WO2024075027A1 - Chauffe-eau permettant de répondre à des conditions de réseau - Google Patents

Chauffe-eau permettant de répondre à des conditions de réseau Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2024075027A1
WO2024075027A1 PCT/IB2023/059949 IB2023059949W WO2024075027A1 WO 2024075027 A1 WO2024075027 A1 WO 2024075027A1 IB 2023059949 W IB2023059949 W IB 2023059949W WO 2024075027 A1 WO2024075027 A1 WO 2024075027A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
level
water heater
temperature
heating
scarcity
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/059949
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Matteo BOARO
Paolo Canestrari
Lorenzo CECCACCI
Alessandro CONTI
Marco SAMPAOLESI
Original Assignee
Ariston S.P.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 Ariston S.P.A. filed Critical Ariston S.P.A.
Publication of WO2024075027A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024075027A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/18—Water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/20—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes
    • F24H1/201—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply
    • F24H1/202—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply with resistances
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
    • F24H15/212—Temperature of the water
    • F24H15/223—Temperature of the water in the water storage tank
    • F24H15/225—Temperature of the water in the water storage tank at different heights of the tank
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/355—Control of heat-generating means in heaters
    • F24H15/37—Control of heat-generating means in heaters of electric heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/375—Control of heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H4/00—Fluid heaters characterised by the use of heat pumps
    • F24H4/02—Water heaters
    • F24H4/04—Storage heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
    • F24H9/2014—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using electrical energy supply
    • F24H9/2021—Storage heaters
    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2220/00—Components of central heating installations excluding heat sources
    • F24D2220/04—Sensors
    • F24D2220/042—Temperature sensors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2240/00—Characterizing positions, e.g. of sensors, inlets, outlets
    • F24D2240/26—Vertically distributed at fixed positions, e.g. multiple sensors distributed over the height of a tank, or a vertical inlet distribution pipe having a plurality of orifices
    • 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
    • H02J2310/50—The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load for selectively controlling the operation of the loads
    • H02J2310/56—The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load for selectively controlling the operation of the loads characterised by the condition upon which the selective controlling is based
    • H02J2310/58—The condition being electrical
    • H02J2310/60—Limiting power consumption in the network or in one section of the network, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving
    • 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
    • H02J2310/50—The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load for selectively controlling the operation of the loads
    • H02J2310/56—The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load for selectively controlling the operation of the loads characterised by the condition upon which the selective controlling is based
    • H02J2310/62—The condition being non-electrical, e.g. temperature
    • H02J2310/64—The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management

Definitions

  • a method for managing an electrical storage water heater is also described.
  • Storage water heaters have the advantage of requiring less power compared to instant water heaters.
  • storage water heaters have some drawbacks. For example, they are subject to heat standing losses, that increase as the average temperature of the water contained in the storage is increased.
  • Such water heaters comprise electrical resistive heating elements, hereinafter for shortness “resistances”.
  • Storage water heaters that use a heat pump as heating means are also known, in addition or as an alternative to the resistances.
  • the need to reduce the electricity consumption has led to the development of “intelligent” water heaters equipped with algorithms which, when regulating the storage temperature, take past events into account. Therefore, when the probability of a user needing to draw hot water is low, the storage is kept at a low average temperature, while when the probability of drawing hot water is high, the temperature of the storage is kept at a higher average temperature.
  • the supply of electrical energy on the grid is subject to the availability of wind or photovoltaic energy, resources that are intermittent and uncontrollable by their nature.
  • the power grid, for shortness “grid” is faced with a high variability in power demand during a day, for example different usage peaks in a day.
  • the grid finds itself in conditions in which energy supply and demand must be balanced and, contrary to the past, it is now the demand that must at least in part adapt to the supply.
  • the household appliances At present there is a need for the household appliances to be able to adapt their consumption request i.e., supply, to the conditions of the grid.
