Water Heater and Appliance Control for Grid-Aware Hot Water Supply
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and photovoltaic power, face challenges in regulating electrical energy efficiently and adaptability, particularly with existing water heaters, which are not fully utilized for load balancing and energy storage.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a water heater and domestic equipment with a control element that authorizes hot water supply based on electrical network data, allowing for efficient use of stored thermal energy to regulate renewable energy consumption, adaptable to any existing water heater without major modifications, and capable of operating with both hot and cold water supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If thermal energy storage in water heaters is used to manage renewable energy load, then adaptability to existing water heaters is improved, but device complexity increases due to control elements and communication systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the control element from the water heater itself, allowing the control logic to be implemented independently. This enables adaptability to existing water heaters without modifying their internal structure, while the control element manages the complexity of communicating with the electrical network and coordinating hot water supply timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element acts as an intermediary between the electrical network and the water heater system. It receives information about renewable energy production, decides when to authorize hot water supply, and coordinates with the water heater and consuming equipment. This intermediary role manages system complexity while maintaining compatibility with existing water heater infrastructure.
2Use of energy by moving object
If hot water supply is authorized based on electrical network state, then energy consumption regulation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to automated control
Solution Approach 1:
The control element continuously monitors the electrical network state (renewable energy production levels) and uses this feedback to dynamically authorize or restrict hot water supply. This automatic feedback loop enables effective energy consumption regulation without requiring users to manually adjust settings or understand complex energy management concepts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs energy management tasks automatically based on network conditions and user-defined preferences. The control element autonomously decides when to authorize hot water supply, eliminating the need for users to actively manage energy consumption while still achieving optimized energy usage patterns.
3Productivity
If water heater storage capacity is optimized for load balancing, then productivity in energy management is improved, but loss of time occurs due to delayed hot water availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system authorizes hot water supply in advance when renewable energy production is high, allowing the water heater to store thermal energy before peak demand periods. This preliminary action enables load balancing by shifting energy consumption to times when renewable energy is abundant, while the water heater's storage capacity ensures hot water is available when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element dynamically adjusts hot water supply authorization based on real-time electrical network conditions and predicted demand patterns. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between energy management productivity and hot water availability, authorizing supply when renewable energy is abundant while respecting user-defined minimum temperature and storage constraints.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively manages renewable energy consumption by shifting electrical usage over time, optimizing energy storage in water heaters, and reducing peak demand, making it more intelligent and adaptable to varying energy availability.
Implementation Method 1
thermal energy storage is possible. With nearly 12 million units installed in France, more than 80% of which are linked to the peak/off-peak (HP/HC) tariff signal, the residential Joule Water Heater (CEJ) fleet – currently used for daily load smoothing
Implementation Method 2
a water heater comprising a water tank and a device for heating the water in the tank, the device comprising a first heating means supplied by an electrical network
Implementation Method 3
the system being characterized in that it further comprises a control element configured to allow or not the supply of hot water to the appliance from the tank according to at least descriptive data of a state of said electrical network
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1) comprising: A water heater with a water tank (10) and a heating device (11) for the water in the tank (10), said heating device (11) comprising a first heating means supplied by an electrical network (2); a domestic hot water consuming appliance (40), which can be supplied with both cold and/or hot water, and comprising a second heating means supplied by the electrical network (2); a control element (30) configured to allow or not the supply of hot water to the appliance (40) from the tank (10) according to at least descriptive data of a state of said electrical network (2).