FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
& The Patent Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
1.TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
METHOD AND INSTALLATIONS FOR PROVIDING ENERGY, PARTICULARLY
THERMAL ENERGY, IN AT LEAST ONE BUILDING OR THE LIKE, AND RELATED
SYSTEM
2. APPLICANT:
Name: ACCENTA
Nationality: France
Address: 696 rue Yves Kermen, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France.
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed:
2
DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method for supplying energy, in particular
thermal energy, in at least one building or the like, with a view to optimization
with respect to a certain number of criteria that can include installation cost,
operational costs, reduction in energy consumption, environmental
considerations, etc.
The present invention also relates to an installation allowing the implementation
of the method, as well as an installation configured advantageously for this
purpose.
The present invention also comprises a regulation system for the implementation
of the method.
State of the art
The invention relates quite particularly but non-limitatively to relatively large
housing developments, for example apartment buildings, groups of buildings,
industrial complexes, hospital centres, commercial centres, hotels or hotel-type
complexes, school or university campuses, etc.
Installations are known in the building sector making it possible to provision
energy from several sources, for example gas or electricity public distribution
networks, geothermal probes, solar heat collectors, photovoltaic solar panel
collectors, aerothermal solar collectors, or others. These known installations
comprise various items of equipment for transforming the collected energy and
for using it, for example, heat pumps, Joule-effect heating devices, airconditioners, boilers, etc. It is also known to implement a method that regulates
the installation by weighting the application of the different sources and the
different items of equipment as a function of the needs and according to
economic or other criteria.
The documents FR 2960099 A1, US 2008/092875 A1, WO 2015/014951 A2,
EP 3012539 A1, EP 2141419 A1, FR 3065516 A1, EP 1987298 B1,
3
DE 102010033909 A1, DE 10022544 A1, US 2018/0283799 A1,
KR 20130017182 A and KR 101801775 B1 describe installations of this type,
developed in various ways in the sense of optimized exploitation of the resources
that are the most advantageous in terms of cost and/or environment.
In practice, such installations encounter difficulties that can be chronic or
occasional. Among the chronic difficulties, there may be mentioned in particular
the temperature drift of the geothermal environment in which the probes are
implanted. For example in a temperate or cold region, the geothermal
environment suffering excessive demand cools increasingly over the years, to
the point that it becomes unusable, as the natural regeneration of the ground is
insufficient to renew the calories removed. Conversely, in a hot region, the
geothermal environment, unable to discharge the calories introduced by the airconditioning system becomes progressively too hot to be useable. In both cases,
costly geothermal installations fall into a state of neglect after a few years, or
otherwise it is necessary to over-dimension them to the point of making them no
longer viable for economic reasons. Even if such extremes are avoided, the
installation equipped with a geothermal system that has suffered a temperature
drift becomes less efficient overall, since the geothermal system, expected to be
one of the most advantageous sources, is no longer as advantageous as was
anticipated in the design. Another example of chronic difficulty can be a lasting
change in the cost of use of one source or another, or even one item of equipment
or another installed in the building. An example of an occasional difficulty can be
an unwelcome climatic event or price change, the two often going hand in hand,
if for example a period of extreme cold is accompanied by a significantly
increased price of the electricity supplied by the public network.
The aim of the present invention is thus to overcome these drawbacks at least
partially, by proposing a method and/or an installation and/or a regulation
system capable of durably optimizing the supply of energy, in particular thermal
energy, in at least one building or the like, while avoiding at least partially the
pitfalls, chronic or occasional in nature, some examples of which have been given
above.
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Disclosure of the invention
According to the invention, the method for supplying energy, in particular
thermal energy, in at least one building or the like by means of an installation
comprising:
 items of energy collection equipment that relate to energy transfer, each
with a respective source;
 items of energy transformation equipment, at least partially fed by the
items of energy collection equipment;
 items of equipment that are users of energy;
method in which a regulation is operated placing the items of equipment in
respective activation states chosen as a function of the demand and of
parameters, in particular climatic parameters, in the sense of optimization with
respect to at least one criterion,
is characterized in that at an instant of intervention of the regulation, the
regulation comprises the incorporation of forecasts relating to at least one of the
parameters, said forecasts concerning a period subsequent to said instant of
intervention.
According to the invention, instead of managing the present only as a function of
observations and of a situation inherited from the preceding instants, the future
situations are anticipated. The activation states defined by the method at a given
instant are prepared in order to forecast future difficulties or take advantage of
future opportunities that can be anticipated on the basis of accessible items of
information. Preferably, the activation states are chosen to achieve an
optimization encompassing the future as it can be forecast. For example, if a
period of extreme cold is predicted in winter, an exceptionally high energy
demand by the occupants can be expected, and at the same time a temporary
increase in the prices for energy supplied by the public networks. With the
invention this period is anticipated by accumulating energy during the preceding
period, in items of storage equipment or resources that can be the geothermal
environment, hot water tanks, electric batteries, inertial flywheels, etc. This
accumulation is possible for example with at least one thermal solar collector
and/or by overconsumption of electricity for actuating at least one heat pump
supplying heat to the item of storage equipment or resource. If a period of
extreme heat is forecast after a cool period, the heating during the cool period
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can advantageously be secured by drawing on thermal reserves that will be able
to be reconstituted during the period of extreme heat.
In an embodiment, the regulation defines a succession over time of combinations
of activation states of at least some of the items of equipment over a duration
subsequent to the instant of intervention, in the sense of optimization over the
duration with respect to the at least one criterion. At a given instant, the method
has already defined in advance not only the activation states of the different
items of equipment at this instant, but also the succession of activation states of
each item of equipment in the instants that compose a duration subsequent to
this instant, and it is this succession that is optimized with respect to the at least
one predefined optimization criterion. If in a simple example there is a single
optimization criterion that is the cost of operation, the combination of activation
states defined by the method for an instant is not necessarily the most
economical at this instant, but it will form part of a succession of combinations
of states over time that will be the most economical overall at the end of the
duration incorporated. The choice of the correct succession of combinations can
be carried out by systematically exploring very numerous successions of
combinations, in particular those capable of supplying at each given instant, if
necessary with a security coefficient, the power that will be necessary at this
instant, according to the forecasts incorporated. If there are several optimization
criteria, for example reducing the cost of operation and reducing the consumption
of energy, it is possible for example to give a fictitious monetary value to the
energy consumed and to adopt as criterion the sum of the real financial cost and
the fictitious cost of the energy consumed.
