HVAC Flow Path Configuration for Zone-Priority Demand Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multistage HVAC devices face challenges in maintaining customer comfort while reducing resource consumption in response to demand response requests, as operating at half-power often results in discomfort due to uneven temperature distribution within a structure.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines flow paths for HVAC systems based on change data, zone data, and priority data to route resource consumption device output to high-priority zones, maintaining comfort in occupied areas while allowing low-priority zones to experience temperature changes, thereby minimizing overall discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the HVAC device operates at half-power to reduce resource consumption, then electricity consumption is reduced, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates causing occupant discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the structure into multiple zones with different priority levels (high-priority occupied zones and low-priority unoccupied zones). By segmenting the service area, the HVAC system can selectively maintain temperature uniformity in high-priority zones while allowing greater temperature variation in low-priority zones, thereby preserving overall comfort while enabling energy reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different temperature control qualities to different zones. High-priority zones receive maintained temperature uniformity and comfort levels, while low-priority zones tolerate greater temperature variations. This local differentiation allows the system to reduce overall energy consumption without compromising occupant comfort in occupied areas.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the HVAC device shuts off entirely to meet demand response requests, then resource consumption is minimized, but occupant comfort is severely degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the HVAC output distribution by zone priority, directing a portion of the reduced-capacity output to high-priority occupied zones while allowing low-priority zones to experience temperature changes. This segmentation enables the system to meet demand response consumption targets while maintaining reliability of comfort in occupied areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by operating the HVAC device at reduced capacity (e.g., half-power) rather than full capacity or complete shutdown. This partial operation is sufficient to maintain comfort in high-priority zones while achieving the resource consumption reduction goals of the demand response program.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the HVAC system maintains uniform temperature distribution across all zones, then occupant comfort is maximized, but energy consumption increases during demand response events
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by maintaining high temperature uniformity standards in high-priority occupied zones while allowing lower uniformity standards in low-priority unoccupied zones. This localized quality differentiation enables the system to achieve overall energy reduction while preserving comfort where occupants are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by maintaining temperature uniformity only in the portion of zones that are occupied (high-priority zones) rather than uniformly across all zones. This partial application of temperature control reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining comfort in occupied areas.
Data Source
AI summary
Configuration of flow paths for the output (e.g., chilled or heated air) of an HVAC system is described. In one embodiment, a demand response message can be received from a resource provider requesting that the HVAC system increase or decrease consumption of the resource. If the request is satisfied, then the output from the HVAC device will be increased or decreased resulting in potential discomfort for occupants. This output, however, rather than being distributed in a uniform manner, can instead be distributed, via ventilation elements of the HVAC system in a non-uniform way according to the flow paths. The flow paths can be determined to direct sufficient output to high priority zones in order to, e.g., satisfy a comfort level in the high priority zones.