HVAC control during demand response event
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems lack effective tools for controlling energy consumption during demand response events, often requiring users to adhere to predefined temperature setpoints that may not be the most energy-efficient based on user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A thermostat system that communicates with the HVAC system and receives active event parameters from a utility provider, allowing users to input new settings that can override predefined setpoints if they result in equal or greater energy savings, enabling flexible operation during demand response events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the HVAC system operates according to the predefined setpoint temperature during an active event, then energy consumption is reduced to meet demand response requirements, but user comfort and flexibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat dynamically adjusts the setpoint temperature based on user input during active events. Instead of rigidly enforcing a predefined setpoint, the system allows real-time modification of operating parameters, enabling users to request temperature adjustments while the system evaluates and executes approved changes that maintain energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where user requests are received, evaluated against energy consumption criteria, and either approved or rejected. The thermostat provides feedback to the user about whether their requested settings will meet energy savings requirements, creating an interactive control system that balances user comfort with energy conservation goals.
2Reliability
If the HVAC system strictly follows predefined setpoint temperatures during active events, then demand response requirements are met, but user control and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, predefined setpoint enforcement to dynamic, real-time evaluation of user requests. During active events, the thermostat remains flexible in accepting user input while maintaining the constraint of energy savings, allowing the system to adapt to changing user needs without compromising demand response compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat modifies the operational parameters (setpoint temperature) based on user requests while evaluating them against energy consumption criteria. This allows the system to change operating parameters dynamically during active events, providing users with control flexibility while ensuring that any parameter changes maintain or improve energy savings compared to the predefined setpoint.
3Ease of operation
If the thermostat allows users to override predefined setpoints freely, then user comfort is improved, but energy consumption during active events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to users about the energy implications of their requested settings. Before allowing an override, the thermostat evaluates whether the requested setpoint will consume more energy than the predefined setpoint and communicates this information to the user, enabling informed decisions that balance comfort with energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system preemptively evaluates user requests against energy consumption criteria before allowing overrides. By checking whether requested settings would increase energy consumption during active events, the thermostat prevents energy-wasting overrides from being executed, while still allowing users to request changes that maintain or improve energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermostat of an HVAC system receives active event parameters from a utility provider. The active event parameters include a start time, a stop time, and a predefined temperature setpoint for the active event, which is associated with a requirement to decrease energy consumption between the start time and the stop time. Following the start time, the thermostat adjusts a setpoint temperature of the HVAC system to the predefined setpoint temperature.