Baseline Electrical Load Operation for a Climate Control System of a Commercial Building

Not applicable.

Commercial buildings, such as office buildings, retail stores, data centers, or others, may draw large amounts of electrical power from a local utility grid. Thus, building owners and/or operators (collectively referred to herein as “building operators”) are often keen to reduce a total electrical load of the building so as to reduce operating costs. Indoor climate control is typically a major component (if not the largest component) of a commercial building's total electrical load requirements. Thus, the design and operation of a building's climate control system may be a major contributing factor to reducing that building's electrical footprint.

Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a climate control system for conditioning an interior space. In some embodiments, the climate control system includes an interior space heat exchange circuit that is configured to circulate a working fluid to cool an airflow that is directed to the interior space. In addition, the climate control system includes a chiller that is configured to cool the working fluid. Further, the climate control system includes a thermal energy storage (TES) assembly further including a source of low-temperature fluid and a heat exchanger that is coupled to the interior space heat exchange circuit such that the heat exchanger is upstream of the chiller along the interior space heat exchange circuit. The heat exchanger is configured to receive a flow of the low-temperature fluid from the source to cool the working fluid to thereby supplement an output cooling capacity of the chiller.

In some embodiments, the climate control system includes an interior space heat exchange circuit that is configured to circulate a working fluid to cool an airflow that is directed to the interior space. In addition, the climate control system includes a plurality of chillers that are configured to cool the working fluid. Further, the climate control system includes a thermal energy storage (TES) assembly that is thermally coupled to the interior space heat exchange circuit via a plurality of heat exchangers that are arranged along the interior space heat exchange circuit. Still further, the climate control system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of chillers and the TES assembly. The controller is configured to adjust an output cooling capacity of the plurality of chillers and to adjust a distribution of cooling capacity from the TES assembly to maintain an electrical load of the climate control system at or below a baseline electrical load.

Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a method of operating a climate control system for a building. In some embodiments, the method includes (a) receiving weather data for an upcoming day for a geographic area in which the building is located. In addition, the method includes (b) determining a total cooling capacity available from a thermal energy storage (TES) assembly of the climate control system. Further, the method includes (c) determining a baseline electrical load to operate the climate control system based at least on the weather data and the total cooling capacity available from the TES assembly. Still further, the method includes (d) determining an output cooling capacity of a plurality of chillers of the climate control system and a distribution of cooling capacity from the TES assembly that is configured to satisfy a cooling demand of the building at an electrical load of the climate control system that is at or below the baseline electrical load.

Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and characteristics intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical characteristics of the disclosed embodiments in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. The various characteristics and features described above, as well as others, will be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes as the disclosed embodiments. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the principles disclosed herein.

The climate control system of a commercial building may be a major (or even the largest) component of the building's electrical load. Thus, the design and operation of a building's climate control system may have a major effect on the total electrical load requirements for the building. In addition, the electrical load requirements of a climate control system may vary substantially during a twenty-four-hour period, and may generally resemble a sinusoidal curve with a maximum or peak load (for cooling) typically occurring sometime in the late afternoon and a minimum load (again, for cooling) typically occurring in the early morning hours. A building operator must therefore reserve a sufficient electrical load capacity to operate the climate control system during the peak loading period. However, this results in a substantial amount of unused reserved electrical load capacity during the other periods of the day, that could otherwise be monetized (e.g., via sold electrical load capacity to one or more of the tenants or users of the commercial building). Moreover, a building operator may reserve sufficient electrical load capacity in order to operate the climate control system during a worst-case peak temperature over a historical period (e.g., such as twenty years in some cases). As a result, on an average day (when the maximum or peak temperatures are substantially lower than the worst-case peak temperature) the unused and reserved electrical load capacity for the climate control system is even larger.

Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for designing and operating a climate control system that are aimed at unlocking this un-used electrical load capacity so that it may be monetized or otherwise used by the building operator. For instance, embodiments of the system and methods disclosed herein may be configured to substantially flatten the electrical load requirements for the climate control system over a twenty-four-hour period, to thereby unlock the electrical load typically reserved for peak periods. Thus, by use of the embodiments disclosed herein, a building operator may reduce the total electrical load that must be reserved for operation of the building's climate control system, and this additional electrical load capacity may be further monetized or used for other purposes.

