HVAC Thermal-Mass Preconditioning for Peak Energy Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern urban and industrial areas face challenges in economically using energy due to variable energy rates, with existing HVAC systems not fully optimizing energy efficiency and environmental impact, particularly in reducing peak demand and carbon dioxide emissions.
Innovation Solution
A strategic-response control system that utilizes a controller with a real-time clock and processor to manage air conditioning and heating systems by determining optimal operating periods based on thermal mass, energy costs, and environmental factors, shifting energy usage to off-peak hours and reducing peak demand, thereby minimizing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If HVAC systems operate continuously to maintain comfortable temperatures, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling or heating before peak energy rate periods by storing thermal energy in the building's thermal mass (walls, floors, furniture). This pre-conditioning allows the HVAC system to reduce or stop operation during expensive peak periods while maintaining comfort, directly resolving the contradiction between continuous operation for temperature stability and energy consumption reduction.
2Reliability
If HVAC systems operate at full capacity during peak demand periods, then temperature control reliability is improved, but energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools or pre-heats the building envelope and thermal mass before peak demand periods, storing thermal energy that carries the building through peak periods without requiring full HVAC capacity operation, thereby maintaining reliability while avoiding peak energy costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from energy rate signals, temperature sensors, and predictive algorithms to dynamically adjust HVAC operation. The controller receives feedback about upcoming peak periods and current thermal conditions, optimizing the pre-conditioning strategy to ensure temperature reliability while minimizing energy costs.
3Loss of energy
If HVAC systems are optimized for energy efficiency, then energy cost reduction is improved, but environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic operation patterns that shift HVAC activity away from peak demand periods (which often coincide with highest emissions from fossil fuel power plants) toward off-peak periods when renewable energy sources are more likely to be available. This periodic shifting reduces both energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions simultaneously.
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 effectively reduces energy costs, carbon dioxide emissions, and generates credits for energy efficiency improvements, while maintaining building temperature within desired ranges and promoting the use of renewable energy sources by optimizing HVAC system operation in response to changing energy prices and demand.
Implementation Method 1
determining a minimum pre-operating period using thermal mass of the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for controlling consumption of energy in an environment including a controller having a processor and a real time clock, the real time clock being configured to coordinate operations of the processor with timing of the designated peak period, the processor being configured to determine a minimum pre-operating period and to signal an air conditioning and/or space heating system to enter an operating state for at least the minimum pre-operating period before the designated peak period begins and enter a non-operating state after the designated peak period begins; an operating program having processing parameters and processing procedure for determining the minimum pre-operating period, wherein the processing parameters and processing procedure comprise determining the minimum pre-operating period using thermal mass of the environment, costs for the consumption of energy, and efficiency of the air conditioning and/or space heating system.