A system and platform for utility and utility product

Abstract

A utility management system suitable for use with a utility meter which comprises an interface, data module, threshold module, and command module which allows for a set of instructions to be executed when one or more conditions are achieved by comparing data derived from the data module to predetermined threshold data values available on the threshold module. One or more sets of instructions are also executable when one or more products are communicatively coupled to the data module and wherein the products are capable of deriving product data for comparison with the predetermined threshold data.

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM AND PLATFORM FOR UTILITY AND UTILITY PRODUCT

[0002] MANAGEMENT

[0003] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a system for use with a utility meter. More particularly, but not exclusively, the system includes a platform having data, settings and other parameters stored thereon to facilitate the introduction of current and future devices and software products to the system.

[0005] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0006] Utility meters have evolved significantly since their inception in the late 19th century. The first utility meters emerged with the advent of electric and gas services, aiming to accurately measure consumption for billing purposes. Early models were mechanical and required manual reading. In the mid-20th century, the introduction of electronic components improved accuracy and allowed for remote readings. The late 20th century witnessed the integration of digital technology, enabling real-time monitoring and data collection. Smart meters, introduced in the 21 st century, revolutionized the landscape by providing two-way communication between utilities and consumers, promoting energy efficiency.

[0007] With particular reference to electricity meters, utility companies faced challenges in accurately measuring and billing for the consumption of electrical energy. As a result, the development of electricity meters became a crucial aspect of the expanding electrical grid. The earliest electricity meters were basic devices that measured the flow of electrical current using simple mechanisms such as rotating disks or electrochemical reactions. These early meters provided a rudimentary measurement of electricity consumption, but they were far from accurate or reliable. In recent years, the development of smart meters has been at the forefront of innovation in the field of electricity metering. Smart meters combine advanced metering technology with communication capabilities, allowing for real-time monitoring and remote data collection. These meters enable two-way communication between the utility companies and consumers, enabling more accurate billing, demand management, and integration of renewable energy sources. Such meters are often able to be reconfigured remotely ‘over the air’.

[0008] Reprogramming the meter involves configuring the meter's software to match the specific requirements and tariff structures of the utility company. This can typically be done ‘over the air’ or via configuration tokens issued to and keyed in on the meter by the customer. Back-end platform services for network connected smart meters are typically provided by a software solution referred to generically as Metering Data Management Systems (MDMS’s), or more recently other forms of digital platform. Originally MDMS’s, focussed primarily on managing metering data from the meters. More recently, MDMS’s and other forms of metering digital platform back ends provide other capabilities as well, such as over the air configuration of meters, health checking and error reporting from the meters. They can even enable a limited degree of reconfiguration of the meters, originally via proprietary protocols, but more recently often via industry standard protocols such as DLMS / COSEM.

[0009] Given the above, it is clear that there exists a present need for a system where meters are adapted to easily incorporate new hardware devices into the system, without a complicated reconfiguration process. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and platform which is capable of being connected to a utility meter and facilitating the introduction of current and future devices and software products to the system.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to a first aspect thereof, there is provided a utility management system suitable for use with a utility meter, the system comprising:

[0013] - an interface which is communicatively coupled to the utility meter;

[0014] - a data module communicatively coupled to the interface, the data module being capable of receiving data derived from measurement means locatable on the utility meter;

[0015] - a threshold module communicatively coupled to the interface, the threshold module comprising one or more predetermined threshold data values;

[0016] - a command module communicatively coupled to the interface, the command module comprising one or more sets of instructions which are executed when one or more conditions are achieved by comparing the data to the predetermined threshold data values, wherein the data module is capable of being communicatively coupled to one or more products to derive product data, and wherein the one or more sets of instructions are executed when one or more conditions are met by comparing the product data to the predetermined threshold data.

[0017] The term communicatively coupled will be understood to refer to a connection whereby data is capable of transmission from and to devices and / or software applications and where an electrical connection is established between devices and / or software applications. The term interface will be understood to refer to a device or terminal which allows for the exchange of information of data between one or more components of a computer system. The term platform will be understood to be a product that serves or enables other products or services.

