Central Plant Control with Time-Dependent Deferred Load Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling central plants struggle to accurately predict power consumption, especially when the status of devices changes, making it challenging to assign thermal energy loads efficiently across different time periods.
Innovation Solution
A controller is developed that processes thermal energy load allocation data to determine the operating state of the central plant among predefined states (primary, deferred, and off-states). It predicts power consumption based on these states and adjusts operating parameters to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power consumption is predicted based on flow through load device, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates when supply device status changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the prediction method based on the operational status of supply devices. When a supply device is offline, the system automatically switches from flow-based prediction to temperature difference-based prediction, ensuring continuous reliable operation despite changing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the prediction parameters based on device status. Instead of always using flow measurements, it switches to using temperature differences at the load device when flow data becomes unavailable due to supply device shutdowns
2Use of energy by moving object
If thermal energy load is assigned to optimize power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into distinct functional modules: a detection module that monitors supply device status, a calculation module that computes power consumption using appropriate parameters, and a control module that adjusts thermal energy load. This segmentation manages complexity while achieving energy optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational status of supply devices and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the prediction method and thermal energy load assignment, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy efficiency automatically
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are a system, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for operating an energy plant. In one aspect, the system obtains thermal energy load allocation data indicating time dependent thermal energy load of the energy plant. The system determines, for a time period, an operating state of the energy plant from a plurality of predefined operating states based on the thermal energy load allocation data. The system determines operating parameters of the energy plant according to the determined operating state. The system operates the energy plant according to the determined operating parameters.