Method and System for Disaggregating Heating and Cooling Energy Use From Other Building Energy Use

• US 20110106471A1
• Filed: 11/05/2010
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Opower, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Opower, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Copeland, David, Curtis, Richard T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,660,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/62
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house

Abstract

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for disaggregating climate control energy use from non-climate control energy use for a building. The method includes receiving a series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a time period. Each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval. The method further includes determining a series of temperature difference values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between a predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values. A regression analysis is used to determine a climate control coefficient and a non-climate control coefficient from the energy use values and temperature difference values. The climate control coefficient and/or the non-climate control coefficient is used to determine climate control energy use and/or non-climate control energy use for the building.

Claims

1. A computerized-method for disaggregating climate control energy use from non-climate control energy use for a building, the method comprising:

receiving a series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

in a computer process, determining a series of temperature difference values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between a predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values;

in a computer process, using a regression analysis to determine at least one of a climate control coefficient and a non-climate control coefficient from the energy use values and temperature difference values;

in a computer process, using the climate control coefficient and the non-climate control coefficient to determine climate control energy use and non-climate control energy use for the building; and

causing communicating of at least one of the climate control energy use and non-climate control energy use for the building to an associated customer.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining a climate control coefficient comprises:

determining a cooling coefficient based on the energy use values that are associated with outdoor temperature values above the predetermined baseline temperature; and

wherein determining climate control energy use for the building comprises;

using the non-climate control coefficient and the cooling coefficient to determine cooling energy use for the building.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein determining cooling energy use for the building includes:

receiving a second series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a second time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

in a computer process, determining a series of cooling degree values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between the predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values above the predetermined baseline temperature;

in a computer process, summing the cooling degree values for the second time period to determine a cooling sum value;

in a computer process, multiplying the non-climate control coefficient by the number of time intervals in the second time period to determine a non-climate control value;

in a computer process, summing the non-climate control value and the product of the cooling coefficient and the cooling sum value to determine a normalizer value; and

in a computer process, dividing the product of the cooling coefficient and the cooling sum value by the normalizer value to determine a cooling energy use percentage for the building.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining a climate control coefficient comprises:

determining a heating coefficient based on the energy use values that are associated with outdoor temperature values below the predetermined baseline temperature; and

wherein determining climate control energy use for the building comprises;

using the non-climate control coefficient and the heating coefficient to determine heating energy use for the building.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein determining heating energy use for the building includes:

receiving a second series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a second time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

in a computer process, determining a series of heating degree values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between the predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values below the predetermined baseline temperature;

in a computer process, summing the heating degree values for the second time period to determine a heating sum value;

in a computer process, multiplying the non-climate control coefficient by the number of time intervals in the second time period to determine a non-climate control value;

in a computer process, summing the non-climate control value and the product of the heating coefficient and the heating sum value to determine a normalizer value; and

in a computer process, dividing the product of the heating coefficient and the heating sum value by the normalizer value to determine a heating energy use percentage for the building.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining a climate control coefficient comprises:

determining a cooling coefficient based on the energy use values that are associated with outdoor temperature values above the predetermined baseline temperature;

determining a heating coefficient based on the energy use values that are associated with outdoor temperature values below the predetermined baseline temperature; and

wherein determining climate control energy use for the building comprises;

using the non-climate control coefficient, the cooling coefficient, and the heating coefficient to determine cooling energy use and heating energy use for the building.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein determining cooling energy use and heating energy use for the building includes:

receiving a second series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a second time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

in a computer process, determining a series of cooling degree values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between the predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values above the predetermined baseline temperature;

in a computer process, determining a series of heating degree values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between the predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values below the predetermined baseline temperature;

in a computer process, summing the cooling degree values for the second time period to determine a cooling sum value;

in a computer process, summing the heating degree values for the second time period to determine a heating sum value;

in a computer process, multiplying the non-climate control coefficient by the number of time intervals in the second time period to determine a non-climate control value;

in a computer process, summing the non-climate control value, the product of the cooling coefficient and the cooling sum value, and the product of the heating coefficient and the heating sum value to determine a normalizer value;

in a computer process, dividing the product of the cooling coefficient and the cooling sum value by the normalizer value to determine a cooling energy use percentage for the building; and

in a computer process, dividing the product of the heating coefficient and the heating sum value by the normalizer value to determine a heating energy use percentage for the building.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined baseline temperature has a value between 55°

F. and 75°

F.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined baseline temperature is 65°

F.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the regression analysis is an ordinary least squares regression analysis.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the time interval is selected from the group consisting of one hour, one day, and one month.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the time interval is one day and the series of building energy use values and outdoor temperature values for the time period, includes at least 270 energy use values and 270 corresponding outdoor temperature values.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the building energy use values include both electricity and natural gas energy use values.

14. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, for each one of a plurality of buildings, a series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

in a computer process, for each one of the plurality of buildings, determining a series of climate control values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between a predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values;

in a computer process, using, for each one of the plurality of buildings, a regression analysis to determine a non-climate control coefficient and a climate control coefficient from the energy use values and climate control values; and

in a computer process, using the non-climate control coefficient for each building and the climate control coefficient for each building to determine climate control energy use for each of the plurality of buildings.

15. A system for disaggregating climate control energy use from non-climate control energy use for a building, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to perform processes that include;

receiving a series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

determining a series of temperature difference values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between a predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values;

using a regression analysis to determine at least one of a climate control coefficient and a non-climate control coefficient from the energy use values and temperature difference values; and

using at least one of the climate control coefficient and the non-climate control coefficient to determine at least one of climate control energy use and non-climate control energy use for the building.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein determining a climate control coefficient comprises:

determining a cooling coefficient based on the energy use values that are associated with outdoor temperature values above the predetermined baseline temperature; and

wherein determining climate control energy use for the building comprises;

using the non-climate control coefficient and the cooling coefficient to determine cooling energy use for the building.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein determining cooling energy use for the building includes:

receiving a second series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a second time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

determining a series of cooling degree values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between the predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values above the predetermined baseline temperature;

summing the cooling degree values for the second time period to determine a cooling sum value;

multiplying the non-climate control coefficient by the number of time intervals in the second time period to determine a non-climate control value;

summing the non-climate control value and the product of the cooling coefficient and the cooling sum value to determine a normalizer value; and

dividing the product of the cooling coefficient and the cooling sum value by the normalizer value to determine a cooling energy use percentage for the building.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein determining a climate control coefficient comprises:

determining a heating coefficient based on the energy use values that are associated with outdoor temperature values below the predetermined baseline temperature; and

wherein determining climate control energy use for the building comprises;

using the non-climate control coefficient and the heating coefficient to determine heating energy use for the building.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein determining heating energy use for the building includes:

receiving a second series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a second time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

determining a series of heating degree values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between the predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values below the predetermined baseline temperature;

summing the heating degree values for the second time period to determine a heating sum value;

multiplying the non-climate control coefficient by the number of time intervals in the second time period to determine a non-climate control value;

summing the non-climate control value and the product of the heating coefficient and the heating sum value to determine a normalizer value; and

dividing the product of the heating coefficient and the heating sum value by the normalizer value to determine a heating energy use percentage for the building.

20. A system according to claim 15, wherein determining a climate control coefficient comprises:

determining a cooling coefficient based on the energy use values that are associated with outdoor temperature values above the predetermined baseline temperature;

determining a heating coefficient based on the energy use values that are associated with outdoor temperature values below the predetermined baseline temperature; and

wherein determining climate control energy use for the building comprises;

using the non-climate control coefficient, the cooling coefficient, and the heating coefficient to determine cooling energy use and heating energy use for the building.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein determining cooling energy use and heating energy use for the building includes:

receiving a second series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a second time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

determining a series of cooling degree values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between the predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values above the predetermined baseline temperature;

determining a series of heating degree values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between the predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values below the predetermined baseline temperature;

summing the cooling degree values for the second time period to determine a cooling sum value;

summing the heating degree values for the second time period to determine a heating sum value;

multiplying the non-climate control coefficient by the number of time intervals in the second time period to determine a non-climate control value;

summing the non-climate control value, the product of the cooling coefficient and the cooling sum value, and the product of the heating coefficient and the heating sum value to determine a normalizer value;

dividing the product of the cooling coefficient and the cooling sum value by the normalizer value to determine a cooling energy use percentage for the building; and

dividing the product of the heating coefficient and the heating sum value by the normalizer value to determine a heating energy use percentage for the building.

22. At least one non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with instructions which when loaded on at least one computer, establish processes for disaggregating climate control energy use from non-climate control energy use for a building, the processes including:

receiving a series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a time period, wherein each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval;

determining a series of temperature difference values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between a predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values;

using a regression analysis to determine at least one of a climate control coefficient and a non-climate control coefficient from the energy use values and temperature difference values; and

using at least one of the climate control coefficient and the non-climate control coefficient to determine at least one of climate control energy use and non-climate control energy use for the building.