Server and method for controlling multiple air conditioning units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner power peak control methods lead to increased energy consumption and reduced thermal comfort due to frequent mode switching, causing rapid power consumption spikes when returning to general control mode.
Innovation Solution
A server system that controls multiple air conditioners based on spatial characteristics, prioritizing comfort levels and energy efficiency by switching to a general mode only when total power usage is below a threshold, using a processor to manage operation modes and predicted mean vote (PMV) to minimize comfort degradation and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If air conditioners are frequently switched to blowing mode or cooling mode during power peak control, then power consumption is reduced, but cooling efficiency decreases and thermal comfort level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling by switching selected air conditioners to cooling mode before the peak demand period begins, pre-cooling the spaces to reduce the need for intensive cooling during peak hours, thereby maintaining cooling efficiency while managing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operation modes based on real-time power usage monitoring, transitioning air conditioners between blowing mode, cooling mode, and general mode according to whether power consumption is above or below threshold values, optimizing both energy efficiency and cooling performance
2Reliability
If air conditioners are switched to general mode after power peak control, then thermal comfort is improved, but power consumption rapidly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools spaces during off-peak hours before the peak demand period, storing cooling capacity in the building thermal mass, which allows air conditioners to be switched to general mode during peak hours without rapid power consumption increases while maintaining thermal comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by selecting specific air conditioners to operate in general mode based on spatial characteristics and priority settings, allowing thermal comfort to be maintained in high-priority spaces while controlling overall power consumption
3Loss of energy
If air conditioners operate in power peak control mode, then power usage is reduced, but energy efficiency decreases due to frequent mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling operations before the peak demand period, pre-cooling spaces to reduce the intensity and duration of cooling needed during peak hours, thereby improving overall energy efficiency while achieving power usage reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by selectively switching specific air conditioners to general mode when power usage falls below the threshold, allowing those units to operate more efficiently while maintaining overall power control
Data Source
AI summary
A server and a controlling method of a server are provided. The server includes a communication interface, a memory configured to store priorities of each of a plurality of spaces, and a processor configured to control a plurality of air conditioners arranged in the plurality of spaces, and the processor may, based on a total power usage of the plurality of air conditioners exceeding a first threshold value, control the plurality of air conditioners to operate in a power peak control mode to reduce the total power usage, and based on the total power usage being less than a second threshold value while operating in the power peak control mode, control the plurality of air conditioners to sequentially switch to a general mode according to the priority.