Thermal control system

1. A cold storage facility comprising:

a cold storage enclosure defining an enclosed space;

a refrigeration system configured to cool the enclosed space;

a plurality of temperature sensors configured to sense temperature levels at a plurality of locations within the enclosed space; and

a control system comprising:

a data processing apparatus;

a communication subsystem that transmits and receives data over one or more networks and one or more media;

a memory device storing instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus cause the control system to perform operations comprising:

determining a thermal model of the enclosed space based on temperature levels sensed by the plurality of temperature sensors;

obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future;

obtaining a logistics schedule for the enclosed space that identifies inventory expected to arrive at or be distributed from the cold storage facility over the predetermined period of time in the future;

determining an amount of heat energy to be added to the enclosed space by the logistics schedule over the predetermined period of time in the future;

determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of the refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, the determined amount of heat energy for the logistics schedule, and a maximum allowed temperature for the enclosed space, wherein the operational schedule identifies, at least, (i) a target temperature setpoint to which the enclosed space is to be cooled to maintain a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature while the logistics schedule is performed and while the refrigeration system is deactivated, and (ii) a time schedule identifying, at least, a first time at which the refrigeration system is activated to reach the target temperature setpoint, a second time at which the refrigeration system is deactivated, and a third time at which the refrigeration system is scheduled to be reactivated;

powering on, at the first time, the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system, the enclosed space to the target temperature setpoint below the maximum allowed temperature;

reducing, at the second time, power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule; and

permitting the enclosed space to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature while the logistics schedule is performed; and

reactivating, at the third time, the refrigeration system to maintain the enclosed space below the maximum allowed temperature after the logistics schedule has been performed while the refrigeration system was deactivated.

2. The cold storage facility of claim 1 , the operations further comprising:

determining a measured temperature of the enclosed space; and

powering on at least a portion of the refrigeration system based on the determined measured temperature and a predetermined threshold temperature value that is less than the maximum allowed temperature.

3. The cold storage facility of claim 1 , wherein the thermal model is representative of at least one of a thermal capacity of content within the enclosed space, and a thermal resistance of the cold storage enclosure.

4. The cold storage facility of claim 1 , wherein determining an operational schedule based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature for the cold storage facility comprises:

identifying, based on the energy cost model, a first period of time during which energy costs a first amount per unit;

identifying, based on the energy cost model, a second period of time preceding the first period of time, during which energy costs a second amount per unit that is less than the first amount per unit;

adding information descriptive of the second period of time to the operational schedule, the information being representative of time during which the refrigeration system is to be powered on to cool the enclosed space below the maximum allowed temperature; and

adding information descriptive of the first period of time to the operational schedule, the information being representative of time during which the enclosed space is allowed to warm toward the maximum allowed temperature.

5. The cold storage facility of claim 1 , wherein determining a thermal model of the enclosed space comprises:

powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system, the enclosed space to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature;

reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

determining a first plurality of temperature levels sensed by the plurality of temperature sensors;

permitting the enclosed space to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature;

determining a second plurality of temperature levels sensed by the plurality of temperature sensors; and

determining a thermal capacity of content of the enclosed space.

6. The cold storage facility of claim 1 , wherein the determined amount of heat energy for the logistics schedule is based on a number of door openings for the enclosed space that are projected during performance of the logistics schedule.

7. The cold storage facility of claim 1 , wherein the determined amount of heat energy for the logistics schedule is based on an projected temperature for the inventory that is expected to arrive at the cold storage facility for storage within the enclosed space during the predetermined period of time in the future.

8. The cold storage facility of claim 1 , wherein the determined amount of heat energy for the logistics schedule is based on an projected level of activity for forklifts within the enclosed space during performance of the logistics schedule.

9. The cold storage facility of claim 1 , wherein the determined amount of heat energy for the logistics schedule is based on a projected level of activity for human workers within the enclosed space during performance of the logistics schedule.

