Load management system and method utilizing occupancy data and learned device behavior
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load management systems for HVAC systems are inefficient and cost-ineffective, as they rely on estimation and are limited to improving only HVAC efficiency within buildings, failing to optimize energy usage across all loads and lacking comprehensive control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A load management system that employs sensors to estimate occupancy and utilizes metering information from circuit breakers to implement a dynamic load management scheme, including energy control and optimization strategies based on occupancy, utility pricing, and device behavior analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If HVAC control systems use occupancy-based control to improve energy efficiency, then energy savings are achieved, but the solution is limited to HVAC systems only and cannot optimize other building loads
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional circuit protection, energy metering, device identification, and load management control. This multi-functional design allows the system to optimize not just HVAC loads but all building electrical loads through a single integrated platform, resolving the limitation of HVAC-only control systems
2Productivity
If traditional occupancy-based control systems are used, then HVAC efficiency is improved, but the systems lack comprehensive control mechanisms and rely on estimation rather than actual energy data
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through metering circuits that continuously monitor actual energy consumption, occupancy status, and device behavior. This feedback enables the controller to adjust load management decisions based on precise measurements rather than estimates, improving both efficiency and measurement accuracy simultaneously
3Loss of energy
If load management systems implement comprehensive monitoring and control of all building loads, then energy optimization is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate functions (circuit protection, metering, control) into a single integrated circuit breaker unit. This consolidation reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for separate devices while maintaining comprehensive load management capabilities across all building loads
Data Source
AI summary
A load management system including a number of sensors structured to sense characteristics of a managed area, a controller including a processor structured to estimate occupancy of the managed area based on outputs of the number of sensors and to implement a load management scheme, a number of circuit breakers, at least one of the number of circuit breakers being electrically connected to a corresponding load circuit and including a metering circuit structured to meter energy provided to the load circuit and a device control unit structured to control one or more load devices electrically connected to the load circuit based on the load management scheme. The processor is structured to implement the load management scheme based on outputs of the sensors and metering information of one or more of the circuit breakers.