The at least one parameter to be incorporated into forecasts can comprise the
exterior temperature, and/or sunshine and/or a price for the energy originating
from one of the sources, and/or a parameter of the state of one of the sources,
for example the temperature of the geothermal environment and/or a parameter
of the state of a storage structure. The parameters of climatic or price type are
available in coded form for use by the systems.
In a typical version, incorporating forecasts is operated at least partially by an
activation state varying the energy content of at least one energy storage
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structure. For example, in addition to those already presented above, when
forecasting a period of extreme heat for which high cooling requirements are
expected, it is possible to cool the geothermal environment by virtue of at least
one heat pump that heats a storage structure such as a hot water tank that it
will then be possible to use for heating sanitary hot water.
In a developed version, the invention makes provision to incorporate the building
as a storage structure. A building has a considerable calorific capacity.
Furthermore, recent buildings, very well thermally insulated, are capable of
storing the thermal energy that they accumulate for a certain period of time. In
anticipation of a period of extreme cold, it is possible to overheat the building by
a few degrees Celsius, then allow it to cool to a temperature below normal during
the period of extreme cold, so as to reduce the need for energy provisioning
during the most critical period.
As already stated through preceding examples, in a version of the invention, a
geothermal environment equipped with geothermal probes forming part of said
items of collection equipment is incorporated as a storage structure. By virtue of
the invention, the equipment and the geothermal environment can be managed
in a particularly appropriate fashion in the sense of a maximum exploitation of
this resource having a low exploitation cost, without risking exhaustion of the
resource and consequently of the associated equipment. Thus the invention also
makes it possible to benefit fully from this resource even with a lower investment
at the start in terms of probes to install.
According to a preferred version, the at least one storage structure comprises a
tank, the energy content of which varies by variation of the proportion of solid
phase of a body contained in the tank, for example water or water plus additive.
According to an embodiment, the regulation is capable of modifying the activation
states in successive instants of intervention, separated by time-slots where the
regulation is passive, the time-slots preferably being of the order of a quarter of
an hour.
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In an advantageous version, the regulation comprises a main regulation
implementing the incorporation of the forecasts, and an automatic control system
controlling the items of equipment, in particular as a function of the
instantaneous energy demand and of recommendations received from the main
regulation. Thus the method according to the invention is adapted to complement
an automatic control system installation, which can, furthermore, be quite
conventional. For example, if the installation comprises two heat pumps using
different forms or sources of energy, the main regulation according to the
invention will for example authorize the operation of one of them and prevent
the other, or at other instants prioritize the operation of one with respect to the
other. Thus, the activation state according to the invention indicates either a
direct command of an item of equipment, or preferably a recommendation for
activation or deactivation, or even for example a conditional or restricted
recommendation. A conditional recommendation can be for example
authorization to operate if another item of equipment, of higher priority, is not
able to meet the demand. A restricted recommendation can be for example an
authorization with a power limit. The automatic control system can itself
comprise a central processing unit that receives the recommendations and
controls items of equipment common to the installation as a whole, such as for
example an item of geothermal equipment, and subsidiary units operating under
the control of the central processing unit and each allocated to a part of the
installation, for example a subsidiary unit for each part of an installation allocated
to a respective one of the buildings of a building complex. In other words, the
central processing unit incorporates a part of the recommendations, relating to
the common items of equipment, and transmits to each subsidiary unit the
recommendations relating to the items of equipment controlled by this subsidiary
unit, respectively.
In a version of the method, incorporating forecasts comprises a forecast of
reaction of the geothermal environment to a thermal exchange with geothermal
probes forming part of the items of collection equipment. The geothermal
environments react quite differently as a function of the nature of the ground, its
moisture content, etc.
8
For the purposes of this incorporation, and particularly in the absence of items
of information available in this respect, before commissioning of the installation,
it is advantageous to carry out tests of the thermal response of the geothermal
environment to thermal exchanges, by means of a test probe.
In a preferred version, the method comprises the following steps:
 before commissioning the installation, on the basis of data relating to the
building (1), to its expected use, and to its geographical and climatic
environment, establishing a time-stamped scenario of the energy flows of
the different items of equipment, in the sense of optimization over the
period covered by the scenario;
 in service, collecting items of information that are more recent than the
data, and readjusting the scenario as a function of said items of
information;
 in service, performing the scenario in its most recent version.
The execution of the scenario can consist of a direct command of the items of
equipment or, in a two-level version of regulation, for example such as presented
above (main regulation and automatic control system respectively), can consist
of the transmission of recommendations to the lower level of regulation. The
latter controls the items of equipment as a function of said recommendations and
of its own input parameters, such as in particular the level of demand of the
different forms of energy.
This version of the invention using a scenario is advantageous because it allows
probable events to be incorporated, as far in the future as desired. Specifically,
the scenario can concern a whole year, renewable indefinitely in rolling fashion.
For example, the scenario can be established for a period running from 1st
January to 31st December and on starting the installation the regulation
implements the scenario as provided for at the day and time of the start-up, after
a period, shorter or longer, required to become fully operational. This period can
be long because, for example, a residential building is generally not fully occupied
straight away. Once the fully operational state is reached, the scenario is
regularly readjusted as a function of the forecasts. In one version, even the ramp
9
up period before becoming fully operational can be optimized by the
readjustment process.
The items of information collected typically comprise meteorological forecasts
and/or those relating to occupation of the building or the like.
In an advantageous version, readjusting the scenario involves machine learning,
based on a time correlation between the past energy needs observed in the
building, and parameters, in particular meteorological and calendrical. The
scenario is preferably established on the basis of a timing diagram of the
estimated energy needs of the building. During use, this timing diagram can be
refined or corrected as a function of data that are no longer estimated but real.
From this point, the scenario can be corrected in its turn.