Referring now to, a climate control systemincluding a thermal energy storage (TES) assembly(or more simply “TES”) is shown according to some embodiments disclosed herein. The climate control systemmay be configured to cool one or more interior spaces of a commercial building(or more simply “building”) during operations. Specifically, the climate control systemmay include one or more (e.g., one or a plurality of) chillersthat are configured to cool a working fluidthat is circulating along an interior space heat exchange circuitbetween the chillersand a interior space heat exchange assembly. The chillersmay be arranged in parallel along the interior space heat exchange circuit; however, other arrangements are contemplated. The working fluidmay comprise water or a suitable aqueous mixture (e.g., water-glycol). In some embodiments, the working fluidmay comprise a fluid other than water, such as, for instance air (e.g., air that is directly provided to the conditioned space). The conditioned space heat exchange assemblymay comprise one or more heat exchangers (e.g., air handler units) that are configured to exchange heat between the working fluidand an airflow that is provided to the interior space(s) inside the building.

Each of the chillersmay be configured to cool the working fluidvia one or more refrigeration circuits. For instance, reference is now made towhich shows a general schematic of one of the chillersofaccording to some embodiments (it being appreciated that each of the other chillersinmay be configured the same or similarly to that shown inin some embodiments).

Generally speaking, each chillerincludes a refrigeration circuitthat is configured to circulate a refrigerant to exchange heat between the interior space(s) of the buildingand an ambient environment (e.g., such as the outdoor environment that surrounds the building), so as to cool the interior space(s). The refrigeration circuit may include a first heat exchangerand a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchangeris configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and a working fluidof an ambient heat exchange circuit, and the second heat exchangeris configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the working fluidof the interior space heat exchange circuit.

The working fluidmay comprise water or any other suitable aqueous mixture such as previously described above for the working fluid. Alternatively, the working fluidmay comprise air. When the working fluidis water, the chillermay be referred to as a “water-cooled” chiller, and when the working fluid is air, the chillermay be referred to as an “air-cooled” chiller unit. Regardless, the working fluidmay circulate between the first heat exchangerof the refrigeration assemblyand an ambient heat exchange assemblyto exchange heat between the refrigerant and the ambient environment. In some embodiments, the ambient heat exchange assemblycomprises one or more heat exchangers (e.g., water cooling towers, radiators, fin-fan coolers, etc.) that are configured to transfer heat between the ambient environment and the working fluid. In some embodiments, such as in the case of air-cooled chillers, the ambient heat exchange assemblymay be integrated and combined with the first heat exchangerso that heat is directly exchanged between the refrigerant and an airflow that is sourced from and provided back to the ambient environment. In addition, in some embodiments, such as in the case of water-cooled chillers, the ambient heat exchange assemblymay be shared and integrated across each of the chillersof the climate control system(e.g., so that the first heat exchangersof each of the chillersare fluidly coupled in parallel along a common ambient heat exchange circuit).

In addition to the first heat exchangerand the second heat exchanger, the refrigeration circuitmay include a compressor(or one or more compressorsin some embodiments) and an expansion valve. The compressorand expansion valvemay be in fluid communication with the first heat exchangerand second heat exchangeralong the refrigerant circuit. During operations, the refrigeration circuitmay be operated to circulate the refrigerant in a first direction shown inso as to transfer heat from the interior space (e.g., via the interior space heat exchange circuit) to the ambient environment (e.g., via the ambient environment heat exchange circuit). Such operation may be referred to herein as a “cooling mode” operation.

Specifically, in the cooling mode operation shown in, the refrigerant (which may be in a vapor or semi-vapor state) may be compressed by the compressorand delivered to the first heat exchangervia the refrigerant circuit. Within the first heat exchanger, heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the working fluid, which cools the refrigerant and at least partially condenses the refrigerant to a liquid. Thus, in the cooling mode operation of, the first heat exchangermay be referred to as a “condenser.” Heat is then transferred from the heated working fluidto the ambient environment via the ambient heat exchange assemblyof the ambient heat exchange circuitas previously described.

The condensed refrigerant is then expelled from the first heat exchangerand flowed to the second heat exchangervia the expansion valve. The expansion valvemay be positioned between the first heat exchangerand second heat exchangeralong the refrigerant circuit. The expansion valvemay be actuated so as to controllably expand and therefore cool the refrigerant upstream of the second heat exchanger.