  • Storage water heaters are known in which the algorithms for managing the heating elements take into account an imbalanced situation of the power grid.
  • EP3662210B1 describes an electrical storage water heater, the heating is controlled by an electronic regulator which takes into account the user's habits.
  • the water heater keeps the thermostating temperature low during the periods in which expectations for hot water drawing is low.
  • the learning of the water drawing pattern referred to as “withdrawal” patterns is based on an estimate of the withdrawals made by analysing temperature variations in the tank.
  • the method links operation of the heating elements essentially to the expected withdrawals patterns, it provides significant reductions in consumption in normal operation, but does not teach how to respond to signals from the grid in an optimised way, for instance how to respond to grid imbalances, eventually adapting to conditions of scarcity or overabundance.
  • Document US11300325B2 describes a storage water heater with an electrical resistance in an upper zone and one in a bottom zone of the storage.
  • the management of the resistances is assigned to an electronic regulator which takes into account the energy scarcity or overabundance of energy on the grid.
  • a temperature hysteresis is applied both to the top and bottom heating element.
  • the water heater does not adopt any strategy to rationalise consumption.
  • the power consumption of the bottom resistance is reduced according to a heuristic algorithm that takes into account past water withdrawals.
  • the reduction is obtained by lowering both the activation and the deactivation thresholds a figure shows a corresponding reduction of the resulting hysteresis.
  • the water heater increases the energy consumption by raising the temperature threshold for activating for the resistances while keeping unchanged the deactivation threshold, thus reducing the hysteresis.
  • the activation temperature threshold increase does not take into any account the real needs of the user and therefore does not maximize the amount of energy that is stored and made available for future use, the increase in consumption results in part in a waste of energy.
  • Document US20130200168A1 describes a water heater with an upper and a bottom resistance, capable of operating in a normal mode and in an energy saving mode in which the thermostating temperature is reduced according to user habits.
  • the water heater possibly through an external controller associated with it, is able to respond to a condition of the power grid of scarcity or overabundance of energy by activating or deactivating the heating elements.
  • Document WO2019060 describes a water heater, with an upper and a bottom resistance, capable of receiving signals from the electricity grid indicative of a condition of scarcity or overabundance of energy and respond to a signal of overabundance of energy by passing in a high-consumption operating mode and to a signal of energy scarcity by switching to a low-consumption operating mode.
  • the document does not teach modes selectable by a user.
  • Comfort means a performance level that guarantees having water at the set temperature whenever the user wishes it.
  • water heaters that handle both the needs of optimising the consumption under normal conditions and being further configured to have flexible consumption in response to grid conditions.
  • An electrical storage water heater is described below which comprises a vertically developing tank or storage, the tank comprising an upper zone wherefrom heated water is drawn and a bottom one in which water to be heated is introduced.
  • the bottom and upper zones are heated by respective heating elements and respective temperature sensors.
  • such configuration shall be hereinafter referred to as “two-zone”.
  • a method for managing the operation of an electrical storage water heater of the “two-zone” type is also described.
  • FIG. 4 shows a table with values taken by a variable in different possible operating modes.
  • reference number 1 indicates a water heater comprising a vertically developing storage 10 having an upper 11 and a bottom 12 portion.
  • the upper portion 11 of the storage 10 comprises at least one first heating element 41, while the bottom portion 12 of the storage 11 comprises at least one second heating element 51, 61, hereinafter also referred to heating elements or elements in short.
  • the at least one upper element 41 may comprise an electrical resistance
  • the at least one bottom element 51, 61 can be an electrical resistance 51 and/or a condenser 61 of a heat pump 6.
  • first temperature sensor or upper temperature sensor 42 which detects a higher temperature referred to as “Tdome”, or also “dome temperature” and a second temperature sensor or bottom temperature sensor 52 which detects a bottom temperature “Tbottom”.
  • the temperature sensors 42, 52 may be conventional temperature sensors (for example thermistors).
