U.S. patent application number 12/050738 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for enterprise energy management system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Verisae, Inc. Invention is credited to Daniel T. Johnson, Robert S. McConnell.
Application Number | 20080243687 12/050738 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38458076 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080243687 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Daniel T. ; et
al. |
October 2, 2008 |
ENTERPRISE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Abstract
A system for managing energy consumption by equipment located at
a site or a plurality of sites. The system includes a database
including information relating to pieces of energy consuming
equipment located at a site. A server is programmed to process
utility bills and/or analyze data to predict trends in energy
consumption.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Daniel T.; (Medina,
MN) ; McConnell; Robert S.; (Shakopee, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAEGRE & BENSON LLP;PATENT DOCKETING
2200 WELLS FARGO CENTER, 90 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-3901
US
|
Assignee: |
Verisae, Inc
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
38458076 |
Appl. No.: |
12/050738 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11423860 |
Jun 13, 2006 |
7369968 |
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12050738 |
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10768957 |
Jan 30, 2004 |
7062389 |
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11423860 |
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60444091 |
Jan 31, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/102 20130101;
G06Q 50/06 20130101; G06Q 30/04 20130101; G06Q 10/06 20130101; Y02P
90/82 20151101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/40 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/00 20060101
G06Q020/00 |
Claims
1. A system for managing energy consumption by equipment at a site,
the system comprising: (a) a database comprising: (i) a plurality
of characteristics relating to a piece of energy consuming
equipment located at the site; (ii) information relating to
information relating to a plurality of service technicians, the
information comprising a list of the service technicians from at
least one service provider; and (iii) billing information relating
to the piece of energy consuming equipment, wherein the billing
information is based on periodic invoices received from a utility
provider; and (b) a server including software for reconciling and
paying a utility bill, based on the plurality of characteristics
relating to the equipment and the billing information.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/423,860, filed Jun. 13, 2006, which is a
Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/768,957, filed Jan. 30, 2004, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,062,389, on Jun. 13, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/444,091, filed Jan. 31, 2003,
all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
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 maybe 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 system for
managing energy consumption by equipment at a site. The system
includes a database including a plurality of characteristics
relating to a piece of energy consuming equipment located at the
site. The system also includes a database including a plurality of
service technicians. In addition, the system includes a database
comprising billing information relating to the piece of energy
consuming equipment. Further, the system includes a server
including software for reconciling and paying a utility bill, based
on the plurality of characteristics relating to the equipment and
the billing information.
[0006] The present invention, in another embodiment, is a system
for managing energy consumption by equipment at a plurality of
sites. The system includes a database including a plurality of
characteristics relating to a plurality of energy consuming
equipment located at the plurality of sites and a data source
comprising weather and temperature information for a region
associated with at least one of the plurality of sites, in
addition, the system includes a server including software for
correlating certain of the plurality of characteristics relating to
the plurality of energy consuming equipment with the weather and
data information, in this invention, wherein a trend is predicted
based on the correlating certain of the plurality of
characteristics relating to the plurality of energy consuming
equipment.
[0007] In another aspect, the present invention is a method of
managing energy consumption by equipment located at a plurality of
sites. The method includes collecting a set of information relating
to a plurality of pieces of energy consuming equipment located at a
plurality of sites and correlating certain of the information
relating to the plurality of pieces of energy consuming equipment
with weather and temperature information and market demand and
utility rate information. Further, the method includes transmitting
electronic operating instructions to at least one of the plurality
of pieces of energy consuming equipment based on the correlating
certain of the information relating to the plurality of pieces of
energy consuming equipment, the weather and temperature
information, and the market demand utility rate information.
[0008] 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
[0009] FIG. 1 is a flow chart a method for managing energy
consumption at a site, according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] 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.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an equipment surveying
method, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an energy management
system, according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure for storing energy
consumption data, according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method of processing and
paying utility bills, according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an electronic payment method,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a process for using the energy
management system to facilitate dispatch of a service provider,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] 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).
[0018] 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), equipment consuming both, or any other
energy-consuming or utility service-utilizing equipment as
described herein, including equipment that consumes, utilizes, or
is powered by electricity. In one embodiment, equipment using water
is also included. Further, the equipment can also include any
equipment that consumes or utilizes phone service, cable television
service, high-speed internet service, or any other device that
consumes, utilizes, or is powered by electronic or energy
services.
[0019] 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 exemplary embodiment of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] According to one embodiment, the process of collecting and
storing information relating to energy consuming equipment or
assets located at a site (block 12) is implemented using or in
conjunction with a method or system for surveying equipment assets
located at a site or at multiple distributed sites. One example of
such a system is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/771,090, entitled "Site Equipment Survey Tool," filed
on Feb. 3, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an equipment surveying
method 60, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 3, the equipment surveying method 60 includes
gathering and compiling legacy data for a client's equipment assets
(block 62), creating an appropriate data structure for collecting
and storing equipment information (block 64), importing normalized
legacy data into the data structure (block 66), importing the data
structure and the legacy data (block 68), and surveying site
equipment assets to collect relevant information (block 70). In one
embodiment, a quality control review is conducted on the collected
survey data (block 72).
[0022] The information relating to energy-consuming equipment or
assets, according to one embodiment, can be organized within the
asset database 112 or retrieved from the database 112 according to
asset, according to site, or any other desired parameter. That is,
the information can be stored or retrieved on a per-site basis or a
per-asset basis. For example, organizing information on a per-site
basis allows for consideration of all energy management information
at a site and processing of that information for purposes described
herein. Alternatively, organizing the information on a per-asset
basis is also useful as described herein.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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 Ser. No. 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. 4 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. 4 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.
[0027] As further shown, in one embodiment, the server 102 is in
communication with a service database 110, a utilities database
111, and an asset or equipment database 112. Alternatively, the
service data, utilities data, and asset or equipment data are
maintained in a single database. 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 co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/734,725, filed on Dec. 12, 2003,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0028] In one aspect of the invention, an interface 114 associated
with a particular piece of equipment such as, for example, an HVAC
system, allows for collection of information, including real-time
information, directly from the piece of equipment. Further, the
information collected from the asset or piece of equipment can then
be used in the present system in any fashion taught herein. In one
example, given that the method and system of service and
maintenance described below provides for tracking and providing for
all service and maintenance needs of any given asset, the HVAC
system information collected by the appropriate interface 114 can
then be compared to any known service or maintenance issues related
to that HVAC system.
[0029] 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 Ser. No. 10/429,619, filed on May 5, 2003, which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIG. 5 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. 5, 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).
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] In one embodiment, the utilities database 111 includes
information about various utility providers that provide utilities
to various sites of the enterprise. For example, the utility
providers can include, but is not limited to, providers of
electricity, gas, water, sewage systems, phone service, cable
television service, high-speed internet service, and any other
provider of electronic or energy services. In one embodiment, the
database 111 further includes a roster of contacts for each utility
provider, including, according to one embodiment, service
technicians for each utility provider. In accordance with one
aspect of the invention, the database 111 further includes for each
utility provider a list of billing-related and service-related
incentives, rebates, discounts, or any other form of money-saving
package or offer offered to customers by the utility provider. For
each money-saving package or offer, the specific condition(s) or
event(s) that must be satisfied such that the package or offer can
be redeemed or cashed in or otherwise obtained by a customer are
also included in the database.
[0033] In use, according to one embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the
system 100 of the present invention provides for a method of
processing utility bills 180 in the following manner. The system
100 allows for entry and storage in the database 111 of billing
information at each site for each utility provider (block 182). The
system 100 further provides for review and approval of each bill
received from each utility provider at each site (block 184). In
addition, the system 100 provides for payment of each bill from
each utility provider (block 186).
[0034] The billing information for entry and storage (block 182)
can include, but is not limited to, all the information provided in
each periodic bill or invoice that is provided by a utility
provider. For example, the billing information can be all invoice
information provided separately by each of the gas provider,
electricity provider, water provider, phone service provider, and
sewage service provider for a site. In one embodiment, the billing
information is entered manually by a user, such as an employee of
the enterprise or an employee of the utility provider, at a client
computer 104 or kiosk 106 or other entry point. Alternatively, the
information is entered electronically. For example, electronic
entry can be accomplished by scanning a document with any known
scanner utilizing OCR or any other scanning technology and loading
the scanned information into the system. In another example, the
information is entered electronically by direct electronic
communication between the billing system of the utility provider
and the system 100 of the present invention over the network 108.
In a further alternative, the billing information is electronically
compiled by an external individual or individuals, such as, for
example, a third-party entity hired to compile the billing
information into a format that can be easily loaded into the
present system 100, and then the billing information is loaded into
the system 100. According to one embodiment, the third-party
individual or individuals compile historical billing information
into an appropriate format for loading into the system 100.
Alternatively, the third-party individual or individuals compile
current billing information on an on-going basis for loading into
the system 100. In a further alternative, both historical and
current billing information are compiled into an appropriate format
by the third party individual or individuals.
[0035] The bill review and approval process (block 184) can, in one
aspect of the invention, include distributing a hardcopy or an
electronic copy (via e-mail, for example) of the bill to each
appropriate individual. The individual can then review the bill and
contact the appropriate individual regarding whether the bill is
approved or disapproved (and provide reasons for disapproval). The
approval or disapproval information can be provided verbally or
electronically (via e-mail, for example). Alternatively, the bill
review and approval process (block 184) includes making the bill
available to each appropriate individual via a client computer or
kiosk so that the individual can access and review the bill and
then indicate at the computer or kiosk either approval or
disapproval of the accuracy of the bill. According to one
embodiment, if the individual does not approve of any portion of
the bill for any reason, the individual can input into the system a
description of the disapproval and the reasons for the disapproval.
