Method for marketing energy-use optimization and retrofit services and devices

• US 20040059691A1
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert P. Higgins
• Original Assignee: Robert P. Higgins
• Inventors: Higgins, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/252,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20040059691A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/412
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

A method is disclosed for marketing energy-use optimization and retrofit services and devices. The first step in the present method is to measure empirical (base-line) performance including energy use and efficiency. A best-fit curve is generated and defined by at least a third-degree polynomial. Second, the theoretical performance of the system is calculated based upon the theoretical implementation and installation of proposed strategies and devices (the “Proposa”). Third, the projected savings are presented to the client and a fee structure is established based, at least in part, on energy savings resulting from implementation of the Proposal. Fourth, the actual performance of the completed implementation of the Proposal is measured. Fifth, post-implementation measured energy use is compared with pre-implementation energy use at specific pre-determined “part load” levels. The polynomial defining pre-implementation energy use at specific part load levels is applied to post-implementation measured values to eliminate extraneous factors such as weather. Sixth, the client is billed according to the fee structure. The fee structure may be linear or may increase per unit of energy saved as savings approach or exceed the theoretical maximum. The present invention may be used for marketing energy-saving retrofit systems and strategies, as well as alternate energy installations.

Claims

1. A method for marketing energy-use optimization services comprising the steps of:

a) measuring actual performance of an as-built energy-consuming installation,

b) projecting theoretical post-implementation performance of said as-built energy-consuming installation incorporating proposed optimization strategies,

c) presenting said projected theoretical optimized performance to one or more clients,

d) establishing a fee at least partly based upon actual savings,

e) implementing said optimization strategies,

f) measuring actual performance of said energy-consuming installation after said implementation of optimization strategies,

g) billing the customer according to said measured actual energy savings resulting from said implementation of optimization strategies.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of establishing a fee according to projected actual energy savings is based upon said actual energy savings without regard to projected savings from said projected theoretical post-implementation performance.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of establishing a fee based upon projected actual energy savings is based upon the ratio of said theoretical optimized performance and said measured actual performance wherein said fee charged increases linearly as said theoretical optimized performance increases.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of establishing a fee based upon projected actual energy savings is based upon the ratio of said theoretical optimized performance and said measured actual performance wherein said fee charged per energy unit saved increases as said actual measured performance approaches or exceeds said theoretical optimized performance.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said energy-consuming installation comprises at least an HVAC system.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said HVAC system comprises at least one water chiller.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of presenting said projected theoretical optimized performance to one or more clients includes showing said client a graphical presentation of said projected theoretical optimized performance.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of presenting said projected theoretical optimized performance to one or more clients includes showing said client a tabular presentation of said projected theoretical optimized performance.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of presenting said projected theoretical optimized performance to one or more clients includes showing said client a narrative presentation of said projected theoretical optimized performance.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of projecting theoretical optimized performance includes the use of a mathematical model which has been empirically validated.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said mathematical model is a polynomial generated from empirical data.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said empirical data are collected at predetermined part load levels.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

a) predetermining specific load levels,

b) creating a best-fit curve from said actual performance of an as-built energy-consuming installation at said predetermining specific load levels,

d) defining said best-fit curve as a second degree or higher polynomial,

e) selecting energy use values at said predetermined load levels from said measured actual performance of said energy-consuming installation after said implementation of optimization strategies,

f) applying said selected energy use values from said measured actual performance of said energy-consuming installation after said implementation of optimization strategies to said polynomial.

14. A method for marketing retrofit equipment comprising the steps of:

a) measuring actual energy performance of an as-built HVAC installation,

b) projecting theoretical optimized energy performance of said as-built HVAC installation incorporating proposed said retrofit equipment,

c) presenting said theoretical optimized energy performance to one or more clients,

d) installing said retrofit equipment,

e) measuring actual energy performance of said HVAC installation.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 further including the step of establishing a post-installation service fee based on actual energy savings.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said step of establishing a post-installation service fee based upon actual energy savings is further based upon the ratio of said theoretical optimized performance and said measured actual performance wherein said fee charged per energy unit saved increases as said actual measured performance approaches or exceeds said theoretical optimized performance.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said step of establishing a post-installation service fee based upon actual energy savings is linear.

18. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said step of presenting said projected theoretical optimized performance to one or more clients includes showing said client a graphical presentation of said projected theoretical optimized performance.

19. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said step of presenting said projected theoretical optimized performance to one or more clients includes showing said client a tabular presentation of said projected theoretical optimized performance.

20. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said step of presenting said projected theoretical optimized performance to one or more clients includes showing said client a narrative presentation of said projected theoretical optimized performance.