  • a water heater 1 comprising as heating elements only resistances 41, 51 shall hereinafter be referred to as an electrical water heater or electrical model, to distinguish it from the “hybrid” model which also comprises a condenser 61 of a heat pump 6.
  • the storage 10 is configured to let cold water in in the proximity of the bottom 12 through a first opening 2, and to let heated water, directed to the user, out through a second opening 3 close to the top of the storage 10. This way, in stationary conditions, the stratification of the temperatures contributes to the fact that the water let out from the storage 10 is that at highest the temperature.
  • the water heater 1 also comprises a regulator 5 for regulating the operation of the heating elements 41, 51, 61.
  • the regulator 5 comprises memory means and is adapted to receive the temperature readings made by the temperature sensors 42, 52 and a temperature “Tset” which can be set by the user, via a user interface 7.
  • the regulator 5 is configured to calculate a control temperature for each heating element 41, 51, 61.
  • the control temperatures may be equal to the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 42, 52 or may be equal to their weighted average.
  • a plurality of heating elements 41, 51, 61 may share the same control temperature.
  • the regulator 5 may be an electronic control unit comprising: a memory with program instructions and parameters,
  • the regulator 5 is configured to implement a set temperature, Tset that may be set via a user interface 7.
  • the user interface 7 may be integrated in the water heater and comprise manual input means such as buttons or knobs and/or be external and comprise means for sending input data to the regulator 5 that is configured to receive it.
  • the user interface 7 may be assembled in a single assembly with the regulator 5, as shown in figures l.a, l.b, 2. a and 2.b.
  • the upper section 11 of the storage is heated directly by the at least one upper heating element 41 and indirectly, by convection effect, by the at least one bottom heating element 51, 61.
  • the at least one upper heating element 41 has the upper temperature Tdome as control temperature or has the upper temperature Tdome as the prevailing component in a weighted average of the temperatures sensed by the temperature sensors 42, 52.
  • the control temperature is the bottom temperature Tbottom or alternatively an average temperature “Tavg” that is obtained as the average between the dome temperature Tdome and the bottom temperature Tbottom.
  • such average is a weighted average, even more preferably the weight “Wdome” of the dome temperature is less than the weight “Wbottom” of the bottom temperature Tbottom.
  • the weight Wdome of the dome temperature is comprised in an interval between 0.25 and 0.40, for example 0.3. At least one of the weights Wdome, Wbottom is a parameter stored in the memory of the regulator 5, the other being calculable accordingly or being stored as well.
  • a thermostating temperature “Ttarget” is set for each heating element 41, 51, 61. In a possible embodiment, the regulator 5 sets a common thermostating temperature Ttarget at least for the electrical resistances 41, 51.
  • the thermostating temperature Ttarget of each heating element 41, 51, 61 is comprised in an interval between a minimum “Tmin” and maximum “Tmax” temperature (Tmin ⁇ Ttarget ⁇ Tmax).
  • the maximum temperature Tmax is a factory parameter, possibly modifiable on site, and may vary, for example, between 55°C and 85°C. Preferably, it reaches the highest values if a thermostatic mixing valve is present.
  • the minimum temperature Tmin is one considered as acceptable to guarantee the comfort for domestic uses; it may be comprised between 37°C and 42°C, for example around 40°C. Thermostating at temperatures higher than the minimum Tmin enables mixing the drawn water with cold water bringing the advantage of increasing the volume of delivered water beyond the volume of the storage.
  • the heating elements 41, 51, 61 are configured to be activated when the respective control temperature drops below the thermostating temperature Ttarget minus a hysteresis value and to be deactivated at the thermostating temperature Ttarget.
  • the at least one upper element 41 has an upper hysteresis ThystDome (so the switch on temperature is Ttarget - ThystDome) while the at least one bottom heating element 51, 61 has a bottom hysteresis Thyst (so the switch on is temperature Ttarget - Thyst).
