Environmental control management system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building environmental control systems face challenges in efficiently managing energy usage, as they often require repetitive adjustments to maintain occupant comfort while avoiding demand peak limits and preventing unwanted system errors due to overlapping operations of multiple HVAC units.
Innovation Solution
An environmental control management system is configured with a static data store, dynamic user data store, and controller to schedule the operation of effectors based on occupancy patterns and meter demand targets, using a run time, ramp time, and load rolling engine to adjust electrical loads and maintain them below meter demand targets, while also considering weather data and billing rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If environmental control system set points are adjusted frequently to maintain occupant comfort, then comfort level is improved, but energy usage increases and demand peak limits are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-cooling or pre-heating spaces before anticipated occupancy based on calendar event data. This allows the HVAC system to reach desired set points before occupants arrive, reducing the need for frequent adjustments during occupancy and lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational strategies based on real-time conditions including weather forecasts, actual occupancy patterns, and energy pricing signals. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between comfort maintenance and energy usage, responding flexibly to changing conditions rather than following rigid schedules.
2Ease of operation
If multiple HVAC units operate simultaneously to condition different rooms, then occupant comfort is improved, but demand peak limits are exceeded and system errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the building into multiple thermal zones with independent control strategies. Each zone's HVAC units are scheduled and controlled separately based on specific occupancy patterns and thermal characteristics, allowing precise control of comfort in each area while preventing simultaneous operation that would exceed demand limits and cause system errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor real-time energy consumption, occupancy status, and environmental conditions. This feedback allows the control system to dynamically adjust the operation of multiple HVAC units, ensuring comfort requirements are met while preventing demand peak violations and system errors through continuous monitoring and adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for environmental control management. In response to a controller, sensors and effectors throughout a physical site operate to maintain the temperature, humidity, and/or peak energy usage of the physical site within parameters selected for occupant comfort and economical operation while accommodating changing occupancy patterns.