Occupancy-Based Airflow Control for Peak-Rate Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners consume a significant amount of power, leading to high energy costs, especially during peak demand periods, and existing control methods do not effectively manage power usage based on variable power rates.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a smart grid system with energy management and advanced metering infrastructure that allows for real-time monitoring and control of air conditioner operation, using smart controllers to adjust power usage based on current power rates and occupancy levels, optimizing airflow rates to reduce energy consumption without compromising performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air conditioner operation is continuously maintained at high capacity, then cooling/heating performance is ensured, but energy consumption increases significantly during peak power rates
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioner dynamically adjusts its operating capacity based on real-time power rate signals from the smart grid. During peak power rates, the system reduces capacity to lower energy consumption, while during off-peak periods, it operates at higher capacity to meet cooling/heating demands, thus resolving the contradiction between performance reliability and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring power rate information from the smart grid and adjusting its operation accordingly. The controller receives real-time power rate signals and modulates the compressor and fan speeds to optimize the balance between maintaining adequate cooling/heating performance and minimizing energy consumption during high-rate periods
2Use of energy by moving object
If air conditioner capacity is reduced during peak power rates, then energy costs decrease, but cooling/heating performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling or heating of the space during off-peak periods when power rates are low, storing thermal energy in the building's thermal mass (walls, floors, furniture). During peak power rates, this stored thermal energy maintains comfortable temperatures even when the air conditioner operates at reduced capacity, thus reducing energy costs without compromising performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as compressor speed, fan speed, and refrigerant flow rate based on power rate conditions. During peak rates, parameters are adjusted to reduce capacity while maintaining minimum performance thresholds, and during off-peak rates, parameters are optimized for maximum efficiency and performance
3Use of energy by moving object
If smart grid control systems are implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary communication interface that receives standardized power rate signals from the smart grid infrastructure. This intermediary layer translates grid signals into control commands for the air conditioner components, simplifying the integration complexity while enabling sophisticated energy efficiency control through the smart grid connection
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and control method thereof is provided which may be controlled to adapt operation to changes in power rates. The method may include receiving electric power related information, determining whether a current power rate included in the received information is higher than a preset reference value, determining occupancy of a space to be air conditioned if the current power rate is higher than the preset reference value, and controlling a flow rate of air supplied to the space based on the determined occupancy.