U.S. patent application number 10/388085 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-18 for energy information and control system.
Invention is credited to Basin, Ilya, Collins, Daniel J., Conigliaro, James P., Coursin, Scott E., Gasper, Thomas P., Zingsheim, Jeffrey S..
Application Number | 20030176952 10/388085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22902084 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030176952 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins, Daniel J. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2003 |
Energy information and control system
Abstract
An energy management system for monitoring and analyzing the
power consumption at a plurality of locations. The energy
management system includes a primary server connected to at least
one building server or other device through a computer network.
Each of the building servers are connected to one or more energy
meters contained in a building. The primary server sends out a data
request and receives energy usage information from each of the
individual building servers. The primary server stores the energy
usage information in a power database such that the information can
be processed in a variety of manners, such as aggregating the
energy usage information from multiple locations into a single
energy consumption statistic. The primary server can be accessed by
remote monitoring stations to view and analyze the energy usage
information stored in the power database.
Inventors: |
Collins, Daniel J.; (Mequon,
WI) ; Zingsheim, Jeffrey S.; (Oak Creek, WI) ;
Coursin, Scott E.; (Waukesha, WI) ; Gasper, Thomas
P.; (Germantown, WI) ; Basin, Ilya;
(Milwaukee, WI) ; Conigliaro, James P.;
(Greendale, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH, LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
22902084 |
Appl. No.: |
10/388085 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10388085 |
Mar 13, 2003 |
|
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09239428 |
Jan 2, 1999 |
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6553418 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/286 ;
700/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 69/329 20130101;
H04L 9/40 20220501; H04L 67/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/286 ;
700/295 |
International
Class: |
G05D 011/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An energy information and control system for monitoring and
analyzing the power consumption at a plurality of locations, the
system comprising: a computer network facilitating the passage of
electronic information between devices connected to the network; at
least one building server connected to the network, the building
server being connected to at least one energy meter, the building
server being able to transmit energy usage information received
from the energy meter across the network; a primary server coupled
to the network for receiving the energy usage information
transmitted across the network, the primary server compiling the
energy usage information received from the building server into
energy consumption statistics; and at least one monitoring station
connected to the network to receive and display the energy
consumption statistics from the primary server.
2. The energy information and control system of claim 1 wherein the
primary server includes a power database for storing the energy
usage information received from the building server.
3. The energy information and control system of claim 1 wherein the
primary server interrogates the building server to receive the
energy usage information from the building server.
4. The energy information and control system of claim 1 further
comprising at least one smart energy meter coupled directly to the
network for transmitting energy usage information to the primary
server across the network.
5. The energy information and control system of claim 2 wherein the
primary server includes a translating program that converts the
energy usage information transmitted across the network into
historical power data that can be stored in the power database.
6. The energy information and control system of claim 1, wherein
the system includes a plurality of building servers each physically
located in a different building, such that the primary server
compiles energy usage information from the plurality of building
servers and combines the energy usage information into a single
energy consumption statistic.
7. An energy information and control system for monitoring and
analyzing the power consumption at a plurality of locations, the
system comprising: a computer network for allowing the passage of
electronic information across the network; a plurality of energy
meters coupled to the network, the energy meters transmitting
energy usage information across the network; a primary server
coupled to the network for receiving the energy usage information
transmitted across the network, the primary server combining the
energy usage information from the plurality of energy meters into
energy consumption statistics for the plurality of locations; and
at least one monitoring station coupled to the network to access
the energy consumption statistics from the primary server.
8. The energy information and control system of claim 7 further
comprising at least one building server connected to the network
and at least one of the energy meters for converting a signal from
the energy meter into the energy usage information that can be
transmitted across the computer network.
9. The energy information and control system of claim 7 wherein the
primary server combines the energy usage information from the
plurality of energy meters into the energy consumption
statistics.
10. The energy information and control system of claim 7 wherein
each of the energy meters includes a distinct address such that the
primary server can communicate with each power meter across the
network through the address.
11. The energy information and control system of claim 7 further
comprising a generator connected to the network, wherein the
primary server generates an indicator signal when the energy
consumption statistics exceed an upper limit.