Advantageously, the items of information collected comprise a temperature
measurement in a geothermal environment equipped with geothermal probes
forming part of the items of collection equipment. If these items of information
indicate a possibility of drift of the geothermal environment, the scenario is
modified in the sense of making the geothermal environment change in the
opposite direction to the anticipated drift.
In a particularly preferred version, readjusting the scenario comprises:
 a high-frequency readjustment, typically every quarter of an hour, and
readjustment of the scenario over the several days following the instant of
readjustment; and
 a low-frequency readjustment, typically every few days, for example every
month, readjusting the totality of the scenario.
High-frequency readjustment is preferably as quick as can reasonably be
envisaged, in view of the time required to modify the activation states of certain
items of equipment, in particular the heat pumps, boilers, etc.
Low-frequency updating corresponds to heavier calculations that for example on
the one hand, update the whole scenario on the basis of observations, for
example on the energy behaviour of the occupants, or even long-term
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meteorological forecasts, and on the other hand link this long-term scenario with
the version of the scenario as it was updated for the coming days by highfrequency readjustment.
According to a second aspect of the invention, before establishing the scenario
discussed above, the following steps are carried out:
 as a function of a dynamic thermal modelling of the building, of an
expected use of the building and an annual climatology of the location site
of the building, establishing an annual timing diagram of various energy
needs of the building;
 acquiring a catalogue of items of equipment for collection transformation,
use and/or storage of energy compatible with the timing diagram, and with
data relating to the specifications of the building;
 by computerized iterations, virtually testing different combinations of
items of equipment from the catalogue and dimensioning of these items
of equipment in order to determine those capable of meeting at least the
majority of the timing diagram;
 establishing the time-stamped scenario of each of the combinations
determined as capable of meeting the timing diagram;
 selecting one of these determined combinations and the corresponding
time-stamped scenario, and constructing the installation corresponding to
the selected combination.
The installation is then commissioned in accordance with the time-stamped
scenario with which it was selected, the scenario then preferably being updated
in real time, for example as stated above.
According to a third aspect of the invention, the installation for supplying energy,
in particular thermal energy, in at least one building or the like, the installation
comprising:
 items of energy collection equipment that relate to energy transfer, each
with a respective source;
 items of energy transformation equipment, at least partially fed by the
items of collection equipment;
 items of equipment that are users of energy;
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 a regulation system capable of defining for at least some of the different
items of equipment, respective activation states chosen as a function of
parameters, in particular climatic parameters, in the sense of optimization
with respect to criteria,
is characterized in that the regulation system implements a method according to
the first aspect of the invention, complemented if necessary by one or more of
its developments, or a method according to the second aspect.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the installation for supplying
energy, in particular thermal energy, in at least one building or the like, the
installation comprising:
 items of energy collection equipment that relate to energy transfer, each
with a respective source;
 items of energy transformation equipment, at least partially fed by the
items of collection equipment;
 items of equipment that are users of energy;
 a regulation system capable of defining for at least some of the different
items of equipment, respective activation states chosen as a function of
parameters, in particular climatic parameters, in the sense of optimization
with respect to criteria,
is characterized in that the installation has been configured and operates
according to a method in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the system for regulating an
installation intended for supplying energy, in particular thermal energy, in at
least one building or the like, this installation comprising:
 items of energy collection equipment that relate to energy transfer, each
with a respective source;
 items of energy transformation equipment, at least partially fed by the
items of collection equipment;
 items of equipment that are users of energy;
the regulation system being capable of defining for at least some of the different
items of equipment, respective activation states chosen as a function of
parameters, in particular climatic parameters, in the sense of optimization with
respect to criteria, is characterized in that the system is designed to implement
12
in the installation a method according to the first and/or the second aspect of the
invention.
Preferably, the regulation system comprises at least one input capable of
receiving forecasts concerning a period subsequent to the current instant, the
installation being designed to take account of said forecasts as part of the
incorporation.
In a preferred version, the regulation system comprises at least one control
assembly that prepares recommendations incorporating the forecasts, the
recommendations being intended for an automatic control system that receives
the recommendations as well as items of information relating to the energy
demand, and controls at least some of the items of equipment as a function of
the energy demand and of the recommendations.
List of figures
Other features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly
apparent from the following description, with reference to non-limitative
examples. In the attached drawings:
[Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a diagram of an installation according to the invention installed
in a building, the solid lines representing pipes of liquid and the broken lines
representing electrical cables;
[Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a set of time diagrams displaying certain aspects of the
method according to the invention over one year; and
[Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a detail view displaying in the form of time diagrams certain
aspects of the method according to the invention over part of a day.
Detailed description
The following description is understood to describe any feature or combinations
of features, in the terms used hereinafter or in more general terms, provided
that this feature or combination of features produces a technical effect or
advantage, even if the feature or combination of features constitutes only a part
of a sentence or of a paragraph.
13
In the example shown in Figure 1, the installation is associated with a building 1
sited on a plot 2. The installation comprises items of energy collection equipment
here comprising at least one photovoltaic solar panel collector CPh, at least one
thermal solar sensor CTh transforming the solar radiation into heat absorbed by
a heat transmission liquid passing through it, at least one aerothermal exchanger
ATh capable of operating as a heat collector or as a heat dissipator for a heat
transmission liquid passing through it exchanging calories with the exterior air,
at least one geothermal probe 6 and at least one connection to a public electricity
distribution network 7.
An electrical cabinet 8 receives electrical energy from the network 7 and from
the photovoltaic collector S and supplies electricity from one and/or the other of
these origins on a power outlet 9. In certain embodiments the cabinet can also
inject electricity produced by the photovoltaic collector CPh into the public
network 7. The installation 2 also comprises a network 3 of pipes for a heat
transmission liquid that is generally water or water plus additive, and a network
4 of pipes for sanitary water. The sanitary water network 4 comprises a coldwater connection 11 to a cold-water inlet that directly feeds at least one cold
water tap CW and feeds a hot water tap HW via two heating cylinders 12, 13
mounted in series.
Moreover, the installation comprises various items of energy transformation
equipment, namely in the example, two reversible heat pumps HP1 and HP2, a
heat pump HP3 of cooling type, an electrical resistance 14 transforming into heat,
in the cylinder 13, the electricity originating from the cabinet 8, and a resistance
16 doing the same in a cylinder 17 installed at a point of the path of the heat
transmission liquid in the network of pipes 3.