  • ThystDome hysteresis ThystDome
  • Thyst bottom hysteresis
  • the median value between activation and deactivation temperatures is therefore: for the upper heating element 41 Ttarget - ThystDome /2; for the bottom heating element 51, 61 Ttarget - Thyst/2.
  • the present description can be applied also to a possible embodiment in which the heating elements are activated at the thermostating temperature, Ttarget, and are switched off at the temperature Target + Thyst, Ttarget + ThystDome, which is when the temperature increase is equal to the hysteresis Thyst, ThystDome.
  • the median value between activation and deactivation temperatures is therefore: for the upper heating element 41 Ttarget + ThystDome /2; for the bottom heating element 51, 61 Ttarget + Thyst/2.
  • the at least one bottom heating element 51, 61 comprises, a bottom resistance 51 and a condenser 61 of a heat pump 6.
  • the condenser 61 comprises two sets of windings 611, 612 respectively positioned above and below the bottom resistance 51.
  • the heat pump 6 has a higher energy efficiency compared to the resistance 51, but may heat only up to a maximum heat pump temperature threshold Thp, hereon heat pump threshold Thp for brevity; a typical value for the heat pump threshold Thp of the pump is about 55°C. Beyond this heat pump threshold Thp, the heating function can be performed by the resistances 41, 51.
  • the bottom resistance 51 may work in relay with the condenser 61 of the heat pump 6.
  • the bottom element used is the condenser 61, above the threshold Thp, the bottom element used is the resistance 51.
  • the relay operation between the exchanger 61 of the heat pump 6 and the bottom resistance 51 allows reducing both the instantaneous power consumption and the electrical energy consumption, because of the higher energy efficiency of the heat pump 6 compared to the resistance 51.
  • the control temperature for both is the average temperature Tavg for a more efficient operation of the water heater 1.
  • the control temperature is the average temperature Tavg.
  • control temperature is preferably the bottom temperature Tbottom as measured by the bottom sensor 52.
  • the upper 41 and bottom 51 resistances never activate together and even more preferably, the upper resistance 41 has priority over the bottom one 51. In other words, in these embodiments, priority is always given to heating the water contained in the upper part 11 of the storage 10, (which is the first water to be supplied).
  • the water heater 1 has at least two heating modes which may be selected according to users’ need.
  • the heating modes hereinafter also called “modes” for brevity, allow having water at a set temperature Tset, but they are different for the control logic of the heating elements 41, 51, 61 and for consumption.
  • the heating modes are preferably selectable with the user interface 7.
  • a first heating mode called “Manual” or “Comfort”
  • the water heater 1 sets the thermostating temperature Ttarget equal to the set temperature Tset for all the resistive heating elements 41, 51 and for any heat pump 6, provided the user temperature Tset is not higher than the heat pump threshold Thp.
  • the user temperature Tset varies between the minimum temperature Tmin and the maximum temperature Tmax.
  • Comfort In the first heating mode, Comfort:
  • the bottom resistance 51 operates in relay with the heat pump 6.
  • the heating modes further comprise a second heating mode which is an optimised mode, called “I-memory”.
  • the second mode I-memory differs from the first mode, Comfort, for the thermostating temperature Ttarget which is equal to an optimised temperature Tmem that varies over time and is a function of a saved withdrawals pattern (the withdrawals pattern comprising the data of volume and temperature of withdrawals over a period).
  • the optimised temperature Tmem may vary from the minimum Tmin to the maximum Tmax temperature. Methods for calculating such optimised temperature are known; by way of an example a method is described in EP2366081B1 (the content whereof forms an integral part of the present description).
  • the water heater 1 comprises at least one heating element of the resistive type 41, 51 and one consisting of the condenser 61 of a heat pump 6, adapted to heat up to a maximum temperature heat pump threshold Thp.
  • the water heater 1 may also comprise a third heating mode that is a sustainable mode called “Green” and/or a fourth heating mode that is a quick mode called “Fast”.