10. A cold storage management computer system for shifting times when a cold storage facility is cooled, the cold storage management computer system comprising:

a data processing apparatus;

a communication subsystem that transmits and receives data over one or more networks and one or more media; and

a memory device storing instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus cause the user device to perform operations comprising:

determining a thermal model of a cold storage facility comprising a cold storage enclosure configured to be cooled by a refrigeration system and defining an enclosed space;

receiving, from a control system, a request for an operational schedule for at least a portion of the refrigeration system;

obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future;

obtaining a logistics schedule for the enclosed space that identifies inventory expected to arrive at or be distributed from the cold storage facility over the predetermined period of time in the future;

determining an amount of heat energy to be added to the enclosed space by the logistics schedule over the predetermined period of time in the future;

determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of the refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, the determined amount of heat energy for the logistics schedule, and a maximum allowed temperature for the enclosed space, wherein the operational schedule identifies, at least, (i) a target temperature setpoint to which the enclosed space is to be cooled to maintain a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature while the logistics schedule is performed and while the refrigeration system is deactivated, and (ii) a time schedule identifying, at least, a first time at which the refrigeration system is activated to reach the target temperature setpoint, a second time at which the refrigeration system is deactivated, and a third time at which the refrigeration system is scheduled to be reactivated; and

providing, in response to the request, the operational schedule.

11. The cold storage management computer system of claim 10 , the operations further comprising:

determining a measured temperature of the enclosed space; and

powering on at least a portion of the refrigeration system based on the determined measured temperature and a predetermined threshold temperature value that is less than the maximum allowed temperature.

12. The cold storage management computer system of claim 10 , wherein the thermal model is representative of at least one of the thermal capacity of content within the enclosed space, and the thermal resistance of the cold storage enclosure.

13. The cold storage management computer system of claim 10 , wherein determining an operational schedule based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature for the cold storage facility comprises:

identifying, based on the energy cost model, a first period of time during which energy costs a first amount per unit;

identifying, based on the energy cost model, a second period of time preceding the first period of time, during which energy costs a second amount per unit that is less than the first amount per unit;

adding information descriptive of the second period of time to the operational schedule, the information being representative of time during which the refrigeration system is to be powered on to cool the enclosed space below the maximum allowed temperature; and

adding information descriptive of the first period of time to the operational schedule, the information being representative of time during which the enclosed space is allowed to warm toward the maximum allowed temperature.

14. The cold storage management computer system of claim 10 , wherein determining a thermal model of the enclosed space comprises:

powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system, the enclosed space to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature;

reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

determining a first plurality of temperature levels sensed by a plurality of temperature sensors;

permitting the enclosed space to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature;

determining a second plurality of temperature levels sensed by the plurality of temperature sensors; and

determining a thermal capacity of content of the enclosed space.

15. A cold storage control system for controlling cooling of a cold storage facility, the cold storage control system comprising:

a data processing apparatus;

a communication subsystem that transmits and receives data over one or more networks and one or more media;

one or more input ports configured to receive sensor signals from a plurality of temperature sensors configured to sense temperature levels at a plurality of locations within a cold storage enclosure defining an enclosed space;

one or more output ports configured to trigger operation of a refrigeration system configured to cool the enclosed space; and

a memory device storing instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus cause the cold storage control system to perform operations comprising:

transmitting, over the one or more networks, a request for an operational schedule for at least a portion of the refrigeration system;

receiving, in response to the request, the operational schedule based on a thermal model, an energy cost model, a determined amount of heat energy to be added to the enclosed space by performance of a logistics schedule for the enclosed space, and a maximum allowed temperature for the enclosed space, the operational schedule comprising information that is descriptive of a first period of time and a second period of time that proceeds the first period of time, wherein the logistics schedule for the enclosed space identifies inventory expected to arrive at or be distributed from the cold storage facility over the first and second periods of time, wherein the operational schedule identifies, at least, (i) a target temperature setpoint to which the enclosed space is to be cooled to maintain a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature while the logistics schedule is performed and while the refrigeration system is deactivated, and (ii) a time schedule identifying, at least, the first and second time periods;

powering on the portion the refrigeration system at a start time of the second period of time;

cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system, the enclosed space to the target temperature setpoint below the maximum allowed temperature during the second period of time;

reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system at a start time of the first period of time; and

permitting the enclosed space to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature during the first period of time while the logistics schedule is performed.

16. The cold storage control system of claim 15 , further comprising:

determining that at least a portion of the enclosed space has warmed to at least a predetermined threshold temperature value that is less than the maximum allowed temperature;

overriding the operational schedule by powering on the portion the refrigeration system during the first period of time.

