Heat pump system with self-consumption management and demand response functions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems for indoor thermoregulation and sanitary water heating lack flexibility in adapting energy consumption to renewable energy availability, leading to inefficiencies in energy storage and increased reliance on the power grid, with significant heat losses and limited ability to provide ancillary services for grid balancing.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system incorporating multiple thermoregulating elements, including a heat pump and electrical resistances, with a control unit that manages energy consumption by adjusting power levels and temperature thresholds to maximize self-consumption of renewable energy and reduce grid reliance, allowing for flexible operation in response to surplus energy conditions and grid demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the system stores thermal energy at higher temperatures to increase storage capacity, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the heat standing losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the storage temperature parameter based on grid conditions and renewable energy availability. When surplus renewable energy is available and grid balancing is needed, the system increases storage temperature to maximize energy absorption. When grid balancing is less critical, the system reduces storage temperature to minimize heat losses, thus optimizing the trade-off between storage capacity and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic temperature management where the storage temperature is not fixed but continuously adjusted based on real-time grid conditions, renewable energy production, and demand response requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt between maximizing storage capacity and minimizing losses depending on operational context
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system increases consumption flexibility to adapt to renewable energy availability, then the self-consumption of renewable energy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: managing heat pump operation, controlling storage temperature, coordinating with grid operators for demand response, and optimizing renewable energy self-consumption. By consolidating these diverse control functions into a single multi-functional unit, the system achieves high consumption flexibility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors grid conditions, renewable energy availability, storage temperature, and heat pump performance. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of consumption patterns and storage operations to maximize renewable energy utilization while maintaining manageable control complexity through rule-based decision algorithms
3Loss of energy
If the system reduces standing heat losses by lowering storage temperature, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the energy storage capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of storage to higher temperatures when surplus renewable energy is available and grid balancing is required, anticipating future energy needs. This preliminary action allows the system to store maximum energy during periods of low demand and high renewable production, then reduce temperature later when grid balancing is less critical, thus resolving the trade-off between storage capacity and losses
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
The system effectively increases energy storage capacity while minimizing heat losses, enhances self-consumption of renewable energy, and provides flexible responses to grid demands, optimizing comfort and reducing energy costs by coordinating thermoregulation and water heating processes.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump system comprises at least: one 'refrigeration circuit' wherein a refrigerant is evaporated at low temperature, brought to high pressure, condensed and finally brought back to an evaporation pressure
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant is evaporated at low temperature, brought to high pressure, condensed
Implementation Method 3
brought to high pressure, condensed and finally brought back to an evaporation pressure
Implementation Method 4
one or more auxiliary thermoregulating elements, adapted to heat the heat transfer fluid. Such elements are typically electrical resistances
Implementation Method 5
one 'thermoregulation circuit' where a heat transfer fluid, preferably water or the like, circulates, that may be used for indoor heating/cooling
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The object the present invention is an indoor thermoregulation and sanitary water heating system configured to adapt its operation to the availability of energy. The system receives information on the available power or energy. The thermoregulation system comprises a thermoregulation circuit wherein a heat transfer fluid flows, that exchanges heat with a heat pump. The thermoregulation circuit comprises at least one circulation pump for said heat transfer fluid and one or more terminals for indoor heating/cooling and/or for the production of sanitary water, The terminal for the production of sanitary water is a section of the thermoregulation circuit that passes through a sanitary water storage tank with which it exchanges heat. The sanitary storage tank is also equipped with an electric resistance immersed in the sanitary water. Furthermore, the thermoregulation circuit may be equipped with an electrical resistance immersed in the heat transfer fluid, used as a back-up or aid of the heat pump generator for indoor heating. Heat pump and resistances are configured to activate in a coordinated manner to maximise the consumption flexibility.