Central plant control system with device geometric modeling and control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generating geometric models for central plants to determine optimal operating points for subplants is time-consuming and difficult due to the complexity of modeling equipment and resources, especially in managing energy loads across various subplants.
Innovation Solution
A method involving obtaining instruction-based equipment models, generating geometric equipment models using operating points, merging these models to form a geometric subplant model, determining the nearest operating point based on a desired load value, and setting this point as the actual operating point for the subplant, utilizing time-series data and Euclidean distance analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional modeling methods are used to generate geometric models for central plants, then model accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and difficult due to equipment complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses instruction-based equipment models as templates to automatically generate geometric models. Instead of manually creating each geometric model from scratch, the system copies and adapts standardized instruction-based models to match specific equipment, dramatically reducing model generation time while maintaining accuracy through the structured instruction sets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes instruction-based equipment models that contain all necessary geometric and operational parameters before actual model generation is needed. These preliminary models include pre-defined operating points, geometric relationships, and equipment characteristics that can be quickly instantiated when creating geometric models for specific central plant equipment
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed geometric models are created for each piece of equipment, then operational accuracy improves, but device complexity increases making the system harder to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the central plant system into discrete equipment models, each represented by standardized instruction-based templates. This segmentation allows complex equipment to be broken down into manageable geometric representations with defined operating points, making the overall system easier to manage while maintaining detailed operational accuracy for each component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms complex equipment geometries into simplified parametric representations using instruction-based models. By changing the representation from detailed geometric complexity to standardized parameters (operating points, geometric relationships, performance characteristics), the system maintains operational accuracy while reducing manageability complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual model generation is used for subplants, then model customization is possible, but productivity decreases due to the time-consuming nature of the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying of instruction-based model templates to automatically generate customized geometric models for subplants. The system copies standardized instruction sets and adapts them to specific subplant configurations, maintaining customization capability while eliminating manual modeling work and significantly improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal instruction-based equipment models that can serve multiple functions across different subplants and equipment types. These multi-functional templates can be customized through parameter adjustment rather than manual recreation, enabling both high productivity and adaptability to various subplant configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a subplant included in a central plant includes obtaining instruction-based equipment models associated with devices included in the subplant and comprises operating points that define an operation of the devices, generating, for each instruction-based equipment models, a geometric equipment model using the operating points from a particular instruction-based equipment model, the geometric equipment model defining at least one operating domain associated with the particular device, merging geometric equipment models to form a geometric subplant model, the geometric subplant model defining an operation of the subplant comprising devices associated with the geometric equipment models, receiving a desired operating point comprising a load value, determining, relative to the desired operating point, a nearest operating point on the geometric subplant model, setting the nearest operating point on the geometric subplant model as an actual operating point, and operating the subplant at the actual operating point for the subplant.