HVAC Reduced Capacity Mode for Demand Response Without Recovery Spikes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional demand response (DR) event management through setbacks in resource consumption devices like HVAC systems leads to increased consumption during recovery periods and customer discomfort, failing to effectively reduce overall resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system that switches HVAC devices to a reduced capacity mode during DR events, prioritizing efficient resource consumption over satisfying the set point, allowing continuous operation with lower output to maintain comfort and reduce overall consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If setback settings are implemented during DR events to reduce resource consumption, then resource consumption during the DR event is reduced, but customer comfort deteriorates and consumption during recovery periods increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational parameters of the consumption device based on real-time pricing signals and demand conditions. Instead of static setback settings, the device continuously optimizes its operation to balance resource consumption with comfort maintenance, adapting to changing conditions during DR events and recovery periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as temperature setpoints, capacity levels, and operational timing based on resource pricing and demand conditions. By intelligently adjusting these parameters, the system reduces consumption during high-price DR events while minimizing comfort impact and avoiding large recovery consumption spikes.
2Loss of energy
If the device switches to reduced capacity mode during DR events, then resource consumption is reduced, but the ability to satisfy operational demand decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by reducing capacity to the extent necessary to achieve consumption reduction goals during DR events, while maintaining sufficient capacity to meet minimum operational demands and comfort requirements. This balanced approach ensures that consumption is reduced without completely sacrificing the ability to satisfy operational demand.
Data Source
AI summary
Architectures or techniques are presented that can prioritize operating a consumption device in a manner that is efficient in terms of consumption of a resource over satisfying a specified demand assigned to the consumption device. This re-prioritizing can be performed in response to a price of the resource exceeding a threshold.