Method for controlling an energy supply system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Energy supply systems with multiple generators face challenges in efficiently managing the switching on and off of energy generators to optimize service life and meet diverse energy requirements, particularly in systems providing heat, cold, and electrical energy, while minimizing the number of switching processes and ensuring reliable operation.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling an energy supply system that includes a control device coordinating the operation of multiple energy generators, using an 'on before off' and 'off before on' rule to determine switch-on and switch-off requests based on energy demands, and prioritizing energy forms to ensure efficient utilization and reliability, with the ability to adjust operations according to specific properties of each generator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple energy generators are operated to meet diverse energy requirements, then the energy supply capability is improved, but the number of switching processes increases and service life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy supply capabilityVSAvoidservice life of energy generators
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines switch-on and switch-off requests for all energy generators in advance based on predicted energy requirements. By planning switching operations beforehand rather than reacting to immediate changes, the system minimizes the total number of switching processes while ensuring energy supply requirements are met, thereby extending generator service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device dynamically adjusts the operation of multiple energy generators based on changing energy requirements. It coordinates switch-on and switch-off requests in real-time, optimizing which generators are active at any given moment to meet diverse energy demands while reducing unnecessary switching operations that would degrade generator reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If frequent switching on and off of energy generators is performed, then the responsiveness to energy demands is improved, but the service life of generators deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness to energy demandsVSAvoidservice life of generators
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines switch-on and switch-off requests in advance based on predicted energy requirements. By planning switching operations beforehand, the system maintains responsiveness to energy demands while minimizing the total number of switching processes, thereby extending generator service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device ensures that once an energy generator is switched on, it remains operational for extended periods by coordinating switching requests to avoid unnecessary turn-on and turn-off cycles. This continuous operation approach maintains system responsiveness while reducing mechanical wear and extending generator service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If the operation of energy generators is coordinated centrally, then the evenness of service life distribution is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevenness of service life distributionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device segments the coordination task by processing switch-on and switch-off requests for each energy generator individually based on predicted energy requirements. This segmented approach distributes service life evenly across all generators while maintaining manageable control system complexity through systematic, rule-based decision-making for each generator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses feedback from predicted energy requirements to continuously optimize the coordination of energy generator operations. By monitoring and adjusting switch-on and switch-off requests based on actual and predicted demands, the system achieves even service life distribution while adapting to changing conditions without requiring overly complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If switch-on and switch-off requests are issued simultaneously for multiple energy generators, then the efficiency of meeting energy requirements is improved, but the reliability of individual generators decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of meeting energy requirementsVSAvoidservice life of individual generators
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines switch-on and switch-off requests for multiple energy generators in advance based on predicted energy requirements. By coordinating these requests systematically rather than issuing them simultaneously without planning, the system maintains high efficiency in meeting energy requirements while reducing the frequency of switching operations for individual generators, thereby extending their service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3683648B1Method for controlling an energy supply system
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 VIESSMANN CLIMATE SOLUTIONS SE
  • EP3683648B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3683648B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3683648B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling an energy supply system comprising at least two energy generators, each designed to provide at least one form of energy: heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy. The energy supply system further comprises a control unit for each energy generator for regulating the energy generator and a control unit for the coordinated control of the control units. The control unit detects an energy supply request for the provision of energy in the form of heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy and determines, for each energy form, which energy generators are required to fulfill the energy supply request. For each energy form, the control unit generates activation requests for the energy generators required to fulfill the energy supply request and deactivation requests for the energy generators that are not required.For each energy generator, the control unit determines whether there is one, several, or no start-up request and whether there is one, several, or no shut-down request. For each energy generator with at least one start-up request, a start-up request is issued to the corresponding control unit. For each energy generator with no start-up request and at least one shut-down request, a shut-down request is issued to the corresponding control unit.