  • the third heating mode, Green prioritizes reducing the electrical consumption, and is uses exclusively the heat pump 6, while the resistive elements 41, 51 are always deactivated.
  • the thermostating temperature Ttarget is equal to the minimum between the user temperature Tset, and the heat pump 6 threshold Thp.
  • the fourth mode, Fast prioritizes heating rapidly and differs from the first mode, Comfort, in that the bottom resistance 51 is not activated in relay, but simultaneously with the heat pump 6, with the only additional constraint that the upper resistance 41 is and remains off, while the bottom resistance 51 is on.
  • the heat pump 6 is preferably controlled with the average temperature Tavg, while the bottom resistance 51 is preferably controlled with the bottom temperature Tbottom.
  • the thermostating temperature Ttarget is equal to the user set temperature Tset. It is possible to implement a fifth mode called “I-memory green” which is equal to the third mode, Green, with the thermostating temperature, Ttarget, equal to the minimum between the optimised temperature, Tmem, and the heat pump temperature threshold Thp . Similarly, it is possible to implement a sixth mode called “I-memory fast” that is equal to the fourth mode, Fast, with the thermostating temperature Ttarget equal to the optimised temperature Tmem. This allows combining the advantages of the second mode I-memory with the third mode Green, or the fourth mode Fast.
  • Figure 4 shows in a table the values of the thermostating temperature Ttarget for each heating mode.
  • each heating mode is configured to reach one of a user set temperature Tset, a temperature threshold Thp of a heating element which is a condenser 61 of a heat pump 6 or an optimised temperature Tmem.
  • At least two hysteresis values are defined: an upper hysteresis “ThystDome” for the upper element 41 and a bottom hysteresis “Thyst” for the at least one bottom element 51, 61. It has been observed that adopting different hysteresis values for the upper 41 and bottom heating elements 51, 61 allows further reducing the consumption or, for the same consumption, improving comfort.
  • dome hysteresis ThystDome indicates the hysteresis of one or more upper elements
  • bottom hysteresis Thyst indicates that of one or more bottom elements 51.
  • a bottom hysteresis Thyst of higher value for example comprised between 2°C and 21°C, preferably between 12°C and 18°C, in particular 15°C
  • a hysteresis at the dome ThystDome of smaller value for example between 1°C and 20°C, preferably between 3 °C and 9°C, in particular 5°C.
  • the water heater 1 comprises a condenser 61 of a heat pump 6 as a bottom heating element
  • the situation is reversed and it is more convenient having a bottom hysteresis Thyst of smaller value (for example in an interval between 1°C at 20°C, preferably between 3 °C and 9°C, in particular 5°C) and a hysteresis at the dome ThystDome of higher value (for example an interval comprised between 2°C and 21 °C, preferably between 9°C and 18°C, in particular 12°C).
  • the priority is in maximizing use of the heat pump 6 thus limiting the use of the resistances 41, 51.
  • the electrical model hysteresis are used when the average temperature Tavg, or the thermostating temperature Ttarget, is greater than the heat pump threshold Thp. In these conditions the heat pump 6 is unable to make a contribution and the water heater 1 may be controlled as if it were an electrical model.
  • the water heater 1 is powered by energy from a power grid and is configured to operate with at least two heating modes selected between the first mode “Comfort”, the second mode “I-memory”, the third mode “Green”, the fourth mode “Fast”, the fifth mode “I-memory green”, or the sixth mode “I-memory fast” and to receive the heating mode selection from a user interface.
  • the regulator 5 is further configured to deactivate the heating elements 41, 51, 61 and/or modify the control parameters thereof according to a scarcity or overabundance condition (detected or estimated or foreseen) of electrical energy and of the selected heating mode.
  • the water heater 1 is configured to respond to at least two different severity levels (hereinafter “level”) for to a condition of energy scarcity and/or overabundance from the grid.