12. A method of monitoring and analyzing the power consumption at a
plurality of distinct locations the method comprising the steps of:
connecting a primary server to a computer network; coupling a
plurality of energy meters to the computer network, each energy
meter being capable of transmitting energy usage information across
the network; triggering the energy meters to transmit the energy
usage information across the network; receiving the energy usage
information from the plurality of energy meters in the primary
server; storing the energy usage information in a power database
coupled to the primary server; processing the stored energy usage
information received from the plurality of energy meters into
combined energy consumption statistics; and accessing the primary
server with a remote monitoring station connected to the network to
receive and display the combined energy consumption statistics.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the combined energy consumption
statistics are a sum of the energy consumption measured by the
plurality of energy meters.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein all of the energy meters in a
single location are each connected to a building server that is
connected to the network, the building server receiving the energy
usage information from the energy meters and transmitting the
energy usage information across the network.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of storing the energy
usage information includes translating the energy usage information
from a first form used to transmit the information over the network
to a second form used to process the information in the primary
server.
16. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of assigning
a distinct address to each of the energy meters.
17. The method of claim 12 wherein the energy meters are triggered
by the primary server to transmit the energy user information at a
selected time interval.
18. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:
coupling a revenue meter directly to the computer network, the
revenue meter including a control card capable of communicating
across the computer network; and configuring the revenue meter to
automatically transmit energy usage information at selected time
intervals across the computer network.
19. An energy information and control system for monitoring and
analyzing the power consumption at a plurality of locations, the
system comprising: a computer network for allowing the passage of
electronic information across the network; at least one energy
meter coupled to the network, the energy meter transmitting energy
usage information across the network; a primary server coupled to
the network for receiving the energy usage information transmitted
across the network, the primary server compiling the energy usage
information into energy consumption statistics; and an energy
generator coupled to the network, wherein the primary server
generates an indicator signal when the energy consumption
statistics reach an upper limit, such that the energy generator can
be operated to generate supplemental energy.
20. The energy information and control system of claim 19 wherein
the energy generator is configured such that the energy generator
can be activated by the primary server when the energy consumption
statistics reach the upper limit.
21. The energy information and control system of claim 19 further
comprising at least one building server connected to the network,
the building server being coupled to at least one energy meter for
converting a signal from the energy meter into energy usage
information that can be transmitted across the computer
network.
22. The energy information and control system of claim 19 wherein
the energy meter and the generator have a distinct address such
that the primary server can communicate with the energy meter and
generator across the network by the distinct address.
23. The energy information and control system of claim 19 further
comprising at least one monitoring station coupled to the network
such that the monitoring station can access the energy consumption
statistics from the primary server.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Information related to the cost of electricity is of great
significance to both suppliers and consumers of electricity. The
cost of electric power sold to a large consumer, such as a
manufacturing facility or hotel chain, is often determined by a two
part formula. The first part of the energy bill is determined by
the measured amount of electricity consumed over a billing period.
The second portion of the total electric bill is based on the peak
demand required by the customer during the billing period.
Oftentimes, the portion of the electric bill based upon the peak
demand exceeds the portion of the bill based on actual usage. In
some industries, the cost of electricity can account for more than
15% of the operating costs for the business owner. Therefore, if
the facility management personnel can monitor the energy
consumption and reduce the peak demand, the energy costs for the
facility can be greatly decreased.
[0002] In recent years, a move has been made to deregulate the
electric power industry, which would allow electric customers to
purchase electric power from the cheapest source, regardless of
where the source is located. Therefore, a large consumer having
multiple locations in different parts of the country could purchase
their entire electric power supply from a single producer.
[0003] If the electric power for multiple facilities is purchased
from a single producer and aggregated into a single lump sum, an
abnormal peak demand from one of the facilities is absorbed into
the combined aggregate. Thus, the demand-based portion of the
electric bill is less than if each of the facilities were billed
individually.
[0004] Problems exist, however, when multiple buildings are
combined into a single aggregate sum. In most facilities, facility
management personnel monitor the energy usage and can detect any
abnormal variations in usage. However, if multiple buildings are
combined, the facility management personnel is oftentimes unable to
monitor all of the facilities in a timely manner from a central
location. Thus, if one of the remote facilities is experiencing
abnormally high power consumption, the facility management
personnel may not detect the abnormality until it is too late to
take preventative action.
