Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Monitoring and Alerting Based on Energy Sources and Energy Consumption

• US 20130190937A1
• Filed: 01/23/2012
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aclara Meters LLC (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Navaratnarajah, Muhunthan
• Application Number:
  US13/356,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20130190937A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/291
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/12 Determination or prediction of behaviour, e.g. likely power consumption or unusual usage patterns
• 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 2204/30 Remote utility meter reading systems specially adapted for metering the generated energy or power
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/20 The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/466 Scheduling the operation of the generators, e.g. connecting or disconnecting generators to meet a given demand
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• 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: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for monitoring and alerting based on energy sources and energy consumption. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for monitoring a customer'"'"'s energy consumption from one or more energy sources, and for providing alerts to the customer. The method can include monitoring customer energy consumption from a utility grid; monitoring customer energy consumption from one or more alternative energy sources; determining when the customer energy consumption meets or exceeds a capability of the one or more alternative energy sources; generating an output, based at least on the determination, to indicate actual or forecasted customer energy consumption from the utility grid; and transmitting the output, wherein the output is accessible by the customer.

Claims

1. A method, comprising executing computer executable instructions by one or more processors for:

monitoring customer energy consumption from a utility grid;

monitoring customer energy consumption from one or more alternative energy sources;

determining when the customer energy consumption meets or exceeds a capability of the one or more alternative energy sources;

generating an output, based at least on the determination, to indicate actual or forecasted customer energy consumption from the utility grid; and

transmitting the output, wherein the output is accessible by the customer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring the one or more alternative energy sources comprises monitoring a power source that generates and distributes energy to the customer independent of energy supplied from the utility grid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the output is further based on a monitored direction of energy flow from or to the utility grid.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining when the customer energy consumption is less than a capability of the one or more alternative energy sources.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising generating an output, based at least on the determination, to indicate that alternative energy is being supplied to the utility grid.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein generating or transmitting the output is based at least in part on one or more pre-defined parameters.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more pre-defined parameters comprise one or more of energy costs to the customer, energy purchase price from the utility, frequency of customer energy consumption from the utility grid, customer-defined limits, or customer-defined scheduling.

8. A system comprising:

a communication interface;

a smart meter comprising;

at least one memory for storing data and computer-executable instructions; and

at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions for;

monitoring customer energy consumption from a utility grid;

monitoring customer energy consumption from one or more alternative energy sources;

determining when the customer energy consumption meets or exceeds a capability of the one or more alternative energy sources;

generating an output, based at least on the determining, to indicate actual or forecasted customer energy consumption from the utility grid; and

providing the output to the customer via the communication interface.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein monitoring the one or more alternative energy sources comprises monitoring a power source that generates and distributes energy to the customer independent of energy supplied from the utility grid.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for generating the output based on a monitored direction of energy flow from or to the utility grid.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for determining when the customer energy consumption is less than a capability of the one or more alternative energy sources.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for generating an output, based at least on the determining, to indicate that alternative energy is being supplied to the utility grid.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein generating or providing the output is based at least in part on one or more pre-defined parameters.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more pre-defined parameters comprise one or more of energy costs to the customer, energy purchase price from the utility, frequency of customer energy consumption from the utility grid, customer-defined limits, or customer-defined scheduling.

15. An apparatus comprising:

at least one memory for storing data and computer-executable instructions; and

at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions for;

monitoring customer energy consumption from a utility grid;

monitoring customer energy consumption from one or more alternative energy sources;

determining when the customer energy consumption meets or exceeds a capability of the one or more alternative energy sources;

generating an output, based at least on the determining, to indicate actual or forecasted customer energy consumption from the utility grid; and

providing the output to the customer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for generating the output based on a monitored direction of energy flow from or to the utility grid.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for determining when the customer energy consumption is less than a capability of the one or more alternative energy sources.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for generating an output, based at least on the determining, to indicate that alternative energy is being supplied to the utility grid.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein generating or providing the output is based at least in part on one or more pre-defined parameters.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more pre-defined parameters comprise one or more of energy costs to the customer, energy purchase price from the utility, frequency of customer energy consumption from the utility grid, customer-defined limits, or customer-defined scheduling.