Swimming Pool Temperature Control Using Renewable Heat Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The intermittency of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, leads to instability in swimming pool water temperature, increasing reliance on non-carbon-free collective electricity sources and resulting in high energy costs and carbon footprints.
Innovation Solution
A thermoregulation system that combines a heat production unit powered by both renewable and collective electricity sources, using a temperature sensor and control unit to switch between modes based on temperature thresholds, allowing the collective source to take over when renewable energy is unavailable, thus minimizing collective electricity use and maintaining stable water temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable electricity generator is used to power the heat production unit, then carbon footprint is reduced, but temperature stability deteriorates due to intermittency of renewable energy production
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the pool water when renewable electricity is available and production is high, storing thermal energy in the water mass before the intermittency period occurs. This advance action allows the system to maintain temperature stability during periods when renewable energy is unavailable, resolving the contradiction between using renewable energy and maintaining temperature stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If collective electricity source is used to power the heat production unit, then temperature stability is maintained, but energy costs increase and carbon footprint grows
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters by switching between two temperature thresholds (minimum and maximum temperatures). When the water temperature is between these thresholds, the heat production unit operates using renewable electricity. When the temperature approaches the maximum threshold, the system stops heating, allowing the temperature to naturally decrease. This parameter-based control reduces reliance on collective electricity sources while maintaining acceptable temperature stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If heat production unit operates continuously to maintain temperature, then temperature stability is achieved, but renewable energy intermittency causes excessive use of collective electricity source
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial heating action by operating the heat production unit only when the water temperature falls below the minimum threshold, rather than continuous operation. This partial action is sufficient to maintain temperature stability because the large thermal mass of the pool water provides natural temperature buffering. Consequently, collective electricity source usage is minimized while temperature stability is preserved.
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 system ensures stable and carbon-free temperature control for swimming pools by leveraging both renewable and collective electricity sources, reducing energy costs and carbon footprint while optimizing energy use through heat storage in the pool water.
Implementation Method 1
a heat production unit, for heating the water of the swimming pool, when the heat production unit is electrically powered
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor, for measuring a current temperature of the water of the swimming pool
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
This system includes a heat production unit (101) for heating the water (1) in the swimming pool (2), an electrical connection (102), a renewable electricity generator (103), photovoltaic and/or wind-powered, the system (100) being configured to switch between mains power and renewable energy modes, a temperature sensor (104), and a control unit (105). When the system is in renewable energy mode and as long as the current temperature is below a predetermined maximum temperature, the control unit commands the heat production unit to heat the water. When the system is in mains power mode and as long as the current temperature is below a predetermined minimum temperature, the control unit commands the heat production unit to heat the water, provided the predetermined minimum temperature is below the predetermined maximum temperature.When the system is in renewable energy mode and the current temperature falls below the minimum temperature, the unit switches the system to mains power mode. When the system is in mains power mode and the current temperature rises above the minimum temperature, the unit switches the system back to renewable energy mode.