The expanded and cooled refrigerant is then flowed to the second heat exchanger. Within the second heat exchanger, heat is transferred from the working fluidto the refrigerant, which vaporizes (or at least partially vaporizes) the refrigerant. Thus, in the cooling mode operation of, the second heat exchangermay be referred to as an “evaporator.” The cooled working fluidis then used to cool the interior space(s) of buildingvia the conditioned space heat exchange assemblyof the interior space heat exchange circuitas previously described.

While not shown, in some embodiments, the refrigeration circuitmay circulate the refrigerant in a second, opposite direction than that shown inso as to transfer heat from the ambient environment to the interior space(s) of buildingvia the ambient heat exchange circuitand the interior space heat exchange circuit. Such operation may be referred to herein as a “heating mode” operation, and a refrigeration assemblythat is configured to operate in the heating mode may be referred to as a “heat pump.” During a heating mode operation of the refrigeration circuit, the first heat exchangermay function as an “evaporator” (which vaporizes the refrigerant) and the second heat exchangermay function as a “condenser” (which condenses the refrigerant).

The operation of the chillermay be adjusted so as to provide different output cooling (or heating) capacities to the working fluidduring operations. Specifically, the mass flow rate of refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant circuitmay be adjusted (e.g., via adjustments to the operating speed of the compressorand corresponding adjustments to the opening position of the expansion valve) to thereby change the rate of thermal heat transfer between the refrigerant and the working fluidduring operations. In some embodiments, the chillermay be operated at a lower output cooling capacity (e.g., by lowering the speed of the compressor) when the cooling demands of the interior space(s) of buildingare lower-such as during non-peak times.

Referring again to, the TESis configured to supplement the output cooling capacity of the chillersvia heat transfer with the working fluidvia one or more (e.g., one or a plurality of) heat exchangers. In particular, the TESmay be configured to provide a low-temperature fluidto the heat exchangersso as to perform additional heat exchange with the working fluidof the interior space heat exchange circuitto thereby reduce a cooling demand on the chillersduring operations.

The heat exchangersmay each be positioned upstream of the chillersso that the heat exchangersmay be arranged in parallel along the interior space heat exchange circuit. Specifically, each heat exchangermay be positioned upstream of a corresponding one of the chillersso that the working fluidmay first flow through one of the heat exchangersbefore flowing through the corresponding chillerduring operations, and the number of heat exchangersmay be equal to (or potentially less than) the number of chillers. In addition, a plurality of valvesmay be positioned between the TESand the heat exchangersthat may selectively control the flow of the low-temperature fluidfrom the TESto each of the heat exchangersduring operations. In addition, one or more pumps or other pressurization devices (not specifically shown) may be utilized to facilitate the flow of the low-temperature fluidto the heat exchangersvia the valvesduring operations.

The low-temperature fluidmay comprise water or a suitable aqueous mixture (e.g., water-glycol). In some embodiments, the low-temperature fluidmay comprise a fluid other than water, such as, for instance air. The low-temperature fluidis referred to as “low-temperature” in that the temperature of the fluidmay be low enough to facilitate heat transfer from the working fluidto the low-temperature fluidvia the heat exchangers.

During operations, the TESmay deliver additional cooling (or heating) to the working fluidvia the low-temperature fluidand heat exchangersso as to reduce a total electrical load drawn by the chillers. The TESmay comprise any device or system that is configured to store additional heating or cooling capacity that may be selectively delivered to the working fluid, via low-temperature fluidand heat exchangers, during operations. For instance, in some embodiments, the TESmay comprise cold water tank(s), volumes of phase-change materials (e.g., ice, wax, etc.) or other thermally absorbent materials, source(s) of cool/warm fluid such as water-cooling towers that circulate captured rainwater, geothermal wells, liquid nitrogen (N), or liquid carbon dioxide (CO).