17. The cold storage control system of claim 15 , the operations further comprising:

determining a measured temperature of the enclosed space; and

powering on at least a portion of the refrigeration system based on the determined measured temperature and a predetermined threshold temperature value that is less than the maximum allowed temperature.

18. The cold storage control system of claim 15 , wherein the thermal model is representative of at least one of a thermal capacity of content within the enclosed space, and a thermal resistance of the cold storage enclosure.

19. The cold storage control system of claim 15 , wherein determining an operational schedule based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature for the cold storage facility comprises:

identifying, based on the energy cost model, a first period of time during which energy costs a first amount per unit;

identifying, based on the energy cost model, a second period time preceding the first period of time, during which energy costs a second amount per unit that is less than the first amount per unit;

adding information descriptive of the second period of time to the operational schedule, the information being representative of time during which the refrigeration system is to be powered on to cool the enclosed space below the maximum allowed temperature; and

adding information descriptive of the first period of time to the operational schedule, the information being representative of time during which the enclosed space is allowed to warm toward the maximum allowed temperature.

20. The cold storage control system of claim 15 , wherein determining a thermal model of the enclosed space comprises:

powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system, the enclosed space to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature;

reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

determining a first plurality of temperature levels sensed by the plurality of temperature sensors;

permitting the enclosed space to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature;

determining a second plurality of temperature levels sensed by the plurality of temperature sensors; and

determining a thermal capacity of content of the enclosed space.

21. A method for time shifting when a cold storage facility is cooled, the method comprising:

determining a thermal model of a cold storage facility comprising a cold storage enclosure that is configured to be cooled by a refrigeration system and defining an enclosed space;

obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future;

obtaining a logistics schedule for the cold storage enclosure that identifies inventory expected to arrive at or be distributed from the cold storage facility over the predetermined period of time in the future;

determining an amount of heat energy to be added to the cold storage enclosure by the logistics schedule over the predetermined period of time in the future;

determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of the refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, the determined amount of heat energy for the logistics schedule, and a maximum allowed temperature for the enclosed space, wherein the operational schedule identifies, at least, (i) a target temperature setpoint to which the cold storage enclosure is to be cooled to maintain a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature while the logistics schedule is performed and while the refrigeration system is deactivated, and (ii) a time schedule identifying, at least, a first time at which the refrigeration system is activated to reach the target temperature setpoint, a second time at which the refrigeration system is deactivated, and a third time at which the refrigeration system is scheduled to be reactivated;

powering on, at the first time, the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system, the enclosed space to the target temperature setpoint below the maximum allowed temperature;

reducing, at the second time, power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

permitting the enclosed space to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature while the logistics schedule is performed; and

reactivating, at the third time, the refrigeration system to maintain the cold storage enclosure below the maximum allowed temperature after the logistics schedule has been performed while the refrigeration system was deactivated.

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

determining a measured temperature of the enclosed space; and

powering on at least a portion of the refrigeration system based on the determined measured temperature and a predetermined threshold temperature value that is less than the maximum allowed temperature.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the thermal model is representative of at least one of a thermal capacity of content within the enclosed space, and a thermal resistance of the cold storage enclosure.

24. The method of claim 21 , wherein determining an operational schedule based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature for the cold storage facility comprises:

identifying, based on the energy cost model, a first period of time during which energy costs a first amount per unit;

identifying, based on the energy cost model, a second period of time preceding the first period of time, during which energy costs a second amount per unit that is less than the first amount per unit;

adding information descriptive of the second period of time to the operational schedule, the information being representative of time during which the refrigeration system is to be powered on to cool the enclosed space below the maximum allowed temperature; and

adding information descriptive of the first period of time to the operational schedule, the information being representative of time during which the enclosed space is allowed to warm toward the maximum allowed temperature.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein determining a thermal model of the enclosed space comprises:

powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system, the enclosed space to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature;

reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule;

determining a first plurality of temperature levels sensed by a plurality of temperature sensors;

permitting the enclosed space to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature;

determining a second plurality of temperature levels sensed by the plurality of temperature sensors; and

determining a thermal capacity of content of the enclosed space.