WO2019197405A1 - Energy management and optimisation of a refrigeration system - Google Patents

Energy management and optimisation of a refrigeration system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019197405A1
WO2019197405A1 PCT/EP2019/058956 EP2019058956W WO2019197405A1 WO 2019197405 A1 WO2019197405 A1 WO 2019197405A1 EP 2019058956 W EP2019058956 W EP 2019058956W WO 2019197405 A1 WO2019197405 A1 WO 2019197405A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
freezer
cooler
battery
energy
controller
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2019/058956
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter William Dale BISHOP
Original Assignee
Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. filed Critical Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A.
Publication of WO2019197405A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019197405A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/34—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
    • H02J7/35—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering with light sensitive cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
    • H02J3/003—Load forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future load demand
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
    • H02J3/12—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load
    • H02J3/14—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2310/00—The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load
    • H02J2310/10—The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
    • H02J2310/12—The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
    • H02J2310/14—The load or loads being home appliances
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B70/00—Technologies for an efficient end-user side electric power management and consumption
    • Y02B70/30—Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B70/00—Technologies for an efficient end-user side electric power management and consumption
    • Y02B70/30—Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
    • Y02B70/3225—Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
    • Y04S20/20—End-user application control systems
    • Y04S20/222—Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
    • Y04S20/20—End-user application control systems
    • Y04S20/242—Home appliances

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus configured to manage energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler, the apparatus comprising a controller connectable to associated components in the freezer or cooler, said controller comprising a measuring logic configured to measure energy consumption load, user activity, and ambient temperature, a predicting logic configured to import or predict renewable solar energy production information calculated using location, time and date of the freezer or cooler, a predicting logic configured to predict a future energy consumption load, and a memory having with ability to store values and external inputs. The controller is configured to connect and/or disconnect and/or control the power consumption of the freezer or cooler and its associated components, connected to a battery, when predicted energy available is not sufficient. The invention also relates to a method of managing energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler.

Description

ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMISATION OF A REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for energy management and optimisation through load prediction, user activity detection and weather forecast.
Background
Many freezer and coolers for food and beverages require electrical power to operate. Typically, this power has been provided by connection to an electrical grid, or in cases where this is not available, connection to a standalone generator. More recently, power generated from renewable sources such as photovoltaic (PV) arrays or wind turbines has been used as an alternative to generators for locations without a grid connection .
While this offers considerable advantages in operational costs over a fossil fuelled generator, the performance of photovoltaic (PV) arrays is highly dependent on the prevailing weather conditions and energy storage is required to provide a reserve for periods of low renewable energy generation and in the case of PV, night time operation. A limitation with these systems is that in order to provide a high availability power source for reliable operation of freezers and coolers to maintain the desired internal temperature, product shelf life and prevent degradation of the products within, the storage capacity of the battery has to be considerably increased over that of a system that is not required to provide continuous power. The higher storage capacity a battery has the more expensive it is likely to be. Furthermore, if the usage of the battery is not managed well the life of the battery diminishes and it will need to be replaced more frequently.
Prior art refrigeration control systems do not permit the automatic, selective operation of devices to remove loads of a specific type for the purpose of prolonging the operation of a higher priority load, thereby permitting the use of smaller batteries. Neither do existing systems permit an operator to remotely command a disconnected device to remain connected, to override a low voltage disconnect, and provide additional reserves of power under exceptional circumstances should it be required .
Thus, there is a need for an energy management and optimisation solution, which addresses one or more inefficiency issues.
Obj ect of the invention
It is thus the object of present invention to provide energy management and optimisation of a refrigeration system to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler. In particular, it is an object to provide such a solution for freezers or coolers.
Summary of the invention
In a first aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus configured to manage energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler, the apparatus comprising a controller connectable to associated components in the freezer or cooler, said controller comprising a measuring logic configured to measure energy consumption load, user activity, and ambient temperature,
a predicting logic configured to import or predict renewable solar energy production information calculated using location, time and date of the freezer or cooler,
a predicting logic configured to predict a future energy consumption load, and
a memory having with ability to store values and external inputs, and wherein
said controller is configured to disconnect and/or reduce by control, the power consumption of the freezer or cooler and/or its associated components, connected to a battery, when predicted energy available is not sufficient to meet predicted future energy consumption, and re-connect or increase them by control when predicted energy available is sufficient.
