Methods and systems for managing energy usage in buildings

• US 9,026,261 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2010
• Issued: 05/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uplight, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tendrill Networks Incorporated (Uplight, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bukhin, Michael, Cole, Paul, Faludi, Robert, Tyler, Demetrie
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Application Number:
  US12/796,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20110022242A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,792 Days
• Field of Search: 700/295, 700/276, 700/291, 702/61, 705/412, 315/307
• US Class Current: 700/298
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2639 Energy management, use maximum of cheap power, keep peak load low
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3206 Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3234 Power saving characterised by the action undertaken
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• 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 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances

Abstract

A method and system for managing energy usage in a building is provided. The method includes collecting data on energy consumption in the building on a generally continuous basis for at least a given time period. Information relating to the energy consumption is displayed to a user on one or more devices. The information includes (a) the data collected on energy consumption to be displayed in real-time on the one or more devices, (b) a comparison of the data collected on energy consumption in the building to energy consumption data of a cohort or group of cohorts, (c) recommendations for reducing energy consumption in the building based on the data collected on energy consumption, and (d) progress report data comparing the data collected on energy consumption to a desired consumption level.

Claims

1. A method of managing energy usage in a first building, the method comprising:

collecting data on energy consumption in the first building on a generally continuous basis for at least a given time period;

receiving an indication of a cohort or group of cohorts, wherein the cohort or group of cohorts is associated with at least one building other than the first building;

collecting data on energy consumption of the cohort or group of cohorts;

comparing, with a processor, at least a portion of the data collected on energy consumption in the first building to at least a portion of the data collected on energy consumption data of the cohort or group of cohorts;

transmitting information relating to the energy consumption to be displayed to a user on one or more devices in the first building, said information comprising (a) an indication of the data collected on energy consumption in the first building and (b) an indication of the comparison of at least a portion of the data collected on energy consumption in the first building to at least a portion of the data collected on energy consumption data of the cohort or group of cohorts;

generating, with a processor, progress report data comparing the data collected on energy consumption to a desired consumption level; and

creating a savings plan for the user, and wherein the progress report data compares the data collected on energy consumption in the first building to the savings plan, wherein the savings plan includes an indication of a first action that the user has considered, a second action that the user has committed to, a third action that the user has completed, and an indication of a total estimated savings of committed and completed actions.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating and displaying device or equipment level energy consumption and costs in the first building.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling the user to select the cohort or group of cohorts.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

collecting energy usage data from multiple other users who can be used as a cohort or group of cohorts.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising;

displaying data on energy consumption in a unit selected from a set of possible units deemed to affect user behavior.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more devices includes a display in the first building that provides persistent feedback to the user on energy usage in the first building for encouraging user behavior reducing or changing energy usage in the first building.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the display comprises an ambient device.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the information is displayed in a color coded format on the ambient device.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the information is displayed in a bar graph format on the ambient device.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more devices includes a client device that retrieves the information from a Web server.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the information is displayed on a dashboard accessible from a Web portal hosted by the Web server.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more devices includes a mobile communication device operated by the user.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the data on energy consumption in the first building is displayed in a graphical format.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing an audio output indicating energy consumption in the first building.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein collecting data comprises performing plug level or circuit level monitoring of electricity usage.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

controlling an appliance in the first building based on a specified user preference.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the desired consumption level is based on historical energy usage data.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the information further includes a snapshot of energy consumption for the first building for a given period of time.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the information further includes data on incentives provided to the user for meeting energy savings goals.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating, with a processor, recommendations for reducing energy consumption in the first building based on the data collected on energy consumption, said information further comprising the generated recommendations for reducing energy consumption in the first building based on the data collected on energy consumption.

21. The method of claim 1, said information further comprising the progress report data comparing the data collected on energy consumption to a desired consumption level.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the recommendations are based on an energy audit of the first building.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the incentives include social recognition points.

24. A system for managing energy usage in a first building, comprising:

an apparatus for collecting data on energy consumption in the first building on a generally continuous basis for at least a given time period;

a gateway communicating with the apparatus for receiving data on energy consumption in the first building, said gateway transmitting the data on energy consumption in the first building to a remote server computer system; and

one or more devices, communicating with the gateway or the remote server computer system, for receiving information relating to the energy consumption in the first building, said information comprising (a) at least a portion of the data collected on energy consumption and (b) a comparison of the data collected on energy consumption in the first building to energy consumption data of a cohort or group of cohorts, wherein the cohort or group of cohorts is associated with at least one building other than the first building,

wherein the apparatus includes a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting current measurement data to the gateway.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the apparatus comprises an electricity meter.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the apparatus comprises a current transformer that measures current in a circuit.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the information further includes data on device or equipment level energy consumption and costs in the first building.