Also in the installation, there are items of equipment that are users of energy,
namely for example lights 18 and sockets 19 (only one of each is shown), at least
one air-conditioning module AC (shown in two places in Figure 1 for ease of
viewing the connections) and a heating module Ht. Here, these modules are
exchangers between the heat transmission liquid of the network 3 and the air of
the space the temperature of which is to be adjusted. The items of equipment
that are users of energy also comprise two heat exchangers 21, 22 between the
14
heat transmission liquid and the sanitary water filling the cylinders 12 and 13
respectively.
The installation also preferably comprises structures for storing thermal energy
(hot and/or cold). The storage structures comprise here a tank St of heat
transmission liquid, the building 1 itself, and the ground 2 constituting the
geothermal environment that interacts with the probe 6. Moreover, a cold tank F
is capable of accumulating cold by progressive freezing of a body, for example
water or water plus additive, which is contained permanently therein, or to return
this cold by progressive thawing of said frozen liquid.
The network of pipes 3 comprises a certain number of three-way valves V1 -
V23, as well as circulation pumps (not shown).
The installation is capable of various modes of operation. In the embodiment
presented, which is in no way limitative, these modes of operation are in
particular (the valves mentioned for each mode are in a position to allow the flow
indicated and block the third route and the valves not mentioned are closed;
except if the third route in question or the valve not mentioned in question is
open for another mode indicated as compatible with the mode in question):
 Mode 1: Actuation of the heat pump HP1 in production of cold heat
transmission liquid for the air-conditioning module AC via the valves V8,
V9, V11, V18, air-conditioning unit AC, valves V19, V13, V7, discharging
the calories into the geothermal environment via the geothermal probe 6
and the valves V2 and V3.
 Mode 1.1: Same thing as Mode 1, except that the calories are discharged
into the atmosphere by the aerothermal exchanger ATh via the valves V2,
V23, aerothermal exchanger ATh, valves V22, V21, V3.
 Mode 2: Actuation of the heat pump HP2 to produce hot heat transmission
liquid intended for the tank St via the valve V6, starting from calories
supplied to the heat pump HP2 by the thermal solar collector CTh via the
valves V15, V5, the pump HP2, the valves V4, V1 and V10.
 Mode 2.1: Same thing as Mode 2, except that the heat pump HP2 is
supplied with calories by the aerothermal exchanger ATh via the valves
V22, V15, V5, heat pump HP2, valves V4, V1, V10 and V23.
15
 Mode 3: Actuation of the heat pump HP2 to produce hot heat transmission
liquid intended for the heating module Ht and/or the cylinder 13 via the
valves V4, V1, V17, cylinder 17, valve V12, module Ht and/or cylinder 13,
valves V14, V16, V5, starting from calories supplied to the heat pump HP2
by the tank St via the valve V6, (the heat pump HP2 thus operating in
reverse with respect to Mode 2). Complementary heating possible by the
resistance 16 in the cylinder 17.
 Mode 4: Circulation of the liquid from the tank St through the valves V8,
V9, V11, cylinder 17 (heating possible by the resistance 16), valve V12,
module Ht and/or cylinder 13, valve V14 and return to the cylinder St, to
supply heat to the heating module Ht and/or to the sanitary hot water
cylinder 13.
 Mode 5: Actuation of the heat pump HP1 to produce hot heat transmission
liquid intended for the heating equipment Ht and/or into the cylinder 13
via the valves V8, V9, V11, V17, cylinder 17 (heating possible by the
resistance 16), valve V12, module Ht and/or cylinder 13, valves V14, V13,
V7, starting from calories supplied by the thermal solar collector CTh via
the valves V15, V5, V4, V3, the pump HP1, the valves V2, V1, V10.
 Mode 5.1: Same thing as Mode 5, except that the calories are supplied by
the aerothermal exchanger ATh via the valves V22, V15, V5, V4, V3, the
pump HP1, the valves V2, V1, V10, V23.
 Mode 5.2: Same thing as Mode 5, except that the calories are supplied by
the geothermal probe 6 via the valves V2 and V3.
 Mode 6: Actuation of the heat pump HP3 to cool the tank F and discharge
the calories via the valves V20, V23, the aerothermal exchanger ATh,
valves V22, V21.
 Mode 6.1: Same thing as Mode 6, but discharging the calories via valve
V20, probe 6, valve V21.
 Mode 7: Feeding the air-conditioning unit AC starting from the tank F via
the valves V18 and V19.
 Mode 8: Heating the geothermal environment starting from the thermal
solar collector CTh via the valves V15, V5, V4, V3, probe 6, valves V2, V1,
V10.
 Mode 9: Cooling the geothermal environment by the aerothermal
exchanger ATh, via the valves V22, V21, probe 6, valves V20, V23.
16
When the heat transmission liquid reaches the valve V15, originating from the
aerothermal exchanger ATh operating as collector, or originating from the
thermal solar collector CTh and in the direction of the inlet valve 5 in the heat
pump HP2, according to the position of the valve V15 it can pass into the cylinder
22 in order to heat or preheat the sanitary hot water then through the valve V16
to re-join the valve V5.
Many of the modes described are compatible with one another, there may be
mentioned non-limitatively: Modes 1+2+6, Modes 1+3+6, Modes 2+5.1+6+7,
Modes 4+6 or 6.1+7+8, Modes 5+6.1+7, Modes 1.1+2 etc. Mode 8 is compatible
with most of the Modes not using the thermal solar collector CTh and Mode 9 is
compatible with most of the Modes not using the aerothermal exchanger ATh.
An automatic control system 23 controls the items of collection, transformation
equipment, the valves and the pumps (not shown) and optionally certain items
of equipment that are users of energy so as to respond in real time to the energy
demand in its different forms (electricity, sanitary hot water, heating, cooling,
storage and taking from storage). The automatic control system 23 and/or
automatic and/or manual local commands control the entry into service and
stopping of the items of equipment that are users of energy and the automatic
control system selectively actuates the other items of equipment in order to
optimally meet the demand for the different forms of energy (thermal, cooling,
electrical, sanitary).