The controller is preferably furthermore configured to control when energy is sufficient to provide temperature regulation and optimised battery charging.
The present invention provides the possibility for monitoring the electrical load the user activity and the ambient temperature and use weather forecast or solar forecast to predict the energy production from a PV array. When comparing the two values if insufficient forecasted energy is available, the apparatus is able to reduce non-essential loads to maintain refrigeration operation. The apparatus may also increase the temperature of the set point of the freezer or cooler to further reduce energy consumption .
The apparatus according to the invention may furthermore monitor one or more of the following parameter: freezer internal temperature, ancillary loads, battery temperature, battery voltage, battery current, solar current, solar voltage, grid power, condenser temperature (in and out) , and GPS position of the freezer or cooler. The monitored parameters may be used in the energy management and optimisation of the refrigeration system.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller comprises means for switching and controlling electrical power in response to the logics decisions in order to receive and send instructions for the connection, disconnection and/or control of the power consumption of the freezer or cooler and its associated components, connected to the battery. The benefit of this is to reduce load to maintain the refrigeration operation during periods of predicted insufficient energy availability
It has surprisingly been found that the effect obtained allowed for an increased life of the battery by reducing the average daily depth of discharge of the battery and preventing deep discharge and enabling more frequent full recharge and equalisation to be perfomed.
In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of managing energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler, the method comprising
a) providing an apparatus according to claims 1 to 14, b) determining the current state of charge of the battery being a percentage of fully charged battery,
c) predicting the likely energy consumption of the freezer or cooler and associated components over a future time interval, d) predicting the likely solar energy production over the same time interval
e) predicting when the energy production is less than the predicted energy consumption and when the battery state of charge at the end of the time interval will be lower than the start and vice versa for the condition that production is greater than consumption,
f) indicating to an operator if supplementary grid power is likely to be required, or if there is a need to shut down non- essential components to reserve stored battery energy for core refrigeration functions.
Brief description of the drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described further, with reference to the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates schematically the main functional components of the apparatus according to the invention configured to manage energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler.
Figure 2 illustrates schematically the main functional components of an energy management and optimisation refrigeration system according to the invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus configured to manage energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler. The apparatus comprising a controller connectable to associated components in the freezer or cooler. Examples of such components are lighting, loudspeaker, phone charging, projector, display etc. The controller comprises a measuring logic configured to measure energy consumption load, user activity, and ambient temperature, and a predicting logic configured to import or predict renewable solar energy production information calculated using location, time and date of the freezer or cooler, and a predicting logic configured to predict a future energy consumption load. The controller is configured to connect and/or disconnect and/or control the power consumption of the freezer or cooler and its associated components, connected to a battery, when predicted energy available is not sufficient.
The controller further comprises a memory having the ability to store values and external inputs, like weather forecasts for use by the prediction logic.
The present invention provides the possibility for monitoring the load, the user activity and the ambient temperature and to use weather forecast or solar forecast to predict the energy production from a PV array. When comparing the two values if not sufficient forecasted available energy, the apparatus is able to reduce non-essential loads to maintain refrigeration operation. The apparatus may also increase temperature the set point of the freezer or cooler.
In the present context, a measuring logic is an analog and digital circuitry interfaced to sensors and external inputs to measure and store values associated with measured parameters on a continuous or periodic basis.
In the present context, a predicting logic is a software operational on a computer or microprocessor to perform calculations and algorithms using the measured and stored values and external inputs to calculate the likely values of the measured and other values into the future The controller may comprises means for switching and controlling electrical power in response to the logics decisions. These means may be in the form of hardware or software switches or analog control for example variable voltage, current, resistance, or pulse width modulation.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller comprises a processor for running software associated with the measuring and predicting logics. This allows the functions to be performed in software. The controller may also be implemented hardware in discrete logic gates, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) , a programmable Interface Controller or similar electronic circuity.