[0005] Therefore, a need exist for an energy information and
control system that allows the facility management personnel to
monitor multiple remote facilities in a timely manner from a
central location. Likewise, a need also exists for a utility
provider to have accurate and real-time information across multiple
consumers.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
energy information and control system that can receive power
related information, on either a real-time or historic basis, from
a plurality of locations and allow the user to access the
information from a remote location. It is another object of the
invention to provide an energy information and control system that
utilizes currently available computer networks to link remotely
located facilities to a single primary server. It is another object
of the invention to provide an energy management system that
combines the energy information from a plurality of locations into
a single aggregate sum that can be accessed by the consumer or
utility real-time or on a historic basis.
[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide an energy
information and control system that can be connected to operate and
monitor a remote energy generator. It is still a further object of
the invention to provide an energy information and control system
that can calculate current energy consumption costs and activate
the remote energy generator when the cost of operating the remote
generator is less than the cost of the energy received from the
utility. Still further, it is an object of the invention to provide
a system that can both push and pull real-time energy information
across a computer network from individual energy meters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is an energy information and control
system for monitoring and analyzing the power consumption at a
plurality of separate locations. The energy information and control
system of the invention is centered around a computer network that
allows various devices to communicate with each other. The energy
information and control system includes a primary server connected
to the computer network. The primary server communicates across the
computer network to a plurality of devices that monitor energy
consumption within a building and are capable of communication
across the computer network. Typically, a building server is used
to provide a gateway to the computer network for devices that
cannot communicate across the network. The building server is
connected to at least one energy meter that measures the amount of
energy being used by at least a portion of a building. The building
server acts as a gateway to permit the individual energy meter to
send information across the computer network.
[0009] Alternatively, the energy information and control system of
the invention can include individual energy monitoring devices that
can be connected directly to the wide area computer network. Each
of these individual devices include communication components that
allow the device to communicate directly across the computer
network without utilizing the building server to act as a
gateway.
[0010] In addition to the energy monitoring devices, a remote power
generator can also be connected to the computer network. The remote
power generator includes components that permit the generator to
communicate across the network. When the energy information and
control system is operating, the primary server calculates the
current cost of the energy being consumed and compares the cost to
the cost of operating the remote power generator. If the cost of
operating the remote generator is less than the cost of the energy
being purchased from the utility, the primary server can either
generate a signal or directly activate the generator over the
network. Alternatively, a utility provider could be given access to
the customer-owned generators and activate numerous generators when
the demand for energy reaches the maximum the utility can
provide.
[0011] At least one monitoring station is coupled to the computer
network to access the information stored in the primary server. The
monitoring station can be located at a separate location from both
the primary server and the plurality of building servers.
[0012] During operation of the energy information and control
system, the primary server sends a signal across the computer
network triggering an individual building server, or other device
capable of transmitting information directly across the network, to
transmit energy usage information across the network to the primary
server. Additionally, the devices connected to the network can be
configured to "push" information across the network at selected
intervals. Upon receiving the energy usage information, the primary
server translates the energy usage information into a form that can
be stored within the power database. The primary server requests
information from each building server at predetermined time
intervals such that the primary server maintains a historic power
database and provides access to real-time information.
[0013] The primary server includes server software that allows a
monitoring station to access the power database and view the
contents of the power database in a conventional manner. Thus, the
monitoring stations can access the data stored in the power
database across the computer network.
[0014] The primary server can aggregate the energy usage
information received from a plurality of distinct locations and
energy meters. By aggregating the energy usage information from
multiple locations, the primary server can provide energy
consumption statistics for multiple locations located relatively
large distances apart.
[0015] Various other features, objects and advantages of the
invention will be made apparent from the following description
taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated
of carrying out the invention.
[0017] In the drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the energy management
system in accordance with the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view of the front panel of the building
server incorporated in the energy management system of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the
energy management system of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the energy management
system of a third embodiment of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the energy management
system of fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The energy information and control system 10 of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1. The energy information and control
system 10 is centered around a computer network 12. In the
preferred embodiment of the invention, the computer network 12 is
the Internet, although other types of network configurations can be
utilized as will be discussed in detail below. The computer network
12 allow a variety of devices connected to the network to
communicate with each other without being directly connected.