A control assembly 24 defines the mode or modes of operation to be implemented
at an instant of intervention as a function of parameters such as climatic,
economic, or relating to the state of the installation, in particular the temperature
of the storage structures, in the sense of an optimization with regard to certain
criteria for example economic and/or environmental. The automatic control
system 23, facing for example a certain demand for power originating from the
heating module, implements a recommendation supplied by the control assembly
24 and relating to the optimal means of meeting this demand. As another
example, if the photovoltaic solar panel collector CPh supplies electricity, the
control assembly recommends the optimal use of this electricity, which can be
17
used for example to feed a heat pump, or to meet a need for heating or sanitary
hot water, or for heating the contents of the tank St or the geothermal
environment, or for accumulating cold in the tank F. The recommendations
delivered by the control assembly can be provided in the form of alternative or
cumulative possibilities with priority rankings. Indeed, it is important to avoid the
automatic control system 23 being prevented from responding to a demand due
to excessively strict recommendations of the control assembly 24. The
installation should preferably be operational or even fully operational from the
point of view of the occupants of the building even if an item of equipment
reaches its power limit or is faulty.
According to the invention the regulation comprises incorporating forecasts
relating to at least one of the parameters, said forecasts concerning a period
subsequent to said instant of intervention. The parameters for which the
forecasts can be incorporated are typically all or part of the following list: exterior
temperature, sunshine, wind speed, energy purchase price, energy sale price,
environmental parameters, level of occupation of the building, temperature of
the storage structures, etc.
The forecasts relating to the climatic, environmental parameters and to the
energy prices applicable in the coming period are available in a form capable of
directly feeding one or more inputs 31 of the control assembly 24. In practice,
the input 31 is typically a connection to a server over the Internet, its
representation in Figure 1 being purely illustrative.
Thus for example, if during a sunny period in the month of May the meteorology
predicts an exceptionally cool start to June, the system recommends the use of
solar energy for storing heat in the geothermal environment, while storing heat
in the tank St starting from the aerothermal exchanger ATh, in order to use these
heat stocks during the cool period. Conversely, at this period of the year, in the
absence of predicted cooling, the photovoltaic electrical energy will preferably be
used to cool the geothermal environment or the tank F for forecast airconditioning needs.
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As another example, in winter a very cold period is predicted, accompanied by
an increase in energy prices from the public network: the heat pumps are started
with electricity from the public network in order to support the geothermal stock
and the heat stock in the tank and even in the building itself by overheating it
slightly, for example up to 22°C before the very cold period. During the very cold
period, the stocks will be heavily used, to ensure the needs for heating and
sanitary hot water while reducing as far as possible the use of expensive
electricity. Bringing the stocks into use can in particular consist of allowing the
temperature inside the building to drop, for example from 22°C to 18°C.
As a third example, a very hot period is predicted, meaning that the airconditioning using the atmosphere as heat source will not be very efficient. The
system recommends the use of at least one heat pump, even at night, to cool
the tank F while discharging the calories into the tank St, or if it is at its maximum
temperature, into the atmosphere, so as to constitute a cold reserve that will
make the air-conditioning more efficient during the period of extreme heat. In
such a case it is also possible to use a heat pump to lower the temperature of
the geothermal environment, even below its lower safety limit, in the knowledge
that the coming significant need for air-conditioning will return the temperature
to within the desired range.
A very advantageous option thus consists of actuating a heat pump such as HP3
in the example, to increase the quantity of solid phase in the tank F, and thus
increase the cold reserve that will be available during the very hot period. Cooling
the geothermal environment, which is less suitable for short-term use due to the
very slow temperature change of the geothermal environment, will only be
recommended to increase the accumulation power and/or for the case where the
content of the tank F is entirely frozen.
Incorporating forecasts is not necessarily limited to climatic or cost
considerations. In winter, if a pollution peak is predicted, the system can
recommend increased storage in the geothermal environment, the tank St and/or
the building itself as thermal storage structure by electric means, even if
relatively costly (resistance 16) in order to avoid having to make use of
combustion during the pollution peak.
19
Heretofore, the incorporation of forecasts has been described in relatively shortterm examples, with the forecast having an event-driven, more or less
exceptional, character, and concerning an imminent period. The invention is not
limited thereto. It can also make use of forecasts such as medium-term
meteorological forecasts (a few months) and long term forecasts in the form of
annual averages for exterior temperature, wind speed (in the knowledge that
wind increases heating needs in a heating period), sunshine (on which the power
of the photovoltaic collectors and of the solar heat collectors depend, as well as
the need for heating and air-conditioning), occupation of the building (on which
the energy demand in the building depends) etc. Thus for example, in certain
regions February is cold but sunny, which makes it possible to expect a higher
photovoltaic production than March, which is often wet.
The short-, medium- and long-term forecasts can be combined. The long-term
forecasts are a basis for determining the recommendations valid for each instant.
But well before each instant this base is fine-tuned as a function of the mediumterm forecasts. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, at least at certain
relatively close instants, every quarter of an hour in a particularly preferred
embodiment, the recommendations over an imminent short period are corrected
as a function of the short-term forecasts. The recommendations transmitted to
the automatic control system are those defined according to the long-term
forecasts, possibly fine-tuned according to the medium-term forecasts, and
possibly corrected according to the short-term forecasts.
In the example shown, the control assembly comprises a local regulator 26 and
a central regulator 27 with which the local regulator is linked, for example via
the Internet, GPRS, Wi-Fi, wired connection, etc. The central regulator 27 can be
common to several buildings and be operated for example by a service provider.
The central regulator 27 receives the forecasts either automatically by
telecommunications if the forecasts are available in this form, or by manual input
if this is not the case.
The central regulator 27 prepares the recommendations such as they result from
the short- and medium-term forecasts, and transmits them to the local regulator
20
26. Moreover, certain forecasts are transmitted from the central regulator 27 to
the local regulator 26, in particular the short-term forecasts. The local regulator
26 also receives items of local information, for example the temperature TG
measured by a probe close to the probes 6, or even the temperature of the heat
transmission liquid in the tanks St or the proportion of solid phase in the tank F,
by probes (not shown). The local regulator 26 corrects the recommendations
received as required, as a function of the short-term forecasts, and transmits the
recommendations to the automatic control system 23, thus corrected if
appropriate.