It is preferred that the apparatus according to the invention comprises predicting logics which uses prediction of the weather that includes elements selected from the group consisting of solar conditions prediction, temperature and wind predictions or a combination thereof. The imported weather forecast may thus include parameters for solar, wind and temperature. However, other parameters such as pressure and humidity may also be included .
Imported weather forecast information may be obtained from websites providing such information. For example, solar photovoltaic power forecasts for worldwide locations are available on websites such as meteoblue™. The site provides energy in kW per day and time, based on PV specifications. Alternatively, means for making such forecasts may be provided in the apparatus .
Preferably, the prediction logic in the apparatus comprises a charge prediction logic configured to predict a state of charge profile under load as an indication of the battery autonomy feature. The apparatus according to the invention will switch off loads in advance energy shortfall to avoid energy shortfall later .
Battery autonomy feature is the period that the system will run on battery alone with no further energy input. This condition could occur nightly so the apparatus is configured to ensure that there is sufficient battery autonomy once it is dark and there is non more PV energy input. This will be preferably recalculated on a continuous basis and indicated to the operator if supplementary grid power is likely to be required or it is needed to shut down non-essential loads such as the associated components to reserve stored battery energy for core refrigeration functions.
The autonomy of the battery should also take into account the freezer or cooler settings and electrical loads. Three sets of loads are preferably considered:
Non-essential loads: Load of associated components
Critical Load: Load of the freezer or cooler refrigeration function
Battery Load: The remaining load, which comprises the essential control and monitoring functions
The battery autonomy is then defined as follow:
1. Remaining battery autonomy in terms of Ah and remaining period of time until the non-essential load is disconnected.
2. Remaining battery autonomy in terms of Ah and remaining period of time until the critical load is disconnected.
3. Remaining battery autonomy in terms of Ah and remaining period of time until the battery is finally disconnected. In order to calculate the above battery autonomy in terms of Ah and remaining period for each load, the controller will require the knowledge of the freezer or cooler setpoint and electrical power consumed for each type of load. The controller shall calculate the autonomy based on the freezer or cooler set point and load monitored electrical power when available.
The user shall preferably be able to configure the freezer or cooler temperature set-points.
It is preferred that the instructions from the controller relate to the operation of freezer or cooler associated elements selected from a group consisting of freezer temperature set point, compressor speed, lighting, loud, phone charging, projector, display and auxiliary power systems or a combination thereof. This is the type of loads that can be managed with the controller. Other electrically appliances may also be connected to the freezer system and managed through the controller.
Advantageously, the logic is configured to measure the energy consumption load comprises it receives input of load historic data and/or expected prediction of numbers and durations of openings and closings of the freezer. The keeping of a historic log of load historic data and/or expected prediction of number of openings and closings of the freezer in, e.g. a look up table, is used in order to strengthen the accuracy of the prediction.
Furthermore, in order to improve the accuracy of the predictions and take the correct actions based on changing circumstances, the prediction logics are configured to periodically recalculate the prediction ( s ) .
The apparatus according to the invention may also comprises a battery logic configured to determine if an opportunity for battery absorption or equalisation exists and assess need from cell balance and state of charge history. This allows the keeping of a log of battery usage and makes it is possible to look for opportunities to perform absorption and equalisation charges based on the predicted energy flows. A result of this is an extended life of the battery.
The apparatus according to the invention may comprise charge a predicting logic, which indicates to an operator and/or a retail operation centre if energy shortfall is expected and if there is need for supplementary power. This provides the means to notify the local operator and /or the operations centre of the need to provide supplementary power (from the grid or generator) to keep the refrigeration system of the freezer or cooler operating.
It is preferred that the charge predicting logic determines the energy available for consumption and allows operation of the associated components if the energy is above a pre-determined level. Thus, if sufficient energy is available in the system no restriction of usage of the non-essential loads takes place.
