Energy virtualization layer with a universal smart gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy management systems are inefficient due to restrictive use of energy sources, leading to significant waste and monopolization, with traditional building management systems being inflexible, insecure, and proprietary, limiting innovation and interoperability.
Innovation Solution
An energy virtualization system with a physical interface gateway and a computing device running an energy virtualization layer that communicates and manages energy-producing, control, and consuming devices, allowing for dynamic integration, monitoring, and management of energy resources across various platforms and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional building management systems are used, then system stability is maintained, but adaptability and interoperability are limited due to proprietary and inflexible architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the building management architecture into distinct layers: physical devices layer, gateway layer with virtualization, and application layer. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with standardized interfaces, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed as a universal platform that can manage multiple types of energy-producing, energy-consuming, and energy-control devices through virtualization. This multi-functionality enables a single gateway to handle diverse devices without requiring device-specific management systems, thereby improving adaptability.
2Loss of energy
If energy sources are restricted to single applications, then device simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to significant waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the gateway continuously monitors energy production, consumption, and control data from various devices. This feedback enables dynamic optimization of energy allocation and routing, reducing energy waste by directing energy from producing devices to consuming devices based on real-time conditions and requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtualization layer enables dynamic parameter changes in energy management by adjusting energy allocation parameters, routing parameters, and control parameters based on varying conditions. This allows the system to optimize energy efficiency across different applications and time periods without being restricted to single-use scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If proprietary building management systems are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but interoperability and innovation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between physical devices and application systems, providing standardized interfaces and protocols. This intermediary layer enables different devices and systems to communicate and interact without requiring proprietary integrations, thereby improving interoperability and system security while maintaining ease of operation through unified access points.
4Productivity
If virtualization layer is implemented, then energy management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional system layers
Solution Approach 1:
The virtualization layer creates virtual representations (copies) of physical energy devices, allowing the system to manage and control devices through these virtual models. This copying approach enables efficient energy management and coordination without requiring direct complex interactions with each physical device, thereby improving productivity while managing architecture complexity through abstraction.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy virtualization system may include a physical interface gateway that may include a plurality of common interfaces. The plurality of common interfaces may be coupled to a plurality of energy-producing devices, a plurality of energy-control devices, and a plurality of energy-consuming devices. The system may also include a building network, where the plurality of energy-producing devices, the plurality of energy-control devices, and the plurality of energy-consuming devices can communicate through building network. The system may additionally include a computing device running an energy virtualization layer. The virtualization layer may include a plurality of virtual devices representing the plurality of energy-producing devices, the plurality of energy-control devices; and the plurality of energy-consuming devices. The virtualization layer may also direct energy from the energy-producing devices to the energy-consuming devices according to information received from the energy-control devices.