U.S. patent application number 10/768957 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-21 for enterprise energy management system.
Invention is credited to Johnson, Daniel T., McConnell, Robert S., Peterson, James W..
Application Number | 20050159849 10/768957 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34752824 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050159849 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Johnson, Daniel T. ; et
al. |
July 21, 2005 |
Enterprise energy management system
Abstract
A system for managing energy consumption by equipment located at
a site. The system includes a database including information
relating to pieces of energy consuming equipment located at a site.
A server is programmed to calculate an expected energy consumption
profile and to notify a user if an actual energy consumption
exceeds the expected energy consumption.
Inventors: |
Johnson, Daniel T.; (Medina,
MN) ; Peterson, James W.; (Lake Elmo, MN) ;
McConnell, Robert S.; (Woodbury, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
50 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-1498
US
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 0249515 A1 |
December 9, 2004 |
|
|
Family ID: |
34752824 |
Appl. No.: |
10/768957 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10768957 |
Jan 30, 2004 |
|
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09883779 |
Jun 18, 2001 |
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60444091 |
Jan 31, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/291 ;
702/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 50/06 20130101;
G06Q 10/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/291 ;
702/061 |
International
Class: |
G05D 011/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A system for managing energy consumption by equipment at a site,
the system comprising: a first database including a plurality of
characteristics relating to a piece of energy consuming equipment
located at the site; a second database including a plurality of
service technicians; and a server including software for
determining an expected energy consumption profile, based on the
plurality of characteristics relating to the equipment and the site
environment; wherein the server generates an alert, if an actual
energy consumption exceeds the expected energy consumption.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the server further compares the
actual energy consumption to refrigerant loss data.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the server generates a work order
including the plurality of characteristics relating to the piece of
energy consuming equipment.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the server includes total cost
software for calculating a total cost of a selected piece of
equipment, based on a purchase cost, a repair cost, and an energy
consumption cost.
5. A network-based system for managing energy consumption by
equipment at a site, the system comprising: a first database
including a plurality of characteristics relating to a piece of
energy consuming equipment located at the site; a second database
including a plurality of service technicians; and a server
including software for determining an expected energy consumption
profile, based on the plurality of characteristics relating to the
equipment and the site environment; wherein the server generates a
service request, if an actual energy consumption exceeds the
expected energy consumption.
6. A method of managing energy consumption by equipment located at
a site, the method comprising: collecting a set of information
relating to a plurality of pieces of energy consuming equipment
located at the site calculating an expected energy usage profile
for the site, based on the information; collecting actual energy
consumption data on a periodic basis; comparing the actual energy
consumption data to the expected energy usage profile; and
triggering an alarm when the actual energy consumption data exceeds
the energy usage profile.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Number 60/444,091, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, the contents
of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a system and method for
managing energy consumption by equipment assets located at a site.
More specifically, it relates to a system for tracking, evaluating,
and responding to equipment energy consumption information at a
site or a set of distributed sites.
[0003] Energy consumption is typically a significant and ever
increasing operating expense faced by large sites or facilities,
such as government, commercial retailers, and industrial facilities
(collectively "sites"). Currently, facility managers lack a system
or tool to track and manage energy consumption by equipment assets
located at a site. Management of energy consumption is even more
difficult for an enterprise including multiple facilities or sites
distributed throughout a large geographic region. For example, a
large retail chain having sites distributed at locations throughout
the United States may have hundreds of locations each requiring
independent monitoring and evaluation. Located within these
hundreds of locations may be tens of thousands of pieces of energy
consuming equipment, which contribute to the overall energy
consumption profile of its site and of the retail chain enterprise.
Each year, enterprises lose profits due to their inability to
effectively track energy management.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system or
method for tracking or monitoring the use of energy consumption by
equipment located at one or more sites. There is a further need for
a system for evaluating equipment energy consumption and taking
action to reduce an overall energy cost.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention, in one embodiment, is a network-based
system for managing energy consumption at a site. The system
includes a database including a plurality of characteristics
relating to an energy consuming equipment located at the site and a
database including a plurality of service technicians. A server
includes software for determining an expected energy consumption
profile, based on the plurality of characteristics relating to the
equipment and the site environment. The server generates an alert,
if the actual energy consumption exceeds the expected energy
consumption.
[0006] The present invention, in another embodiment, is a method
for managing energy consumption at a site. The method includes
collecting a set of information relating to a plurality of pieces
of energy consuming equipment located at the site, calculating an
expected energy usage profile for the site, based on the
information, collecting actual energy consumption data on a
periodic basis, comparing the actual energy consumption data to the
expected energy usage profile, and triggering an alarm when the
actual energy consumption data exceeds the energy usage
profile.