In one aspect of the invention, the system forwards the description
to an appropriate individual to prompt corrective measures.
[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, the bill
review and approval process (block 184) further includes
identification of relevant money-saving packages or offers related
to the bill under review. For example, the server 102 may access
the database 111 to identify any money-saving packages or offers
from the utility provider that sent the bill under review. The
server 102 may then compare the package or offer to the current
bill to determine whether the bill qualifies for the discount,
rebate, or other money-saving offer. Alternatively, the server 102
identifies the relevant money-saving package or offer and transmits
it to a user so that the user can determine whether the bill
qualifies for the package or offer. If the bill qualifies, the
package or offer is automatically applied to the bill total,
thereby reducing the amount owed. Alternatively, a user applies the
offer or package to the bill.
[0037] According to one embodiment, the payment of a bill (block
186) can include payment of more than one bill for more than one
site from the same provider. That is, the system 100 can
consolidate more than one bill from the same utility provider and
provide for payment of the aggregate amount. For example, perhaps
an enterprise has six sites, each provided with gas by the same gas
provider. Thus, each site receives a bill from the gas provider.
The system 100 of the present invention, according to one
embodiment, allows for entry of each bill into the system, either
manually or electronically as described above. The system 100 then
combines the amount owed for each site to arrive at a total amount.
The system 100 then allows for payment to the provider of the
consolidated amount.
[0038] Payment to the provider can be accomplished using an
electronic payment system, according to one embodiment. One example
of an electronic payment system that can be utilized in conjunction
with the present invention is provided in U.S. application Ser. No.
10/922,364, entitled "Electronic Payment System," filed on Aug. 20,
2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in it entirety.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an electronic payment method 190
according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 7, the method 190 includes review and approval of the utility
bill (block 192). The business enterprise then electronically
authorizes payment of the bill (block 194). Alternatively, the
electronic authorization step is not required. An electronic
payment request is then generated and transmitted to an electronic
payment center (block 196). The electronic payment center issues
payment to the utility provider and provides confirmation of the
payment (block 198). Finally, the payment confirmation is added to
the history of the corresponding bill (block 200).
[0039] In one embodiment, the database 110 includes information
about various service providers, including a list of service
providers certified to perform maintenance on equipment, including
appropriate utility providers. In one embodiment, the database 110
further includes a roster of technicians for each service provider
or utility 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 real-time 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the use of the system 100 to
facilitate dispatch of a service provider. As shown in FIG. 8, 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.
[0042] 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. 8 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).
[0043] 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
110 or 112. 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.
[0044] The system 100 of the present invention further provides for
data analysis, including data correlation and predictive analysis.
That is, according to one embodiment, the system 100 includes
software that can utilize the information stored, assimilated, or
used by the system to identify correlations with other information
and utilize those correlations to predict trends. Subsequently, the
enterprise or a user can take appropriate actions based on a
predicted trend.
[0045] The information that can be used for the correlation
analysis includes the energy management information, the
refrigeration loss information, the utility bill information, the
service and maintenance information, the total cost information,
present and historical weather and temperature data for a relevant
region, market demand for a utility service, and the current rate
(cost per unit) for a utility service. In one aspect of the
invention, the present and historical weather and temperature data,
the market demand for a utility service, the current rate for a
utility service, and any other similar or related data can be
included in a database or separate databases in the present system
100 or it can be accessed by the system from another source such as
an external database accessed over the network, a diskette, a
compact disk, or any other data source. According to one
embodiment, utility billing information is correlated with service
and maintenance information, refrigerant usage, energy usage, total
cost information, weather/temperature information, utility service
market demand, and a current utility service rate or rates. That
is, certain events, details, or trends in the billing information
are correlated with any other information. Alternatively, any of
the above information can be correlated with any other of the above
information. According to one embodiment, this allows a user or the
system to relate changes in one set of parameters such as billing
information to other parameters as described above. Thus,
relationships between various types of information can be
identified.
[0046] In accordance with another embodiment, the system 100 also
provides for predictive analysis and preventative planning based on
the correlated data described above. That is, the system 100
includes software that draws upon the data correlations identified
above to predict future trends in the data. The enterprise or a
user can then utilize a predicted trend and the above information
to take appropriate steps to address any predicted impact of the
trend. According to one exemplary embodiment, predicted weather
patterns can be used to predict a trend in energy use and utility
bill amounts. For example, perhaps a particularly cold winter has
been predicted. The system 100 of the present invention can compare
the predicted winter season with past correlations and/or
calculated correlations between utility bills and similar winter
seasons. Based on the correlations, the system can predict the
impact of the cold winter season on the size of the utility bills
for a site or a group of sites in the region impacted by the cold
weather.