[0018] The system may be deployed as a platform which is capable of being communicatively coupled to one or more products or services, or products and services in combination.

[0019] The utility may be selected from the group consisting of electricity, water, natural gas, telecommunication services, internet services, heating, and combinations thereof. The utility meter may be current and future electricity meters. The electricity meter may be a smart electricity meter. The utility meter may be capable of generating usage data. The usage data may include data related to one or more measurable values of the utility measured over an adjustable period of time. The utility meter may be either a physical product, a simulated product, a virtual product, and combinations thereof.

[0020] The interface may be a graphical user interface which includes a display means and input means for allowing a user to provide input instructions that are executable. The interface may be a platform which allows for the management of software tools to transmit one or more sets of instructions to the utility meter in real time. The software tools may allow for integration of the one or more devices or one or more software applications into the system. The interface may be virtual and accessible on a device or a cloud-based platform. The interface may be communicatively coupled to a computing device comprising a processor.

[0021] The one or more sets of instructions may be capable of executing one or more operations related to the one or more products communicatively coupled to the interface. The one or more operations may be a physical action, a firmware action, or a digital action required to achieve one or more functions associated with the one or more products.

[0022] The data and the product data may include a set of variables derived from the measurement means. The measurement means may be one or more sensors. The data and the product data may include a set of parameters which are accessible by the processor. The set of parameters may include one or more precision values for improving the accuracy and / or measurement capabilities of the data derived from the sensor. The data and parameters may include one or more units of measurement. The predetermined threshold data values may be one or more triggers. The one or more triggers may be capable of executing one or more operations related to one or more products communicatively coupled to the interface.

[0023] The variables, parameters, triggers, and operations may be standardized to allow for the one or more products to be integrated / introduced into the system through use of a softcode programming practice.

[0024] The products may be hardware or software products. The products may be selected from the group consisting of an appliance, generator, solar panel, geyser, battery, electrical vehicle, virtual power plant, and combinations thereof. The system may include distribution means for facilitating the distribution of excess electricity into an electrical grid.

[0025] The system may include a database for storing the data, predetermined threshold data values, one or more sets of instructions, and product data. The interface may be communicatively coupled to transmission means which allows for external data, external predetermined threshold data values, external sets of instructions, and external product data to be transmitted from an external data source to replace the existing values stored on the database. The collection of all data, predetermined threshold data values, one or more sets of instructions, and product data may be collectively referred to as system data. This may include locally and externally stored data. The number of variables, parameters, triggers, and operations may be replaced by the transmission of replacement system data received by the transmission means. The database may be locally stored or a cloud-based storage medium.

[0026] The data transmission means may include, but is not limited to Bluetooth, radio waves, microwaves, fibre optical cables, local area network, wide area network, and combinations thereof.

[0027] The processor may be capable of comparing the usage data to predetermined pricing threshold data stored on the database and transmit pricing data to the utility meter to adjust the price per unit of the utility in real time if the predetermined pricing threshold data is exceeded.

[0028] The pricing data may be used to adjust an utility tariff in real-time. The usage data may be used to derive a user-specific product. The user-specific product may be modified by the group consisting of a user’s usage data over a predetermined time period, the user’s usage data during peak utility demand in a predetermined region, the user’s geographical location, the user’s distribution of excess utility onto an infrastructure, network constraints, and combinations thereof.

[0029] The system may include a prediction module which is capable of receiving the usage data and deriving user prediction data. The user prediction data may include predicted user utility usage data and predicted user utility expenditure data. The one or more conditions may be when the data or the product data is lower or higher than the predetermined threshold data values.

[0030] The database may include an algorithm including a set of rules, wherein the database receives usage data and compares it to threshold data stored on the database to derive delta values, and wherein the set of rules are executed on the delta values to derive a user-specific product. The algorithm may include one or more neural networks, heuristic models, artificial intelligence and machine learning models.

