Building Heater Mode Switching for Fast Energy Saving Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems lack adequate digital measurement technology for recording heat and gas consumption, necessitating manual effort and historical data collection, which slows down energy-saving measures and hinders verification of savings.
Innovation Solution
A method involving alternating operation of heaters between a conventional and smart mode to determine energy savings without historical data, using a computer-implemented model to compare heat consumption and generate baselines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If historical data collection is required before implementing energy-saving measures, then measurement precision is improved, but implementation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by alternating between first and second operating modes during a measurement period to collect comparative data before final evaluation. This allows the baseline to be established progressively rather than requiring all historical data to be collected beforehand, enabling earlier implementation of energy-saving measures while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring heat consumption data in real-time during alternating operating modes, comparing actual consumption against predicted baseline values, and adjusting the baseline model accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows for ongoing verification of energy savings without requiring complete historical data collection prior to implementation.
2Measurement precision
If manual effort is used to record and evaluate consumption data, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically recording heat consumption data through digital heat meters, calculating baseline values using computer-implemented models, and generating verification reports without requiring manual intervention. This automation maintains measurement precision through consistent data collection while dramatically increasing productivity by eliminating manual data recording and evaluation efforts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical processes with digital automation. Digital heat meters substitute for manual meter reading, computer models substitute for manual calculation of baselines, and automated data processing substitutes for manual evaluation. This substitution maintains or improves measurement precision while significantly increasing the speed of implementation.
3Reliability
If one year of historical data is recorded before applying energy-saving measures, then reliability of baseline is improved, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection and baseline establishment progressively during alternating operating modes rather than requiring a full year of historical data accumulation. The computer-implemented model calculates preliminary baseline values from available data, allowing energy-saving measures to be implemented earlier while continuing to refine the baseline as more data becomes available, thus maintaining reliability without sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The baseline is made dynamic rather than static. Instead of requiring a fixed one-year historical period, the system continuously updates the baseline model as new heat consumption data is collected during alternating operating modes. This dynamic approach allows the baseline to adapt and improve in reliability over time while enabling immediate implementation of energy-saving measures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining an energy saving of a heater system, wherein the heater system comprises one or more heaters, wherein each heater is operable to operate in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, wherein the first and second mode of operation differ in at least one control-parameter that is used to control the surrounding temperature, the method records heat data during the first and second modes of operation and determines an energy consumption, and compares the energy consumption for the modes of operation. This allows to quantify an energy saving measure, when switching from conventional heating to "smart" heating of a building.