The local regulator 26 carries out monitoring at a relatively high frequency, for
example every quarter of an hour, of the relevance of the recommendations with
respect to the current measurements and the short-term forecasts. The
readjustment thus carried out concerns only the recommendations relating to the
imminent period, for example the fortnight following the current instant. This
relatively high monitoring frequency and readjustment if appropriate is
advantageous as the recommendations vary quite significantly from one moment
to another of a single day. The calculation power required for these highfrequency readjustments over a limited period is less than that required by
medium- and long-term readjustments.
The central regulator 27 carries out the medium- and long-term readjustments.
It receives from the local regulator 26 items of information that relate in
particular to the short-term readjustments. In particular, the short-term
readjustments can diverge from the medium- and long-term recommendations.
The central regulator 27 establishes a continuity solution between the set of
medium-term recommendations and the readjusted short-term forecasts.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a scenario is established before
commissioning based on long-term forecasts, themselves based on climatic
normals for the place where the building is sited, data relating to its location site
in particular in terms of sunshine, exposure to wind, items of equipment of the
building in terms of heating, air-conditioning, hot water production,
establishment of thermal reserves, electricity consumption, etc., the expected
use of the building. This scenario sets out for each instant of intervention (for
21
example an instant of intervention every quarter of an hour) of the entire year
to come, the set of recommendations relating to this instant. The
recommendations relating to each of the instants of intervention subject to the
scenario aim for optimization of the operation of the installation, not only at the
instant in question, but also incorporating the short-, medium- and long-term
future with respect to the instant in question.
At the time of design of a building, or for the purpose of renovation of the energy
installation of an existing building, it is usual in France and in some other
countries to establish “dynamic thermal modelling” (DTM) that constitutes a longterm forecast (typically over an entire year) of the thermal needs of the building,
in terms of heating, air-conditioning, sanitary hot water, etc. as a function of
parameters such as the climatology of the place, the exact location site, more or
less exposed to sun or wind etc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this
DTM (or equivalent in other countries) is one of the elements for establishing the
scenario. Other elements are the expected use of the building. For example, it is
known that an office building is less occupied at the weekend, and will use less
sanitary hot water even during the week, a hotel in a tourist area will have a
particularly high occupancy level at certain periods of the year, etc. Some types
of building can have a simultaneous need for heating in certain areas and cooling
for other areas, etc.
On commissioning of the building equipped with its installation, the control
assembly 24 applies the scenario starting with the exact instant (date and time)
of the year corresponding to the commissioning, then the scenario is perpetuated
for a rolling year starting from the current instant.
At the same time, as a function of the short-term forecasts, the scenario is
readjusted for the short period to come, for example for the following fortnight.
Thus readjusted for the short term, the scenario for the immediate future (for
example the fortnight following the current instant) does not necessarily tie in
with the annual scenario in force at this instant. The readjusted short-term
scenario, as well as the medium-term forecasts, are incorporated for the
medium-term readjustment, which will end by meeting the annual scenario. The
22
medium-term readjustment is carried out at a much lower frequency, for
example every few days, typically every month, than the short-term
readjustment.
The long-term scenario, for example for a rolling year, can vary if certain
“permanent” parameters change. For example climatic normals can change, the
exposure of the building to sun or wind can change, as can its use or even its
items of equipment (for example the construction of a swimming pool), or even
the routines of the occupants (conversion of a residential building into an office
building or vice versa for example). Incorporating this type of change in the
annual scenario can be done in different ways. In certain cases the installation
of new items of equipment affects the list of commands capable of being the
subject of recommendations, for example a swimming pool can at the same time
constitute a thermal reserve and a new energy optimization variable. In other
cases, for example change in the climatic normals, automatic input is possible.
Independently of the first cases mentioned, it is preferable according to the
invention for the control assembly to comprise a machine learning function. For
example, the real change in the needs of the building as a function of the day of
the week or the period of the year can be compared to the prediction of the
annual scenario and if need be, corrected, in particular in the case of persistent
divergence between the annual scenario and the observed reality. Finally, it can
also be envisaged to modify the scenario “manually”, in other words by a human
initiative. For example, a new DTM can be established, and starting from this, a
new annual scenario.
Figure 2 shows partially what has just been described. The annual scenario is
shown with dashed lines, the observable reality up to an instant D is shown with
a solid line. The readjusted short-term scenario (closely spaced dots) extends up
to D+15 (D+15 days), and the readjusted medium-term scenario (wider spaced
dots) up to D+90 (D+90 days). For obvious reasons it is not possible to show
the annual scenario in quarters of an hour. The following have been chosen to
show in order from top to bottom of the figure:
 Exterior temperature T MAXI and T MINI for each day according to the
annual scenario.
 Temperature T MAXI observed up to D, then forecast up to D+15.
23
 Wind speed W according to the annual scenario, as well as that observed
up to D and forecast up to D+15 according to the short-term forecasts.
 Sunshine S according to the annual scenario, as well as that observed up
to D and forecast up to D+15 according to the short-term forecasts.
 Electrical power P required in the installation according to the annual
scenario, as well as that observed up to D and forecast up to D+15
according to the short-term forecasts.
 Electrical power PNW supplied by the public network according to the annual
scenario, as well as that observed up to D and forecast up to D+15
according to the short-term forecasts.
 Electricity price €/kW observed up to D and forecast up to D+90.
 Temperature TSt in the tank St according to the annual scenario, as well
as that observed up to D and forecast up to D+90 according to the shortand medium-term forecasts.
 Temperature TB of the building according to the annual scenario, as well
as that observed up to D and forecast up to D+90 according to the shortand medium-term forecasts.
 Temperature TG in the geothermal environment 2 according to the annual
scenario, as well as that observed up to D and forecast up to D+90
according to the short- and medium-term forecasts.
In the example thus shown, a very cold period occurred at the start of the year.