[0024] In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.
1, a variety of energy monitoring devices are shown connected to
the computer network 12 to transfer information across the network
12. The first type of energy monitoring device that can be
connected to the network 12 is a simple electric meter 16. Since
simple electric meters 16 do not include the internal software or
hardware to communicate over the computer network 12, the electric
meters 16 are each connected to a building server 18 that acts as a
generic gateway to the network 12. The building server 18 is
typically positioned within a building and is connected to the
numerous electric meters 16 contained within the building.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the building server 18 includes a
plurality of input ports 20 that can each be connected to a
plurality of electric meters 16. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, each input port 20 can be connected to up to thirty-two
electric meters 16, such that up to 128 separate electric meters 16
could be connected to a single building server 18. The building
server 18 has its own address and also assigns a distinct address
for each of the electric meters 16 connected to it, such that each
of the electric meters 16 can communicate to the network 12 through
the building server 18. Although the building server 18 is shown as
being connected to a plurality of electric meters 16, other devices
such as water meters, gas meters, power monitors, HVAC equipment,
circuit breakers, generators, uninterruptable power supplies (UPS),
programmable controller, and analog and digital I/O devices can
also be connected to the building server 18. The building server 18
thus operates to provide a gateway to the computer network 12, such
that components connected to the building server 18 can communicate
through the computer network 12 without the need for internal
hardware contained within each electric meter 16 to facilitate
communication over the network 12. Specifically, since the computer
network 12 is the Internet, the building server 18 formats the
energy usage information from the electric meters 16 into the
specific Internet protocol (IP) format that can be transmitted
across the Internet.
[0026] In addition to the four input ports 20, the building server
18 also includes three types of Ethernet ports. The first Ethernet
port 22 is a 10-base-T (twisted pair) Ethernet port. The second
Ethernet port 24 is a 10-base-5 (thick wire) Ethernet port, while
the third Ethernet port 26 is a 10-base-2 (thin wire) Ethernet
port. The three types of Ethernet ports 22-26 contained on the
building server 18 allow the building server 18 to be configured
for use with many types of Ethernet connections.
[0027] In addition to the Ethernet ports, the building server 18
includes a set-up port 28 that allows the building server 18 to be
initially configured. During the initial setup using the set-up
port 28, an external personal computer is used to download address
information to the building server 18 and configure the internal
software loaded within the building server 18.
[0028] A reset button 30 is contained on the building server 18
that can be used to reset the building server 18 if problems occur
during operation. A set of indicator lights 32 are contained on the
building server 18 to indicate when the building server 18 is
powered on as well as when the CPU and diagnostic functions
contained within the building server 18 are active.
[0029] As previously discussed, each of the building servers 18
includes its own distinct address such that it can be contacted
over the network 12. In the preferred embodiment, the computer
network 12 is the Internet such that each building server 18
includes an Internet protocol (IP) address that allows the building
server 18 to communicate through the Internet in a conventional
manner. The IP address for the building server 18 enables
information to be routed from one part of the Internet to the
building server 18 in pieces called "packets" and then reassembled
when the information reaches its destination. Typically, an IP
address is a four-part number separated by periods (for example,
165.113.245.2) that uniquely identifies a machine on the Internet.
Every machine on the Internet has an unique IP address, such that
only one machine is contacted for each IP address.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a building
server 18 is typically connected to all of the electric meters 16
contained within a single building and provides the network gateway
for the electric meters 16. If an electric customer has multiple
buildings each located at distinct remote locations, each of the
individual buildings would typically include its own building
server 18. Each building server 18 would then have its own IP
address such that each building server 18 could be contacted
separately over the computer network 12. Since the Internet is
almost an unbounded network, an unlimited number of building
servers 18 could be connected to the network 12.
[0031] Along with being connected to the standard electric meters
16, the building server 18 could also be connected to one or more
serial pulse input modules (S-PIM) 33. The S-PIM 33 provides a
device level interface for pulse output revenue meters, flow meters
and digital inputs/outputs for centralized and aggregated energy
data. Each of the S-PIMs 33 can be connected to up to six
electronic devices produced by various manufacturers. For example,
revenue meters for electricity, gas and water could each be
individually connected to one of the S-PIMs 33. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention, each S-PIM 33 can store up to 30 days
of information taken at 15 or 30 minute intervals from each of the
revenue meters.
[0032] In addition to the building server 18, other types of
devices that record and monitor energy related information could
also be connected to the computer network 12. For example, an
Ethernet-enabled power quality meter 34 could be directly connected
to the network 12. The power quality meter 34 typically includes
hardware and software that allows the power quality meter 34 to
communicate directly over a computer network. For example, the
power quality meter 34 could be an Allen Bradley Power Monitor II.
The power quality meter 34 would then have its own IP address such
that it could be contacted through the computer network 12.
Additionally, an uninterruptable power source (UPS) 36 that is
network enabled could also be directly connected to the computer
network 12. Like the power quality meter 34, the UPS 36 includes
hardware and software that allow the UPS 36 to communicate directly
through the computer network 12.
[0033] In addition, standard revenue meters 38 could also be
connected to the computer network 12 through one of the S-PIMs 33
without using one of the building servers 18. The S-PIM 33
communicates through modems 39 to the computer network 12. Like the
other types of components previously discussed, the stand-alone
S-PIM 33 would include its own IP address so that it could be
contacted through the computer network 12.
[0034] An Ethernet pulse input module (E-PIM) 40 can be connected
directly to the network 12 as shown. The E-PIM 40 provides device
level interface to connect pulse output revenue flow meters and
digital inputs/outputs to an Ethernet, such as network 12. The
E-PIM 40 can be used to read pulses from a variety of flow meters,
including electricity, water and gas meters. The E-PIM 40 can be
connected to up to six single input pulse meters or three two-input
pulse meters and can store up to 30 days of information taken at 15
or 30 minute intervals from each of the pulse meters. The E-PIM 40
is assigned its own IP address and can communicate through the
computer network 12 based on this IP address.
[0035] An Internet protocol (IP) revenue meter 41 can be directly
connected to the network 12. The IP revenue meter 41 is a standard
revenue meter with an Ethernet Internet protocol (IP) card inserted
to allow the revenue meter to communicate over the network 12. In
this manner, a standard revenue meter can be reconfigured to
communicate directly over the network 12.
[0036] Finally, a remote generator 42 can be connected to the
network 12 to both communicate across the network and be turned on
and off through signals transmitted across the network 12. The
generator 42 is typically located in a building or facility in
which the energy consumption is being monitored by the energy
information and control system 10 of the present invention. The
operation of the energy information and control system 10 to
regulate usage of the generator 42 will be discussed in greater
detail below.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the energy information and control
system 10 includes a primary server 44 connected to the computer
network 12. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
primary server 44 is owned and operated by a service provider
separate from the energy customer, while the building servers 18
and energy meters 16 are located in the buildings of the energy
customer. Other configurations for the energy management system 10,
including a customer owned and operated primary server 44, will be
discussed with reference to the remaining figures.
[0038] The primary server 44 generally functions to request the
transmission of energy usage information from the building servers
18, the S-PIMs 33, the power quality meter 34, the UPS 36, the
E-PIM 40, the generator 42 and the IP revenue meter 41 across the
computer network 12 and receives the energy usage information from
each of the devices. As discussed, in the preferred embodiment of
the invention, the computer network 12 is the Internet. The primary
server 44 generally includes a translating and operating program
46, a database engine 48, a power database 50, an Internet server
52, and an http translating program 54. The primary server 44
functions to request the transmission of energy usage information
from each of the devices connected to the computer network 12 and
stores the received energy usage information in the power database
50. Additionally, devices such as the IP revenue meter 41 can be
configured to "push" information across the network 12 at regular
intervals without being triggered by the primary server 44, which
is also stored in the power database 50.
[0039] The power database 50 interprets the energy usage
information received from each of the devices connected to the
computer network 12 and generates energy consumption statistics for
desired combinations of the devices. For example, if a single
energy customer has a building server 18 in a first building, a
stand-alone S-PIM 33 in a second building, a power quality meter 34
in a third building and a UPS 36 in a fourth building, the power
database 50 can combine the energy usage information received from
each of the devices into a single energy consumption statistic.