[0031] According to a second aspect thereof, there is provided a method of integrating one or more products into a utility management system, the method including the steps of:

[0032] - establishing a connection between a utility meter and an interface associated with the utility management system, the interface being communicatively coupled to a data module;

[0033] - receiving of data by a data module, where the data is derived from measurement means locatable on the utility meter;

[0034] - providing a threshold module communicatively coupled to the interface with one or more predetermined threshold data values;

[0035] - providing a command module communicatively coupled to the interface with one or more sets of instructions which are executed when the data is lower or higher than the one or more predetermined threshold data values;

[0036] - allowing for one or more products to establish a connection to the data module, and wherein the one or more products are capable of deriving product data;

[0037] - executing the one or more instructions when the product data is lower or higher than the one or more predetermined threshold data values. The method may include the step of storing the data, predetermined threshold data values, one or more sets of instructions, and product data on a database communicatively coupled to the interface. The method may include the step of transmitting external data, external predetermined threshold data values, external sets of instructions, and external product data from an external location to replace the existing values stored on the database.

[0038] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method described above.

[0039] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a data processing device comprising means for carrying out the steps of the method described above.

[0040] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer- readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method described above.

[0041] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer- implemented method of providing a user with a user-specific product, comprising: receiving usage data; comparing the usage data to predetermined threshold data values; and producing user-specific product.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer- implemented method of training a machine-learning model for a computer- implemented method of, in particular a machine-learning model of the method described above, comprising: - establishing a connection between a utility meter and an interface associated with the utility management system, the interface being communicatively coupled to a data module;

[0043] - receiving of data by a data module, where the data is derived from measurement means locatable on the utility meter;

[0044] - providing a threshold module communicatively coupled to the interface with one or more predetermined threshold data values;

[0045] - providing a command module communicatively coupled to the interface with one or more sets of instructions which are executed when the data is lower or higher than the one or more predetermined threshold data values;

[0046] - training a model with the data to provide a user with one or more user-specific products;

[0047] - using the interface to display the one or more user-specific products to the user;

[0048] - allowing for one or more user-specific products to establish a connection to the data module, and wherein the one or more products are capable of deriving product data; and

[0049] - executing one or more instructions when the product data is lower or higher than the one or more predetermined threshold data values.

[0050] The user-specific products may be hardware products. The user-specific product may be a service plan, wherein the user is provided with saving measures in accordance with the products connected to the electricity meter. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to map available offers to specific users or segments based on an analysis of the user data. Alternatively, or additionally, the system may generate a user-specific product in the form of a unique product or service offering, based on an analysis of the processed data. Embodiments of the invention may extend to one or more computer program product for implementing the electricity management system, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions being executable by at least one computer to cause the at least one computer to carry out techniques and implement features substantially as described above. Extend shall herein include the definition of being applicable to.

[0051] The computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium. The computer program product may be implemented across multiple devices and locations, etc.

[0052] Where reference is made to module(s) in this document, may include, for instance, an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each of which may include an implementation of one or more functions and / or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein of the invention. The modules may take the form of hardware, software and / or a combination of hardware and software.

[0053] It will be understood that a module as used in the claims hereunder is a set of code or a software program capable of performing one or more specific tasks. It will be further understood that each module includes a plurality of software programs or code capable of performing a same or similar function.

[0054] Where reference is made to a module comprising comprising one or more predetermined threshold data values, one or more sets of instructions, it will be understood that the module may be, but is not limited, to a software program or software application comprising these data values or sets of instructions that are executable.

[0055] Predetermined threshold data values may be understood to be threshold values, threshold data, or threshold values and threshold data in combination.

[0056] The one or more modules may comprise one or more algorithms.

[0057] The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

[0058] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures, and more particularly a Smart Electricity Platform, wherein:

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic view of the Smart Electricity Platform;

[0061] Figure 2 is a graphical representation of the front end and back end components of the Smart Electricity Platform;

[0062] Figure 3 is a tabulated breakdown and a complex tariff product;

[0063] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a user interface displaying the Megaflex Complex Tariff product;

[0064] Figure 5 is a schematic view of an Instance Diagram of Product Information; Figure 6 is a schematic view of an Instance Diagram populated for the execution of national loadshedding by the Smart Electricity Platform;

[0065] Figure 7 is a schematic view of a Microgrid;

[0066] Figure 8 is a graphical representation of the Platform Layout; and

[0067] Figure 9 is a schematic representation of Party Information and its components.