  • the regulator 5 is adapted to manage the following severity levels, listed in order of increasing severity: a first scarcity level that indicates a moderate imbalance towards the demand referred to as ’’Load shed”, a second scarcity level that indicates a strong imbalance towards the demand referred to as “Critical peak event”, a third scarcity level that indicates a very strong imbalance towards the demand with the risk of detachment referred to as “Grid emergency”, a first overabundance level that indicates a moderate imbalance towards the supply called “Load up”, a second overabundance level that indicates a strong imbalance towards the supply referred to as “Advanced load up”.
  • the response of the water heater 1 does not guarantee an immediate and certain change in the consumption level, but there is a probability associated to the change in consumption and the probability increases with the severity level and with the persistence of the grid condition over time. This is because of the physical constraints of the thermodynamic system and because the regulator 5 of the water heater 1 preferably implements rules which ensure that a minimum comfort level is maintained. If several water heaters 1 exist in the same power grid, over large numbers, the overall effect to have a variation of energy demand is certain, therefore the objective of balancing the grid is achieved.
  • the water heater 1 is able to receive and the regulator 5 is configured to respond to signals S, that indicate a condition of scarcity or overabundance of energy in the grid, according to at least some of the five severity levels defined, first, second and third scarcity levels: “Load shed”, “Critical peak event”, “Grid emergency”, first and second overabundance levels: “Load up”, “Aadvanced load up”.
  • Some known protocols allow a device connected to the grid to receive signals S that correspond to at least some of the listed severity levels. Some protocols include in a signal S a severity level and a duration required for the response.
  • the water heater 1 may be configured to receive signals compatible with the protocol CTA2045.
  • similar protocols are increasingly widespread because they are functional for implementing so-called “demand response” services, that allow the energy supply in a period to be flexible in order to follow the demand.
  • the water heater 1 may receive the signals S directly from the grid or may receive them indirectly by means of other devices that receive them from the grid.
  • the signals S are sent to the water heater 1 by a local device that manages the energy consumption of one or more devices.
  • the water heater 1 responds to an hourly schedule of the energy price and assigns one of the severity levels to price values higher or lower with respect to an average value.
  • the hourly schedule may be preset in the water heater 1, manually updated by a user, periodically updated or received in real time by the water heater 1 that is set up to receive and manage an hourly price signal.
  • the water heater 1 may be configured to receive hourly rate signals with the protocol JA-13.
  • the same water heater 1 may be configured to receive signals S and to have hourly schedules set.
  • the first, second and third scarcity level “Load shed”, “Critical peak event”, “Grid emergency” have priority over any other setting comprising hourly price schedules.
  • the response to a grid condition has priority over the hourly schedules.
  • the water heater 1 gives priority to the signals S from the grid.
  • the water heater 1 described above may operate as follows:
  • a new thermostating temperature Ttarget is set for all the heating elements and/or a new hysteresis Thyst is set for the bottom heating elements, in the event of a third scarcity level “Grid emergency”, the heating elements are deactivated,
  • the water heater 1 may be configured to respond to an energy price hourly schedule, by associating to the lower price values the severity levels corresponding to the overabundance condition, by decreasing price and increasing overabundance severity level and by associating to the higher prices the severity levels corresponding to the scarcity condition, by increasing price and increasing scarcity severity level.
  • prices that are in an intermediate level are not associated with any severity level.
  • the method comprises the following steps: step 1 : receiving from a user interface 7 a heating mode that defines a control logic for each heating element; step 2: reading in memory or receiving from input or from the grid an hourly scheduling of the energy prices, each associated with a period of the day referred to as time band; wherein the order of execution between step 1 or 2 is indifferent: step 3: identifying the minimum and maximum price among all those associated with the various time bands; step 4: selecting the severity levels to which there is a need to respond;
  • Step 5 dividing the interval between minimum and maximum price into as many sub-intervals as the selected severity levels plus a possible intermediate interval; step 6: sorting the intervals by increasing price and: associating the lowest price intervals with the conditions of energy overabundance in order of decreasing severity and increasing price; associating the higher price intervals with the energy scarcity conditions in order of decreasing severity and decreasing price;
  • step 7 for each new time band in which the price does not belong to the intermediate level, controlling the heating elements according to the active heating mode and severity level.
