multiple types of thermal devices (heat pump assemblies, cooling machine assemblies, thermal storage units) through standardized communication protocols and control interfaces. This universal controller manages diverse devices efficiently, coordinating their operations to improve overall system functionality while maintaining or enhancing efficiency through centralized optimization algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A central controller for controlling power consumption in a thermal energy system is disclosed, the energy system may include a plurality of heat pump assemblies and a plurality of cooling machine assemblies, each heat pump assembly being connected to a thermal energy circuit comprising a hot conduit and a cold conduit via a thermal heating circuit inlet connected to the hot conduit and via a thermal heating circuit outlet connected to the cold conduit, each cooling machine assembly being connected to the thermal energy circuit via a thermal cooling circuit inlet connected to the cold conduit and via a thermal cooling circuit outlet connected to the hot conduit.