Heat Generation Control in Local Energy Markets With Fewer Starts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing local energy markets primarily focus on electrical networks, neglecting the thermal aspect of energy systems, which accounts for a significant portion of energy demand, and do not consider the specific technical requirements of heat generation installations.
Innovation Solution
A method and control device that integrate heat generation installations into a local energy market by providing an electrical load forecast to cover thermal loads, using an optimization method to minimize the number of starts of heat generation units, considering factors like wear and storage losses, to efficiently manage energy exchanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If local energy markets focus only on electrical networks, then electrical energy management is simplified, but thermal energy demand (70% of household energy) is neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The local energy market is extended from purely electrical energy management to include both electrical and thermal energy management. The control device now handles multiple energy types (electrical energy from power grid and thermal energy from heat generation installations), making the system universal and capable of managing diverse energy forms within a single integrated market framework.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heat generation installations are treated as conventional electrical installations, then integration into energy market is simplified, but specific technical requirements of heat generation are ignored
Solution Approach 1:
The control device applies different management approaches to different types of installations. Electrical installations are managed according to conventional electrical energy principles, while heat generation installations receive specialized management that accounts for their specific technical characteristics (thermal output, efficiency curves, operational constraints). This localized quality approach ensures each installation type is managed according to its specific requirements.
3Loss of energy
If heat generation installation starts frequently to cover thermal load, then thermal demand coverage is improved, but wear increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing thermal energy in advance when electrical energy is abundant or cheap, rather than generating heat on-demand. The heat generation installation operates in advance to charge thermal storage systems, which then supply thermal energy during peak demand periods. This preliminary action reduces the number of starts required while ensuring thermal load coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal storage system is introduced as an intermediary between the heat generation installation and the thermal load. This mediator allows decoupling of heat generation from immediate thermal demand, enabling the heat generation installation to operate fewer times while the storage system bridges the temporal gap between generation and consumption.
4Reliability
If thermal storage is used to reduce heat generation starts, then wear is minimized, but storage losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational strategies based on real-time conditions. The control device continuously optimizes the balance between using thermal storage and operating the heat generation installation, considering factors like storage efficiency, current thermal demand, electrical energy prices, and weather conditions. This dynamic approach minimizes overall energy losses while protecting installation lifespan.
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
Enhances the integration of heat generation installations into local energy markets, reducing wear and optimizing thermal load coverage while minimizing costs and emissions, thereby improving resource management and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a heat generation installation which converts electrical energy from the power grid into heat
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a method for controlling energy exchanges between energy systems via a power grid using a central control device. At least one of the energy systems comprises a heat generation installation converting electrical energy into heat. An example method includes: providing an electrical load forecastptefor the heat generation installation required to cover an envisaged thermal loadq.tthermal;transmitting the electrical load forecastpteto the control device, wherein other energy systems also transmit respective electrical load forecasts to the control device; ascertaining electric powersPteassociated with energy exchanges using the control device, on the basis of transmitted electrical load forecastspte,executed by an optimization method for minimizing an associated target function minimizing a number of startsytheatof the heat generation installation for covering the envisaged thermal loadq.tthermal;and controlling energy exchanges according to the electric powersPteusing the control device.