Optimal Control Of Ice Harvesting Thermal Energy Storage Systems

This paper defines a method of optimal control for an ice harvesting chiller thermal energy storage system. Virtually all TES systems currently in operation are designed to reduce electrical demand. Future thermal energy storage systems must not only address demand reduction they must minimize annual energy consumption. The optimal control.objective is to minimize the annual energy consumption of the ice harvesting chiller system while minimizing the electrical demand consistent with the system design objective. Annual optimization defines the operation of the cooling equipment with predictive and reactive controls in order to limit instantaneous power input thereby reducing annual energy input. Methods of cooling inventory measurement, capacity prediction, and capacity control are defined.