The apparatus according to the invention preferably comprises sensors capable of detecting user activity and/or sensor for lid operation. The sensors detect a customer or opening and closing of the freezer lids. The information is used for the historic log and in the future prediction of load. Sensors may preferably be provided, such a sensors capable of detecting one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of user activity, lid operation, freezer internal temperature, ancillary loads, battery temperature, battery voltage, battery current, solar current, solar voltage, grid power, condenser temperature ( in and out), and GPS position of the freezer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the predictions are periodically recalculated. The energy consumption load and energy generated is calculated every few seconds, such as every 1-3 seconds. While weather forecast periods may be longer such as a few times a day or week. For example, the weather forecast is updated 1 - 4 times a day.
The apparatus according to the invention may furthermore comprise a defrosting logic configured to predict the need for a defrost cycle and inform an operator and/or a retail operation centre accordingly to avoid freezer or cooler efficiency degradation. The defrosting of the freezer or cooler when required improves its efficiency and reduces its energy consumption .
The apparatus according to the invention preferably comprises a logic which is configured to measure the energy consumption load based on numbers and durations of openings and closings of the freezer and as a result provides instruction to vary the speed of the freezer or cooler compressor when a certain open time has been reached during a period. This provides a use of the information about the lid opening to vary the speed of the compressor to achieve efficient temperature regulation.
In another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus configured to manage energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler, the apparatus comprising a controller connectable to associated components in the freezer or cooler, said controller comprising
a measuring logic configured to measure energy consumption load, user activity, and ambient temperature, a predicting logic configured to import or predict renewable solar energy production information calculated using location, time and date of the freezer or cooler,
a predicting logic configured to predict a future energy consumption load, and
a memory having with ability to store values and external inputs, and wherein
said controller is configured to connect and/or disconnect and/or control the power consumption of the freezer or cooler and its associated components, connected to a battery, when predicted energy available is not sufficient. This aspect of the invention may also be in combination with any of the claims 2 to 15.
Examples
Fig. 1 illustrates schematically the main functional components of an embodiment of apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus is configured to manage energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extend the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler.
In Fig. 1 the controller is a software enabled system controller which is connected to associated components via a non-essential load control. The non-essential load control has an interfaced for the control of non-essential loads such as lights, USB charging outlets etc. The controller also has an interface to a user interface, which provides alarm event status information to the user.
The controller has a measuring logic, which measure energy consumption load, user activity, and ambient temperature. The measuring logic calculations of the user activity is based on door switch and/or a PIR sensor detecting customers. The measuring logic further measures the ambient temperature.
The internal and external temperature along with the condenser temperatures are used in the algorithm that controls the compressor and the air (rather than skin) condenser fan (where fitted) .
The controller receives information about freezer or cooler ingress presence history. Furthermore, the controller receives information about ambient temperature history. The controller may also receive information about speed/load relative to ambient temperature.
The controller further has a predicting logic configured to import or predict renewable solar energy production information, which is calculated using location, time and date of the freezer or cooler. In Fig. 1, the controller receives weather forecast information .
Furthermore, the controller has a predicting logic configured to predict a future energy consumption load. The controller receives information about speed/load history and battery usage history to predict the future energy consumption load.
The battery usage history is based on a defined battery management strategy.
The battery usage history may, for example, include information from a freezer or cooler controller regarding likely energy usage by the freezer or cooler. In some arrangements, the functionality of the freezer or cooler controller may be incorporated directly in the system controller. In other arrangements, the freezer or cooler may comprise a substantially independent controller configured to control operation of the freezer or cooler components.
The freezer or cooler controller may itself be configured to analyse one or more controller input of relevance to freezer or cooler operation and predict a trend in the one or more controller input based on that analysis. The freezer or cooler controller, whether stand alone, or incorporated in the system controller, will typically be configured to implement closed loop control of an indication of cold chamber temperature by varying speed of operation of a compressor in the refrigeration circuit in dependence upon a combination of: an indication of cold chamber temperature, and the predicted trend in the one or more controller input. The closed loop control adjusts the indication of cold chamber temperature towards a desired value indicative of a preferred freezer or cooler temperature.
In general it will be appreciated that operation of a freezer or cooler may be optimised by taking into account a trend, pattern or prediction relating to one or more additional operational characteristics (other than the freezer temperature, or speed of operation of the compressor itself, though a trend/pattern or prediction mapping a correlation between an additional characteristic and cool chamber temperature may be used) relating to the freezer or cooler.
