Demand Limiting HVAC Control for Peak-Rate Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC and refrigeration systems fail to optimize electricity usage during peak billing rates and do not effectively predict temperature deviations in internal spaces relative to outdoor conditions, leading to inefficient energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A demand limiting controller that monitors temperatures within zones and outdoor conditions, predicts temperature changes, and adjusts HVAC units to pre-cool or pre-heat spaces before peak usage times, utilizing natural ventilation when possible, to minimize electricity consumption during peak rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional HVAC systems continuously operate to maintain temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but electricity consumption during peak billing periods increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling or heating actions before peak billing periods begin. The demand limiting controller predicts when peak rates will occur and activates temperature modification units in advance to adjust zone temperatures, so that the desired temperature range is achieved without continuous operation during high-cost periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-adjusting temperatures to counteract expected temperature drift before it occurs. The controller predicts future temperature deviations based on current conditions and outdoor temperatures, then activates cooling or heating in advance to prevent the need for intensive operation during peak periods.
2Measurement precision
If temperature modification units operate continuously, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but energy costs during peak rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The demand limiting controller continuously monitors current temperatures in multiple zones and outdoor temperatures, using this feedback to predict future temperature conditions. The system adjusts temperature modification unit operation based on predicted needs rather than continuous operation, maintaining control accuracy while reducing peak period energy costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of temperature modification units based on real-time conditions and predictions. Rather than continuous static operation, the controller modulates when and how intensely units operate, activating them selectively based on predicted temperature deviations and upcoming peak billing periods.
3Device complexity
If the system does not predict temperature changes, then system complexity is reduced, but energy optimization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary predictions of temperature changes and peak billing periods using current temperature data and outdoor conditions. This predictive capability enables the controller to schedule temperature modification actions in advance, optimizing energy usage without requiring complex real-time control during peak periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The demand limiting controller reduces electricity usage during peak billing periods by pre-cooling or pre-heating zones, thereby lowering energy costs and ensuring temperature stability within desired ranges while optimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature modification unit cools or heats the zone based on the zone's current temperature, the outdoor temperature and the predicted moment in time
Implementation Method 2
In this evaporator, small spray nozzles spray the cooling fluid into a chamber, where the pressure drops and the fluid evaporates. Since the evaporation absorbs heat from the surroundings, the surroundings cool off
Implementation Method 3
Since the evaporation absorbs heat from the surroundings, the surroundings cool off, and thus the evaporator absorbs or adds heat to the system
Implementation Method 4
A compressor provides compression for the system. This compression causes the cooling vapor to heat up.
Implementation Method 5
The compressed vapor is then cooled by heat exchange with the outside air, so that the vapor condenses to a fluid, in the condenser.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus provide for a demand limiting controller. The demand limiting controller obtains at least one temperature condition and at least one temperature modification rate associated with at least one respective zone from multiple zones of a confined area. The demand limiting controller determines when to modify a current temperature of the respective zone with respect to an upcoming event by processing the temperature condition according to the temperature modification rate while minimizing the opportunity for all zones to be energized simultaneously.