Method for operating a fridge and/or freezer and fridge and/or freezer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators and freezers face inefficiencies in energy usage, particularly when operating at higher power levels, which increases energy consumption and costs, despite advancements in speed-controlled compressors and intelligent power grids.
Innovation Solution
A method to selectively operate refrigeration units at different power levels based on energy characteristics from an intelligent power grid, adjusting running and standstill times to optimize energy usage, allowing for dynamic shifts in power consumption in response to electricity tariffs, network utilization, and other energy factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the refrigeration unit operates at higher power levels to provide larger cooling capacity, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration unit operates with variable power levels that dynamically adjust based on real-time energy characteristics from the smart grid. The control system modifies running times and standstill times according to fluctuating electricity prices and grid conditions, allowing the system to adapt between high-power and low-power states rather than operating at fixed power levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including power level, running time duration, and standstill time duration based on energy characteristics. By varying these parameters in response to smart grid signals, the system optimizes the balance between cooling capacity delivery and energy consumption, operating at higher power levels when energy is cheaper or more sustainable and at lower power levels when energy is expensive or less sustainable
2Power
If the refrigeration unit operates continuously at high power to maintain cooling capacity, then the cooling performance is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration unit employs periodic operation cycles with variable running times and standstill times. Instead of continuous high-power operation, the system alternates between active cooling phases and idle phases, adjusting the duration and frequency of these cycles based on smart grid energy characteristics to achieve required cooling performance with reduced energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the duration of running times and standstill times based on real-time energy characteristics from the smart grid. When energy is cheaper or more sustainable, the system extends running times or increases power levels; when energy is expensive or less sustainable, it reduces running times or operates at lower power levels, creating a dynamic response to energy price fluctuations
3Loss of energy
If the refrigeration unit adjusts operation times based on energy characteristics, then the cost efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives energy characteristics from the smart grid as feedback and uses this information to adjust operational parameters. The system continuously monitors energy prices, grid utilization, and sustainability metrics, then modifies running times and power levels in response to this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes cost efficiency while maintaining cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to handle multiple functions including receiving smart grid signals, processing energy characteristics, determining optimal operating parameters, and controlling the refrigeration unit. This multi-functional control architecture consolidates complexity into a single integrated system rather than requiring separate systems for each function
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The method involves operating a refrigeration unit at two different high and low power levels. The duration of running time and/or standing time of the refrigeration unit is varied according to the characteristic of energy with which the refrigeration unit is operated. The operation of the refrigeration unit is constantly monitored at each stage. An independent claim is included for cooling and/or freezing apparatus.