Retrofit PV Water Heating With Dual-Source Element Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hot water heaters rely heavily on fossil fuels and have limited efficiency in utilizing renewable energy sources, with most energy being consumed for heating water, which accounts for a significant portion of household energy expenditure.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a supplemental electrical heating element powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydro energy, into existing hot water heaters, along with a controller that manages the operation of both the renewable and traditional heating elements based on temperature and usage patterns, to enhance efficiency and reduce energy costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a supplemental electrical heating element powered by renewable energy sources is integrated into existing hot water heaters, then renewable energy utilization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy utilizationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supplemental heating element is integrated within the existing water heater structure, nesting the new renewable energy component inside the conventional system. This allows the renewable energy system to benefit from the existing housing, insulation, and control infrastructure, reducing the overall complexity increase despite adding new functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed to manage multiple heating sources (renewable energy supplemental element and traditional heating element) through a single unified interface. This multi-functional controller consolidates what could have been separate control systems, reducing operational complexity while enabling flexible use of different energy sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If a controller that manages both renewable and traditional heating elements is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors temperature, energy availability from renewable sources, and heating element status to dynamically adjust operation. This feedback mechanism optimizes energy efficiency by preferentially using renewable energy when available and automatically switching to traditional heating when needed, while maintaining simple user interaction through existing thermostatic controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system operates autonomously, automatically managing the coordination between renewable and traditional heating elements without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates based on embedded logic that prioritizes renewable energy utilization while ensuring adequate hot water supply, reducing the burden on users despite the enhanced control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-generated harmful factors

If renewable energy sources are used for heating water, then environmental impact is reduced, but initial system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The supplemental heating element is designed for retrofits of existing water heaters, allowing the renewable energy component to be added to already-installed conventional systems. This preliminary preparation of the system architecture enables incremental adoption, where the renewable component can be installed without replacing the entire water heater, thereby reducing initial installation costs compared to complete system replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution significantly reduces energy consumption by preferentially using renewable energy for heating, optimizing energy usage based on demand, and allowing for the generation of renewable energy credits, thereby lowering operational costs and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

A supplemental electrical element is connected to an inside surface of the threaded collar such that when the threaded is threaded into the threaded opening, the supplemental electrical element is disposed within the storage tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The storage tank is heated by a first heating element that is connectable to a first power source that provides power from one of fossil fuel (e.g., gas, bio mass, etc), AC electricity and/or existing solar or solar/thermal systems

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating