Building Load Control System with Demand Response Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems fail to simultaneously manage lighting intensities, motorized window treatments, and building temperatures effectively to reduce total power consumption, especially during peak demand periods, leading to increased energy costs.
Innovation Solution
A load control system comprising a lighting control device, a daylight control device with motorized window treatments, and a temperature control device, all connected via a communication link, which receives demand response commands to adjust power delivery, natural light admission, and setpoint temperatures to minimize energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lighting intensities are reduced to decrease power consumption, then energy costs are reduced, but illumination quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges control of lighting loads, motorized window treatments, and HVAC systems into a single coordinated control framework. By combining these previously separate control systems, the patent achieves synergistic energy savings while maintaining illumination quality through integrated optimization rather than isolated dimming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters of multiple systems simultaneously - adjusting lighting intensity, window treatment positions, and HVAC setpoint temperatures - based on real-time conditions and demand response commands. This coordinated parameter adjustment maintains comfort while reducing overall energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If motorized window treatments are adjusted to control natural light, then energy consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs multiple functions through a single integrated platform: it manages lighting loads, controls motorized window treatments, regulates HVAC systems, and processes demand response commands. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems while achieving comprehensive energy management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated sensors and controllers that independently monitor environmental conditions (light levels, temperature, occupancy) and automatically adjust window treatments and lighting without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability manages complexity through automation rather than manual control mechanisms.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple building systems are coordinated to reduce total power consumption, then energy costs are reduced, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control functions into distinct modules - lighting control, window treatment control, HVAC control, and demand response processing - that can operate semi-independently while coordinating through a central controller. This modular segmentation manages overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive energy management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor environmental conditions and system states, and the controller adjusts operations based on this real-time information. This feedback mechanism enables automated coordination of multiple systems without requiring complex manual control logic, as the system self-regulates based on measured conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system for a building having a lighting load, a window, and a heating and cooling system comprises a lighting control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to the lighting load, a daylight control device, such as a motorized window treatment, for adjusting the amount of natural light to be admitted through a window, and a temperature control device for controlling a setpoint temperature of the heating and cooling system to thus control a present temperature in the building. The load control system may also comprise a controllable electrical receptacle for turning on and off a plug-in electrical load connected thereto. The lighting control device, the daylight control device, the temperature control device, and the controllable receptacle are controlled so as to decrease a total power consumption of the load control system in response to a received demand response command.