Method for improved utilization of energy grids
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing energy distribution systems for heating and electricity face inefficiencies and environmental impacts due to varying energy demands and capacities, leading to suboptimal utilization of energy resources.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a local heating system that dynamically adjusts the relative uptake of heat from a heating grid and an electrical energy grid based on temporally resolved heating and electric power control parameters, optimizing energy usage by comparing supply and demand to minimize energy consumption and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If energy is distributed through separate heating and electricity grids, then each grid can be independently managed, but energy utilization efficiency deteriorates due to inability to balance supply and demand across grids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of heating grid and electricity grid into a unified control system that coordinates heat sources across both grids. The controller integrates supply and demand data from both grids and automatically adjusts heat distribution to optimize overall energy utilization, transforming two independent grid management systems into a coordinated multi-grid energy management system.
2Loss of energy
If heat sources operate independently without coordination, then each heat source can be controlled separately, but energy consumption increases due to lack of optimization across multiple heat sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously receives information about heat supply capacity and demand from multiple heat sources and grids, processes this information, and adjusts heat distribution accordingly. This closed-loop control system optimizes energy consumption by dynamically responding to changing supply and demand conditions across the heating and electricity grids.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of multiple heat sources based on real-time conditions. The controller can switch between different heat sources, adjust their output levels, and coordinate their operation to match actual demand patterns, transforming static independent heat source operation into dynamic coordinated control that minimizes energy waste.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If energy distribution does not account for temporal variations in supply and demand, then system operation is simplified, but environmental impact worsens due to suboptimal energy utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temporal planning by predicting future heat supply capacity and demand patterns, and electricity grid conditions. The controller uses this predictive information to pre-optimize heat source coordination and distribution strategies, allowing the system to prepare for upcoming supply-demand imbalances and reduce environmental impact before they occur rather than reacting after the fact.
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 approach enables more efficient use of energy resources, reducing environmental impact by dynamically adjusting energy uptake between grids, minimizing energy consumption, and promoting the use of cleaner energy sources when available.
Implementation Method 1
The first heat source (10) may be a heat exchanger or heat pump connected to the heating grid (110)
Implementation Method 2
The second heat source (20) may be an electric resistive heater
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A local heating system is presented. The local heating system comprising: a first heat source (10) connectable to a heating grid (110) and arranged to extract heat from the heating grid (110); a second heat source (20) connectable to an electrical energy grid (120) and to transform electricity feed through the electrical energy grid (120) into heat; a heat emitting device (30); a distribution system (40) for circulating heat transfer fluid between the heat emitting device (30) and the first and second heat sources (10, 20); and a controller (50) configured to control the first and second heat source's (10, 20) relative outtake of heat from the heating grid (110) and the electrical energy grid (120), respectively.