Data Center Energy Control via Standardized Sensor Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center control systems often require vendor-specific hardware and logic, leading to integration challenges, customization needs, and delayed maintenance, and lack granular control over energy usage based on workflow or network configuration.
Innovation Solution
An energy control system (ECS) with standardized interfaces and virtualized computing environments that integrates with various energy sources and loads, using measurement sensors and control algorithms to manage energy distribution efficiently, allowing for granular control and reducing vendor-specific dependencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vendor-specific control systems with custom hardware and logic are used, then control functionality is provided for energy sources and loads, but integration complexity increases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control system that can interface with multiple different energy sources (solar, wind, battery, grid) and loads (HVAC, lighting, IT equipment) through standardized protocols. The system uses a common hardware platform with configurable software modules that adapt to different vendor equipment, eliminating the need for vendor-specific control systems and reducing integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system introduces standardized communication interfaces and protocol translators as intermediaries between diverse energy sources/loads and the central control logic. This mediation layer handles vendor-specific protocols and converts them to a unified internal representation, allowing the core control system to remain vendor-agnostic while maintaining compatibility with various equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom hardware and vendor-specific logic are deployed, then control capabilities are achieved, but training requirements increase and maintenance delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs homogeneous hardware platforms and standardized software interfaces across all control nodes. By using identical or compatible hardware configurations and unified communication protocols, the system reduces the variety of skills needed for operation and maintenance, thereby reducing training requirements while maintaining full control capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vendor control systems are used for different components, then specific component control is provided, but system integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates control of multiple energy sources and loads into a single unified control system rather than using separate vendor-specific systems. The unified system integrates solar, wind, battery, and grid management along with HVAC, lighting, and IT load control through a common platform, reducing the number of integration interfaces and simplifying system-wide coordination.
4Adaptability or versatility
If vendor-specific hardware is used, then control functionality is provided, but onsite testing and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standardized hardware configurations that can be replicated across different installations and vendor equipment types. This standardization allows for pre-tested control logic and interchangeable components, reducing onsite testing time and enabling faster maintenance through modular replacement rather than custom troubleshooting of vendor-specific hardware.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the disclosed technology include techniques and mechanisms for controlling energy usage within data centers. An energy control system (ECS) may use measurement sensors that are integrated within different energy sources and different sources of energy consumption to gather energy usage information. The ECS may analyze the energy usage information using control algorithms. The control algorithms may analyze a current operational state of the data center and identify control modes containing control actions for enhancing and managing the performance of the data center. The ECS may elect an identified control mode and may transmit, via the measurement sensors, instructions for the energy sources and the sources of energy consumption to execute the control actions outlined within the elected control mode.