[0068] The presently disclosed subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Examples, in which representative embodiments are shown. The presently disclosed subject matter can, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0069] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0070] Non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the invention is described in more detail below, with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

[0071] With reference to Figure 1 , there is provided a Smart Electricity Platform 2 which allows for the seamless integration of smart energy technologies, devices, application software, and services. The Smart Electricity Platform 2 is connected to an electricity meter 4 including a user interface 6. It will be understood that the interface 6 can be accessed on an external device or on a web-based platform. A user (not shown) feeds input instructions into the Smart Electricity Platform 2 to execute a plurality of functionalities. As is illustrated on the user interface 6, there is provided several windows 8 labelled as: Introduce, Relate, Discover Value, Acquire Product, Utilise

[0072] Product, Manage Product and Loyalty Expansion. The user interface 6 also includes other settings 10 for configuring a user’s profile, product(s), and service(s). The electricity meter 4 or the interface 6 includes transmission means 12 (i.e. a wide area network) for transmitting data 14 to an electronic database 16 also including transmission means 12. The electronic database 16 is capable of transmitting data in the form of variables, parameters, triggers, and operations. The variables may be derived from a sensor integrated with the electricity meter 4 or located on an external product. The set of parameters may include one or more precision values for improving the accuracy and / or measurement capabilities of the data or variables derived from the sensor, wherein the data, variables, and parameters may include one or more units of measurement. Predetermined threshold data values are stored on the electronic database 16. These predetermined threshold data values may be one or more triggers which are capable of executing one or more operations related to one or more devices 18 and application software 20 can be seamlessly integrated into the Smart Electricity Platform 2. The variables, parameters, triggers, and operations are capable of being modified, improved, and adapted in real-time through the use of over-the-air patches and / or software updates. This allows for a future-proof solution whereby little to no hard coding is required to integrate devices 18 and application software 20 that is available currently and those that are yet to be developed. The variables, parameters, triggers, and operations are therefore standardized to allow for the one or more products to be integrated / introduced into the system through use of a soft code programming practice, rather than a hardcode practice. The user interface 6 includes an algorithm 22, which is capable of using the processor associated with the electricity meter 4 to perform a plurality of calculations using data transmitted to the electricity meter 4 from the electronic database 16, and data which is generated by the electricity meter related to a user’s electricity consumption. By way of a simple example, the algorithm 22 includes a plurality of rules and calculations which are performed on a user’s electricity consumption data over a predetermined period of time. Moreover, the algorithm 22 then makes use of the user’s electricity consumption data during different electricity demand periods (i.e. a low demand period or a high I critical demand period). Finally, the algorithm 22 uses electricity data pertaining to low electricity usage devices and methods (i.e. solar geyser, solar panel, battery storage, automatic triggers or breaks integrated into a DB board to turn off a geyser during a high demand period etc.). The output value from the rules and calculations derives a complex tariff rate 24, which is either a user-specific product or a predetermined product according to tabulated data. By way of an example, a user consistently reducing their electricity consumption during peak load periods and further using consumption reducing devices and methods will be allocated a lower tariff rate 24. However, those user’s consistently exhibiting behaviour of high electricity usage and no measures of reducing their usage will be allocated a higher tariff rate 24. As a further product-offering, the algorithm 22 is capable of calculating a user’s excess electricity availability I consumption. The user will be capable of selling this excess electricity into the grid 26 at a tariff value 24 calculated in accordance with that user’s electricity consumption, generation, and excess availability data.

