Load Facility Demand Response with Zone-Based Comfort Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current load-balancing techniques during demand events in electrical grids often compromise occupant comfort and productivity without adequate customization or consideration for factors beyond minimizing electricity consumption.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that defines resources within a load facility to respond to demand events, organizing them strategically to reduce power consumption while considering comfort and user preferences, allowing for selective and timed execution of measures to decrease demand on the power grid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If demand events are used to balance load on the power grid, then electricity consumption is minimized, but occupant comfort and productivity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity consumptionVSAvoidoccupant comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different control strategies to different zones within the facility based on occupancy status. Occupied zones maintain normal operational parameters for comfort, while unoccupied zones implement demand reduction measures. This localized approach minimizes overall electricity consumption without compromising comfort in actively used areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-cools or pre-heats spaces before anticipated unoccupied periods or demand events. By adjusting temperatures in advance when occupancy is expected to change, the system reduces the energy required during demand events while maintaining comfort standards when spaces are occupied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If demand events are used to balance load on the power grid, then electricity consumption is minimized, but productivity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity consumptionVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system identifies and prioritizes critical productivity-related operations versus non-essential loads. During demand events, non-essential equipment in unoccupied zones is reduced or shut down, while essential operations in occupied zones continue at full capacity, maintaining productivity where needed while reducing overall electricity consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If multiple electrical devices are controlled simultaneously during demand events, then demand on the power grid is reduced, but customization and consideration for facility-specific factors are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemand on power gridVSAvoidcustomization

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the facility into multiple controllable zones or groups of devices, each with customizable control parameters. This segmentation allows the system to apply different demand response strategies to different device groups based on facility-specific requirements, occupancy patterns, and operational priorities, enabling customized demand reduction while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts control parameters based on real-time conditions including occupancy status, outdoor temperature, humidity, and facility-specific priorities. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between demand reduction and comfort/productivity maintenance for each specific situation rather than applying fixed simultaneous control to all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If standard demand response measures are implemented, then electricity consumption is reduced, but disruption to occupants and processes is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity consumptionVSAvoiddisruption to occupants

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies demand reduction measures selectively to unoccupied zones while maintaining normal operations in occupied zones. This localized approach reduces overall electricity consumption during demand events without causing disruption to occupants in actively used spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares spaces by pre-adjusting temperatures and equipment settings before demand events or unoccupied periods begin. This preliminary action ensures that when demand reduction is needed, comfort standards are already optimized, minimizing disruption to occupants when they return or during transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250286378A1Control of a load facility in response to a demand event

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A method and a first apparatus for controlling a load facility in response to a demand event. The method includes, by the first apparatus: establishing a response strategy for the demand event based on a plurality of resources of the load facility that are defined based on user input of a user associated with the load facility; and causing a second apparatus at the load facility to execute the response strategy to reduce demand on the power grid from the load facility during the demand event. The first apparatus being remote to the load facility.