Predictive Energy Control for Building Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for optimizing energy use in commercial buildings fail to account for interactions between individual systems, leading to suboptimal energy consumption and require complex, site-specific data collection and modeling, making them inefficient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that selects a controller to determine control actions based on current and forecast information, enabling coordinated energy use across multiple systems within a structure, such as HVAC, renewable energy, and energy storage, without the need for manual data collection or customized models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional techniques focus on individual systems within a structure, then the control implementation is simple, but the energy optimization is suboptimal because interactions between systems are not accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol implementation simplicityVSAvoidenergy optimization effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual system controllers into a centralized control system that manages HVAC, solar power generation, and electric vehicle charging stations as an integrated system. This merging allows the system to account for interactions between systems and optimize overall energy consumption rather than treating each system in isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to manage multiple different types of systems (HVAC, solar arrays, EV charging stations) through a universal control platform. This multi-functional approach enables coordinated optimization across diverse systems while maintaining a unified control architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If building-specific energy-use models are developed to control independent systems, then the control accuracy improves, but the implementation becomes complex and time-consuming due to manual data collection and customized software development

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy-use model accuracyVSAvoidimplementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically collects and processes energy-use data from various building systems without requiring manual data collection. The control system self-configures and adapts to the specific building characteristics through automated algorithms, eliminating the need for manual model development and customized software programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses adjustable parameters and algorithms that can be configured through user interfaces rather than requiring custom programming. The control approach allows parameter optimization through automated processes rather than manual model development, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If building-specific energy-use models are developed, then the control is tailored to the specific building, but the model becomes obsolete quickly due to dynamic changes in building occupancy and system configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuilding-specific customizationVSAvoidmodel accuracy over time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive, automatically adjusting to changes in building occupancy, weather conditions, and system configurations. Rather than relying on static models that become obsolete, the system continuously learns and adapts its control strategies based on real-time data from the building systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops that monitor building performance and automatically adjust control parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures the control system remains accurate and adapted to current building conditions without requiring manual model updates, maintaining reliability despite dynamic changes in the building environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If coordinated control of multiple systems is implemented, then the overall energy consumption is optimized, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall energy optimizationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into modular components that can independently manage different building systems (HVAC, solar, EV charging) while coordinating through a centralized control architecture. This segmentation allows for manageable complexity by breaking down the overall control function into discrete, interchangeable modules that can be configured based on specific building needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230170697A1Techniques for predictive control of energy use in a structure

Publication Date: 2023.06.01 ELEXITY INC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for controlling a plurality of systems included within one or more structures includes: selecting a first controller from a set of multiple of controllers; with the first controller, determining a control action for a device included in a first system within the one or more structures based on current state information associated with the one or more structures and forecast information; and transmitting a control signal based on the control action to the device.