Thermal Storage-Based Consumption Estimation for Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy management systems cannot accurately determine thermal consumption without direct measurement, as it is difficult or impossible due to structural reasons and tenant rights, leading to unrealistic thermal load profiles and consumption forecasts.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining thermal consumption in energy systems with thermal energy storage units by ascertaining thermal charging and discharging energies within a time range and calculating consumption as the sum of total thermal energy and the difference between discharging and charging energies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct measurement of thermal consumption is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to structural constraints and tenant rights limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal energy storage unit as an intermediary component that enables indirect measurement of thermal consumption. By measuring the charging and discharging energies of this storage unit, the system derives thermal consumption data without requiring direct measurement devices in the thermal distribution network, thus avoiding structural and legal constraints while maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If thermal consumption is determined without direct measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates leading to unrealistic thermal load profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the energy management system continuously monitors the charging and discharging energies of the thermal storage unit and uses this information to calculate and adjust thermal consumption estimates. This feedback loop ensures that the indirect measurement method maintains high precision and generates realistic thermal load profiles suitable for energy optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If thermal energy storage unit is integrated into the system, then adaptability is improved for energy management, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the thermal energy storage unit serve multiple functions: it acts as both a thermal storage component for energy management optimization and a measurement intermediary for determining thermal consumption. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while minimizing the addition of separate components, as the storage unit itself provides the measurement capability through its charging and discharging energy data.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a method for determining the thermal consumption of an energy system having a thermal energy storage unit, wherein the energy system generates a total thermal energy within a time range comprising: determining a thermal charging energy of the thermal energy storage unit within the time range; determining a thermal discharging energy of the thermal energy storage unit within the time range; and calculating a resulting thermal consumption within the time range using a sum of the total thermal energy and the difference between the ascertained thermal discharging energy and the ascertained thermal charging energy.