[0007] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will
be apparent, the invention is capable of modifications in various
obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not
restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a flow chart a method for managing energy
consumption at a site, according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the various types of
information, relating to energy consuming equipment assets,
collected in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an energy management
system, according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure for storing energy
consumption data, according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a process for using the energy
management system to facilitate dispatch of a service provider.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an energy management method
10, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 1, the energy management method 10 includes collecting
relevant information relating to energy consuming equipment assets
located at a site (block 12). Based on this information, an
expected energy consumption profile is calculated for the site
(block 14). Actual energy consumption data is then collected from
the site on a periodic basis (block 16). The actual energy
consumption data is then compared to the expected consumption
profile (block 18). If the actual consumption data exceeds the
expected consumption profile, action is taken to address the
unexpected energy consumption (block 20). The collection process
(block 12) is performed once for each piece of equipment and is
distinct from the collection of actual energy consumption (block
16).
[0014] The equipment for which relevant information is collected
(block 12) may include equipment consuming electrical energy,
equipment combusting hydrocarbon energy sources (e.g., natural gas
or propane) or both. In one embodiment, equipment using water is
also included. The information collected for an energy consuming
asset varies depending on the type or category of equipment. FIG. 2
is a diagram showing the information collected for various types of
equipment, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown
in FIG. 2, equipment may be placed into three categories, namely
building 24, HVAC 26, and refrigeration 28. The embodiment of FIG.
2 further categorizes building 24 into lighting 30, building
controls 32 and general usage 34. As shown, HVAC 26 is further
categorized into compressors 36 and heat stages 38, and
refrigeration 28 is further categorized into condensers 44, racks
46, compressors 48, and circuits 50. FIG. 2 further shows several
example fields of information that may be collected for each type
of equipment.
[0015] In one embodiment, the process of collecting information
(block 12) is controlled such that each field has a set of
acceptable attributes. This approach provides a uniform naming
convention, such that the same piece of equipment receives the same
name each time it is entered into the system.
[0016] Based on the information collected for the equipment located
at the site and information known about the site itself, an
expected energy consumption profile is calculated. Many techniques
and algorithms for calculating expected consumption are known in
the art and will function in combination with the present
invention. In one embodiment, this expected consumption profile is
then adjusted by considering known current operating conditions,
weather, environmental conditions, and peak customer traffic. In
one embodiment, the expected consumption profile further considers
stored historical consumption data for a site, where such data is
available.
[0017] Actual energy consumption for the site is then collected or
monitored during operation. In one embodiment, energy consumption
information is manually collected and recorded on a periodic basis.
In another embodiment, energy consumption information is collected
real-time or near-time using energy sensors or probes. These energy
sensors, for example, may be TCP/IP network devices that only need
to be connected to the sites communications network. This network
could be a wired or wireless network. These network devices then
take reading and post real-time energy consumption data to the
network for use with the method 10.
[0018] The amount of data points collected may also vary
significantly. In one embodiment, for example, the actual energy
consumption data may include only one electrical meter reading or
one gas meter reading (or both) for each broad equipment category.
In another embodiment, the actual energy consumption data includes
one electrical meter reading or one gas meter reading (or both) for
each subcategory of equipment. In yet another embodiment, each
piece of energy consuming equipment is monitored individually by a
dedicated electric or gas consumption sensor. Any sensor or meter
known to those skilled in the art may be used to monitor energy
consumption.
[0019] In one embodiment, the system of the present invention is
implemented in conjunction with a enterprise asset management
system for managing the assets of a distributed enterprise. One
example of such a system is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent
application number 09/883,779, entitled "Method and System for
Managing Enterprise Assets," filed on Jun. 18, 2001, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIG. 3 is a
schematic diagram showing a network-based energy management system
100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 3 the system 100 includes a server 102 in
communication with client computers 104 and kiosks 106 through a
network 108. The client computers 104 and kiosks 106 are located at
each of the various distributed sites. The system 100 allows a
distributed enterprise to monitor and track energy consumption at
multiple sites.
