Abstract: A water heater including a tank, first and second heating elements, first and second temperature sensors, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is operable to determine a first temperature value related to a first temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor, determine a second temperature value related to a second temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor, and receive a command from the external controller. When the received command is a first command, the controller control current to the first heating element based on the first temperature value traversing a first set point, and controls current to the second heating element based on the second temperature value traversing a second set point. When the received command is a second command, the controller controls current only to the first heating element and not the second heating element, the control being based on the first temperature value.

Abstract: A method for dynamic cloud based control of building equipment via a cloud based building management system includes instantiating a sequencer in response to receiving a startup request, receiving, via the cloud based building management system, a sequence package, wherein the sequence package includes configuration information for interfacing the cloud based building management system with the building site, collecting building data from the building equipment of the building site based on the sequence package, causing a control process to execute based on the collected data, and dispatching a command to the building equipment based on a result of the execution of the control process, wherein the command includes a command to control the building equipment to control an environmental condition of the building site.

Abstract: One variation of a method for monitoring occupancy in a work area includes, at a sensor block: transitioning from an inactive state into an active state when an output of a motion sensor indicates motion in a work area; during a scan cycle in the active state, recording an image through an optical sensor at a time, detecting a set of humans in the image, detecting a second set of human effects in the image, predicting a second set of humans occupying but absent the work area based on the second set of human effects, and estimating a total occupancy in the work area at the time based on the set of humans and the second set of humans; and transmitting the total occupancy to a remote computer system for update of a scheduler for the work area.

Abstract: HVAC components having improved efficiency are described. In one embodiment, excessive sleep current draw in a battery-powered device having a microcontroller is detected by measuring a voltage drop across a MOSFET device coupled in a forward-conducting orientation in series between the battery and the microcontroller, causing a transistor to conduct when the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined threshold to generate a first trigger signal, integrating the first trigger signal to generate a second trigger signal, and generating an interrupt to the microcontroller. In another embodiment, a battery-saving method of operating an HVAC component includes maintaining the HVAC device in the sleep mode, receiving a user input to wake the device, transmitting a data request and returning the HVAC component to the sleep mode, waking up the HVAC device to poll an adjacent network node storing a cached response, displaying the response, and returning the HVAC device to sleep.

Abstract: A method for energy management is described. In one embodiment, an aspect of a dwelling is monitored. The monitored aspect of the dwelling is compared to an energy policy to determine a deviation of the monitored aspect of the dwelling from a setting of the energy policy. A notification is sent to an occupant, the notification comprising the deviation of the monitored aspect of the dwelling from the setting of the energy policy.

Abstract: Methods and computer systems report and track resource performance for business customers. The computer system receives usage data about a resource associated with a customer of a utility, including hourly usage information about the resource metered at a business premises of the customer. The computer system receives operational data associated with the business premises, including hours of operations information describing when the business premises is open to patrons. The computer system determines resource performance data for the business premises using the received usage data and the received operational data, including information about: (i) resource usage at the business premises during the hours when open to patrons, and (ii) resource usage at the business premises during the hours when closed to patrons. The computer system causes a reporting of this information to the customer of the resource.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a mode setting acceptance unit that accepts a setting of a time to control a plurality of devices, on the basis of a mode in which operation contents of the devices are set, and an execution unit that outputs the operation contents of the plurality of devices at the set time.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a state of a fluid in an indoor space including a state of a flow field for said fluid is presented. The system includes an input unit (81), a simulation unit (82), a comparison unit (83) and a state correction unit (84). The input unit (81) comprises a plurality of temperature sensors (81a, 81b, . . . , 81mT) to obtain temperature measurement data indicative for a temperature field in said indoor space. The simulation unit (82) is provided to simulate the fluid in said indoor space according to an indoor climate model to predict a state of the fluid including at least a temperature field and a flow field for the fluid in said indoor space, and has an output to provide a signal indicative for the flow field. The comparison unit (83) is provided to compare the predicted temperature field with the temperature measurement data, and the state correction unit (84) is provided to correct the predicted state of the fluid based on a comparison result of said comparison unit (83).

Abstract: A system for predicting HVAC equipment failure includes an actuator and a controller. The actuator is coupled to the HVAC equipment and configured to drive the HVAC equipment between multiple positions. The actuator includes a processing circuit configured to collect internal actuator data characterizing an operation of the actuator and a communications circuit coupled to the processing circuit. The communications circuit is configured to transmit the internal actuator data outside the actuator. The controller is configured to provide control signals to the actuator and receive the internal actuator data from the actuator. The controller includes a failure predictor configured to use the internal actuator data to predict a time at which the HVAC equipment failure will occur.

Abstract: A verification device to detect malfunction in a connected lighting system, the connected lighting system comprising multiple luminaires and multiple occupancy sensors, the verification device comprising: —an input interface (301) arranged to connect to a database and obtain the sensor data obtained from the multiple occupancy sensors, —an aggregation unit (310) arranged to compute occupancy values which are indicative of occupancy over a specified time period at different hierarchical levels by applying a statistical measure, and —a processing unit (320) arranged to compare an occupancy value at a lower hierarchical level with an occupancy value at a higher hierarchical level, finding deviations that indicate a malfunction in the connected lighting system and producing a signal to communicate the malfunction.

Abstract: Accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices is described, wherein the devices are coupled with a first structure. The energy usage of the devices is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction is generated to modify an energy usage profile of said device to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management.

Abstract: A system for controlling building services, the system including a services array supporting a plurality of service devices, an electronic controller that communicates with a client device to determine a selected profile defining service device settings and control the service devices in the services array in accordance with the service device settings defined by the profile, to thereby at least partially control building services.

Abstract: A method for HVAC workload and cost logic is described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a thermostat of an HVAC system being set to a target temperature and upon detecting the thermostat being set to the target temperature, detecting a current indoor condition and a current outdoor condition. In some embodiments, the method includes calculating an estimated runtime of an HVAC heating or cooling cycle for the target temperature. The estimated runtime is based on the target temperature, the current indoor and outdoor conditions, and on a result of querying a correlation database. The correlation database includes data points for a plurality of previous HVAC heating and cooling cycles.

Abstract: A simulation apparatus has a type setting section that sets a type of mode of electric power consumption of equipment, and an output section that simulates an amount of the electric power consumption of the equipment in accordance with the type set by the type setting section and outputting the amount of electric power consumption thus simulated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product are provided for anomaly detection. The method includes receiving, by a processor, sensor data from a plurality of sensors in a system. The method also includes generating, by the processor, a relationship model based on the sensor data. The method additionally includes updating, by the processor, the relationship model with new sensor data. The method further includes identifying, by the processor, an anomaly based on a fused single-variant time series fitness score in the relationship model. The method also includes controlling an operation of a processor-based machine to change a state of the processor-based machine, responsive to the anomaly.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method may include executing, on a first device, a first instruction for adjusting a first environmental parameter of a first space from a first parameter value to a second parameter value. The method may include determining an influencing parameter. The influencing parameter may influence a change in the first environmental parameter of the first space. The method may include executing a second instruction based on at least one of the influencing parameter, the first parameter value, and the second parameter value. A second energy consumption of the first device, in response to execution of the second instruction, may be lower than a first energy consumption of the first device in response to execution of the first instruction. An electronic device and program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for monitoring an environment are provided. These systems, apparatus, and methods may include a monitoring unit positioned within the environment that includes an air quality sensor configured to generate particle data, a communications unit configured to directly or indirectly transmit data between the monitoring unit and a remote computing unit, and a controller with instructions to cause the air quality sensor to generate particle data about particles in the environment, and transmit the particle data to the remote computing unit. The remote computing unit may be positioned outside the environment, and include a second processor, another communications unit, and another non-transitory memory device with instructions to receive and store the particle data, and determine, based on the received particle data generated by the air quality sensor, whether a first exposure threshold has been exceeded for the monitoring unit.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a plurality of indoor units of a refrigerant circuit to perform air conditioning of a space, and an air conditioning controller that controls operations of the plurality of indoor units by allocating the indoor units individually to a plurality of predetermined areas of the space. The controller performs an area registration process of allocating the indoor units individually to a plurality of area identification frames corresponding to the areas, and allocating a plurality of ventilators individually to the area identification frames where the indoor units are allocated. The ventilators perform ventilation of the space. The controller does not allow the operations of the plurality of the indoor units when there is an area identification frame to which none of the ventilators is allocated, in the plurality of area identification frames where the indoor units are allocated.

Abstract: A power tool is provided including a brushless electric motor, a switching arrangement having motor switches and interposed between the electric motor and a power supply, and a controller configured to control a switching operation of the motor switches for driving the electric motor and enforce a current limit on the current delivered to the electric motor. The controller receives a measure of current passing from the power supply to the switching arrangement and takes corrective action to reduce current delivered to the electric motor if the measured current exceeds the current limit. The controller further receives a signal corresponding to at least one of a type and/or a nominal voltage of the power supply and sets the current limit based on the received signal.

Abstract: One variation of a method for monitoring occupancy in a work area includes, at a sensor block: transitioning from an inactive state into an active state when an output of a motion sensor indicates motion in a work area; during a scan cycle in the active state, recording an image through an optical sensor at a time, detecting a set of humans in the image, detecting a second set of human effects in the image, predicting a second set of humans occupying but absent the work area based on the second set of human effects, and estimating a total occupancy in the work area at the time based on the set of humans and the second set of humans; and transmitting the total occupancy to a remote computer system for update of a scheduler for the work area.

Abstract: A variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system for a building. The VRF system includes at least one outdoor VRF unit configured to heat or cool a refrigerant for use in heating or cooling the building. The at least one outdoor VRF unit includes a sub-cooler and a bypass expansion valve configured to control a flow of the refrigerant through the sub-cooler and an extremum-seeking controller configured to generate a sub-cooling temperature setpoint for the at least one outdoor VRF unit. The extremum-seeking controller is configured to determine a total power consumption of the at least one outdoor VRF unit, generate a sub-cooling temperature setpoint for the at least one outdoor VRF unit using an extremum-seeking control technique that drives the total power consumption toward an extremum, and use the sub-cooling temperature setpoint to operate the at least one outdoor VRF unit.

Abstract: A system includes a control system and a field device. The control system is configured to communicate data with one or more field devices. The field device includes a sensor module configured to monitor a process in the control system. The field device also includes a communication module configured to detachably couple to both a display configured to display information related to the monitored process and an upgrade module configured to control a software or firmware upgrade process associated with the sensor module.

Abstract: A schedule determination device includes an acquisitor, a setter, and a determiner. The acquisitor acquires indexes of an operation schedule of a device and constraint conditions of the indexes. The setter sets a second range, which is narrower than a first range set in the operation schedule before a change, as a range for values of variables that establish constraint conditions of indexes of a new operation schedule. The determiner determines the operation schedule of the device, using the variable values within the second range.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for improving operational efficiency within a data center by modeling data center performance and predicting power usage efficiency. An example method receives a state input characterizing a current state of a data center. For each data center setting slate, the state input and the data center setting slate are processed through an ensemble of machine learning models. Each machine learning model is configured to receive and process the state input and the data center setting slate to generate an efficiency score that characterizes a predicted resource efficiency of the data center if the data center settings defined by the data center setting slate are adopted t. The method selects, based on the efficiency scores for the data center setting slates, new values for the data center settings.

Abstract: An air-conditioning operation condition generation apparatus as an aspect of the present invention generates trial conditions for multiple air conditioners associated with a target space of air-conditioning control, evaluates a trial performed by coordination of the plurality of air conditioners under the trial conditions, and generates actual operation conditions for the plurality of air conditioners to achieve a targeted state in the target space on the basis of evaluation of the trial.

Abstract: System (1) for managing the energy consumption of a building including at least one area, incorporating: a set of sensors (8) capable of generating information representative of environmental parameters; a set of at least one actuator (4-6) capable of acting on the environmental parameters existing in the said area; a computer system (2) designed to receive the said information from the said sensors (8), and to send instructions to the said actuators (4-6), while executing regulation process for the said actuators (4-6) in order to comply, with a set of at least two predetermined criteria; wherein it also incorporates: a routing device (3) connected to the said IT system (2), the said sensors (8) and the said actuators (4-6), designed to transmit information representative of environmental parameters to the IT system (2) and set levels to the said actuators (4-6); a man-machine interface device (10) located in the said area.

Abstract: A building management system includes a plurality of devices of building equipment and a system manager. The system manager is configured to control the devices of building equipment and generate a user interface. The user interface includes a command widget configured to allow a user to input a first command to control a first device of the plurality of devices of building equipment and an add annotation box configured to allow a user to add an annotation to the command. The system manager is further configured to control the first device in response to the command and store the annotation in an annotation database.

Abstract: Power management apparatuses, power management systems, and power management methods for controlling power of a storage cell so as to allow appropriate compliance with requests from both the power supply side and the consumer side. A power management apparatus is provided in a consumer facility and includes a controller that manages the amount of stored electricity. The controller divides the amount of stored electricity at least into a first domain and a second domain and manages the domains, where the first domain is a domain in which to perform long-term control and the second domain is a domain in which to perform short-term control during power management in the consumer facility.

Abstract: Parameters are estimated for continuous time linear gray-box models using a fast sensitivity evaluation, which is a measure of how output of the model changes with changes in parameters. A two-step parameter estimation of non-linear models, such as a steady-state model and dynamical model, is performed. A parameter estimation algorithm is employed for estimation of non-linear model parameters via local approximation at different system operating levels or operating set-points. The parameter estimation task is improved by an efficient parameter estimation of linear, continuous-time, stochastic, gray-box models. It is further improved by using a two-step parameter estimation of non-linear, continuous-time, gray-box models. It is still further improved by employing the efficient parameter estimation algorithm for the non-linear gray-box models.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a comfort zone includes a compressor, temperature sensor and controller. The controller is configured to receive a starting temperature from the temperature sensor, receive a desired temperature, and receive a desired time for the comfort zone to reach the desired temperature. The controller is further configured to determine a starting time to adjust cooling the comfort zone, the starting time determined based at least on the desired time, the desired temperature, the starting temperature, and a most-energy-efficient operating speed of the compressor. Once the starting time has been reached, the controller is further configured to communicate a command to the HVAC system to operate the compressor at the most-energy-efficient operating speed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a setpoint and a time of interest indicating a time in the future when the setpoint is to be reached and obtaining a first data set comprising a plurality of lag values, the plurality of lag values associated with one or more variables related to the HVAC system. The method further includes selecting a second data set comprising a subset of the lag values from the first data set and determining a predicted condition at the time of interest based at least in part on the lag values in the second data set. The method further includes determining a schedule for operating heating or cooling components of the HVAC system such that the setpoint is reached by the time of interest and communicating one or more signals instructing the HVAC system to operate according to the schedule.

Abstract: A temperature controlling apparatus includes a display configured to present an operating condition of the apparatus, and a communication module configured to communicate with at least one mobile device associated with the apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor in communication with a proximity detection module configured to determine a location of the at least one mobile device relative to the apparatus based on data received and initiate implementation of a home mode or an away mode of the apparatus in response to the determined location of the mobile device. The processor configured to initiate implementation of the away mode of the apparatus in response to a manual input received from a graphical user interface of the at least one mobile device.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for controlling a mesh network. An electronic device may determine an occupancy state of a structure. In response to determining that the structure is not occupied, the electronic device may determine whether each node of the mesh network is in communication with at least one device that currently needs wireless communications, wherein the mesh network comprises a plurality of nodes. Power consumption of at least one node of the plurality of nodes of the mesh network may be adjusted based on determining whether each node of the mesh network is in communication with at least one device that currently needs wireless communications.

Abstract: A method and system of optimizing microgrid operations is provided. One or more intelligent microgrid coordinators interface with the microgrid such that those microgrid coordinators are able to measure and control all microgrid asset activities. The microgrid coordinator is used to forecast the microgrid's demanded load more accurately, and assign asset commands so as to optimize microgrid consumption, generation, and storage of load. The method and system incorporate a valuation of dispatchable load in optimization functions. The microgrid coordinator is further used to protect the microgrid assets from over-current situations when the microgrid is connected to the bulk electric system and when islanded. The method and system provide a means to test the microgrid controller prior to implementation on the microgrid in order to assure proper operation.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a HVAC system to detect erroneous sensor installation. The method includes determining whether a circulation fan has been operational for a first predetermined time interval. If the circulation fan has been operational for the first predetermined time interval, determining whether a cooling demand is present. If the cooling demand is present, determining whether the HVAC system has been conditioning air for the first predetermined time interval responsive to the cooling demand. If the HVAC system has been conditioning the air for the first predetermined time interval, determining whether a difference between an indoor air temperature value corresponding to an enclosed space and an air temperature value from a discharge air temperature (DAT) sensor is greater than a predetermined temperature value.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes an infrared camera capturing a thermal image; a living-body detection unit detecting a living body present in an air-conditioning space based on the thermal image; a movement-distance calculation unit that calculates a movement distance of the detected living body; a temperature-control determination unit; a notification unit notifying the detected living body that it is likely to develop heat stroke or hypothermia; and a drive control unit performing the air-conditioning operation. The temperature-control determination unit provides an instruction to perform notification processing when an elapsed time, where the temperature of the detected living body is outside a normal range and the movement distance is less than a threshold value, exceeds a notification time threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for self-learning fault detection and diagnosis in an HVAC system include a server identifying a fault and one or more predicted causes of the fault based on measurements of operational parameters received from sensors associated with the HVAC system. The operational parameters are compared to evaluation criteria, such as predetermined thresholds, to identify a potential fault. Parameters may be weighted, and optionally scaled to a standardized range to facilitate the diagnosis of HVAC systems of disparate configurations and capacities. Evaluation criteria for each fault are periodically analyzed in view of operational parameter history to identify new criteria having a lower probability of misdiagnosis. Fault detection criteria which are determined to have an unacceptable error rate may be deactivated or flagged for review.

Abstract: This document generally describes computer-based technology related to energy design and rating systems for buildings. For example, a computer-based energy design and rating system can provide a fast and accurate method for calculating the energy performance and thermal comfort of residential and light commercial buildings.

Abstract: An incentive-based demand response (DR) method and system are provided from the view of a grid operator (GO) to enable system-level dispatch of DR resources. The method spans three hierarchical levels of a GO, multiple service providers (SPs), and corresponding customers. The GO first posts an incentive to SPs, who will then invoke sub-programs with enrolled customers to negotiate quantities of demand reduction via providing SP incentives. In view of the hierarchical decision-making structure, a two-loop Stackelberg game is proposed to capture interactions between different actors. The existence of a unique Stackelberg equilibrium that provides optimal system solutions is demonstrated. Simulation results show that the proposed method is effective in helping compensate system resource deficiency at minimum cost.

Abstract: Controllers and methods are disclosed for aiding a user in programming a schedule of a programmable controller. In an illustrative embodiment, a guided programming routine can be activated by a user, which then guides a user through two or more screens that are designed to collect sufficient information from the user to generate and/or update at least some of the schedule parameters of the controller.

Abstract: Dynamically updating a ridge regression data model of a continuous stream of data is disclosed. New data chunks corresponding to a current data accumulation point are received and the data values in the new data chunks are transformed via standardization methods. A ridge estimator for the standardized data that includes data chunks received up to a penultimate data accumulation point to include the new data chunks is dynamically updated. The cumulative observations received up to the current data accumulation point are updated and stored. Predictions for the continuous data stream are generated based on the updated ridge estimator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving energy efficiency in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system using a control device and a controllable component are provided. A climate control system for a facility includes a heating/venting/air-conditioning (HVAC) system, at least one controllable component configured to adjust environmental conditions automatically to minimize energy usage, a control panel, and a control device, wherein the control device displays data from the climate control system and includes a user interface through which a user can control the climate control system.

Abstract: A method including: determining whether a cooling system is operating in a cooling mode, such that the cooling system is not operating in a reheat mode, a humidification mode or a dehumidification mode; determining whether the cooling system is operating in a compressor mode, such that the cooling system is not operating in a pump refrigerant economization mode; determining whether the cooling system is at steady-state; and if the cooling system is operating in the cooling mode and the compressor mode and is at steady-state, evaluating one or more rules to determine if a degradation symptom exists for the cooling system. The method further includes: subsequent to the evaluation, generating a degradation evaluation value to indicate whether the one or more rules are satisfied; and based on the degradation evaluation value, generating an alarm signal or performing a countermeasure.

Abstract: The INTERIOR USER-COMFORT ENERGY EFFICIENCY MODELING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS AND APPARATUSES (“IUCEEMC”) transforms comfort maps and occupant comfort inputs via a profile library manager component, exploration manager component, comfort map manager component, regulation monitor component, control temperature sequence generator component, and comfort map modification component, into comfort map and control temperature sequence outputs. In some implementations, the IUCEEMC can divide a timespace of a temperature model into a plurality of sections, select a section from the plurality of sections, perform a first persistent change of the section from the plurality of sections, and, via a control temperature sequence generator, calculate a control temperature sequence using the temperature model. The IUCEEMC can develop and execute a temperature trajectory on an HVAC system, such as a home or industrial HVAC system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and device for adjusting operation data of an air-out device. The method may involve presenting an operation data adjustment interface for adjusting the operation parameter of the air-out device in response to a user selection of the interaction element for adjusting the operation parameter of the air-out device, obtaining an adjusted operation parameter of the air-out device, generating an adjusted operation data file based on the adjusted operation parameter that is obtained, and transmitting the adjusted operation data file to the air-out device.

Abstract: An air handling unit (AHU) or rooftop unit (RTU) in a building HVAC system includes one or more powered components, a battery, and a predictive controller. The powered components include a fan configured to generate a supply airstream provided to one or more building zones. The battery is configured to store electric energy and discharge the stored electric energy for use in powering the powered components. The predictive controller is configured to optimize a predictive cost function to determine an optimal amount of electric energy to purchase from an energy grid and an optimal amount of electric energy to store in the battery or discharge from the battery for use in powering the powered components at each time step of an optimization period.

Abstract: Methods and systems for time-series transient analysis of data are disclosed herein. A method includes receiving time-series data, generating a training data set including randomized data points, generating randomized data point combinations using a set of the randomized data points that are within a time window, computing distance values based on the randomized data point combinations, generating a classifier based on a plurality of computed distance values, and determining, using the classifier, a probability that new time-series data generated during a new execution of the process matches the time-series data. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: One example embodiment relates to a water heater controller. The water heater controller includes an operating conditions circuit structured to receive temperature measurement signals indicative of temperatures over time of water in a tank of a water heater, and occupancy measurement signals indicative of whether individuals are present in an area proximate the water heater. A drift threshold circuit is structured to, in response to the occupancy measurement signals indicating that an individual is present or not present, define a plurality of drift threshold levels to trigger operation of a heating element of the water heater. A control circuit is structured to controllably operate the heating element based on the occupancy measurement signals and on the plurality of drift threshold levels.

Abstract: Tracking data of objects within a facility may be obtained using a plurality of smart floor tiles. Techniques for installation of the smart floor tiles allow for the generation of information about the relative arrangement of the smart floor tiles relative to one another. This relative arrangement is used in conjunction with information about physical dimensions of the smart floor tiles to generate a mapping that associates particular floor tiles with particular physical locations within the facility.

Abstract: A method for controlling a semiconductor manufacturing facility includes measuring output change amounts of differential pressure sensors in the facility when pressure conditions change by a number of fans. The fans are then classified into different groups and subgroups and control sequences of the subgroups are determined based on the change amounts. Difference values are then calculated, and a control signal is generated to adjust the rotation speed of the fans.