Method and System for Tracking and Budgeting Energy Usage

• US 20110161251A1
• Filed: 09/28/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yardi Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Margaret M. Carey
• Inventors: Pfeister, Douglas L., Carey, Margaret M., Putnam, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,719,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/412
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/82 Energy audits or management systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/845 Inventory and reporting systems for greenhouse gases [GHG]

Abstract

An energy tracking and reporting system can receive data inputs from multiple sources regarding one or more properties. A central database receives the information and correlates the information for numerous outputs. Information received by the central database can include, for example, property location, property size, property type and property use. Also, occupancy information, energy sources, utilities servicing the property, weather, ISO, environmental guidelines, and the traded or other standard price for the utilities can be stored. The system can calculate a number of factors from the data and return values to the central database. The system can track data trends and store additional information for budgeting, user reporting and certification compliance reporting. Modules can analyze the market rates, calculate efficiency benchmarks, analyze the data stored on the central database and provide the user with multiple tables and charts analyzing all of the factors that tie into energy usage.

Claims

1. A method of calculating future energy consumption, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a selection of a time period;

b) calculating a historical energy consumption for the time period;

c) modifying the historical energy consumption, comprising the steps of;

i) optionally, receiving an input of a defined factor; and

ii) optionally, receiving a selection of a calculated factor; and

d) calculating the future energy consumption.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated factor is one of increasing and decreasing at least one of Cooling Degree Days and Heating Degree Days.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated factor is a change in occupancy for the property.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated factor is an efficiency factor for the property.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of calculating a future energy cost.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of calculating a future energy budget by multiplying the future energy consumption by the future energy cost.

7. A method to calculate a future cost basis for energy consumption, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a selection of a budget time period;

b) receiving a selection of an energy supplier from at least one of a supplier and a distributor; and

c) optionally, for the distributor;

i) calculating a distributor rolling average for the energy over a period of time including one of a predefined period and a selected period; and

ii) optionally, modifying the distributor rolling average by a cost modifier;

d) optionally, for the supplier;

i) calculating a supplier rolling average for handling charges from the distributor over a time period including one of a predefined period and a selected period; and

ii) modifying the supplier rolling average with a contract supply cost; and

e) calculating the future cost from at least one of the distributor and supplier rolling averages and the distributor and supplier modified rolling averages.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

a) retrieving available tariff rates for at least one of the budget time period and a portion of the budget time period; and

b) replacing the distributor rolling average with one of the tariff rates or a calculated modified tariff rate.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

a) retrieving available tariff rates for at least one of the budget time period and a portion of the budget time period;

b) calculating an average of the tariff rates;

c) calculating a trend factor comprising the step of subtracting the calculated rolling average from the average tariff rate; and

d) modifying the rolling average by the trend factor for periods of time where the tariff rates are unavailable.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

a) setting a threshold for the trend factor; and

b) modifying the rolling average of the trend factor is greater than or equal to the threshold.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of replacing the supplier rolling average with a calculated value based on the type of supply contract.

12-17. -17. (canceled)