[0047] In another exemplary embodiment in which each site has been
mapped with GIS capabilities as disclosed in U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/771,090, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety, the system can compare a predicted storm path with site
locations using a map-based interface and identify the sites of the
enterprise predicted to be directly affected by possible utility
outages. The system 100 can further notify a user or users of the
predicted possible outages.
[0048] In another exemplary embodiment, a predicted temperature
spike across a certain region can be used to predict expected
energy requirements relating to electricity, etc. (and the
resulting expected utility bills).
[0049] In any of the above three examples, additional factors could
be considered relating to the predicted weather or temperature
event, such as, for example, the current market demand and utility
rates in each example. Thus, in this example, demand and rate
trends could also be taken into account in formulating predictions
regarding expected market demand and expected rates during weather-
or seasonally-related events or periods.
[0050] Preventative action can then be taken by the user or the
enterprise based on the predicted information provided by the
system. In one embodiment, the user takes action based on the
predicted information provided by the system 100. In the example of
the predicted winter season, the user can take such steps as
installing or providing additional heaters at the appropriate
locations, reducing energy consumption at unaffected sites in
anticipation of increased consumption at the affected sites, or any
other appropriate action to prepare for the expected increase in
utility consumption. In the example of the predicted storm path,
the user could strategically position power generators or other
services at the most vulnerable sites prior to the weather pattern.
In the example of the predicted temperature spike, the user could
place power generators at each site that is expected to be affected
by the temperature spike to reduce the load on the electrical power
grid in the area and reduce the utility bill for those sites.
[0051] Alternatively, the preventative action is implemented by the
system 100. That is, the system 100 of the present invention allows
for data and predictive analysis, including predicting certain
trends relating to certain assets or equipment, and upon the
triggering of a certain event associated with those predictions,
electronically communicating or transmitting operating instructions
to the relevant piece of equipment via the asset/equipment
interface 114 associated with that piece of equipment. Thus, the
asset/equipment interface 114 capabilities can be used in
conjunction with the data and predictive analysis capabilities as
described above to provide for preventative action or action to
address the impact of a predicted trend.
[0052] In one embodiment, the asset/equipment interface 114
capabilities can be utilized in the present invention to remotely
control operating parameters of certain energy or energy-related
systems at a site, as disclosed in further detail in U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/734,725, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, to accomplish measures intended to
prevent or reduce any negative impact of predicted phenomenon as
described above. Thus, the system 100 of the present invention
allows for tracking various parameters relating to equipment at a
site or multiple sites, performing data and predictive analysis,
and upon the triggering of a certain event or predicted event
associated with those parameters, electronically communicating or
transmitting operating instructions to the equipment. According to
one embodiment, the types of equipment that can be remotely
controlled in this fashion include, but are not limited to,
refrigeration, lighting, and HVAC equipment and systems.
[0053] In the example of the predicted cold winter season, the
predicted cold temperatures can trigger the system to
electronically communicate instructions to the HVAC systems and, in
some embodiments, additional power consuming systems of unaffected
sites to reduce power output of those systems, thereby reducing the
heating bills at those sites and saving the enterprise money to
compensate for the increased costs at the affected sites. In the
example of the predicted temperature spike, the predicted high
temperatures could trigger the system to electronically communicate
instructions to the HVAC systems of unaffected sites to reduce
power output of those systems, thereby reducing the air
conditioning bills at those sites and saving the enterprise money
to compensate for the increased costs at the affected sites.
[0054] In either of the above examples, the instructions
transmitted by the system 100 can be further impacted by the
system's consideration and analysis of the market demand
information and utility rate information in addition to the
predicted weather trends. According to one embodiment, the system
100 of the present invention, the predicted weather pattern results
in a predicted demand and/or utility rate that triggers
instructions transmitted by the system 100 to the relevant
equipment through the appropriate interface 114 or interfaces 114
based on the predicted rate. Alternatively, a utility provider can
provide real-time or nearly real-time demand and rate information
that can be inputted into the system 100 of the present invention
and based on the demand or rate, the system 100 can be triggered to
transmit various instructions from the system 100 to the relevant
equipment through the appropriate interface 114 or interfaces 114.
For example, in the cold temperature example above, the server 102
software may predict a certain utility rate that triggers an
electronic instruction to be transmitted to the equipment at the
affected site or sites instructing the HVAC systems to reduce
output by some predetermined percentage during the predicted peak
rate period(s) to reduce expenses. Thus, the market demand and
utility rate information can be taken into account in providing
instructions to the relevant equipment and/or sites. In a further
alternative, the system can be triggered by any number of different
parameters to communicate with various equipment to implement
preventative or remedial actions in response to a predicted
trend.
[0055] 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.
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