System and method for HVAC modification based on virtual audit result with the aid of a digital computer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power utilities face challenges in accurately forecasting power generation from photovoltaic fleets and estimating residential power consumption due to unpredictable performance, incomplete configuration data, and the impracticality of high-speed data collection and analysis, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased grid instability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a digital computer to analyze building thermal performance and infer photovoltaic system configurations remotely, combining total energy load with meteorological data to estimate seasonal energy consumption, and disaggregate component loads, while employing a statistical approach to generate high-speed fleet production data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct power measurements are collected from individual photovoltaic systems in near-real time, then power generation forecasting accuracy is improved, but data transmission bandwidth requirements and processing resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for forecasting by using satellite imagery to derive aggregate power generation data at the utility level, rather than collecting and processing individual system measurements. This extraction approach obtains sufficient forecasting accuracy without the complexity of high-speed data collection from numerous individual systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces satellite imagery as an intermediary medium to obtain photovoltaic fleet performance data. Instead of directly collecting data from individual systems, the satellite images serve as a mediator that provides aggregate information about the entire fleet's performance, reducing data transmission and processing requirements while maintaining forecasting accuracy.
2Speed
If high-speed data collection is implemented across a growing photovoltaic fleet, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but storage space and processing resources become insurmountable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses satellite imagery to create a remote copy or representation of the photovoltaic fleet's performance state. Instead of storing and processing actual electrical measurement data from individual systems, the system uses optical copies (satellite images) to infer aggregate power generation, dramatically reducing storage and processing requirements while maintaining monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If complete photovoltaic system configuration data is obtained from all systems, then power production forecasting accuracy is improved, but data availability decreases due to privacy and security restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses satellite imagery as an intermediary that allows observation of photovoltaic system configurations and performance without requiring direct access to private system data. The satellite images provide sufficient information for forecasting while respecting privacy and security restrictions, as they capture external physical characteristics without penetrating into proprietary system details.
4Adaptability or versatility
If photovoltaic fleets operate under cloudy conditions, then adaptability to varying weather is demonstrated, but power generation predictability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic satellite imaging to monitor photovoltaic fleet performance under varying weather conditions. By capturing images at regular intervals, the system can track changes in cloud cover and their impact on power generation, maintaining predictability through periodic observation even when conditions are variable and unpredictable.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for HVAC modification based on virtual audit result with the aid of a digital computer are provided. Energy loads for a building situated in a known location as measured over a time period are obtained by a digital computer including a processor and a memory that is adapted to store program instructions for execution by the processor. Outdoor temperatures for the building as measured over the time period are obtaining by the digital computer. Each energy load is expressed by the digital computer as a function of the outdoor temperature measured at the same time of the time period in point-intercept form. A slope of the point-intercept form as the fuel rate of energy consumption is taken during the time period, wherein an HVAC system of the building is changed based on the fuel rate of energy consumption.