Thermostat Offset Control for Peak-Demand Load Shedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermostats face challenges in effectively reducing energy consumption during peak demand periods, as users often override utility-requested changes to the set-point temperature, leading to inefficiencies in load-shedding strategies.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a sensor, memory, and processor to determine an artificial temperature by applying a temperature offset to the sensed temperature, allowing the climate control appliance to reduce operation without altering the user-set point temperature, thereby reducing energy demand without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the utility provider changes the set-point temperature of the thermostat to reduce air conditioner operation during peak demand periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but the user may override the utility change to the set-point temperature setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (temperature offset) between the utility provider's demand-side management signal and the thermostat's set-point temperature. Instead of directly changing the set-point temperature, the system applies an offset to the sensed space temperature, creating an artificial temperature that triggers the air conditioner to reduce operation without displaying set-point changes to the user. This intermediary approach prevents user override while achieving energy reduction.
2Loss of energy
If the thermostat offsets the temperature set-point by a predetermined amount to reduce energy usage during peak demand periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but the user perceives a change in set-point temperature and may override it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature offset as an intermediary that acts on the sensed space temperature rather than the set-point temperature. This allows the system to reduce energy consumption by creating an artificial temperature condition that triggers reduced air conditioner operation, while the user never sees or interacts with the offset mechanism, preserving their perception of full control over the set-point temperature.
3Loss of energy
If the system applies temperature offset to reduce air conditioner operation, then energy consumption during peak demand is reduced, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements demand-side management by changing the parameter being offset - specifically, offsetting the sensed space temperature rather than the set-point temperature. This parameter change allows the system to achieve energy reduction through a relatively simple mechanism: comparing the offsetted sensed temperature against the unchanged set-point temperature. This approach avoids the complexity of modifying set-point management while achieving the same energy reduction goal.
Data Source
AI summary
Controllers and methods for controlling operation of a climate control appliance for heating and/or cooling a space are provided. One example controller includes a memory for storing at least one temperature offset and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to receive the reduced operation request from at least one of a utility provider and a user of the controller, to receive a sensed temperature from at least one sensor disposed within the space, and to determine an artificial temperature based on the sensed temperature and the at least one temperature offset associated with the reduced operation request. The processor is configured to, in response to the reduced operation request, operate the climate control appliance based on a comparison of the set-point temperature and artificial temperature during a reduced operation interval, to thereby reduce operation of the climate control appliance in response to the reduced operation request.