Swimming Pool Heat Pump Control for Renewable Energy Self-Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming pool heating systems using heat pumps connected to a collective network result in high energy consumption and carbon footprint, while integrating renewable generators like solar panels introduces intermittency and fluctuation issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that combines a heat pump with an individual renewable electricity generator, using a control system to regulate power consumption based on current temperature and instantaneous electrical measurements, switching between hybrid and renewable modes to optimize decarbonized self-consumption and thermal comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat pump is connected to the collective network and regulated by water temperature, then thermal comfort is maintained, but energy consumption and carbon footprint increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump is equipped with its own dedicated renewable electricity generator (such as solar panels), allowing it to serve itself with clean energy. The control system manages the generator and heat pump as an integrated unit, enabling the system to operate independently from the collective network using self-produced renewable electricity, thereby eliminating carbon footprint while maintaining thermal comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the heat pump's power supply from the collective network by allocating a dedicated renewable generator specifically for the heat pump's electricity needs. This segmentation allows the heat pump to operate with decarbonized energy while other pool equipment may continue using collective network power, resolving the contradiction between thermal comfort and energy consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heat pump is combined with an individual renewable electricity generator, then cost and carbon footprint are reduced, but the intermittency and fluctuation of electricity production occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the instantaneous electricity production from the renewable generator and adjusts the heat pump's power consumption in real-time accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the heat pump's energy demand matches the generator's variable supply, maintaining reliable operation despite intermittency and fluctuation in renewable electricity production
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the heat pump's power consumption to match the variable output of the renewable generator. The control system modifies operating parameters such as heating power and cycle duration in real-time based on current generator production, enabling flexible operation that accommodates the dynamic nature of renewable energy sources while maintaining pool temperature within acceptable ranges
3Temperature
If the heat pump operates at maximum power to heat water quickly, then thermal comfort is achieved faster, but energy consumption from the collective network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system changes the operational parameters of the heat pump based on available renewable energy. Instead of operating at fixed maximum power, the heat pump's power consumption is dynamically adjusted to match the instantaneous renewable electricity production, optimizing the balance between heating speed and energy source utilization, thereby reducing reliance on the collective network while achieving thermal comfort
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
Maximizes the use of renewable electricity while maintaining thermal comfort by adjusting power consumption in real-time, reducing reliance on the collective network and minimizing carbon footprint.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump, which has adjustable electrical power and which is adapted to heat the water
Implementation Method 2
an individual generator, which is adapted to produce renewable electricity
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
System and method for regulating a swimming pool, such as a swimming pool or a spa. The regulation system comprises a temperature sensor (140) which measures a current temperature (Tc) of the water (2), a generator (130) of renewable electricity, pool equipment (110) including a heat pump (111) with adjustable electrical power, electrical measuring devices (141, 142) which determine powers (P1, P2) corresponding respectively to the power produced by the generator and to the power consumed by the heat pump, and a control system (120) adapted to adjust the power consumed by the heat pump and to operate the pool equipment selectively in a hybrid mode, where a collective network (6) and the generator supply power, and in a renewable mode, where the generator supplies power without the pool equipment being supplied by the collective network, by sending any surplus to a domestic network (7).The control system is configured to control the pool equipment based on the current temperature and power.