Building control systems with optimization of equipment life cycle economic value while participating in IBDR and PBDR programs

• US 10,222,083 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2016
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Drees, Kirk H., Wenzel, Michael J., Turney, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cassity, Robert A
• Application Number:
  US15/247,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20160377306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/83 by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/84 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2005/0025 using heat exchange fluid storage tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2005/0067 with photovoltaic panels
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/00 Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/10 Weather information or forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/50 Load
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0017 using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0035 using evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0205 : not using a model or a simulator of the controlled system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/406 : characterised by monitoring or safety G05B19/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 : Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49068 : Minimum cost adaptive
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 : Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 : characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 : involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 15/00 : Systems for storing electric energy mechanical systems therefor F01-F04; in chemical form H01M
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/20 : Simulating, e g planning, reliability check, modelling or computer assisted design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 : of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/10 : The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 : The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 : Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/003 : Load forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future load demand
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/008 : involving trading of energy or energy transmission rights
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 : by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 : Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 : using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 : Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 : Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/40 : Synchronising a generator for connection to a network or to another generator
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 : with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 : comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/272 : Solar heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 : Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 : Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/54 : Free-cooling systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 : Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 : Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 : Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/70 : Smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the energy generation sector
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 : Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 : Thermal energy storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 : Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/123 : the energy generation units being or involving renewable energy sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 : Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/12 : Energy storage units, uninterruptible power supply [UPS] systems or standby or emergency generators, e.g. in the last power distribution stages
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 : Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A central plant includes an electrical energy storage subplant configured to store electrical energy, a plurality of generator subplants configured to consume one or more input resources, including discharged electrical energy, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine, for each time step within a time horizon, an optimal allocation of the input resources. The controller is configured to determine optimal allocation of the output resources for each of the subplants in order to optimize a total monetary value of operating the central plant over the time horizon.

Claims

1. A central plant configured to generate and provide resources to a building, the central plant comprising:

an electrical energy storage subplant configured to store electrical energy purchased from a utility and to discharge the stored electrical energy;

a plurality of generator subplants configured to consume one or more input resources comprising the discharged electrical energy and to generate one or more output resources to satisfy a resource demand of the building; and

a controller configured to determine, for each time step within a time horizon, an optimal allocation of the input resources and the output resources for each of the subplants in order to optimize a total monetary value of operating the central plant over the time horizon;

wherein the controller determines the optimal allocation of the input resources and the output resources by optimizing a value function comprising a monetized cost of capacity loss for the electrical energy storage subplant predicted to result from battery degradation due to a potential allocation of the resources;

wherein the controller predicts the monetized cost of capacity loss prior to allocating the resources, uses the predicted cost of capacity loss to optimize the allocation of the input resources and the output resources, and uses the optimal allocation of the input resources and the output resources to operate each of the subplants.

2. The central plant of claim 1, wherein the optimal allocation of the resources comprises an allocation of the stored electrical energy to the generator subplants for at least some of the time steps and an allocation of the stored electrical energy to an incentive-based demand response (IBDR) program for at least some of the time steps.

3. The central plant of claim 1, wherein determining the optimal allocation of resources comprises determining an amount of the electrical energy stored or discharged by the electrical energy storage subplant for each of the time steps.

4. The central plant of claim 1, wherein the expected revenue from participating in an IBDR program and an expected cost of the resources purchased from the utility.

5. The central plant of claim 1, wherein the value function further comprises a penalty cost of equipment degradation resulting from a potential allocation of the resources;

wherein the controller predicts the penalty cost of equipment degradation prior to allocating the resources and uses the predicted penalty cost to optimize the allocation of the input resources and the output resources.

6. The central plant of claim 1, wherein the value function further comprises a penalty cost of equipment start/stops resulting from a potential allocation of the resources;

wherein the controller predicts the penalty cost of equipment start/stops prior to allocating the resources and uses the predicted penalty cost to optimize the allocation of the input resources and the output resources.