Alternatively, the power database 50 can combine any combination of
the energy usage information received from the devices connected to
the computer network 12 based on a user selection within the
primary server 44. Thus, the power database to can aggregate energy
information based on user selected criteria.
[0040] During operation of the energy information and control
system 10, the translating and operating program 46 sends a
properly addressed information request through the computer network
12 to the particular energy monitoring device that needs to be
interrogated, such as the building server 18. Since the building
server 18 has its own distinct IP address, only the desired
building server 18 responds to the message sent by the primary
server 44. Upon receiving a request for energy usage information,
the building server 18 then transmits energy usage information from
the electric meters 16 and S-PIMs 33 connected thereto back across
the computer network 12. The building server 18 sends the energy
usage information in a packet in the proper Internet form having
the IP address of the primary server 44.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the primary
server 44 sends a request for information to each of the building
servers 18 at a predefined interval. For example, in the preferred
embodiment of the invention, the primary server 44 requests energy
usage information from each building server 18 every 1 to 60
minutes. Since energy usage information is transferred across the
network 12 from the building server 18 to the primary server 44
almost instantaneously, the power database 50 contains real-time
information concerning the power consumption at the location
containing the building server 18. This information can then be
aggregated based on user selected criteria, either in real-time or
as a historical trend.
[0042] Upon receiving the packet of energy usage information from
the building server 18, the translating and operating program 46 in
the primary server 44 translates the information into a form that
can be read and interpreted by the database engine 48. The database
engine 48 takes the translated information and stores the energy
usage information in the power database 50.
[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, one or several monitoring
stations 56 can be coupled to the computer network 12. The
monitoring stations 56 can be located in a different location from
both the primary server 44 and the building server 18 and can
communicate with the primary server 44 over the computer network
12. As was discussed, in the preferred embodiment of the invention
the computer network 12 is the Internet, such that each of the
monitoring stations 56 can be equipped a commercially available web
browser that allows the monitoring station 56 to communicate over
the computer network 12. The monitoring stations 56 can be
commercially available personal computers that are connected to an
access line 58 that provides access to the computer network 12. The
monitoring stations 56 can access the primary server 44 in a
conventionally known manner by keying in the IP address of the
primary server 44.
[0044] Once the monitoring stations 56 access the primary server
44, the primary server 44 can communicate with the monitoring
stations 56 through the web server 52 contained in the primary
server 44. The web server 52 communicates through the http
translating program 44 to provide access to the power database 50.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the web server 52
presents the data contained in the power database 50 in either
graphical or tabular form to be interpreted by the user of the
monitoring station 56. Since the monitoring station 56 can be
located anywhere there is access to the computer network 12, the
energy information and control system 10 of the present invention
allows the user in charge of facility management to be located in a
building separate from the plurality of building servers 18.
Additionally, since each of the building servers 18 communicates
with the primary server 44 at preselected intervals, the person in
charge of facility management can access the energy usage
information from numerous building servers 18 in a real-time manner
and can react accordingly. The energy information and control
system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is scalable such that it can be tailored
for smaller energy customers who do not wish to expend the monies
required to maintain their own primary server 44. The energy
information and control system 10 can be used by any size energy
customer that has either multiple locations or wishes to access
energy related information from a remote site. It can be further
used by utilities that supply energy to precisely understand
consumers energy usage and allow purchasing of aggregated amounts
of electricity.
[0045] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the Internet
server 52 presents the data contained in the power database 50 in a
graphical manner, taking advantage of the capabilities of the
Internet network 12. Since each of the monitoring stations 56
includes an Internet browser, the information presented by the
primary server 44 can be quickly and accurately displayed. In
another advantage of the energy information and control system 10,
the database engine 48 can aggregate the energy usage information
from multiple locations to generate energy consumption statistics
previously unobtainable. In this manner, the energy customer can be
billed based upon the combination of multiple facilities to realize
the billing advantages previously discussed.
