Method and apparatus for managing resources of utility providers

• US 20040083112A1
• Filed: 10/25/2002
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Horst, Gale R.
• Application Number:
  US10/280,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20040083112A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

A method and system for managing resources of various types of utility providers. An interface is configured to allow a consumer to select a rate plan having a limitation on resource usage, and to allow the consumer to select a level of participation in the rate plan. The consumer'"'"'s actual resource usage is then monitored. A cost per unit of resource consumed is determined based on the selected rate plan and the actual resource usage, where the cost per unit is a first cost per unit if the actual resource usage is below the limitation and a second higher cost per unit if the actual resource usage exceeds the limitation. A total charge for the use of the resource is then calculated.

Claims

1. A method for managing energy usage comprising:

providing an interface configured to allow a consumer to select a rate plan having a limitation on energy usage, and to allow the consumer to select a level of participation in the rate plan;

monitoring actual energy usage by the consumer;

determining a cost per unit of energy consumed, the cost per unit being a first cost per unit if the actual energy usage is below the limitation and a second cost per unit if the actual energy usage exceeds the limitation;

the second charge rate being greater than the first charge rate; and

calculating a total charge based on the charge rate and the actual energy usage.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the rate plan is selected from a plurality of rate plans.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the limitation on energy usage is an allowable number of kW hours of electricity within a period of time.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the interface is configured to allow a consumer to select an amount of the allowable number of kW hours within a period of time.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the interface is configured to allow a consumer to select a first amount of allowable number of kW hours within a first period of time, and a second amount of allowable number of kW hours within a second period of time.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the limitation on energy use is an allowable number of instantaneous peak watts of electricity.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the interface is configured to allow a consumer to select an amount of the allowable number of instantaneous peak watts.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the interface is configured to allow a consumer to select a first amount of the allowable number of instantaneous peak watts for a first period of time, and a second amount of the allowable number of instantaneous peak watts for a second period of time.

9. A method for managing energy usage comprising:

selecting a rate plan having a limitation on energy usage;

selecting a level of participation for the rate plan including selecting an amount of the limitation on energy usage;

monitoring actual energy usage;

transmitting the actual energy usage to a utility provider

paying a first cost per unit of energy consumed if an amount of the actual energy usage is less than the amount of the limitation; and

paying a second cost per unit of energy consumed if an amount of the actual energy usage is greater than the amount of the limitation;

the second charge rate being greater than the first charge rate.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the rate plan is selected from a plurality of rate plans.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the limitation on energy usage is an allowable number of kW hours of electricity within a period of time.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of selecting a level of participation includes selecting an amount of the allowable number of kW hours within a period of time.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of selecting a level of participation includes selecting a first amount of allowable number of kW hours within a first period of time, and a second amount of allowable number of kW hours within a second period of time.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the limitation is an allowable number of instantaneous peak watts of electricity.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of selecting a level of participation includes selecting an amount of the allowable number of instantaneous peak watts.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of selecting a level of participation includes selecting a first amount of the allowable number of instantaneous peak watts for a first period of time, and a second amount of the allowable number of instantaneous peak watts for a second period of time.

17. A system for managing energy usage in a establishment comprising:

a user interface to select a rate plan including a limitation on energy usage and a level of participation in the rate plan;

a power meter coupled to at least one electrical device in the establishment to monitor actual energy usage;

a billing system adapted to receive from the user interface the rate plan and level of participation, and to receive from the power meter a signal including the actual energy usage;

the billing system being configured to determine a cost per unit of energy consumed, the cost per unit being a first cost per unit if the actual energy usage is below the limitation and a second cost per unit if the actual energy usage exceeds the limitation;

the second cost per unit being greater than the first cost per unit.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the limitation on energy usage is an allowable number of kW hours of electricity within a period of time.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the level of participation includes an amount of the allowable number of kW hours within a period of time.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the level of participation includes selecting a first amount of allowable number of kW hours within a first period of time, and a second amount of allowable number of kW hours within a second period of time.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the limitation on energy use is an allowable number of instantaneous peak watts of electricity.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the level of participation includes an amount of the allowable number of instantaneous peak watts.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the level of participation a first amount of the allowable number of instantaneous peak watts for a first period of time, and a second amount of the allowable number of instantaneous peak watts for a second period of time.

24. A method for managing resources comprising:

selecting a rate plan having an allowable instantaneous peak usage of a resource;

monitoring an actual instantaneous peak usage of the resource;

paying a first cost per unit of resource consumed if the actual instantaneous peak usage of the resource is less than the allowable instantaneous peak usage; and

paying a second cost per unit of resource consumed if the actual instantaneous peak usage of the resource exceeds the allowable instantaneous peak usage.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the rate plan includes first amount of allowable instantaneous peak usage during a first period of time and a second amount of allowable instantaneous peak usage during a second period of time.

26. A method for managing resources comprising:

providing an interface configured to allow a consumer to select a rate plan having a allowable instantaneous peak usage of a resource;

monitoring an actual instantaneous peak usage of the resource;

determining a charge rate per unit of resource consumed, the charge rate being a first rate if the actual instantaneous peak usage is below the allowable instantaneous peak usage and a second rate if the actual instantaneous peak usage exceeds the allowable instantaneous peak usage;

the second charge rate being greater than the first charge rate; and

calculating a total charge based on the charge rate and the actual energy usage.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the rate plan includes first amount of allowable instantaneous peak usage during a first period of time and a second amount of allowable instantaneous peak usage during a second period of time.

28. A system for managing consumption of resources in an establishment comprising:

an interface to select a rate plan having an allowable instantaneous peak usage of a resource;

a power meter coupled to at least one electrical device in the establishment to monitor actual instantaneous peak usage;

a billing system adapted to receive the rate plan selected via the interface and to receive the actual instantaneous peak usage from the power meter;

the billing system being configured to determine a cost per unit of energy consumed, the cost per unit being a first cost per unit if the actual instantaneous peak usage is below the allowable instantaneous peak usage and a second cost per unit if the actual energy usage exceeds the allowable instantaneous peak usage;

the second cost per unite being greater than the first cost per unit.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the rate plan includes a first amount of allowable instantaneous peak usage during a first period of time and a second amount of allowable instantaneous peak usage during a second period of time.