The development of dynamic energy control mechanisms for food retailing refrigeration systems.

Completed

Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial)

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Applied Mathematics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Intelligent Maintenance Systems Limited

Feasibility Study

Innovate UK

01 July 2015

31 August 2015

2 months

£23,259

South East

Competition Call: 1501_FS_ENRG_ESSCS - Intergrated Supply Chains for Energy Systems. Activity Integrated supply chains for energy systems

Project Contact, Intelligent Maintenance Systems Limited

Project Contact, Tesco Stores Limited
Project Contact, University of Lincoln

The objectives of this study are to develop novel dynamic control systems which optimise the energy use of food refrigeration systems. These systems are known to consume in the order of 12TWh of energy per year, and comprise approximately one third of a typical retailers energy cost. Current control systems operate around very static control temperatures. In this proposal we will develop new algorithms to control refrigeration temperatures within strict (for food safety reasons) but variable temperature control bands. Large retailers now have centralised control of all refrigeration systems within a typical estate. This high level of control provides an unrivalled opportunity to manage and control energy consumption in proportion to grid availability. The challenge is though significant and will require the development of mutliple objective control mechanisms which also consider essential food safety parameters. The opportunity to market the control algorithms across the rest of the World is significant.The objectives of this study are to develop novel dynamic control systems which optimise the energy use of food refrigeration systems. These systems are known to consume in the order of 12TWh of energy per year, and comprise approximately one third of a typical retailers energy cost. Current control systems operate around very static control temperatures. In this proposal we will develop new algorithms to control refrigeration temperatures within strict (for food safety reasons) but variable temperature control bands. Large retailers now have centralised control of all refrigeration systems within a typical estate. This high level of control provides an unrivalled opportunity to manage and control energy consumption in proportion to grid availability. The challenge is though significant and will require the development of mutliple objective control mechanisms which also consider essential food safety parameters. The opportunity to market the control algorithms across the rest of the World is significant.The objectives of this study are to develop novel dynamic control systems which optimise the energy use of food refrigeration systems. These systems are known to consume in the order of 12TWh of energy per year, and comprise approximately one third of a typical retailers energy cost. Current control systems operate around very static control temperatures. In this proposal we will develop new algorithms to control refrigeration temperatures within strict (for food safety reasons) but variable temperature control bands. Large retailers now have centralised control of all refrigeration systems within a typical estate. This high level of control provides an unrivalled opportunity to manage and control energy consumption in proportion to grid availability. The challenge is though significant and will require the development of mutliple objective control mechanisms which also consider essential food safety parameters. The opportunity to market the control algorithms across the rest of the World is significant.

13/02/18