Hydronic Source-Load Control for Solar Heat Storage and Dispatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydronic heating and cooling systems are not optimized to efficiently utilize and store energy from on-demand, semi-on-demand, and intermittent sources, leading to inefficiencies and wasted energy, particularly when coupled with solar heating systems.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that communicates with multiple sources and load sensors to monitor and rank energy sources and loads in real-time, generating control signals to fluidly or thermally couple and decouple sources and loads based on measured properties and predefined thresholds, optimizing energy distribution and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional hydronic systems use on-demand sources to thermally adjust fluids, then the system can provide heating and cooling, but the system cannot optimize or store energy from solar heating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to work with multiple types of energy sources (solar, conventional, intermittent) and multiple load types (heating zones, domestic hot water, swimming pools), enabling a single system to perform multiple functions and adapt to different energy sources without requiring separate control systems for each configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system stores thermal energy in advance by directing excess heat from solar or intermittent sources to heat storage devices before it is needed, allowing the system to optimize energy usage by utilizing stored energy during periods when primary sources are unavailable or insufficient
2Productivity
If the system integrates multiple sources and loads with real-time monitoring, then energy distribution is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is divided into distinct functional modules including a sensor interface for receiving data from multiple sources and loads, a monitoring module for real-time data analysis, a ranking module for prioritizing energy sources and loads, and an actuator module for controlling system components. This modular segmentation allows each module to handle specific tasks independently, simplifying the overall control logic despite the system's complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature, flow rate, and other parameters from sensors positioned at various sources and loads, feeding this information back to the controller which automatically adjusts system operation to optimize energy distribution. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables efficient energy management without requiring complex manual control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances energy efficiency by optimizing the use of various energy sources, reducing waste, and providing real-time monitoring and alert capabilities, enabling better management of energy resources and incentives such as renewable energy credits.
Implementation Method 1
The controller includes a sensor interface that communicates with the plurality of source sensors and the plurality of load sensors to receive source sensor data and load sensor data
Implementation Method 2
An actuator module is provided that communicates with the alert module, the ranking module and the trigger module and generates a control signal to fluidly or thermally couple selected ones of the plurality of sources to selected ones of the plurality of loads
Implementation Method 3
Hydronic heating systems distribute heated fluid through a series of heat exchanging pipes that are positioned throughout the heating zone
Implementation Method 4
Hydronic heating systems distribute heated fluid through a series of heat exchanging pipes that are positioned throughout the heating zone
Implementation Method 5
radiant floor pipes and baseboard mounted or free-standing radiators that transfer heat from a plurality of boilers to the target heating zones
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided to control hydronic systems having a plurality of on-demand sources, semi-on-demand sources, and intermittent sources that are fluidly or thermally coupled to a plurality of load zones. The hydronic system device obtains performance measurements for system components to provide system metrics, including failure diagnostics, energy capture, and usage optimization. The hydronic system device may also calculate British Thermal Units produced and used by the plurality of sources and loads to calculate incentives, including renewable energy credits.