District Thermal Energy Distribution Control for Heat and Cold Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional building heating and cooling systems rely on primary high-grade energy sources like electricity and fossil fuels, leading to inefficiencies and environmental impacts, with a need for improved methods to provide heating and cooling in urban areas.
Innovation Solution
A district thermal energy distribution system that includes a control server managing heat pumps and cooling machines to balance heat and cold distribution within the system, allowing for local compensation of energy demands and optimal use of thermal energy by reusing low-grade waste energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional building heating and cooling systems use primary high-grade energy sources such as electricity and fossil fuels, then space heating and cooling can be provided, but energy efficiency deteriorates and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges heating and cooling systems into a unified district thermal energy network where heat pumps and cooling machines operate cooperatively. The system combines previously separate heating and cooling infrastructures into an integrated network that enables mutual compensation and waste heat reuse, thereby improving overall energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts waste heat from cooling machines into useful thermal energy for heating purposes, and converts excess cooling capacity into beneficial cold for cooling demands. By transforming previously wasted thermal energy into useful resources, the system improves energy efficiency and reduces the need for primary energy consumption.
2Ease of operation
If heat pumps extract heat from the distribution grid, then local heating demand is met, but the distribution grid loses thermal energy balance
Solution Approach 1:
The control server continuously monitors the thermal energy balance of the distribution grid and dynamically adjusts the operation of heat pumps and cooling machines based on real-time conditions. When heat is extracted by heat pumps, the system receives feedback about the imbalance and activates cooling machines to compensate, maintaining thermal energy balance through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters of heat pumps and cooling machines based on real-time thermal energy balance conditions. The control server adjusts extraction rates, operational timing, and machine selection to maintain equilibrium in the distribution grid while meeting local heating and cooling demands.
3Ease of operation
If cooling machines extract cold from the distribution grid, then local cooling demand is met, but the distribution grid loses thermal energy balance
Solution Approach 1:
The control server monitors thermal energy balance and receives feedback when cooling machines extract cold from the distribution grid. Based on this feedback, the system automatically activates heat pumps to compensate for the extracted cold, ensuring thermal energy balance is maintained while satisfying local cooling demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters of cooling machines and heat pumps based on real-time thermal energy balance. When cooling machines operate, the control server changes parameters such as heat pump activation, extraction rates, and operational timing to restore and maintain thermal equilibrium in the distribution grid.
4Loss of energy
If a control server manages and coordinates heat pumps and cooling machines, then thermal energy balance is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control server performs multiple functions including monitoring thermal energy balance, coordinating heat pump and cooling machine operations, optimizing energy distribution, and maintaining system equilibrium. By consolidating these diverse control functions into a single multi-functional platform, the system manages complexity while achieving comprehensive thermal energy balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control server automatically monitors and adjusts system operations without external intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting imbalances and autonomously coordinating heat pumps and cooling machines to restore equilibrium, reducing the need for complex manual control mechanisms while maintaining thermal energy balance.
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
This approach minimizes primary energy consumption, reduces the need for local fuel burning and cooling towers, and enables smart dual-use of thermal energy within cities, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
each heat pump being configured to transfer heat from a primary side thereof to a secondary side thereof, the primary side being configured to allow a flow of heat transfer fluid from the hot conduit of the distribution grid to the cold conduit of the distribution grid
Implementation Method 2
each cooling machines being configured to transfer heat from a secondary side thereof to a primary side thereof, the primary side being configured to allow a flow of heat transfer fluid from the cold conduit of the distribution grid to the hot conduit of the distribution grid
Implementation Method 3
a distribution grid for a fluid-based distribution of heating and cooling, the distribution grid comprising a hot conduit configured to allow heat transfer fluid of a first temperature to flow therethrough and a cold conduit configured to allow heat transfer fluid of a second temperature to flow therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for controlling one or more heat pumps (110) connected to a distribution grid (10) for fluid-based distribution of heating and cooling in order to, at least partly, compensate for a cold outtake from the distribution grid (10) by a first cooling machine (120) connected to the distribution grid (10). Alternatively, or in combination, one or more cooling machines (120) connected to the distribution grid (10) may be controlled in order to, at least partly, compensate for a heat outtake from the distribution grid (10) by a first heat pump (120) connected to the distribution grid (10). The controlling is made a control server (200) monitoring outtake of heat and/or cold from the distribution grid (10) by the heat pumps (110) and cooling machines (120) connected to the distribution grid (10). The control server (120) generates and sends out control messages to the heat pumps and/or cooling machines.