Climate System Power Flexibility Aggregation for Fast Demand Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building climate systems lack an efficient method to estimate and communicate power flexibility to electrical power sources, particularly during peak demand times, which hinders effective demand-side management and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves receiving component power flexibility measurements from climate system components, aggregating them to determine overall system power flexibility, and communicating this to an electrical power source, allowing for dynamic power set point distribution to components like chillers, pumps, and air handling units, enabling responsive power adjustments during peak demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If climate systems operate at full power capacity, then cooling/heating performance is maintained, but electrical power consumption increases during peak demand periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclimate system performanceVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power setpoints for climate components based on real-time conditions and aggregated power flexibility assessments, allowing operation to shift between full capacity and reduced power modes in response to grid demand signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting power setpoints for individual components (chillers, pumps, air handlers) based on aggregated power flexibility measurements, enabling flexible power consumption adjustment while maintaining performance within acceptable ranges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If climate systems reduce power consumption during peak demand, then electrical power demand decreases, but system performance and comfort levels may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power consumptionVSAvoidclimate system performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of power flexibility for each component and aggregates these measurements before receiving fast demand requests, enabling proactive determination of available reduction capacity while maintaining performance guarantees

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from power flexibility measurements and performance monitoring to dynamically adjust power setpoints, ensuring that power reduction actions maintain climate system performance within acceptable ranges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If climate systems aggregate power flexibility from individual components, then system-level power management capability improves, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower flexibility managementVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the climate system into individual controllable components (chillers, pumps, air handlers) and assesses power flexibility for each component separately, then aggregates these measurements to determine overall system power flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The climate controller performs multiple functions including aggregating power flexibility measurements, determining system-level power flexibility, receiving and processing fast demand requests, and distributing adjusted power setpoints to individual components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11561021B2Method for responding to electrical power source request

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 CARRIER CORP

AI summary

A method of estimating power flexibility for a climate system includes receiving a component power flexibility measurement from one or more components of the climate system, and aggregating the component power flexibility measurement from each of the one or more components of the climate system to determine a climate system power flexibility. A method of responding to a fast demand request from an electrical power source for a climate system is also disclosed.