7. The central plant of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to perform:

a first optimization that optimizes the total monetary value of operating the central plant over the time horizon; and

a second optimization that optimizes a total value of purchasing equipment of the central plant as well as the total monetary value of operating the central plant over the time horizon.

8. A method for operating a central plant to generate and provide resources to a building, the method comprising:

storing electrical energy purchased from a utility in an electrical energy storage subplant and discharging the stored electrical energy from the electrical energy storage subplant;

consuming one or more input resources at a plurality of generator subplants to generate one or more output resources to satisfy a resource demand of the building, the one or more input resources comprising the discharged electrical energy;

determining, for each time step within a time horizon, an optimal allocation of the input resources and the output resources for each of the subplants in order to optimize a total monetary value of operating the central plant over the time horizon, wherein determining the optimal allocation of the input resources and the output resources comprises optimizing a value function comprising a monetized cost of capacity loss for the electrical energy storage subplant predicted to result from a potential allocation of the resources;

predicting the monetized cost of capacity loss prior to allocating the resources and using the predicted cost of capacity loss to optimize the allocation of the input resources and the output resources; and

using the optimal allocation of the input resources and the output resources to operate each of the subplants.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the optimal allocation of the resources comprises determining an allocation of the stored electrical energy to the generator subplants for at least some of the time steps and an allocation of the stored electrical energy to an incentive-based demand response (IBDR) program for at least some of the time steps.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the optimal allocation of the resources comprises determining an amount of the electrical energy stored or discharged by the electrical energy storage subplant for each of the time steps.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the value function comprises expected revenue from participating in an IBDR program and an expected cost of the resources purchased from the utility.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the value function further comprises a penalty cost of equipment degradation resulting from a potential allocation of the resources;

the method further comprising predicting the penalty cost of equipment degradation prior to allocating the resources and using the predicted penalty cost to optimize the allocation of the input resources and the output resources.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the value function further comprises a penalty cost of equipment start/stops resulting from a potential allocation of the resources;

the method further comprising predicting the penalty cost of equipment start/stops prior to allocating the resources and using the predicted penalty cost to optimize the allocation of the input resources and the output resources.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the optimal allocation of the input resources and the output resources comprises:

performing a first optimization that optimizes the total monetary value of operating the central plant over the time horizon; and

performing a second optimization that optimizes a total value of purchasing equipment of the central plant as well as the total monetary value of operating the central plant over the time horizon.

15. A building management system comprising:

building equipment that consume electrical energy and generate thermal energy for use in satisfying a thermal energy load of a building;

thermal energy storage configured to store at least a portion of the thermal energy generated by the building equipment and to discharge the stored thermal energy;

electrical energy storage configured to store electrical energy purchased from a utility and to discharge the stored electrical energy; and

a controller configured to determine, for each time step within a time horizon, an optimal amount of thermal energy generated by the building equipment, an optimal amount of thermal energy stored or discharged by the thermal energy storage, and an optimal amount of electrical energy stored or discharged by the electrical energy storage in order to optimize a total monetary value of operating the building management system over the time horizon;

wherein the controller determines the optimal amounts of thermal energy and electrical energy by optimizing a value function comprising a monetized cost of capacity loss for the electrical energy storage predicted to result from battery degradation due to a potential allocation of the thermal energy and electrical energy;

wherein the controller predicts the monetized cost of capacity loss prior to allocating the thermal energy and electrical energy, uses the predicted cost of capacity loss to optimize the amounts of thermal energy and electrical energy, and uses the optimal amounts of thermal energy and electrical energy to operate each of the building equipment, the thermal energy storage, and the electrical energy storage.

16. The building management system of claim 15, wherein the electrical energy discharged from the electrical energy storage is consumed by the building equipment.

17. The building management system of claim 15, wherein the electrical energy discharged from the electrical energy storage is sold to an outside entity as part of an incentive-based demand response (IBDR) program in exchange for revenue that contributes to the total monetary value of operating the building management system over the time horizon.

18. The building management system of claim 15, wherein the value function further comprises at least one of:

a monetized cost of capacity loss for the electrical energy storage; and

a penalty cost of control actions associated with the building equipment.