In some embodiments, valvesmay be actuated to selectively provide the low-temperature fluidto select ones of the heat exchangersso as to provide targeted supplemental heat exchange to the working fluidand thereby efficiently and effectively reduce a total electrical load drawn by the climate control systemwhile avoiding reductions in the cooling capacity delivered thereby during operations. Specifically, during operations, a controllermay be used to selectively adjust an operating level of each of the chillersand, in concert, may adjust distribution of low-temperature fluidto the heat exchangersso as to provide a desired cooling capacity to the interior space(s) of the buildingvia interior space heat exchange circuitwhile achieving and maintaining a substantially optimized electrical performance of the climate control system. These adjustments by the controllermay have the effect of flattening the overall electrical demand of the climate control systemover a period of time (e.g., such as a twenty-four-hour period) so that the building owner may free up additional electrical capacity for the building(which may be monetized or more efficiently utilized elsewhere as noted herein).

The controllermay be (or may be incorporated within) a main or master controller for the climate control system, or the controllermay be a standalone controllerfor controlling the operational level(s) of the chillersand/or the distribution of the low-temperature fluidto and from the TESduring operations. Regardless, the controllermay be described and referred to herein as being a part of the climate control system.

The controllermay comprise one or more computing devices, such as a computer, tablet, smartphone, server, circuit board, or other computing device(s) or system(s). Thus, controllermay include a processorand a memory.

The processormay include any suitable processing device or a collection of processing devices. In some embodiments, the processormay include a microcontroller, central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), timing controller (TCON), scaler unit, or some combination thereof. During operations, the processorexecutes machine-readable instructions (such as machine-readable instructions) stored on memory, thereby causing the processorto perform some or all of the actions attributed herein to the controller. In general, processorfetches, decodes, and executes instructions (e.g., machine-readable instructions). In addition, processormay also perform other actions, such as, making determinations, detecting conditions or values, etc., and communicating signals. If processorassists another component in performing a function, then processormay be said to cause the component to perform the function.

The memorymay be any suitable device or collection of devices for storing digital information including data and machine-readable instructions (such as machine-readable instructions). For instance, the memorymay include volatile storage (such as random-access memory (RAM)), non-volatile storage (e.g., flash storage, read-only memory (ROM), etc.), or combinations of both volatile and non-volatile storage. Data read or written by the processorwhen executing machine-readable instructionscan also be stored on memory. Memorymay include “non-transitory machine-readable medium,” where the term “non-transitory” does not include or encompass transitory propagating signals.

The processormay include one processing device or a plurality of processing devices that are distributed within (or communicatively coupled to) controlleror more broadly within climate control system. Likewise, the memorymay include one memory device or a plurality of memory devices that are distributed within (or communicatively coupled to) controlleror more broadly within climate control system. Thus, the controllermay comprise a plurality of individual “controllers” distributed throughout the climate control system.

As previously described, the controllermay be used to selectively adjust an operating level of each of the chillersand, in concert, may adjust distribution of low-temperature fluidto the heat exchangersto as to provide a desired cooling capacity to the interior space(s) of the buildingvia working fluidwhile achieving and maintaining a substantially optimized electrical load for the climate control system. In particular, as will be described in more detail herein, it has been discovered that each chillermay have non-linearly varying efficiency along a range of operating levels at given outdoor ambient temperatures, so that simply uniformly reducing an operating level of the chillersmay not provide an optimal operating efficiency (in terms of electrical load) for the climate control system. Thus, the controllermay optimize electrical load utilization of the climate control systemby operating select combinations of the chillers(e.g., one or more or all) at select operating levels while also distributing low-temperature fluidfrom the TES, based on the non-linearly variable operating efficiency of the chillersand the outdoor ambient temperatures for the environment surrounding building.

Referring now to, a chartshowing the electrical load drawn by one of the chillersof the climate control system() based on output cooling capacity and outdoor ambient temperature is shown according to some embodiments. The chartmay be representative of the electrical load drawn by a particular one of the chillers, and thus, each chillermay include a similar (but unique) chartthat may be used by controllerto adjust an output cooling capacity of the chillersand/or the distribution of low-temperature fluidfrom the TES() during operations.

The output cooling capacity of chillerassociated with the chartmay comprise a total thermal energy transfer rate (e.g., in “Tons” which is British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour) that the chillermay provide the working fluid() at a particular operational speed of the corresponding compressor(). The output cooling capacity may be represented in the chartas a percentage of the maximum output cooling capacity that may be delivered by the chiller. However, in some embodiments, the output cooling capacity of the chillerassociated with chartmay be represented in a different manner, such as directly in Tons (or other suitable units for a thermal energy transfer rate).