  • Figure 3. a shows a depiction according to a possible embodiment in which the selected severity levels are a first and second scarcity level “Load shed”, “Critical peak event”, and first overabundance level “Load up”.
  • Figure 3.b shows a second possible embodiment wherein all the defined severity levels are selected.
  • the water heater 1 is configured to respond to the different severity levels by modifying the control parameters; according to a preferred embodiment the control parameters comprise at least the thermostating temperature Ttarget.
  • the control parameters comprise also upper hysteresis Thystdome and/or bottom hysteresis Thyst.
  • Ttarget min (Tcomfort, Ttarget)
  • the comfort threshold Tcomfort is a value comprised in the comfort interval that corresponds to about 40°C-50°C, preferably it is equal to about 42°C.
  • the water heater 1 combines both the reduction of the described thermostating temperature Ttarget, and the deactivation of the bottom resistance 51 in order to respond to the second scarcity level “critical peak event”, and in case of heat pump model it deactivates also the upper resistance 41, by heating only with the heat pump. This response is applicable to all heating modes.
  • the water heater 1, for responding to the third scarcity level “Grid emergency”, may deactivate all the heating elements and/or may set the thermostating temperature Ttarget to a value just above the average temperature of the mains water, by way of a non limiting example equal to 16°C. In this case, the functionality is no longer guaranteed; the third scarcity level “Grid emergency” indicates the risk of blackouts or an hourly cost of energy that the user is not willing to bear.
  • the bottom hysteresis Thyst under normal mains conditions is greater than or equal to 4°C and the water heater 1, in order to respond to the first overabundance level “Load up”, increases the average temperature in the bottom section with respect to the thermostating temperature Ttarget; this is achieved by reducing the bottom hysteresis Thyst, which corresponds to increasing the temperature at which the elements are reactivated.
  • the hysteresis may be reduced to a value lower than or equal to 3°C. It should be noted that in an alternative embodiment where the hysteresis defined the switch-off threshold, the hysteresis would be increased in order to obtain the same effect of average temperature increase.
  • the water heater 1 may increase the thermostating temperature Ttarget up to the maximum temperature Tmax.
  • the thermostating temperature Ttarget maximum value has the heat pump threshold Thp as upper limit.
  • the response to the severity level maintains the essential characteristics of the heating mode, for example if in the second mode I-memory the thermostating temperature Ttarget is 40°C, a severity level “Load up” causes a reduction in the bottom hysteresis Thyst (i.e. a small increase in the average temperature in the bottom section with respect to the thermostating control temperature Ttarget) but not a thermostating increase at unnecessary temperatures.
  • the regulator 5 is configured so that the response to the severity level does not constitute a shift from one mode to another, but a modification within the selected heating mode. Therefore, the response to severity levels is combined with the control logic determined by the selected heating mode resulting in a modified logic that depends both on the selected heating mode and the severity level.
  • a user interface is to be understood in the broad sense and includes any device able to receive an input from a user and send it to the regulator 5; in particular it includes, by way of a non-limiting example, a dedicated physical user interface 7 comprised in the water heater, or the interface of a smart phone or other devices that are not part of the water heater 1, but from which the water heater 1 is configured to receive input with any known communication technology including wireless communication or a vocal command sensor.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a pour objet un chauffe-eau électrique doté d'un stockage à développement vertical et d'éléments chauffants résistifs supérieur et inférieur et éventuellement d'un élément chauffant inférieur constitué du condenseur d'une pompe à chaleur. L'eau à chauffer entre dans la partie inférieure et est tirée à partir de la section supérieure. Le chauffe-eau est configuré pour fonctionner dans différents modes de chauffage pouvant être sélectionnés par un utilisateur, tous les modes garantissant une température définie mais étant différents par une logique de commande et un niveau de consommation et étant en outre aptes à présenter une consommation flexible en fonction d'une condition du réseau électrique.