The electricity price €/kW was increased. The system was successful in reducing
the power consumption from the public network (PNW). To this end, the
temperature TB of the building and TSt of the tank were raised in advance, then
these temperatures dropped significantly during the very cold period so that the
corresponding calories were used to compensate for the thermal losses of the
building.
The diagrams in Figure 2 relate more particularly to a current instant D towards
the middle of the summer. The summer was relatively cool, so that the airconditioning needs, and the needs for power P in general, were less than those
forecast by the annual scenario. A particularly cool and windy period is forecast
for the next few days, up to D+15. The tank St and the building will not be able
to be heated as much as anticipated in the forecast by the annual scenario for
24
the autumn. The corrected short-term scenario diverges from the scenario in
force. The readjusted medium-term scenario up to D+90 organises a meeting
point with the annual scenario at D+90. To avoid overloading all the diagrams,
with respect to the power P, only the preceding readjusted medium-term scenario
has been shown, with a dash-dotted line, up to D+75 where it met the annual
scenario which was previously followed by the installation up to date D when cold
was predicted.
Figure 3 shows, for several parameters, their development over part of a day,
from 15.00 to 23.00 (3 pm to 11 pm). The exterior temperature TEXT drops from
25°C to 18°C, the power PS supplied by the photovoltaic solar panel collector CPh
ceases towards 19.30, the power PNW supplied by the network experiences a peak
at the end of the afternoon when the air-conditioners are still operating and the
specific needs of this part of the day (showers, food preparation, lighting etc.)
appear but can no longer be provided for by solar energy. In this particular case
the power exchanged with the public distribution network PNW is negative at the
start of the period since the photovoltaic collector CPh injects current into the
public network. At the same time, the temperature TSt of the tank increases
starting from heat originating from the aerothermal collector. The temperature
of the geothermal environment increases, as a result of the thermal discharges
due to the air-conditioning. The diagrams in Figure 3 show by way of example to
what extent the relevant recommendations vary from one moment of the day to
another, hence the benefit of a scenario that is very finely divided in time, for
example by quarters of an hour.
According to another aspect of the invention, a new method for the design of an
energy installation in a building is proposed. In the knowledge of the
specifications of the building or more generally the constraints applicable to the
design of this installation, the method comprises the following steps:
 As a function of the dynamic thermal modelling of the building, of an
expected use of the building and an annual climatology of the location site
of the building, an annual timing diagram is established of the various
energy needs of the building.
 A catalogue is acquired of items of equipment for collection,
transformation, storage and use of energy compatible with the timing
25
diagram, and with data relating to the specifications of the building. For
example, local technical possibilities are incorporated, for example
whether or not it is possible to install geothermal systems, over what
surface area, depth, nature of the ground. Budgetary constraints for
example are incorporated for investment, operation or a combination of
the two, in the knowledge that in many projects a higher investment is
acceptable if this makes it possible to reduce the operating cost, whether
or not it is possible to install one or more tanks such as St or F in Figure
1.
 Computerized iterations virtually testing different combinations of items of
equipment from the catalogue, each in different dimensionings of certain
of their parameters, in order to determine those capable of meeting at
least the majority of the timing diagram. The iterations can start from a
combination of items of equipment, each in intermediate dimensionings,
relating to items of equipment that are a priori the most favourable with
respect to budgetary and/or ecological considerations, such as geothermal
systems, solar thermal systems, photovoltaic systems, heat pumps,
aerothermal exchanger, thermal reserves, then inserting other types of
items of equipment to ensure additional needs, and from that point
reducing the share of the first and increasing the share of the second until
the needs are met. In total, thousands of combinations can be explored in
the manner of a matrix with n dimensions. For one and the same type of
equipment, for example geothermal probes, the different dimensionings
explored can concern several dimensioning parameters, for example
number of probes, depth of installation, spacing, etc.
 To assess the suitability of each possible combination to meet the needs,
a time-stamped scenario is established and if necessary, detection of its
inability to cover the needs with a sufficient safety margin at one period of
the year or another, or conversely an excess of performance making it
possible to envisage a more economical solution that would be sufficient.
 Then one of these determined combinations and the corresponding timestamped scenario is selected, the installation corresponding to the selected
combination is constructed, and the installation is commissioned according
to said time-stamped scenario.
26
Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown. The
installation shown in Figure 1 is only one example among an infinite number of
others possible, and is moreover only a very schematic visualization of a real
installation which would comprise many more than one item of equipment of
each kind, many more than one single geothermal probe, for example up to over
100 probes, and often relating to more than one building, etc.
The invention can be applied to building complexes of very diverse kinds. In
certain cases, there is a need simultaneously for heat (for housing, offices, etc.)
and cold (for example for a refrigerated warehouse), as is allowed by some of
the Modes 1 to 7 described above. In other cases, there is only a need for heat
(cold countries), or almost entirely for cold (hot countries). The invention is
compatible with all these specific cases.
In a fashion not shown, the items of equipment can comprise additional boilers,
for example gas boilers, used for example to heat a cylinder such as 17 or a
cylinder of sanitary hot water such as 12 or 13, or contribute to the heating of
such a cylinder.
27
WE CLAIM:
1. Method for supplying energy, in particular thermal energy, in at least one
building or the like (1) by means of an installation comprising:
- items of energy collection equipment (CPh, CTh, ATh, 6, 8) that relate to energy
transfer, each with a respective source;
- items of energy transformation equipment (HP1, HP2, HP3, 14, 16), at least
partially fed by the items of collection equipment;
- items of equipment that are users of energy (AC, Ht, 18, 19, 21, 22);
method in which a regulation is operated placing the items of equipment in
respective activation states chosen as a function of the demand and of
parameters, in particular of climatic parameters, in the sense of optimization with
respect to at least one criterion,
characterized in that at an instant (D) of intervention of the regulation, the
regulation comprises incorporating forecasts relating to at least one of the
parameters, said forecasts concerning a period subsequent to said instant of
intervention.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulation defines a
succession over time of combinations of activation states of at least some of the
items of equipment over a duration subsequent to the instant of intervention, in
the sense of optimization over the duration with respect to the at least one
criterion.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one
parameter to be incorporated into forecasts comprises at least one climatic
parameter from exterior temperature (TEXT), sunshine (S), wind speed (W).