The outdoor ambient temperature may be a temperature of the outdoor environment surrounding the building. The range of 78° F. to 96° F. is shown in 2° increments in the chartas an example; however, any suitable temperature range (and graduation) may be included. For instance, in some embodiments, the temperature range included in the chartmay be based on the typical range of temperatures that are experienced in the geographical area that the buildingis located.

As indicated in the chartof, the chillermay draw electrical loads of A10, B10, C10, . . . J10 (e.g., in kilowatts (KW)) when the chilleris operated at 10%, 20%, 30%, . . . 100%, respectively, of maximum cooling capacity at 96° F. outdoor ambient temperature. The electrical loads A10, B10, C10, . . . J10 may generally increase along with the output cooling capacity of the chiller; however, the increase in the electrical loads A10, B10, C10, . . . J10 may not be linear. Thus, the difference between the electrical loads A10 and B10 may be different from the difference between the electrical loads B10 and C10, or between the electrical loads C10 and D10, and so on.

In addition, the operating efficiency for the chillerassociated with chart(in terms of electrical power consumption) may be different at different output cooling capacities and outdoor ambient temperatures. In particular, the operating efficiency of the chillerassociated with the chartcan be represented as the units of electrical load (e.g., in KW or other suitable units) per Ton (or other suitable unit) of output cooling capacity provided by the chillerusing the chart. The changes in these operational efficiencies in the chartfor a particular outdoor ambient temperature may be non-linear due at least in part to the non-linear differences in electrical load drawn by the chiller at different output cooling capacities as previously described.

For example, in some embodiments the chillerassociated with the chartmay configured to provide a maximum of about 600 Tons of output cooling capacity (e.g., at 100% output cooling capacity in chart), and electrical load values J10, 110, and H10 may equal about 650 KW, 513 KW, and 473 KW, respectively. Thus, in this particular example, for the chillerassociated with chart, operating at 100% of maximum output cooling capacity may require about 1.084 KW of electrical load per Ton of cooling capacity, operating at 90% of maximum output cooling capacity may require about 0.949 KW of electrical load per Ton of cooling capacity, and operating at 80% of maximum output cooling capacity may require about 0.986 KW of electrical load per Ton of cooling capacity. These example differences in operating efficiency between the 100%, 90%, and 80% of output cooling capacity for the chiller(in terms of KW of electrical load per Ton of output cooling capacity) are non-linear and even show an rather surprising increase between operation at 90% output cooling capacity (at about 0.949 KW/Ton) vs operation at 80% output cooling capacity (at about 0.986 KW/Ton), when one would typically expect the operational efficiency to decrease along with a decreasing output cooling capacity. Without being limited to this or any other theory, the source of these non-linearities of the chillersis believed to stem from the various unique characteristics and variances of the chillers(which can be derived from manufacturing tolerances, installation parameters, operating histories, or other factors).

Accordingly, during operation, the controllermay selectively operate combinations of the chillersat different output cooling capacities based on the data included in the chartassociated with each chillerso as to provide an optimal balance of cooling capacity per the electrical load drawn. Specifically, the controllermay be configured to determine a combination of chillersoperating to provide selected output cooling capacities so as to satisfy a desired cooling demand (which may be based on the outdoor ambient temperature) while minimizing the total KW of electrical load per Ton of output cooling capacity during operations. The use of the specific and unique data of chartmay allow the controllerto account for the non-linearly variable characteristics and performance of the chillers.

In some embodiments, the data (e.g., the electrical load data) in the chartmay be initially calculated based on one or more parameters of the chiller. However, as the climate control systemis operated, the values in the chartmay be replaced (e.g., by controller) with updated values that are based on actual performance of the chilleras installed. Thus, over time, the controllermay adjust the operational parameters of chillersbased on their unique performance within the climate control systemover the range of outdoor ambient temperatures that the buildingis exposed to. In some embodiments, the chart(s)(or data indicative thereof) may be at least partially stored in the memoryof controller.

illustrates a plotshowing example electrical loads drawn by the climate control systemper unit time during a peak periodof an example day according to some embodiments. The “peak period”may refer to the period of the day when temperatures are generally warmest that may start in the late morning (or late “AM” period) through the late afternoon (during the early “PM” periods). Specifically, the peak periodmay comprise the portion of the day when the temperatures rise above a threshold. The outdoor ambient temperature during the peak periodmay resemble a portion of a sinusoidal curve that smoothly increases to a peak temperature occurring at a peak temperature time(e.g., in the mid-afternoon in some cases) and then smoothly decreases from the peak temperature.

