Controlling an HVAC system in association with a demand-response event with an intelligent network-connected thermostat
First Claim
1. A method of carrying out a demand response (DR) event by an intelligent, network-connected thermostat associated with a structure, the method comprising:
- identifying a DR event that defines a DR event period;
accessing a plurality of parameter sets;
generating candidate setpoint schedules during the DR event for the plurality of parameter sets;
simulating each of the candidate setpoint schedules using a thermodynamic model of how the structure responds to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system;
generating predicted indoor temperature profiles or HVAC duty cycle schedules for each of the simulated candidate setpoint schedules;
evaluating a cost function for each of the predicted indoor temperature profiles or HVAC duty cycle schedules, the cost function comprising a combination of;
a first factor representative of a total energy consumption of the HVAC system during the DR event period;
a second factor representative of a metric of occupant discomfort in the structure; and
a third factor representative of deviations of a rate of energy consumption of the HVAC system from an equalized rate of energy consumption of the HVAC system over the DR event period such that the rate of energy consumption by the HVAC system over the DR event period can be made substantially constant;
selecting an optimal predicted indoor temperature profile or HVAC duty cycle schedule that minimizes the cost function; and
controlling the HVAC system during the DR event period in accordance with the optimal predicted indoor temperature profile or HVAC duty cycle schedule.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for carrying out a demand response (DR) event via an intelligent, network-connected thermostat associated with a structure. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat is operable to control an HVAC system. Control during a DR event period may be performed based on an optimal control trajectory of the HVAC system, where the control trajectory is optimal in that it minimizes a cost function comprising a combination of a first factor representative of a total energy consumption during the DR event period, a second factor representative of a metric of occupant discomfort, and a third factor representative of deviations of a rate of energy consumption over the DR event period.
195 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of carrying out a demand response (DR) event by an intelligent, network-connected thermostat associated with a structure, the method comprising:
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identifying a DR event that defines a DR event period; accessing a plurality of parameter sets; generating candidate setpoint schedules during the DR event for the plurality of parameter sets; simulating each of the candidate setpoint schedules using a thermodynamic model of how the structure responds to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; generating predicted indoor temperature profiles or HVAC duty cycle schedules for each of the simulated candidate setpoint schedules; evaluating a cost function for each of the predicted indoor temperature profiles or HVAC duty cycle schedules, the cost function comprising a combination of; a first factor representative of a total energy consumption of the HVAC system during the DR event period; a second factor representative of a metric of occupant discomfort in the structure; and a third factor representative of deviations of a rate of energy consumption of the HVAC system from an equalized rate of energy consumption of the HVAC system over the DR event period such that the rate of energy consumption by the HVAC system over the DR event period can be made substantially constant; selecting an optimal predicted indoor temperature profile or HVAC duty cycle schedule that minimizes the cost function; and controlling the HVAC system during the DR event period in accordance with the optimal predicted indoor temperature profile or HVAC duty cycle schedule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An intelligent network-connected thermostat for controlling an operation of an HVAC system in a structure, the thermostat comprising:
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HVAC control circuitry operable to actuate one or more elements of the HVAC system; one or more sensors for measuring characteristics of a smart home environment; and a processor coupled to the HVAC control circuitry and the one or more sensors and operable to cause the thermostat to perform operations including; identifying a DR event that defines a DR event period; accessing a plurality of parameter sets; generating candidate setpoint schedules during the DR event for the plurality of parameter sets; simulating each of the candidate setpoint schedules using a thermodynamic model of how the structure responds to the HVAC system; generating predicted indoor temperature profiles or HVAC duty cycle schedules for each of the simulated candidate setpoint schedules; evaluating a cost function for each of the predicted indoor temperature profiles or HVAC duty cycle schedules, the cost function comprising a combination of; a first factor representative of a total energy consumption of the HVAC system during the DR event period; a second factor representative of a metric of occupant discomfort in the structure; and a third factor representative of deviations of a rate of energy consumption of the HVAC system from an equalized rate of energy consumption of the HVAC system over the DR event period such that the rate of energy consumption by the HVAC system over the DR event period can be made substantially constant; and selecting an optimal predicted indoor temperature profile or HVAC duty cycle schedule that minimizes the cost function; and controlling the HVAC system during the DR event period in accordance with the optimal predicted indoor temperature profile or HVAC duty cycle schedule. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor of a thermostat, cause the processor of the thermostat to perform operations including:
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identifying a DR event that defines a DR event period; accessing a plurality of parameter sets; generating candidate setpoint schedules during the DR event for the plurality of parameter sets; simulating each of the candidate setpoint schedules using a thermodynamic model of how the structure responds to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; generating predicted indoor temperature profiles or HVAC duty cycle schedules for each of the simulated candidate setpoint schedules; evaluating a cost function for each of the predicted indoor temperature profiles or HVAC duty cycle schedules, the cost function comprising a combination of; a first factor representative of a total energy consumption of the HVAC system during the DR event period; a second factor representative of a metric of occupant discomfort in the structure; and a third factor representative of deviations of a rate of energy consumption of the HVAC system from an equalized rate of energy consumption of the HVAC system over the DR event period such that the rate of energy consumption by the HVAC system over the DR event period can be made substantially constant; selecting an optimal predicted indoor temperature profile or HVAC duty cycle schedule that minimizes the cost function; and controlling the HVAC system during the DR event period in accordance with the optimal predicted indoor temperature profile or HVAC duty cycle schedule. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification