Low-emissions heating, cooling and hot water system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydronic systems relying on fossil fuels for heating, cooling, and domestic hot water production face inefficiencies due to high emissions, varying energy costs, and complex thermal storage systems, making them uneconomical and impractical for residential use.
Innovation Solution
A control unit monitors the volume and temperature of hot and chilled water in storage tanks, using flowmeters and temperature sensors to calculate the state of charge, and operates a heat pump for recharging when predetermined limits are reached, optimizing energy use based on cost, emissions, and predicted usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If electrical systems with thermal storage are employed to reduce emissions, then environmental performance is improved, but installation costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides thermal storage into separate hot water tank and chilled water tank, each with independent state-of-charge monitoring and control. This segmentation simplifies the overall system architecture compared to integrated thermal storage systems, reducing complexity while maintaining emission reduction benefits through off-peak electrical operation
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically monitors state-of-charge levels and operates the heat pump without user intervention. The system self-manages thermal storage recharging based on real-time SoC measurements and electrical rate conditions, eliminating the need for manual tracking of energy costs and emissions that plagues conventional systems
2Use of energy by stationary object
If thermal storage is used to shift electrical load to off-peak hours, then operating costs are reduced, but efficiency losses in thermal storage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating and cooling of water during off-peak electrical hours when energy costs are lower and emissions are reduced. The control unit proactively recharges thermal storage before peak demand periods, capturing low-cost energy while minimizing efficiency losses by operating during favorable electrical conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors state-of-charge levels, electrical rates, and emissions conditions to dynamically adjust heat pump operation. This feedback mechanism ensures thermal storage is recharged at optimal times, balancing operating cost reduction against efficiency losses by responding to real-time system state and external conditions
3Loss of energy
If state-of-charge monitoring and automated control are implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: monitoring state-of-charge of both hot and chilled water tanks, tracking electrical rates, calculating emissions, and controlling heat pump operation. This multi-functionality consolidates control complexity into a single device rather than requiring separate systems for each function, improving energy efficiency without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual tracking and control of thermal storage with automated electronic monitoring and control. Flowmeters and temperature sensors electronically measure water volume and temperature to calculate state-of-charge, eliminating the need for manual measurement and decision-making, thereby improving energy efficiency while keeping control complexity manageable through automation
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
This solution reduces emissions and operating costs by efficiently managing energy use in hydronic systems, optimizing the heat pump's operation to minimize energy losses and align with peak and off-peak energy rates, enhancing the system's economic and environmental performance.
Implementation Method 1
A heat pump unit is operated by the control unit, for recharging the hot water and the chilled water within the hot storage tank and the cold storage tank respectively
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for operating the hydronic system, which includes monitoring, by a control unit, a volume of hot water in a hot storage tank via a first set of flowmeters and a volume of chilled water in a cold storage tank via a set of second flowmeters. A first outlet temperature of the hot water is monitored by the control unit, via a first temperature sensor and a second outlet temperature of the chilled water via a second temperature sensor. A heat pump unit is operated by control unit, for recharging the hot water and the chilled water within the hot storage tank and the cold storage tank respectively. The heat pump unit is operated when a respective predetermined limit reaches for at least one of the volume of the hot water, the volume of the chilled water, the first outlet temperature and second outlet temperature.