The plotofshows data sets,of the electrical loads drawn by the climate control systemwhen operating to achieve the desired output cooling capacity for the interior space(s) of the building. Specifically, the data sets shown in the plotofinclude a first data setshowing the electrical load drawn by the climate control systemper unit time when solely utilizing the chillersto satisfy the output cooling demand for the building, and a second data setshowing the electrical load drawn by the climate control systemper unit time when utilizing both the chillersand the TESto satisfy the output cooling demand for the buildingbased on the non-linear operating efficiency of the chillersaccording to embodiments disclosed herein.

As may be appreciated from the data sets,shown in, the first data set(utilizing the chillersalone to satisfy the cooling demand of the building), the electrical load drawn by the climate control systemincreases along with the outdoor ambient temperature during the peak periodand thus also resembles a sinusoidal curve having a peak electrical loadoccurring at (or about) the peak temperature time, and periods of increasing and decreasing electrical loads before and after the peak temperature time, respectively. Conversely, when the climate control systemis operated to satisfy the cooling demand of the buildingby use of select combinations of the chillersat select output cooling capacities in concert with distribution of low-temperature fluidfrom the TESaccording to embodiments disclosed herein, the electrical load drawn by the climate control systemduring the peak periodillustrated inmay be substantially maintained at or below a baseline electrical loadthat is less than the peak electrical load. Thus, according to the second data set, the electrical load drawn by the climate control systemmay be flattened at or about the baseline electrical load, and the characteristic increases and decreases in electrical load associated with the first data setmay be avoided (or at least substantially reduced).

Referring still to, during operation, the controllermay receive a weather forecast for the upcoming day (or the upcoming peak period), and the weather forecast may include a forecasted temperature profile for the day. The weather forecast may be received from any suitable source, including a weather service, news agency, etc. In some embodiments, the temperature profile of the weather forecast may comprise the expected temperatures for the upcoming day over some graduation (e.g., such as hour-to-hour, every half hour, every five minutes, etc.). The controllermay determine the peak temperature for the upcoming day using the weather forecast and also may determine a total available cooling capacity that may be delivered from the TESduring the peak period(e.g., via low-temperature fluidand heat exchangersas previously described). In some embodiments, the controllermay determine the total available cooling capacity that may be delivered from the TESby use of one or more sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, volume sensors, level sensors, etc.) that may indicate the available volume and temperature of the low-temperature fluidthat may be delivered from the TES.

Using these sources of information, the controllermay then determine an operational plan for the climate control systemduring the upcoming peak period. In determining the operational plan for the climate control system, the controllermay first determine a combination of the chillersat select operating levels along with supplemental cooling distribution from the TESthat will provide the desired cooling capacity to the interior space(s) of the buildingfor the peak temperature time(and thus at the peak expected temperatures) at a lowered baseline electrical loadthat is less than the expected peak electrical loadthat would be associated with solely operating the chillers(e.g., first data setin) as previously described. In some embodiments, controllermay determine the baseline electrical loadby selecting the combination of chillersand their respective output cooling capacities that will require the lowest electrical load (e.g., in KW) per unit of cooling capacity (e.g., in Tons) to provide the cooling demand of the buildingin combination with the available cooling capacity from the TESbased at least in part on the unique non-linear variances of operational efficiency for the chillers(e.g., chartin) as previously described.

The newly determined baseline electrical loadmay then be set, by controller, as the maximum electrical load for the climate control systemduring the other portions of the peak period(and indeed through the entire twenty-four-hour day in some cases). In particular, after determining the new baseline electrical loadbased on the forecasted peak temperature at the peak temperature timeand available cooling capacity of the TES, the controllermay determine the additional combinations (and operating levels) of the chillersand distributions of low-temperature fluidfrom the TESthat will provide the desired cooling capacity for the interior space(s) of buildingat the other forecasted temperatures during the peak period(both before and after the peak temperature time) without exceeding the determined baseline electrical load.

