Facility Energy Control Using Virtual Models and Weather Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional facility control systems rely heavily on expert analysis for energy-saving control, leading to inconsistent energy savings due to dependence on expertise and time-consuming scenario creation, making it challenging to maintain constant energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A central control apparatus and facility control system that simulate power consumption by collecting environmental data, modeling facilities, and determining optimal control scenarios through user-input energy reduction rates, allowing for intuitive and efficient facility management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If expert analysis is used to create control scenarios for energy-saving control, then energy-saving control can be achieved, but it takes a long time and the energy saving effect varies depending on expert capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the facility (virtual chiller) that replicates the physical facility's characteristics and operational behavior. This virtual model can be analyzed and optimized without requiring expert intervention on the actual facility, enabling automated control scenario creation while preserving energy-saving effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing non-experts to input desired energy reduction rates, and the system automatically generates and implements control scenarios through the virtual facility model. This eliminates the need for expert analysis while maintaining consistent energy-saving outcomes through automated optimization algorithms.
2Loss of energy
If expert analysis is used to create control scenarios, then energy-saving control can be implemented, but the energy saving effect cannot be kept constant due to dependence on expert experience
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a virtual replica of the facility, the system captures and standardizes the facility's operational characteristics in a controlled environment. This virtual model ensures consistent analysis and optimization results regardless of which expert performs the analysis, as the virtual model remains constant and can be systematically optimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the control approach by changing from expert-dependent qualitative analysis to parameter-driven quantitative optimization. By using the virtual facility model with defined parameters and automated algorithms, the system produces consistent energy-saving results based on mathematical optimization rather than variable expert judgment.
3Extent of automation
If conventional facility control systems are used, then facilities can be controlled, but automated control requires establishing multiple control points which increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual facility model serves multiple functions simultaneously: it represents the physical facility's characteristics, enables simulation and analysis, generates control scenarios, and optimizes energy consumption. This single multi-functional virtual model replaces the need for multiple separate control points and analysis tools, simplifying the automated control system.
Data Source
AI summary
A central control apparatus includes: a controller that performs control over facilities or equipment; and a display unit that displays information processed by the controller on the screen, wherein the central control apparatus further includes a communication unit that communicates with a meteorological office server, and the controller includes: a data collection module that collects predicted environmental data about a target control area through the communication unit; a system setting module that sets information about at least one facility within the target control area; and an energy usage simulation module that models the facility based on based on the facility information and simulates the power consumption of the facility model according to a control scenario, the energy usage simulation module including an energy reduction calculation module for calculating the energy reduction of the facility or target control area based on a simulation result of the power consumption of the facility model according to a combination of at least one control scenario.