[0020] As further shown, in one embodiment, the server 102 is in
communication with a service database 110 and an asset or equipment
database 112. The client computers 104 are in communication with
individual pieces of equipment through an asset/equipment interface
114. In one embodiment, this interface 114 is configured to accept
input from the energy consumption sensors. In one embodiment, the
interface 114 is a local area wired or wireless network. In one
embodiment, the interface 114 includes software to translate and
normalize signals received from various types of equipment, such as
that disclosed in copending U.S. patent application number
10/734,725, filed on Dec. 12, 2003, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system 100
further tracks and manages refrigerant loss in the enterprises
various refrigeration circuits, as disclosed in co-pending U.S.
patent application number 10/429,619, filed on May 5, 2003, which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIG. 4 is a
diagram showing a database structure 130 for storing information
relating to various categories of energy consuming and refrigerant
using equipment. The database structure 130 is useful in
correlating energy consumption data with refrigerant loss data to
explain trends in energy consumption. As shown in FIG. 4, the
database structure 130 includes work order data 132, site specific
data 134, client or enterprise specific data 136, and general data
138. The structure 130 shown allows various equipment categories
and attributes to be configured by the particular enterprise. The
work order data 132 includes information relating to repairs of
site refrigeration circuits, which are used to calculate
refrigeration leaks (block 142).
[0022] The structure 130 allows a user to correlate changes in
energy consumption (block 144) with refrigeration leaks. This
allows a user or the system 100 to explain the reason for
unexpected energy consumption or spikes during a particular time
period. This could be accomplished, for example, by comparing
energy consumption over a specified period of time with refrigerant
loss and repair data for the same period of time. If a piece of
equipment was operating with a low level of refrigerant, it may
explain the spike in energy consumption for that period of
time.
[0023] Using the information relating to the energy consuming
equipment at a site and the actual energy consumption data
collected, a user of the method 10 or the system 100 can compare
consumption information to utility bills to identify potential
billing errors. Likewise, a user can analyze consumption
information and identify potential equipment malfunctions in need
of repair.
[0024] In one embodiment, the database 110 includes information
about various service providers, including a list of service
providers certified to perform maintenance on equipment. In one
embodiment, the database 110 further includes a roster of
technicians for each service provider. In one embodiment, a work
order is automatically generated and dispatched, by the system 100,
requesting repair of the equipment. In this embodiment, a work
order is generated in response to detection of unexpected energy
consumption. This detection may occur by analyzing historic data
for some period of time or by monitoring realtime data obtained
from network-ready sensors. Depending upon the level of specificity
of the energy consumption monitoring meters and sensors, the system
100 can provide various amounts of specificity on the repair
required.
[0025] For example, if monitoring is performed on each individual
piece of energy consuming equipment, the system 100 can identify
the particular piece of equipment that has malfunctioned and can
provide that information to the service technician. Furthermore,
the system 100 can extract known information relating to the
equipment requiring service from the equipment database 112 and
provide all relevant information to the service provider. This
information allows the service provider to bring all tools and
repair parts that may be necessary to complete the repair and
further allows the service technician to accomplish the repair more
quickly and cost effectively. In one embodiment, the service
provider completes the work order using the kiosk 106 located at
the site.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the use of the system 100 to
facilitate dispatch of a service provider. As shown in FIG. 5, the
service request is initiated at a site 150. The service request is
communicated to the server 102 through the communication network
108. The server 102 forwards the service request to an appropriate
service provider 154. The initial service request may be generated
from the site 150 in several different ways. In one embodiment, a
person at the site 150 contacts a call center 156, which connects
to the server 102 and creates an electronic service request. In
another embodiment, an authorized user at the site 150 connects to
the server 102 using the communication network 108 and directly
places the service request. In another embodiment, the server 102
is receiving signals from various pieces of equipment, as described
in further detail above, and based on these signal the server 102
detects a malfunction and automatically generates a service
request. The service request may be initiated using the unique code
assigned the piece of malfunctioning equipment.
[0027] Once a service request is communicated from the site 150 to
the server 102, the server 102 compiles a package of useful
information known about the equipment for which service is
requested, from the system database. For example, in one
embodiment, the information displayed in block 156 of FIG. 5 is
compiled and communicated to the service provider 154. In other
embodiments, more or less information is communicated. As described
above, this information may facilitate the service process by
providing important information relating to the equipment. In one
embodiment, the information further includes a floor plan for the
site 150 including a designation of the location of the
malfunctioning equipment or a picture of the equipment (or
both).
[0028] In another embodiment, the method 10 and the system 100 are
used to calculate a total cost of ownership of an asset. Currently,
retail enterprises generally make equipment purchasing decisions
based on the purchase cost of the equipment and a general
reliability rating. Retail enterprises lack an effective system for
factoring energy consumption in the analysis of a total cost of the
equipment. The system 100 tracks and archives energy consumption by
energy consuming equipment or groups of equipment in the database 1
10 or 1 12. In this embodiment, the server 102 is programmed to
calculate a total cost of ownership of a piece of equipment using
at least the purchase cost of the equipment, the repair costs
associated with the equipment, and the energy consumption cost of
the equipment.
[0029] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *