HVAC Setpoint Optimization for Coordinated Control Loops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC optimization systems fail to simultaneously optimize interactive control loops, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy costs, as they often prioritize individual subsystems over system-wide efficiency and rely on inaccurate weather forecasts and load predictions, neglecting real-time variations and interactions between HVAC components.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive energy optimization method that uses real-time weather and load data, integrated with building automation systems and energy simulation software, to cooperatively optimize input and output water temperatures and supply air temperatures, ensuring all mechanical loops operate in concert to maximize efficiency without sacrificing space temperature comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If subsystem optimization is used to optimize each control loop independently, then the optimization approach is simple and generic, but control loops act against one another and additional energy savings are left on the table
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent control loops (chiller plant, air handling units, cooling towers) into a single integrated optimization system. The system simultaneously optimizes all loops together using real-time weather data, building occupancy, and equipment performance models, eliminating the conflicts that arise from independent optimization while capturing additional energy savings opportunities across the entire HVAC system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If direct reprogramming of automation controllers is used for global optimization, then self-contained programming is achieved, but computing load on building automation controllers increases and programming complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex global optimization computations from the building automation controllers and relocates them to external servers or cloud-based platforms. The automation controllers retain only simple setpoint reception and execution functions, while the heavy computational burden of running energy models, weather data analysis, and coordinated optimization algorithms is performed externally, reducing controller complexity and programming requirements.
3Loss of time
If weather forecasts and load predictions are used for optimization, then future energy usage can be predicted, but accuracy is reduced due to not considering real-time variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously compares predicted weather data and load forecasts with actual real-time measurements from sensors throughout the building. The system uses this feedback to dynamically adjust optimization setpoints and correct prediction errors, maintaining high accuracy by adapting to real-time variations in outdoor conditions, occupancy patterns, and equipment performance while still leveraging the predictive benefits of forecast data.
Data Source
AI summary
A building heating/cooling system energy optimization method for a building having a heating/cooling system includes the steps of providing a mathematical model of the heating/cooling system, obtaining real-time weather information, reading the input water temperature (IWT), the output water temperature (OWT) and the supply air temperature (SA) output to the building, periodically transferring the IWT, the OWT and the SA to an optimization system which is operative to analyze the real-time data in coordination with the mathematical model by assigning at least three selected values in a range surrounding and including the current values of each of the IWT, the OWT and the SA and calculating the efficiency profile of the components of the heating/cooling system for each of the selected values, then cooperatively optimizing and selecting those values calculated to provide the highest efficiency profile, then periodically resetting the system values to those selected by the optimization system.