For example, the speed of the compressor may be controlled based upon a combination of: desired temperature of the freezer, measured temperature of the freezer and an indication of outside temperature. It will, for example, be appreciated the ambient outside temperature the device will have an impact upon condenser operation and consequently the temperature of the refrigerant fluid as it passes around the refrigeration circuit. In any event, control of the freezer or cooler can be controlled in an intelligent manner, taking into account, for example, historic operation of the freezer or cooler in a given configuration. That intelligent control can be used to predict future energy usage by the freezer or cooler. Providing a system controller with the prediction of future energy usage by the freezer or cooler can allow the overall system controller to make intelligent decisions regarding overall energy storage and usage by the system. In some arrangements, the overall system controller may be configured to communicate with the freezer or cooler controller, such that control of the freezer or cooler is implemented in dependence upon overall system energy usage and/or availability.
In operation, the controller connects and/or disconnects and/or controls the power consumption of the freezer or cooler and its associated components, connected to a battery, when predicted energy available is not sufficient.
The controller has means for switching and controlling electrical power in response to the logics decisions in order to receive and send instructions for the connection, disconnection and/or control of the power consumption of the freezer or cooler and its associated components, connected to the battery.
The controller compares predicted ancillary load plus the predicted compressor load with predicted energy generation, and determines if there is a rising or falling energy trend. The trend is inputted to a battery management strategy. The controller has provision for invoking an equalisation mode or a load restriction mode. Figure 2 illustrates schematically the main functional components of an energy management and optimisation refrigeration system according to the invention.
The energy management and optimisation system shown comprises a system controller 100 configured to communicate with a power switching device 101. The power switching device 101 is itself configured to interact with various components of the energy management and optimisation system including a solar controller 102, a battery 104 and a freezer 103.
The controller 100 may be configured to communicate with, monitor and/or control directly, or via the power switching device 101, various essential and non-essential components forming part of the overall system. Those components include, in the example shown, a solar panel and solar panel controller 102, an energy storage device in the form of a battery 104, a freezer/cooler 103 for keeping food and drink chilled, a wireless communication device 110, an operator interface 111, a GPS location device 112, and various audio visual devices 113.
It will be appreciated that the system controller 100 is configured to manage energy available to the system, in this case, from a solar source and a rechargeable battery 104, and energy being used by various loads in the system. The controller is configured particularly to manage the system so that operation of the freezer/cooler 103 is secured and consistent. Such operation helps to ensure product stored in the freezer 103 reaches a consumer in consumable condition and minimises wastage of product for a retailer. The energy usage of the system is managed by the controller to match available solar and stored energy to overall system energy usage and to extend the life of a battery provided as part of the system, given the likely usage of the system whilst maintaining the primary freezer/cooler functionality .
The controller 100 illustrated in Figure 2 comprises: measuring logic configured to measure energy consumption load, user activity, and ambient temperature; a predicting logic configured to import or predict renewable solar energy production information calculated using location, time and date of the freezer or cooler; a predicting logic configured to predict a future energy consumption load, and a memory having with ability to store values and external inputs.
The controller 100 is configured to connect and/or disconnect and/or control the power consumption of the system including essential and non-essential components (103, 110, 111, 112, 113) , connected to a solar source and battery, when the controller predicts that energy availability is not sufficient to meet predicted energy requirements.
The controller is preferably furthermore configured to control operation of the system when the controller predicts that energy availability is sufficient to meet predicted energy requirements. In such a scenario, the controller may be configured to control operation of essential and non-essential components in a manner which provides energy efficient freezer temperature regulation and optimised battery charging for battery longevity.
It should be understood that there are various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims .

Claims

Claims
1. Apparatus configured to manage energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler, the apparatus comprising
a controller connectable to associated components in the freezer or cooler, said controller comprising a measuring logic configured to measure energy consumption load, user activity, and ambient temperature, a predicting logic configured to import or predict renewable solar energy production information calculated using location, time and date of the freezer or cooler, a predicting logic configured to predict a future energy consumption load, and a memory having with ability to store values and external inputs, and wherein said controller is configured to disconnect and/or reduce by control, the power consumption of the freezer or cooler and/or its associated components, connected to a battery, when predicted energy available is not sufficient to meet predicted future energy consumption, and re-connect or increase them by control when predicted energy available is sufficient
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises means for switching and controlling electrical power in response to the logics decisions in order to receive and send instructions for the connection, disconnection and/or control of the power consumption of the freezer or cooler and its associated components, connected to the battery .
3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the controller comprises a processor for running software associated with the measuring and predicting logics.
4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the prediction of the weather includes elements selected from the group consisting of solar conditions prediction, temperature and wind predictions or a combination thereof.
5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the prediction logic comprises a charge prediction logic configured to predict a state of charge profile under load as an indication of the battery autonomy feature being the period that the system will run on battery alone with no further energy input.
6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein instruction from the controller relates to the operation of freezer or cooler associated components selected from a group consisting of freezer temperature set point, compressor speed, lighting, loudspeaker, phone charging, projectors, display, auxiliary power systems or a combination thereof.
7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the logic is configured to measure the energy consumption load comprises input of load historic data and/or expected prediction of numbers and durations of openings and closings of the freezer or cooler.
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the prediction logics are configured to periodically recalculate the prediction ( s ) .
9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises a battery logic configured to determine if an opportunity for battery absorption or equalisation exists and assess need from cell balance and state of charge history.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the charge predicting logic indicates to an operator and/or a retail operation centre if energy shortfall is expected and if there is need for supplementary power.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the charge predicting logic determines the energy available for consumption and allows operation of the associated components if the energy is above a pre-determined level.
12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises sensors capable of detecting one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of user activity, lid operation, freezer internal temperature, ancillary loads, battery temperature, battery voltage, battery current, solar current, solar voltage, grid power, condenser temperature (in and out) , and GPS position of the freezer or cooler.
13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises a defrosting logic configured to predict the need for a defrost cycle and inform an operator and/or a retail operation centre accordingly to avoid freezer or cooler efficiency degradation .
14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the logic is configured to measure the energy consumption load based on numbers and durations of openings and closings of the freezer provides instruction to vary the speed of the freezer or cooler compressor when a certain open time has been reached during a period.
15. Method of managing energy consumption of a freezer or cooler to match available solar energy and extending the life of a battery used in the freezer or cooler, the method comprising
a) providing an apparatus according to claims 1 to 14, b) determining the current state of charge of the battery being a percentage of fully charged battery, c) predicting the likely energy consumption of the freezer or cooler and associated components over a future time interval,
d) predicting the likely solar energy production over the same time interval
e) predicting when the energy production is less than the predicted energy consumption and when the battery state of charge at the end of the time interval will be lower than the start and vice versa for the condition that production is greater than consumption,
f) indicating to an operator if supplementary grid power is likely to be required, or if there is a need to shut down non-essential associated components to reserve stored battery energy for core refrigeration functions.
PCT/EP2019/058956 2018-04-10 2019-04-09 Energy management and optimisation of a refrigeration system WO2019197405A1 (en)

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Citations (3)

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US20110125337A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2011-05-26 Vyacheslav Zavadsky Household appliance adapted to work with time of use electricity rates
WO2012018143A1 (en) * 2010-08-05 2012-02-09 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Offered actions for energy management based on anomalous conditions
WO2016208319A1 (en) * 2015-06-22 2016-12-29 三菱電機株式会社 Storage-battery control device, storage-battery charge/discharge system, photovoltaic generation system, and storage-battery control method

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WO2012018143A1 (en) * 2010-08-05 2012-02-09 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Offered actions for energy management based on anomalous conditions
US20110125337A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2011-05-26 Vyacheslav Zavadsky Household appliance adapted to work with time of use electricity rates
WO2016208319A1 (en) * 2015-06-22 2016-12-29 三菱電機株式会社 Storage-battery control device, storage-battery charge/discharge system, photovoltaic generation system, and storage-battery control method
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