Control unit and control method for supervising communication between a central server and a local control of thermal device being part in a heat or cool distributing network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy distribution systems lack efficient solutions for detecting and addressing communication issues between thermal devices and the central server, leading to suboptimal performance and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with a communication unit and control circuit is introduced, capable of monitoring communication with a central server and switching thermal devices between normal and limited operation modes based on communication compliance with a predetermined rule, such as ping communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the thermal device operates in normal operation mode with free heat/cold outtake, then the energy efficiency and performance of the thermal device is improved, but the control over the distribution grid and overall system performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal device operates in two dynamic modes: normal operation mode with free heat/cold outtake for optimal energy efficiency, and limited operation mode with restricted outtake below a threshold for maintaining distribution grid control. The system dynamically switches between these modes based on communication status with the central server, resolving the contradiction between local optimization and central control.
2Ease of operation
If the thermal device operates independently without communication monitoring, then the ease of operation is improved, but the detection of communication issues and system coordination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors communication with the central server and provides feedback on communication status. This feedback mechanism enables automatic mode switching between normal and limited operation modes, maintaining ease of operation while improving detection of communication issues and ensuring proper system coordination.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a control unit (206) configured to control an outtake of heat and/or cold of a thermal device (106) from a distribution grid (202) for a fluid based distribution of heat and/or cold. The control unit (206) comprising: a communication unit (302) configured to communicate with a central (208) server using a predetermined rule of communication; a control circuit (304) configured to execute: a monitoring function (310) configured to monitor the communication between the control unit (206) and the central server (208); a mode setting function (312) configured to: upon the communication between the control unit (206) and the central server (208) fulfills the predetermined rule of communication, set the thermal device (106) in a normal operation mode, upon the communication between the control unit (206) and the central server (208) does not fulfill the predetermined rule of communication, set the thermal device (106) in a limited operation mode, wherein the limited operation mode is more restricted than the normal operation mode, wherein in the normal operation mode the thermal device (106) is allowed to freely take out heat and/or cold from the distribution grid (202), wherein in the limited operation mode the thermal device (106) is restricted to take out heat and/or cold from the distribution grid (202) below a preconfigured threshold.