Energy Flow Evaluation Using Virtual Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy systems often lack dedicated meters for all energy flows, resulting in incomplete energy data sets, which hinders efficient operation and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to evaluate and calculate measurement values for energy flows without dedicated meters by subdividing the energy system into subsystems, setting up equation systems, and using known measurement values and efficiency parameters to solve for missing values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated meters are installed for all energy flows, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary that calculates missing energy flow values using measurement data from available meters combined with system topology and model equations. This mediator enables complete energy flow knowledge without installing physical meters for all flows, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of measurement data through calculation. Instead of installing physical meters for all energy flows, the system generates calculated measurement values based on available data, system models, and conservation laws, providing complete measurement information without proportional increase in physical devices
2Loss of information
If dedicated meters are installed for all energy flows, then completeness of energy data set is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computer acts as an intermediary that completes the energy data set by calculating missing values rather than requiring additional physical meters. This approach achieves complete energy flow information while avoiding the high installation and maintenance costs associated with deploying meters for every energy flow
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual measurement data through calculation based on available measurements and system models. This copying approach provides complete energy data sets without the proportional increase in installation and maintenance costs that would result from installing physical meters for all energy flows
3Reliability
If more measurement devices are deployed, then reliability of energy data is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computer serves as an intermediary that derives complete energy flow information from limited physical measurements combined with system models. This eliminates the need for additional measurement devices that would require installation space, while maintaining reliable energy data through calculation based on conservation laws and system characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A method for evaluating measurement values of an energy system is provided, wherein the energy system includes components which are interconnected by energy flows. Measurement values are available for only a portion of the energy flows. Values are calculated for at least some energy flows for which no measurement values are available by successively considering different subsystems of the energy system, and in each subsystem a value is calculated for one or more energy flows.