[0073] With reference to Figure 2, there is provided a Smart Electricity Platform 30 including the various components of the front end and back end. The meter simulator 32 includes a software application which is capable of integration with a plurality of electricity meters 34 available in the market. In addition there is provided a plurality of programming languages, network and web development frameworks, and user interfaces 36. The Smart Electricity Platform 30 includes, in the back end, several programming languages 38, an Internet of Things gateway (loT) 38, and several other system components 40 which execute the functions and capabilities of the Smart Electricity Platform 30. Integrated with the Smart Electricity Platform 30 are additional modules which allows for products and services to be integrated. For example, there is a Distribution module 42 which allows for devices generating additional I excess electricity into a grid. As a further example, there is provided an Electrical Vehicle module 44 whereby the electricity stored in an electrical vehicle can be fed into the grid. It will be understood that other devices capable of storing electricity can also be used in the alternative. The Smart Electricity Platform 30 includes a front end 46 whereby the user can interact with data and products as set out in Figure 1 . While it is not shown in Figure 2, the Smart Electricity Platform 30 and its user interface enables communication with electricity meters via DLMS / COSEM using physical serial and IP interfaces. This is achieved using an open source DLMS / COSEM library called GuruX. The library implements the DLMS / COSEM protocol and provides an API that can be used by other software applications to generate DLMS / COSEM APDUs that can be transported over either a serial or IP connection. The physical layer of the serial connection is an optical port that is standard on most electricity meters while the physical layer can either be GSM or power line communication port.

[0074] With reference to Figure 3, there is provided a Complex Tariff product 50 herein referred to as a Critical Peak Pricing product and integrated with the Smart Electricity Platform. The Complex Tariff product 50 includes the capturing of non-critical tariff 52 and critical tariff tables 54. The product is further capable of capturing the applicable critical peak consumption days in particular region and assign these to a particular customer(s). Thereafter, the Platform will configure the tariffs in the smart meter(s) via the user interface and then monitor the occurrence (events) of critical peak days and re-configure the charges on the smart meter via the user interface, accordingly. With reference to Figure 4, there is provided a user interface 60 displaying the Megaflex Complex Tariff product 60. Several instructions, configurations, and settings are integrated with the product. The product includes different tariff values including peak 64, standard 66 and off peak 68 in addition to lower and high voltage values to calculate c / kWh cost values. A first trigger date 70 and first trigger end 72 are provided whereby the product is executed during a high demand time period. A second trigger date 76 and second trigger end 78 provided whereby the product is executed during a high demand peak time period. Depending on the time period and voltage usage, a particular tariff value is applied 80. Data predetermined and available as regards low demand 82 and high demand 84 season time periods. However, these can also be updated manually.

[0075] With reference to Figure 5, there is provided an Instance Diagram of Product Information 90, which illustrates the architecture and inter-relationships of the products that are integrated in the Smart Electricity Platform. The Diagram 90 is ranked according to Composition 92 and Generalization 94. Each of the Product Instance 96, Product Type 98 and Type of Product Type 100 are further divided into components and subcomponents.

[0076] With reference to Figure 6, there is provided a further detailed Instance Diagram 1 10 populated for the execution of national loadshedding by the Smart Electricity Platform. Loadshedding is declared as first level of generality as an Event 112, where Event Types 114 are provided for different region blocks and includes the start and end, as well as stages of Load Shedding as a second level of generality. Finally, the New State 116 of the Event 112 can be either sub states namely Declared, Shedding, or Not Shedding. Moreover, the Event 112 includes an Event Type Schedule 118 further including an Event Plan 120 and Event Plan Type 122 once Load Shedding is declared. The Event Plant Type are further classified as either a planned or an actual event plan type. This results in various triggers whereby Load Shedding is implemented and discontinued over predetermined Occurrence Time periods. This Instance event of Load Shedding can be used as a template, which can be amended and transmitted over-the-air from an off-site database to the electricity meters.

