System and Method for Managing Utility Resources Based on Utility Service Points

• US 20130054430A1
• Filed: 03/05/2012
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ENGIE Insight Services, Inc. (ENGIE SA)
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Hart Jr
• Inventors: Hart, Robert L. Jr., Robbins, Michael S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,671,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

A system comprises a memory storing a plurality of usage values. A usage value may be based at least on usage of a utility resource measured by a utility meter having a meter identifier. The memory may store a plurality of service point identifiers and a plurality of account identifiers associated with one or more utility accounts. A service point identifier represents a physical location of at least one utility meter. Each service point identifier may be stored in association with one or more usage values. The system may comprise a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. In response to a request comprising a particular service point identifier, the processor may retrieve one or more usage values from the memory based at least on the particular service point identifier in the request. The processor may generate a graphical user interface that displays the one or more retrieved usage values.

Claims

1. A graphical user interface, comprising:

a service point identifier; and

a chart that, in response to a selection of the service point identifier, displays;

a first usage value for a resource delivered to a service point associated with the service point identifier, the first usage value associated with an invoice from an active account; and

a second usage value for the resource delivered to the service point, the second usage value associated with an invoice from an expired account, the second usage value measured at least in part by at least one meter associated with a meter identifier.

2. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the service point identifier retains its association with the service point and the second usage value in response to a replacement of the at least one meter associated with the meter identifier with at least one meter to measure, at least partly, the first usage value.

3. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the service point represents a physical location.

4. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the chart further displays at least one supply agreement associated with the active account.

5. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the chart further displays at least one emission value attributable to the service point based at least in part on the first usage value and at least one emission factor, the emission factor being related to an activity associated with the resource.

6. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 5, wherein the activity comprises at least one of:

consumption of electricity;

usage of steam;

usage of water;

combustion of gas;

combustion of oil;

combustion of diesel;

combustion of coal;

combustion of propane;

or

combustion of wood.

7. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 5, wherein the emission factor is related to a pollutant selected from the group consisting of:

carbon dioxide;

sulfur dioxide;

carbon monoxide;

methane;

volatile organic compounds;

nitric oxide;

nitrous oxide; and

nitric dioxide.

8. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the chart further displays a plurality of usage values for the resource delivered to a plurality of different service points, each associated with the active account.

9. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of usage values is associated with at least one supply agreement for the resource and the chart further displays:

at least one characteristic of the at least one supply agreement.

10. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the resource comprises a first resource and a second resource and the chart further displays:

usage values for first resource and usage values for the second resource delivered to the service point, the usage values associated with the active account.

11. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the first usage value is measured at least in part by at least one different meter associated with a different meter identifier than the at least one meter associated with the meter identifier used to measure, at least partly, the second usage value.

12. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the chart further displays usage values for a plurality of other resources associated with the active account.

13. A method, comprising:

associating a service point identifier with a service point;

determining a first usage value associated with an invoice from a first account, the first usage value representing usage of at least one resource at the service point;

determining a second usage value associated with an invoice from a second account, the second usage value representing usage of the at least one resource at the service point and measured by at least one meter having a meter identifier; and

at least partly in response to a selection of the service point identifier, causing display of the first usage value and the second usage value on a graphical user interface.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the service point identifier retains its association with the service point in response to a replacement of the at least one meter associated with the second account with at least one meter associated with the first account.

15. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the second usage value comprises a plurality of historical usage values representing usage of the at least one resource at the service point.

16. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

collecting information related to operation of equipment at a service point;

developing an energy strategy based at least in part on the collected information; and

at least based partly in response to a user input, causing display of the energy strategy on the graphical user interface.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the collected information is based at least in part on the invoice from the first account.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the collected information is based at least in part on data obtained through a market center.

19. A graphical user interface, comprising:

a first service point identifier;

a second service point identifier; and

a chart that, based at least in part on a selection of at least one of the service point identifiers, displays;

a first usage value for a resource delivered to the first service point associated with the first service point identifier, the first usage value associated with a first invoice from an account; and

a second usage value for the resource delivered to the second service point associated with the second service point identifier, the second usage value associated with a second invoice from the account.

20. The graphical user interface of claim 19, further comprising:

a third service point associated with the second service point identifier;

a third usage value associated with a third invoice for the resource delivered to the third service point; and

a first meter associated with the third invoice for the resource and utilized, at least partly, to measure the third usage value;

in the event that the first meter is replaced by a second meter, the first meter retains its association with the second the third service point, the second service point identifier, and the third usage value.