System for Evaluating, Measuring and Verifying Power Consumption Based on Price-Point Control

• US 20120166003A1
• Filed: 12/23/2010
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Greennet, LLC
• Original Assignee: Greennet, LLC
• Inventors: Taylor, James Eric
• Application Number:
  US12/977,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20120166003A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/291
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/125 Utility meter reading systems specially adapted for determining the environmental impact of user behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/14 Displaying of utility usage with respect to time, e.g. for monitoring evolution of usage or with respect to weather conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/00 Tariff metering apparatus in taximeters G07B13/00; apparatus actuated by coins, cards or the like with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas, or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/34 Smart metering supporting the carbon neutral operation of end-user applications in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A system and method for evaluating, measuring and verifying energy consumption at a facility requires initially establishing a benchmark at the facility based on price-point variations for energy costs, set by the regional ISO. The benchmark is established by measuring the facility'"'"'s Energy Consumption Level (ECL) over a 30-day period, while no conservation efforts are being taken. To obtain an incentive award, a target value Energy Saving Factor (ESF) is identified relative to the benchmark. Energy conservation efforts are then implemented to control the ECL of the facility in response to price-point variations. When the target value ESF is maintained for a predetermined time, an incentive award is warranted and, once verified, can be given immediately.

Claims

1. A system for evaluating, measuring and verifying energy consumption at a facility which comprises:

a meter for collectively measuring, in real-time, a respective energy consumption from a plurality of operational devices at the facility to obtain a total Energy Consumption Level (ECL) for the facility;

a computer/controller electronically connected to each operational device in the plurality for selectively shutting down and turning on each operational device to control the ECL in accordance with a predetermined program, wherein the predetermined program is based on price-point settings; and

a comparator for comparing the controlled ECL with a pre-established benchmark to calculate an Energy Saving Factor (ESF) for payment of an incentive award when the ESF is maintained above a given target value for a predetermined time interval.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an input unit connected to the computer/controller for selectively adjusting price-point settings of the predetermined program when the ESF is below the target value.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the benchmark is established by measuring the ECL over a 30-day period without using the predetermined program to selectively shut down and turn on the operational devices at the facility.

4. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the benchmark and the controlled ECL are based on price-point variations within a respective time duration, and the target value for the ESF is based on a fixed price-point setting.

5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the time interval for determining entitlement to the incentive award is approximately 30 days.

6. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the price-points are provided by a government regulated/controlled entity.

7. A method for Evaluating, Measuring and Verifying (EM&

V) energy consumption by a plurality of operational devices at a facility which comprises the steps of;

measuring a total Energy Consumption Level (ECL) for the facility, in real-time, wherein the ECL is based on an input of price-point variations;

establishing a benchmark, wherein the benchmark is based on the ECL of the measuring step over a time period;

controlling the ECL in accordance with a predetermined program;

comparing the controlled ECL of the controlling step with the benchmark to calculate an Energy Saving Factor (ESF);

determining whether the ESF is maintained above a target value for a predetermined time interval, wherein the target value is based on a fixed price-point input; and

awarding the incentive when conditions of the determining step have been satisfied.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the measuring step is accomplished by collectively obtaining a respective power consumption from a plurality of operational devices at the facility.

9. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the controlling step is accomplished by shutting down and turning on individual operational devices in accordance with the predetermined program in response to the determining step.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein a shutting down of individual operational devices is accomplished when the ESF is below the target value.

11. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the establishing step is accomplished over a 30-day period prior to the controlling step.

12. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the benchmark and the controlled ECL are based on price-point variations within a respective preset time duration.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the ESF target value is based on a fixed price-point setting.

14. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein each preset time duration is approximately 30 days.

15. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the predetermined time interval for the determining step is 30 days.

16. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein price-points are provided by a government regulated/controlled entity.

17. A system for Evaluating, Measuring and Verifying (EM&

V) energy consumption by a plurality of operational devices at a facility which comprises;

a means for measuring a total Energy Consumption Level (ECL) for the facility, in real-time, wherein the ECL is based on an input of price-point variations;

a means for establishing a benchmark, wherein the benchmark is based on the ECL of the measuring step over a time period;

a means for controlling the ECL in accordance with a predetermined program;

a means for comparing the controlled ECL of the controlling step with the benchmark to calculate an Energy Saving Factor (ESF); and

a means for determining whether the ESF is maintained above a target value for a predetermined time interval, wherein the target value is based on a fixed price-point input.

18. A system as recited in claim 17 wherein the measuring means is a meter.

19. A system as recited in claim 17 wherein the controlling means, the comparing means and the determining means are combined in a computer/controller.

20. A system as recited in claim 17 wherein an incentive award is given when the ESF is maintained above the target value for the predetermined time interval.