Energy Decision Management System Cost Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial plants face challenges in optimizing energy system operations to minimize costs due to changing operating characteristics and energy costs over time, requiring a system to manage and control energy systems effectively while considering various factors like fuel types, environmental impacts, and societal impacts.
Innovation Solution
An energy decision management system (EDMS) with modular components, including a budget/forecast module, scheduling module, and performance module, that gathers real-time data to create strategic plans, schedules, and reports to optimize energy system operations and minimize costs by determining which energy systems to operate based on cost, environmental, and societal factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional energy management systems are used without decision-making capabilities, then system simplicity is maintained, but cost optimization and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a decision module as an intermediary component between the data acquisition module and the energy systems. This decision module processes data from multiple sources (cost data, environmental data, operational data) and generates optimized operational decisions, thereby improving productivity without directly complicating the core energy systems themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management system is divided into distinct functional modules: data acquisition module, decision module, and implementation module. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, improving overall system efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
2Productivity
If real-time data collection and analysis is implemented across all energy systems, then cost optimization improves, but system complexity and data processing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different data collection and analysis strategies to different energy systems based on their specific characteristics and cost optimization potential. The decision module evaluates multiple factors (cost data, environmental data, operational data) and applies localized optimization strategies to each energy system rather than using a uniform approach across all systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters of energy systems based on real-time data analysis. The decision module processes varying parameters (cost data, environmental data, operational data) and generates optimized parameter settings for each energy system, enabling cost optimization through adaptive parameter management.
3Ease of operation
If multiple energy systems are operated simultaneously without optimization, then operational flexibility is maintained, but operational costs worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines which energy systems should be operated at any given time based on real-time data analysis. The decision module continuously evaluates cost data, environmental data, and operational data to generate optimized operational schedules, enabling the system to adapt its configuration dynamically rather than maintaining static operation of all systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where operational data from energy systems is continuously collected, analyzed by the decision module, and used to generate optimized operational decisions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to learn from past performance and continuously improve operational efficiency while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy decision management system manages, controls, or manipulates data to monitor, measure, or control one or more energy systems. The EDMS includes at least three modules or systems working together to manage the information needed for a user to render decisions as to which energy system to operate, in which the desire is to minimize costs. The EDMS includes a budget/forecast module, a scheduling module, and a performance module. The budget module creates a strategic energy decision plan to run various energy systems. The scheduling module creates an operational schedule to determine which energy system is best to operate based on predetermined criteria. The performance module produces management reports to quantify operational issues and successes.