Prioritizng efficient operation over satisfying an operational demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional demand response strategies for resource consumption devices, such as HVAC systems, rely on setbacks that reduce customer comfort and may increase overall resource consumption during and after peak demand periods, as they prioritize maintaining a set point over efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows resource consumption devices to switch to a reduced capacity mode during demand response events, prioritizing efficient resource consumption over satisfying the operational demand, thereby maintaining a balance between comfort and reduced consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a setback setting is implemented during demand response events to reduce resource consumption, then resource consumption is reduced, but customer comfort deteriorates due to deviation from the set point
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational mode of the consumption device based on real-time resource pricing signals. Instead of using a fixed setback approach, the system transitions between different operational modes (normal operation, reduced capacity mode, efficient operation mode) according to the resource price threshold, allowing flexible adaptation to changing economic conditions while maintaining customer comfort within acceptable ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the consumption device by switching between different modes. In reduced capacity mode, the device operates at lower capacity rather than maintaining full set point, and in efficient operation mode, it prioritizes efficiency over exact set point satisfaction. This parameter change approach allows the system to reduce resource consumption while managing customer comfort through mode transitions rather than fixed setbacks.
2Loss of energy
If traditional setback approaches are used during demand response events, then resource consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases due to negotiation and incentive mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The consumption device is equipped with the capability to autonomously respond to resource pricing signals by transitioning between operational modes based on pre-defined price thresholds. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex negotiation mechanisms and incentive structures, as the device automatically adjusts its operation in response to price signals, reducing system complexity while maintaining resource conservation benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
Architectures or techniques are presented that can prioritize operating a consumption device in a manner that is efficient in terms of consumption of a resource over satisfying a specified demand assigned to the consumption device. This re-prioritizing can be performed in response to a price of the resource exceeding a threshold.