Systems and methods to manage power consumption of a building and storage by controlling a refrigeration system within the building

Abstract

Systems and methods to manage power consumption of a building and storage by controlling a refrigeration system within the building are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: receive input defining an average power target and a time interval; determine system information characterizing a refrigeration system; determine build information characterizing power usage of a building that includes the refrigeration system; determine precooling control actions based on the system information, the average power target, and the time interval; determine load shedding control actions based on the system information, the average power target, and the time interval; generate a control schedule for the refrigeration system to effectuate the precooling control actions and/or load shedding control actions based on the average power target, the time interval, and the building information; and effectuate the precooling control actions and/or load shedding control actions for the refrigeration system in accordance with the control schedule.

1 . A method comprising:
 accessing a target temperature of an interior volume of a refrigeration unit;   accessing a lower temperature limit of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit;   accessing a power consumption target of the refrigeration unit within a target time interval;   predicting a nominal power consumption of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval to maintain the interior volume of the refrigeration unit at the target temperature;   in response to the nominal power consumption exceeding the power consumption target:
 calculating a precooling temperature, less than the target temperature and greater than the lower temperature limit, of the refrigeration unit prior to target time interval; 
 generating an electronic refrigeration schedule specifying:
 activation of a refrigeration system within the refrigeration unit to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit to the precooling temperature prior to the target time interval; 
 deactivation of the refrigeration system during the target time interval while a temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit is less than the target temperature; and 
 reactivation of the refrigeration system to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval in response to the temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit approaching the target temperature; and 
 
 loading the electronic refrigeration schedule onto the refrigeration unit for execution by the refrigeration unit. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating the electronic refrigeration schedule comprises:
 generating the electronic refrigeration schedule specifying cooling the interior volume of the refrigeration unit, arranged in a refrigeration system occupying a building, to the precooling temperature prior to the target time interval to:
 reduce a power consumption of the refrigeration unit occupying the building; and 
 shed an electrical load of the refrigeration unit on the building during the target time interval. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating the electronic refrigeration schedule comprises:
 generating the electronic refrigeration schedule specifying cooling the interior volume of the refrigeration unit to the precooling temperature prior to target time interval to:
 shift power consumption of the refrigeration unit from the target time interval to a second time interval preceding the target time interval. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein calculating the nominal power consumption comprises:
 accessing a historical power consumption of the refrigeration unit corresponding to the refrigeration unit maintaining interior temperature proximal target temperature during a previous instance of the target time interval; and 
   wherein generating the electronic refrigeration schedule comprises:
 generating a control schedule of the refrigeration unit configured to shed the electrical load of the refrigeration unit from the target time interval to a second target interval not including the target time interval. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein calculating the precooling temperature comprises:
 accessing a historical environmental temperature proximal the refrigeration unit during a previous instance of the target time interval;   accessing a historical temperature within the interior volume of the refrigeration unit at a start time of the previous instance of the target time interval;   accessing a forecasted environmental temperature proximal the refrigeration unit during a next instance of target time interval;   in response to the historical environmental temperature greater than forecasted environmental temperature, calculating the precooling temperature greater than the historical temperature within the interior volume of the refrigeration unit; and   in response to the historical environmental temperature less than forecasted environmental temperature, calculating the precooling temperature less than the historical temperature within the interior volume of the refrigeration unit.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to the nominal power consumption of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval less than power consumption target:
 calculating a first total daily power consumption for a current day including the target time interval; 
 calculating a second total daily power consumption on prior day with prior target time interval; 
 in response to the first total daily power consumption exceeding the second total daily power consumption:
 calculating a second precooling temperature, less than the target temperature and greater than the lower temperature limit, of the refrigeration unit prior to target time interval; 
 in response to the first total daily power consumption exceeding the second total daily power consumption, generating a second electronic refrigeration schedule specifying:
 activation of the refrigeration system within the refrigeration unit to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit to the second precooling temperature prior to the target time interval; 
 deactivation of the refrigeration system during the target time interval while the temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit is less than the target temperature; and 
 reactivation of the refrigeration system to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval in response to the temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit approaching the target temperature; and 
 
 loading the second electronic refrigeration schedule onto the refrigeration unit for execution by the refrigeration unit. 
 
   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 :
 further comprising accessing a target power consumption buffer between the power consumption target and the nominal power consumption of the refrigeration unit; and   wherein calculating the precooling temperature comprises:
 deriving the precooling temperature predicted to yield a revised power consumption, by the refrigeration unit, less than and differing from the power consumption target by the target power consumption buffer. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein calculating the precooling temperature of the refrigeration unit comprises:
 calculating the precooling temperature predicted to yield null power consumption during the target time interval.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein accessing the target temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit comprises:
 accessing the target temperature of unfrozen foodstuffs stored in the refrigeration unit; and 
   wherein accessing the lower temperature limit of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit comprises:
 accessing a minimum temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit predicted to avoid freezing of foodstuffs stored in the refrigeration unit. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein accessing the target temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit comprises:
 accessing the target temperature of frozen foodstuffs stored in the refrigeration unit; and 
   wherein accessing the lower temperature limit of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit comprises:
 accessing a lower operating temperature limit of the refrigeration unit. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein accessing the lower temperature limit comprises:
 deriving a predict minimum operating temperature of the refrigeration unit based on:
 an age of the refrigeration unit; 
 a historical power consumption of the refrigeration unit; and 
 a maintenance history of the refrigeration unit. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating the electronic refrigeration schedule comprises:
 generating the electronic refrigeration schedule specifying:
 deactivation of a compressor of the refrigeration unit to reduce a power consumption of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein predicting the nominal power consumption of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval comprises:
 accessing a set of historical data generated prior to the target time interval, the set of historical data comprising:
 suction pressures of the refrigeration unit; 
 compressor information of the refrigeration unit; 
 case information of the refrigeration unit; 
 circuit control information of the refrigeration unit; 
 defrost schedules of the refrigeration unit; 
 door information of the refrigeration unit; and 
 pressure information of the refrigeration unit; and 
   predicting the nominal power consumption during the target time interval based on the set of historical data.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein calculating the precooling temperature comprises:
 accessing a type of food stored within the internal volume of the refrigeration unit; 
 accessing a thermal capacity of the type of food stored within the internal volume; 
 predicting an increase in a temperature of the internal volume of the refrigeration unit during the target time internal based on the thermal capacity of the type of food given reduction in power consumption of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval; and 
 calculating the precooling temperature predicted to:
 offset the increase in the temperature, of the internal volume of the refrigeration unit during the target time internal, due to reduction in power consumption of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval; and 
 maintain the temperature, of the internal volume of the refrigeration unit, below the target temperature. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 during first time period:
 selectively activation of a refrigeration system to maintain an interior volume of a refrigeration unit at target temperature; 
   detecting first power consumption during first time interval;   accessing a lower temperature limit of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit;   accessing a power consumption target of the refrigeration unit within a second time interval;   predicting a second power consumption of the refrigeration unit to maintain the interior volume of the refrigeration unit at the target temperature during the second time interval based on the first power consumption;   in response to the nominal power consumption exceeding the power consumption target:
 calculating a precooling temperature, less than the target temperature and greater than the lower temperature limit, of the refrigeration unit prior to the target time interval; 
 generating an electronic refrigeration schedule specifying:
 activation of the refrigeration system to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit to the precooling temperature prior to the target time interval; 
 deactivation of the refrigeration system during the target time interval while a temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit is less than the target temperature; and 
 reactivation of the refrigeration system to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval in response to the temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit approaching the target temperature; and 
 
 loading the electronic refrigeration schedule onto the refrigeration unit for execution by the refrigeration unit. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein generating the electronic refrigeration schedule comprises:
 generating the electronic refrigeration schedule specifying cooling the interior volume of the refrigeration unit, arranged in a refrigeration system occupying a building, to the precooling temperature prior to the target time interval to:
 reduce a power consumption of the refrigeration unit occupying the building; and 
 shed an electrical load of the refrigeration unit on the building during the target time interval. 
 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein calculating the precooling temperature comprises:
 accessing a historical environmental temperature proximal the refrigeration unit during a previous instance of the target time interval;   accessing a historical temperature within the interior volume of the refrigeration unit at a start time of the previous instance of the target time interval;   accessing a forecasted environmental temperature proximal the refrigeration unit during a next instance of target time interval;   in response to the historical environmental temperature greater than forecasted environmental temperature, calculating the precooling temperature greater than the historical temperature within the interior volume of the refrigeration unit; and   in response to the historical environmental temperature less than forecasted environmental temperature, calculating the precooling temperature less than the historical temperature within the interior volume of the refrigeration unit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 in response to the nominal power consumption of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval less than power consumption target:
 calculating a first total daily power consumption for a current day including the target time interval; 
 calculating a second total daily power consumption on prior day with prior target time interval; 
 in response to the first total daily power consumption exceeding the second total daily power consumption:
 calculating a second precooling temperature, less than the target temperature and greater than the lower temperature limit, of the refrigeration unit prior to target time interval; 
 in response to the first total daily power consumption exceeding the second total daily power consumption, generating a second electronic refrigeration schedule specifying:
 activation of the refrigeration system within the refrigeration unit to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit to the second precooling temperature prior to the target time interval; 
 deactivation of the refrigeration system during the target time interval while the temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit is less than the target temperature; and 
 reactivation of the refrigeration system to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval in response to the temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit approaching the target temperature; and 
 
 loading the second electronic refrigeration schedule onto the refrigeration unit for execution by the refrigeration unit. 
 
   
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 accessing a target temperature of an interior volume of a refrigeration unit;   accessing a lower temperature limit of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit;   accessing a power consumption target of the refrigeration unit within a target time interval;   calculating a precooling temperature, less than the target temperature and greater than the lower temperature limit, of the refrigeration unit prior to target time interval   generating an electronic refrigeration schedule specifying:
 activation of a refrigeration system within the refrigeration unit to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit to the precooling temperature prior to target time interval 
 deactivation of the refrigeration system during the target time interval while a temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit is less than the target temperature; and 
 reactivation of the refrigeration system to cool the interior volume of the refrigeration unit during the target time interval in response to the temperature of the interior volume of the refrigeration unit approaching the target temperature; and 
   loading the electronic refrigeration schedule onto the refrigeration unit for execution by the refrigeration unit.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein generating the electronic refrigeration schedule comprises:
 generating the electronic refrigeration schedule specifying cooling the interior volume of the refrigeration unit, arranged in a refrigeration system occupying a building, to the precooling temperature prior to the target time interval to:
 a reduce a power consumption of the refrigeration unit occupying the building; and 
 shed an electrical load of the refrigeration unit on the building during the target time interval.