[0046] In addition to aggregating multiple buildings or facilities
into a single energy consumption value, the database engine 48 is
capable of generating real-time energy consumption bills, since
energy consumption information is received real-time at the primary
server 44. Additionally, since energy consumption information is
received in real-time, the database engine 48 can generate alarms
when the energy consumption data is reaching an upper threshold
value. An alarm generated in real-time allows energy management
personnel to address possible overload conditions to anticipate and
reduce a peak usage value before the peak occurs.
[0047] As was discussed previously, the generator 42 can be
connected to the network 12 to either relay energy related
information across the network or to be operated across the network
12. In many facilities, the remote energy producing generator 42 is
often located on-site for either emergencies or generating
supplemental energy during peak demand periods. Since the primary
server 44 receives energy usage information across the network 12
in a real-time basis, the database engine 48 can perform numerous
calculations on the data to determine the current energy costs
being paid by the facility.
[0048] If the database engine 48 calculates that the cost of each
additional energy unit would be greater than the cost of producing
the same energy unit by the generator 42, the primary server 44
would generate a signal indicating that the generator 42 should be
started to provide supplemental energy. Alternatively, the
generator 42 could be configured to be automatically turned on by a
signal generated by the primary server 44 and sent across the
network 12. When activated, the generator 42 produces a
supplemental energy output, thereby reducing the energy consumption
received from a utility provider. In addition to being operated to
reduce individual facility costs, it is contemplated that a
commercial energy utility could be given access to customer-owned
generators 44 and activate numerous generators 44 located in
various locations during periods of peak energy demand. Thus, a
series of generators 42 could supply supplemental energy during
peak demand periods.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 3, thereshown is a second embodiment
of the energy management system as indicated by reference numeral
60. In the second embodiment of the energy management system 60, a
primary server 62 is connected to a virtual private network 64. A
virtual private network 64 typically exist between multiple
locations within the same company or organization. In many cases,
the virtual private network 64 is actually a portion of the
Internet that is restricted only to specified uses. The virtual
private network 64 provides all the advantages of linked computers
without the disadvantage of outside entities being allowed access
to the network. In the same manner as discussed in the description
of the first embodiment of the energy management system 10 shown in
FIG. 1, the energy management system 60 of the second embodiment
includes one or more building servers 18 coupled to the virtual
private network 64. Additionally, multiple monitoring stations 56,
each having an Internet browser, are connected to the virtual
private network 64. Likewise, the primary server 62 includes the
identical software as discussed in FIG. 1, such that the primary
server 62 can communicate with the building servers 18 to receive
energy usage information and process the energy usage information
into energy consumption statistics that can be accessed by the
monitoring stations 56. The second embodiment of the energy
management system 60 shown in FIG. 3 is a small-scale system in
which the energy customer maintains their own private primary
server 62, unlike the primary server 44 maintained by an
independent service provider.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 4, thereshown in a third embodiment of
an energy management system 66. The third embodiment of the energy
management system 66 is a medium scale system for an energy
customer slightly larger than the typical user for the small scale
energy management system 60 shown in FIG. 3. In the energy
management system 66 shown in FIG. 4, the system is again centered
around a virtual private network 64. In the energy management
system 66, the energy customer has an internal Ethernet 68 that
links a series of devices. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of building
servers 18 are connected to the Ethernet 68, although a large
number of building servers 18 can be used. The primary server 62
can communicate to the building servers 18 through the Ethernet 68.
A router 70 connects the network 64 to the Ethernet 68. A
monitoring station 56 including an Internet browser can communicate
with the primary server 62 through the router 70 and the network 64
in a manner as previously discussed.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 5, a fourth embodiment of the energy
management system is shown as indicated by reference numeral 72.
The energy management system shown in FIG. 5 is typically utilized
by a large energy customer. In the energy management system 72, the
primary server 62 is connected to the virtual private network 64,
which in turn is directly connected to the Ethernet system 68. A
pair of building server 18 are also shown connected to the Ethernet
68, such that the primary server 62 can receive energy usage
information from the building servers 18 across the virtual private
network 64. In the energy management system 72, a local server 74
including its own database 76 is connected to the Ethernet 68 to
receive information directly from the building servers 18 as well
as the primary server 62. The local server 74 is directly connected
to the building servers 18 across the Ethernet 68, such that
information does not have to pass across the virtual private
network 64.
[0052] Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as
being within the scope of the following claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as
the invention.
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