[0077] With reference to Figure 7, there is provided a Microgrid 130 including a Point of Supply Meter 132 distributions electricity to a plurality of Member Meters 134. Each of these Member Meters 134 are ranked on a merit system according to their consumption and will therefore get better products with better pricing if they have integrated consumption reducing or electricity Generators 136 products. The Solar 138 and Wind 140 products includes renewal products that reduce consumption and generate excess electricity. The Storage 142 products store excess energy from sources like solar panels and wind turbines and release it when demand is high, or the renewable sources are not generating power. Further products and services are discussed in more detail below. Critical peak day pricing includes a service whereby a company has an agreement with key customers, with a high demand that allows the company to declare a limited number of days (less than 20) in the year as critical peak days. When critical peak days are declared (x days I hours) 24 to 48 hours in advance the customer will drastically reduce demand to protect the system, reducing the need to use emergency generators (open cycle gas turbines) and avoid load shedding. The customer will get a reduction in price for normal use but will pay a much higher price for any energy used during critical peak day periods. Residential time of use is a time of use product / service for residential customers that will offer a reduced tariff for energy used outside the peak periods in the morning and early evening. Load rationing is where a force limit is provided and applied to customers’ load, which is well below their normal capacity. This is an alternative to load shedding and could further include messaging the customer to notify them when rationing is planned or in effect or suspended. Electric vehicles are capable of storing a lot of electricity and integrated with the grid to feed the stored into a grid. Sub-metering is where there is a main meter supplying to downstream meters to cater for multiple energy users being metered separately. The metering service could be provided to a landlord in order to control tenant usage.

[0078] Virtual Power Station allows for aggregated demand reduction by simulating an additional power station. Demand can be controlled using smart devices or equipment that will selectively disconnect no-critical loads during peak demand periods. The Virtual Power Station can be used for an existing set of customers (e.g. a residential or commercial cluster development) with customer owned and utility owned DER equipment, and if possible, even non co-located customers. A Virtual Generator is a product a user pays a predetermined fee to have access to the product and pays a higher tariff to use electricity during high demand or load shedding.

[0079] An Advanced parameterised demand management product / service whereby the customer can be provided with flexible offerings in real time, which correspond to their usage history and purchasing of products and / or services. A further product would be for the aggregation of individual demand management participation, whereby several customers manage their demand in an aggregated manner, whereby they received products and / or services in response to the effectiveness of their demand management. A micro-trading platform which allows for the trading of electricity, where predetermined tariffs are assigned to each customer in accordance with their historical usage and payment.

[0080] With reference to Figure 8, there is provided a Platform Layout 150 including four sections under which different modules can be categorised. The Data Interface 152 includes the Smart Meter Interface integrated with DLMS / COSEM. The Foundational Database 154 includes data, parameters, configuration, and instructions regarding parties, events and the like. The Platform Functionality 156 includes software applications to execute various functionalities to allow for events to be executed and new products to be integrated with the platform. The User Journey 158 includes the front-end dashboard which allows for a user to easily interact with the platform to measure consumption and access / buy new product offerings.

[0081] With reference to Figure 9, there is provided a breakdown of a data model for Party Information 160. The location 162, names 164, and email address 166 of each party is provided. Each party is assigned a party role 168 and party role type 170. For example, the party is a customer within the location 172 and either an Eskom or Proxy customer. Further information includes the Product Association 172 such as the Megaflex product whereby the customer has complex tariffs. Further data granularity includes the customer’s electricity meter address 174, customer’s street address 176, and account number 178.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A utility management system suitable for use with a utility meter, the system comprising:- an interface which is communicatively coupled to the utility meter and communicatively coupled to a computing device comprising a processor;- a data module communicatively coupled to the interface, the data module being capable of receiving data derived from measurement means communicatively coupled to the utility meter;- a threshold module communicatively coupled to the interface, the threshold module comprising one or more predetermined threshold data values;- a command module communicatively coupled to the interface, the command module comprising one or more sets of instructions which are executed by the processor when one or more conditions are achieved by comparing the data to the predetermined threshold data values, wherein the data module is capable of being communicatively coupled to one or more products to derive product data, and wherein one or more sets of instructions are executed by the processor when one or more conditions are achieved by comparing the product data to the predetermined threshold data values.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the utility is selected from the group consisting of electricity, water, natural gas, telecommunication services, internet services, heating, and combinations thereof.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the utility meter is capable of generating usage data related to one or more measurable values of the utility measured over an adjustable period of time.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the utility meter is selected from the group consisting of a physical product, a simulated product, a virtual product, and combinations thereof.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the interface is a graphical user interface which includes a display means having input means for allowing a user to provide input instructions that are executable by the processor.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the interface is a platform which is capable of being communicatively coupled to one or more hardware products or software applications, or hardware products and software applications in combination.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the platform is capable of transmitting one or more sets of instructions to the utility meter in real time.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the interface is a virtual machine and accessible on a device or a cloud-based platform.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more sets of instructions allow for one or more operations related to the one or more products to be executed.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the one or more operations are required to achieve one or more functions associated with the one or more products, and wherein the one or more operations are selected from the group consisting of an actuation action, a physical action, a firmware action, a digital action, and combinations thereof.11 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the measurement means comprises one or more sensors.