PCT/IB2023/059949 2022-10-05 2023-10-04 Chauffe-eau permettant de répondre à des conditions de réseau WO2024075027A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102022000020439 2022-10-05
IT202200020439 2022-10-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024075027A1 true WO2024075027A1 (fr) 2024-04-11

Family

ID=84829700

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2023/059949 WO2024075027A1 (fr) 2022-10-05 2023-10-04 Chauffe-eau permettant de répondre à des conditions de réseau

Country Status (2)

Country Link
FR (1) FR3140668A3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2024075027A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010093509A2 (fr) * 2009-02-13 2010-08-19 General Electric Company Commande de chauffe-eau pompe à chaleur
US20130200168A1 (en) * 2006-01-27 2013-08-08 Emerson Electric Co. Smart energy controlled water heater
WO2019060371A1 (fr) * 2017-09-19 2019-03-28 A. O. Smith Corporation Système et procédé permettant de faire fonctionner un chauffe-eau commandé par un réseau électrique

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130200168A1 (en) * 2006-01-27 2013-08-08 Emerson Electric Co. Smart energy controlled water heater
WO2010093509A2 (fr) * 2009-02-13 2010-08-19 General Electric Company Commande de chauffe-eau pompe à chaleur
WO2019060371A1 (fr) * 2017-09-19 2019-03-28 A. O. Smith Corporation Système et procédé permettant de faire fonctionner un chauffe-eau commandé par un réseau électrique

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR3140668A3 (fr) 2024-04-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2437368B1 (fr) Dispositif électrique, système de gestion d'alimentation incluant le dispositif électrique et son procédé de contrôle
US9752798B2 (en) Water heater control using external temperature sensor
US9303878B2 (en) Hybrid range and method of use thereof
US9605872B2 (en) Smart energy controlled water heater
US9246332B2 (en) Household energy management system and method for one or more appliances and power generator
US8930037B2 (en) Energy manager with minimum use energy profile
CN102844964B (zh) 设备控制***
US8918224B2 (en) Power management apparatus, power management system including the power management apparatus, and method for controlling the power management system
CN111139620A (zh) 一种基于物联网家电的控制方法
JP5484776B2 (ja) 制御システムおよびその制御方法、プログラム
EP2523006A2 (fr) Instrument électrique, appareil de gestion de puissance, système de gestion d'alimentation doté de celui-ci et procédé de contrôle correspondant
JP6044326B2 (ja) 貯湯式給湯機及びソーラーシステム
RU2558943C2 (ru) Способ и устройство для управления бытовым прибором и бытовой прибор
EP3068069B1 (fr) Système de réseau et son procédé de contrôle
JP2009254219A (ja) 電力制御装置及びプログラム
US20120053746A1 (en) Smart energy device reporting "opt-out" autonomously depending on user settings
KR101801097B1 (ko) 수요 반응 방법 및 수요 반응 시스템
US20120065798A1 (en) Demand response of devices when different devices are being signaled to shed load
US20140088738A1 (en) Home electric appliance
JP2011247479A (ja) 貯湯式給湯装置
WO2024075027A1 (fr) Chauffe-eau permettant de répondre à des conditions de réseau
WO2024075031A1 (fr) Chauffe-eau à hystérésis de température optimisée
WO2022185386A1 (fr) Dispositif d'alimentation en eau chaude du type à stockage d'eau chaude
CA2803323C (fr) Chauffe-eau a commande d'energie intelligent
CA2831580C (fr) Commande de chauffe-eau utilisant un capteur de temperature externe

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 23790397

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1