28. The system of claim 24, said information further comprising recommendations for reducing energy consumption in the building based on the data collected on energy consumption, and progress report data comparing the data collected on energy consumption to a desired consumption level.

29. The system of claim 24 wherein the remote server computer system enables the user to select the cohort or group of cohorts.

30. The system of claim 24 wherein the remote server computer system collects energy usage data from multiple other users who can be used as a cohort or group of cohorts.

31. The system of claim 24 wherein the one or more devices displays data on energy consumption in a unit selected from a set of possible units deemed to affect user behavior.

32. The system of claim 24 wherein the one or more devices includes a display in the first building that provides persistent feedback to the user on energy usage in the first building for encouraging user behavior reducing or changing energy usage in the first building.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the display comprises an ambient device.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the information is displayed in a color coded format on the ambient device.

35. The system of claim 33 wherein the information is displayed in a bar graph format on the ambient device.

36. The system of claim 24 wherein the remote server computer system comprises a Web server, and the one or more devices includes a client device that retrieves the information from the Web server.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein the information is displayed on a dashboard accessible from a Web portal hosted by the Web server.

38. The system of claim 24 wherein the one or more devices includes a mobile communication device operated by the user.

39. The system of claim 24 wherein the one or more devices further provides an audio output indicating energy consumption in the first building.

40. The system of claim 24 wherein the apparatus performs plug level or circuit level monitoring of electricity usage in the first building.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the server controls an appliance in the first building based on a specified user preference.

42. The system of claim 24 wherein the desired consumption level is based on historical energy usage data.

43. The system of claim 24 wherein the information further includes a snapshot of energy consumption for the first building for a given period of time.

44. The system of claim 24 wherein the information further includes data on incentives provided to the user for meeting energy savings goals.

45. The system of claim 24 wherein the incentives include rewards tied to third parties that can be redeemed via a mobile device operated by the user.

46. The system of claim 28 wherein the remote server computer system creates a savings plan for the user, and wherein the progress report data compares the data collected on energy consumption to the savings plan.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the recommendations are based on an energy audit of the first building.

48. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

receiving, from the user, a comment on an action performed by a member of the cohort or group of cohorts with respect to energy consumption; and

receiving, from the member of the cohort or group of cohorts, a comment on an action performed by the user with respect to energy consumption.

49. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, if executed by a computing system having a processor, cause the computing system to perform operations for managing energy usage in a first building, the operations comprising:

collecting data on energy consumption in the first building;

transmitting information relating to the energy consumption in the first building, said information comprising a comparison of the data collected on energy consumption in the first building to energy consumption data of a cohort or group of cohorts, wherein the cohort or group of cohorts is associated with at least one building other than the first building; and

receiving, from a user, a selection of a cohort.

50. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49 wherein the information further includes, for each of a plurality of users, a snapshot of energy consumption for a building associated with the user for a given period of time, so that the information comprises a plurality of snapshots associated with different buildings.

51. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49 wherein the information relating to the energy consumption is displayed in pounds of carbon dioxide.

52. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49, the operations further comprising:

collecting energy usage data from multiple other users pertaining to at least one other building, wherein the multiple other users can be used as a cohort or group of cohorts.

53. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49 wherein the collected information is collected via a current transformer affixed to and encircling a conductor wire of the building.

54. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49, said information further comprising recommendations for reducing energy consumption in the first building based on the data collected on energy consumption, and progress report data comparing the data collected on energy consumption to a desired consumption level.

55. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 54 wherein the recommendations are based on an energy audit in the form of a questionnaire wherein the questionnaire includes a plurality of questions about the first building.

56. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 54, the operations further comprising:

creating a savings plan for the user,

wherein the progress report data compares the data collected on energy consumption to the savings plan, and

wherein the savings plan is based on an energy audit comprising a questionnaire wherein the questionnaire includes a plurality of questions about the first building and a plurality of questions about the use of heating and cooling appliances in the first building.

57. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49, the operations further comprising:

creating a savings plan including an indication of a first action that a first user has completed.

58. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49, the operations further comprising:

creating a savings plan including an indication of a first action that a first user has considered.

59. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49, the operations further comprising:

creating a savings plan including an indication of a total estimated savings of committed and completed actions.

60. The computer readable storage medium of claim 49, the operations further comprising:

for each of a plurality of devices,

determining whether the user has the device,

in response to determining that the user has the device,

adding an indication of an action associated with the device to a savings plan for the user,

in response to determining that the user does not have the device,

not adding an indication of an action associated with the device to the savings plan for the user.

61. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49, the operations further comprising:

creating a savings plan including an indication of a first action that a first user has committed to.

62. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 49, wherein the information relating to the energy consumption is provided in units of carbon dioxide.