4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least
one parameter to be incorporated into forecasts comprises an energy price
(€/kW) originating from one of the sources (7).
5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least
one parameter to be incorporated into forecasts comprises a parameter of the
state (TG) of one of the sources.
28
6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least
one parameter to be incorporated into forecasts comprises a parameter of the
state (TSt, TG, TB) of a storage structure (6, St, F).
7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that incorporating
forecasts is operated at least partially by an activation state varying the energy
content of at least one energy storage structure (1, 2, St, F).
8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the building (1) is
incorporated as a storage structure.
9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a geothermal
environment (2) equipped with geothermal probes (6) forming part of said items
of collection equipment is incorporated as a storage structure.
10. Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the at least
one storage structure comprises a tank (F), the energy content of which varies
by variation of the proportion of solid phase of a body contained in the tank.
11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the regulation
incorporates the forecasts in successive instants of intervention, separated by
time-slots, the time-slots preferably being of the order of a quarter of an hour.
12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the regulation
comprises a main regulation (24) implementing the incorporation of the forecasts
in order to prepare the recommendations, and an automatic control system (23)
controlling the items of equipment as a function of the instantaneous energy
demand and the recommendations received from the main regulation.
13. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that incorporating
forecasts comprises a forecast of reaction of the geothermal environment (2) to
a thermal exchange with geothermal probes (6) forming part of the items of
collection equipment.
29
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that before the commissioning
of the installation, tests of the thermal response of the geothermal environment
(2) to thermal exchanges are carried out by means of a test probe.
15. Method according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises
the following steps:
- before commissioning the installation, on the basis of data relating to the
building (1), to its expected use, and to its geographical and climatic
environment, establishing a time-stamped scenario of the energy flows of the
different items of equipment, in the sense of optimization over the period covered
by the scenario;
- in service, collecting items of information that are more recent than the data,
and readjusting the scenario as a function of said items of information;
- in service, performing the scenario in its most recent version.
16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the items of information
collected comprise meteorological forecasts and/or those relating to occupation
of the building.
17. Method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that readjusting the
scenario involves machine learning, based on processing establishing a time
correlation between the past energy needs observed in the building, and
parameters, in particular meteorological and calendrical.
18. Method according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the items
of information collected comprise a temperature measurement (TG) in a
geothermal environment (2) equipped with geothermal probes (6) forming part
of the items of collection equipment.
19. Method according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the
readjustment of the scenario comprises:
- a high-frequency readjustment, typically every quarter of an hour, and
readjustment of the scenario over the several days following the instant of
readjustment; and
30
- a low-frequency readjustment, typically every few days, readjusting the totality
of the scenario.
20. Method according to one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that before
establishing the scenario, the following steps are performed:
- as a function of a dynamic thermal modelling of the building, of an expected
use of the building and an annual climatology of the location site of the building,
establishing an annual timing diagram of the various energy needs of the
building;
- acquiring a catalogue of items of equipment for collection, transformation, use
and/or storage of energy compatible with the timing diagram, and with data
relating to the specifications of the building;
- by computerized iterations, virtually testing different combinations of items of
equipment from the catalogue and dimensioning of these items of equipment in
order to determine those capable of meeting at least the majority of the timing
diagram;
- establishing the time-stamped scenario of each of the combinations determined
as capable of meeting the timing diagram;
- selecting one of these determined combinations and the corresponding timestamped scenario, constructing the installation corresponding to the selected
combination.
21. Installation for supplying energy, in particular thermal energy, in at least one
building or the like, the installation comprising:
- items of energy collection equipment (CPh, CTh, ATh, 6, 8) that relate to energy
transfer, each with a respective source;
- items of energy transformation equipment (HP1, HP2, HP3, 14, 16), at least
partially fed by the items of collection equipment;
- items of equipment that are users of energy (AC, Ht, 18, 19, 21, 22);
- a regulation system (24) capable of defining for at least some of the different
items of equipment, respective activation states chosen as a function of
parameters, in particular climatic parameters, in the sense of optimization with
respect to criteria,
characterized in that the regulation system implements a method according to
one of claims 1 to 19.
31
22. Installation for supplying energy, in particular thermal energy, in at least one
building or the like, the installation comprising:
- items of energy collection equipment (CPh, STh, ATh, 6, 8) that relate to energy
transfer, each with a respective source;
- items of energy transformation equipment (HP1, HP2, HP3, 14, 16), at least
partially fed by the items of collection equipment;
- items of equipment that are users of energy (AC, Ht, 18, 19, 21, 22);
- a regulation system (24) capable of defining for at least some of the different
items of equipment, respective activation states chosen as a function of
parameters, in particular climatic parameters, in the sense of optimization with
respect to criteria,
characterized in that the installation has been configured and operates in
accordance with a method according to claim 20.
23. System for regulating an installation intended for supplying energy, in
particular thermal energy, in at least one building or the like, this installation
comprising:
- items of energy collection equipment (CPh, CTh, ATh, 6, 8) that relate to energy
transfer, each with a respective source;
- items of energy transformation equipment (HP1, HP2, HP3, 14, 16), at least
partially fed by the items of collection equipment;
- items of equipment that are users of energy (AC, Ht, 18, 19, 21, 22);
the regulation system being capable of defining for at least some of the different
items of equipment, respective activation states chosen as a function of
parameters, in particular climatic parameters, in the sense of optimization with
respect to criteria, characterized in that the system is designed to implement in
the installation a method according to one of claims 1 to 20.
24. Installation according to claim 21 or 22, or regulation system according to
claim 23, characterized in that the regulation system comprises at least one input
(31) capable of receiving forecasts concerning a period subsequent to the current
instant, the installation being designed to take account of said forecasts as part
of the incorporation.

25. Installation according to claim 21 or 22, or regulation system according to
claim 23, characterized in that the regulation system comprises at least one
control assembly (24) that prepares recommendations incorporating the
forecasts, the recommendations being intended for an automatic control system
that receives the recommendations as well as items of information relating to the
energy demand, and controls at least some of the items of equipment as a
function of the energy demand and of the recommendations.