Refrigerant Thermal Storage for Utility-Managed Cooling Load Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems with energy storage face limitations in achieving high efficiency and flexibility, particularly in small commercial buildings, due to reliance on water chillers and difficulties in refrigerant management, leading to challenges in load shifting and capacity increases.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system that converts alternating current electrical energy into thermal energy, storing it for later use, with a controller managing energy distribution and a communications link for utility management, allowing for efficient energy shifting and flexible application in various cooling demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If water chillers are used for thermal energy storage, then cooling capacity is provided, but manufacturing costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the chiller function from a separate water chiller unit and integrates it into the refrigerant-based thermal energy storage system. The refrigerant cycle itself performs the cooling function that would otherwise require a dedicated water chiller, eliminating the need for separate cooling equipment and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the thermal energy storage function and the cooling function into a single integrated refrigerant-based system. The refrigerant cycle serves dual purposes: storing thermal energy in the storage medium and providing cooling to the space, thereby eliminating the need for separate water chiller equipment.
2Loss of time
If ice storage is used to shift air conditioning loads, then load shifting from peak to off-peak periods is achieved, but system complexity and refrigerant management difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant-based thermal energy storage system is self-regulating in terms of refrigerant management. The closed-loop refrigerant cycle automatically manages refrigerant flow between the evaporator, condenser, and storage medium without requiring complex external refrigerant management systems, controllers, or monitoring infrastructure.
3Loss of energy
If thermal energy storage systems are designed for high efficiency, then energy conversion efficiency improves, but flexibility in multiple applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant-based thermal energy storage system is designed with universal applicability across multiple scenarios: it can provide cooling during off-peak hours, store thermal energy for later use, and adapt to different building types and cooling loads. The system's modular design and flexible configuration options enable it to serve various applications while maintaining high energy efficiency.
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
The system achieves high efficiency by utilizing off-peak energy, reducing peak demand, and maintaining flexibility across different applications, with minimal additional energy consumption during storage and discharge, optimizing energy use and reducing overall energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage unit located in proximity of said end-user that receives alternating current electrical energy from an electric utility, converts said alternating current electrical energy into another form of energy
Implementation Method 2
a thermal energy storage unit located in proximity to said end-user that converts electric energy to thermal energy, stores said thermal energy
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities.