Water heater controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heaters lack efficient control mechanisms to optimize energy consumption based on time-of-use tariffs and demand response signals, leading to increased energy costs and grid demand management challenges.
Innovation Solution
A controller for an electric booster element in a water heater that integrates a capacitive module for power storage, a control module for time-based operation, and a demand response enabling device, which uses signals from the power supplier and solar data to regulate the booster element's operation, ensuring compliance with time-of-use tariffs and demand response requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the booster element operates continuously to ensure adequate hot water supply, then hot water availability is maintained, but energy consumption cost increases during peak tariff periods
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-heats water during off-peak tariff periods when energy costs are lower, storing hot water in the tank. This preliminary action allows the booster element to be restricted during peak tariff periods while still maintaining adequate hot water supply from the pre-heated reservoir, thus resolving the contradiction between hot water availability and energy consumption cost.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the controller restricts booster element operation during peak tariff periods to reduce energy costs, then energy consumption cost decreases, but hot water supply adequacy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The controller incorporates a feedback mechanism that monitors the volume of pre-heated water in the tank and user hot water usage patterns. Based on this feedback, the controller intelligently decides whether to override the peak period restriction and activate the booster element, ensuring that hot water supply adequacy is maintained while still optimizing energy consumption costs.
3Reliability
If the controller uses a capacitive module to maintain functionality during power outages, then operational reliability during outages is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive module is automatically charged from the mains power supply during normal operation without requiring user intervention. During power outages, it automatically provides the necessary power to maintain controller functionality, thus improving operational reliability while adding minimal complexity as the system serves itself.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the controller integrates multiple functions including time-of-use tariff management, demand response signals, and solar data processing, then energy optimization capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional universal device that can process time-of-use tariff data, demand response signals, and solar production data through a single integrated control module. This approach improves energy optimization capability by considering multiple factors simultaneously while managing device complexity through functional integration rather than separate dedicated components for each function.
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 controller effectively reduces energy consumption costs by optimizing operation during off-peak periods and managing demand, maintaining functionality during power outages, and ensuring adequate hot water supply.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive module adapted to store power and supply stored power to the control module
Implementation Method 2
The capacitive module can receive power from a photovoltaic module
Implementation Method 3
the control module producing a control signal for controlling a relay to supply or restrict mains power supply to the booster element
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for an electric booster element in a water heater is described. The electric booster element is powered from mains power and the controller comprises a control module and a capacitive module adapted to store power and supply stored power to the control module. The control module produces a control signal for controlling a relay to supply or restrict mains power supply to said booster element, said control signal depending at least in part on time of use data.