When determining the operational plan of the climate control system, the controllermay determine a most efficient combination and operating levels of the chillersbased on the operating efficiencies and expected output cooling capacities provided by the chart(s)() as previously described. Because the data provided in the chart(s)may be continuously updated as previously described the controllermay accurately determine the most efficient combinations (and operating levels) of chillersfor operating the climate control systembased on the outdoor ambient temperature throughout the life of the climate control system.

As the controlleris determining the combinations of chillersand TESdistribution(s) to achieve the cooling demand at or below the baseline electrical load, the controllermay also determine whether the forecasted distributions of TESwill efficiently meter out and therefore completely discharge the available cooling capacity from the TESthroughout the entire peak periodwithout either fully dispensing the available cooling capacity from the TESbefore the end of the peak periodor leaving cooling capacity (or excess cooling capacity above a threshold or safety reserve) after the end of the peak period. If an initial distribution plan determined by the controllerresults in such an inefficient distribution from the TES, the controllermay reinitiate the entire process described above to determine a new baseline electrical loadthat will allow for the efficient distribution of the cooling capacity of the TESthroughout the peak period.

During the peak period, the controllermay execute the planned operation of the climate control systemto as to ensure operation at the baseline electrical load. However, deviations of the actual temperature away from the forecasted temperature profile during the peak periodmay necessitate additional operational adjustments by the controller. Specifically, the controllermay operate a different combination of chillersat different operational levels and/or may distribute different rates of low-temperature fluidfrom the TESthrough select heat exchangersto provide the desired cooling capacity at the deviated temperature and without exceeding the baseline electrical loadduring operation. As previously described, the controllermay again determine the most efficient combination of chillers(and their associated operating levels) by use of the charts() and the available cooling capacity in the TES, when adjusting the operation of the climate control systemto account for the deviated temperature(s).

When designing the climate control systemfor the building, an operational plan for the climate control systemmay be determined based on a worst-case forecast temperature (or temperature profile) for a twenty-four-hour period. The worst-case forecast temperature (or profile) may correspond with a hottest temperature observed for the geographic area in which the buildingis positioned over some historical period (e.g., such as over the last twenty years in some cases). The parameters (e.g., type, number, size, etc.) of the chillersand the parameters (e.g., type, size, capacity, etc.) of the TESmay be determined so that the cooling demand associated with the worst-case forecast temperature (or profile) may be satisfied by the climate control systemwhile maintaining the electrical load at or below a desired (or at maximum desirable) baseline electrical load (e.g., baseline electrical load). The parameters of both the chillersand the TESmay be further determined by any additional system constraints, such as for instance the available space that may be occupied by the climate control system, any equipment requirements of the climate control system(e.g., requirement to only use air-cooled chillers or water-cooled chillers, etc.), the availability or desirability of a particular TEStype, etc. The final designed climate control systemmay be configured to provide the worst-case cooling demand (e.g., based on the worst-case forecast temperature) at the desired baseline electrical load.

The difference ΔP between the baseline electrical loadand the theoretical peak electrical loadthat may be expended by a chiller-only climate control system may represent additional electrical load capacity that may be monetized or more efficiently utilized elsewhere as noted herein. In particular, in the case of some commercial buildings (such as data centers, for instance), the additional electrical load capacity (e.g., ΔP) may be sold to building tenants (e.g., to operate their electrical equipment) to thereby generate additional revenue for the building operator.

Referring now to, an embodiment of climate control systemis shown that includes a particular example of the TES. Generally speaking, the TESmay be configured as a fluid tankthat may store a volume of the low-temperature fluid, and that may deliver the low-temperature fluidto and from the heat exchangersto supplement the cooling capacity of the chillersas previously described. The low-temperature fluidstored in the fluid tankmay be charged be one or more recharge chillersduring operations. The recharge chillersmay be generally configured the same as the chillers() and thus may utilize a refrigerant circuit to cool the low-temperature fluidprior to outputting the low-temperature fluidback to the cold storage tankfor storage and subsequent distribution as previously described.

The recharge chillersand the chillersmay be energized via a common bus bar(or other suitable electrical power distribution system). The controllermay control and adjust the operation of the recharge chillersand chillersvia the bus baror directly (and not via the bus bar) during operations. The bus barmay be energized by the local electrical grid.