System and method for managing utility consumption
First Claim
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1. A method for managing utility consumption by one or more loads, the method comprising:
- identifying an optimization horizon over which to substantially optimize utility consumption decisions;
identifying an objective function to be optimized;
identifying likely utility draws over the optimization horizon, wherein the likely utility draws are identified from at least one of production planning data, production planning schedules, ambient conditions, historical utility draw information, current utility draw information, or time varying profiles of the utility draws;
identifying constraints on the utility draws;
utilizing an optimization algorithm to substantially optimize the objective function subject to identified utility draws and constraints within the optimization horizon to generate a derived substantially optimal utility consumption strategy; and
outputting the derived substantially optimal utility consumption strategy;
wherein substantially optimizing the objective function includes utilizing the optimization algorithm until a predetermined stopping criterion is met.
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Abstract
A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for managing utility consumption. An embodiment is disclosed for reducing peak demand for a utility by staggering requests for that utility. Another embodiment is disclosed in which sensors monitor utility consumption throughout a facility. Those items of equipment not in active use, but still drawing utility resources, are shut down after a predetermined interval. Another embodiment is disclosed in which storage and conversion technologies are used to offset peak demand and the associated peak demand costs.
74 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for managing utility consumption by one or more loads, the method comprising:
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identifying an optimization horizon over which to substantially optimize utility consumption decisions; identifying an objective function to be optimized; identifying likely utility draws over the optimization horizon, wherein the likely utility draws are identified from at least one of production planning data, production planning schedules, ambient conditions, historical utility draw information, current utility draw information, or time varying profiles of the utility draws; identifying constraints on the utility draws; utilizing an optimization algorithm to substantially optimize the objective function subject to identified utility draws and constraints within the optimization horizon to generate a derived substantially optimal utility consumption strategy; and outputting the derived substantially optimal utility consumption strategy; wherein substantially optimizing the objective function includes utilizing the optimization algorithm until a predetermined stopping criterion is met. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for managing utility consumption, comprising:
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a first network of sensors in a facility to detect utility consumption in a plurality of loads within the facility; a second network of switches in the facility to regulate a supply of a utility to each of the plurality of loads within the facility; a computing device operatively connected to the first network and to the second network; wherein the computing device receives sensor data from the first network and operates switches of the second network according to an optimization method; and wherein the optimization method comprises; identifying an optimization horizon over which to substantially optimize utility consumption decisions; identifying an objective function to be optimized; identifying likely utility draws over the optimization horizon, wherein the likely utility draws are identified from at least one of production planning data, production planning schedules, ambient conditions, historical utility draw information, current utility draw information, or time varying profiles of the utility draws; identifying constraints on the utility draws; utilizing an optimization algorithm to substantially optimize the objective function subject to identified utility draws and constraints within the optimization horizon to generate a derived substantially optimal utility consumption strategy; and outputting the derived substantially optimal utility consumption strategy; wherein substantially optimizing the objective function includes utilizing the optimization algorithm until a predetermined stopping criterion is met. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for managing utility consumption in a facility, comprising:
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a first network of sensors in a facility to detect utility consumption in a plurality of loads within the facility; a second network of switches in the facility to regulate a supply of a utility to each of the plurality of loads within the facility; a computing device operatively connected to the first network and to the second network; wherein the computing device receives sensor data from the first network and operates switches of the second network according to an optimization method; and wherein the optimization method comprises; identifying an optimization horizon over which to substantially optimize utility consumption decisions; identifying an objective function to be optimized; identifying likely utility draws over the optimization horizon, wherein the likely utility draws are identified from at least one of production planning data, production planning schedules, ambient conditions, historical utility draw information, current utility draw information, or time varying profiles of the utility draws; identifying constraints on the utility draws; utilizing an optimization algorithm to substantially optimize the objective function subject to identified utility draws and constraints within the optimization horizon to generate a derived substantially optimal utility consumption strategy; and outputting the derived substantially optimal utility consumption strategy; wherein substantially optimizing the objective function includes utilizing the optimization algorithm until a predetermined stopping criterion is met.
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17. A computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for a general purpose computer, the set of instructions comprising:
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instructions for identifying an optimization horizon over which to substantially optimize utility consumption decisions; instructions for identifying an objective function to be optimized; instructions for identifying likely utility draws over the optimization horizon, wherein the likely utility draws are identified from at least one of production planning data, production planning schedules, ambient conditions, historical utility draw information, current utility draw information, or time varying profiles of the utility draws; instructions for identifying constraints on the utility draws; instructions for identifying magnitudes and durations of utility draws based on available data; an optimization algorithm to substantially optimize the objective function subject to identified draws and constraints within the optimization horizon and derive a substantially optimal utility consumption strategy; instructions providing a stopping criterion for the optimization algorithm; and instructions for applying the substantially optimal utility consumption strategy; wherein substantially optimizing the objective function includes utilizing the optimization algorithm until the predetermined stopping criterion is met.
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Specification