12. The system according to claim 1 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are locatable on the one or more products to allow for product usage data to be derived over a predetermined period of time.

13. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the products are hardware or software products, or hardware and software products in combination.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the products are selected from the group consisting of an appliance, a generator, a solar panel, a geyser, a battery, an electrical vehicle, a virtual power plant, and combinations thereof.

15. The system according to claim 1 further comprising distribution means for facilitating the distribution of excess electricity into an electrical grid.

16. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a database which is capable of storing stored data, wherein the stored data is selected from the group consisting of data derived from the measurement means, predetermined threshold data values, one or more sets of instructions, product data, and combinations thereof.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the interface is communicatively coupled to transmission means which allows for external data to be transmitted from an external data source to replace the stored data stored on the database.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the transmission means is selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, radio waves, microwaves, fibre optical cables, local area network, wide area network, and combinations thereof.

19. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is capable of carrying out one or more sets of instructions to compare the usage data topredetermined pricing threshold data values stored on the database to derive and transmit pricing data to the utility meter to adjust the price per unit of the utility in real time if the predetermined pricing threshold data values are exceeded.

20. The system according to claim 3 wherein the usage data is used to derive a user-specific product which is capable of being modified by data selected from the group consisting of a user’s usage data over a predetermined time period, a user’s usage data during peak utility demand in a predetermined region, a user’s data related to its geographical location, a user’s data related to the distribution of excess utility onto an infrastructure, a user’s data related to its utility network constraints, and combinations thereof.

21. The system according to any of the preceding claims further comprising a prediction module which is capable of receiving the usage data and deriving user prediction data.

22. The system according to claim 21 , wherein the user prediction data comprises predicted user utility usage data and predicted user utility expenditure data.

23. The system according to claim 1 wherein the one or more conditions are related to a condition when the data or the product data, or the data and production data in combination is lower or higher than the predetermined threshold data values.

24. The system according to claim 1 , wherein executing the one or more sets of instructions allows for the one or more products to be integrated with the system by allowing for the automatic configuration of the one or more products to operate according to the one or more sets of instructions.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the one or more products are integrated with the system according to one or more product-specific sets of instructions.

26. A method for integrating one or more products into a utility management system, the method comprising the steps of:- establishing a connection between a utility meter and an interface communicatively coupled to a data module, wherein the interface is communicatively coupled to a computing device comprising one or more processors;- receiving of data by a data module, where the data is derived from measurement means communicatively coupled to the utility meter;- providing a threshold module communicatively coupled to the interface, wherein the threshold module has one or more predetermined threshold data values accessible thereon;- providing a command module communicatively coupled to the interface with one or more sets of instructions which are executed by the one or more processors when the data is lower or higher than the one or more predetermined threshold data values;- allowing for one or more products to establish a connection to the data module, and wherein the one or more products are capable of deriving product data; and- allowing for the processor to execute the one or more sets of instructions when the product data is lower or higher than the one or more predetermined threshold data values.

27. The method according to claim 26 wherein executing the one or more sets of instructions allow for one or more operations related to the one or more products to be executed.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the one or more operations are required to achieve one or more functions associated with the one or more products, and wherein the one or more operations are selected from the group consisting of an actuation action, a physical action, a firmware action, a digital action, and combinations thereof.

29. The method according to claim 27 wherein executing the one or more operations allows for the for the one or more products to be integrated with the utility management system by allowing for the automatic configuration of the one or more products.

30. The method according to claim 26 comprising the step of storing the data, predetermined threshold data values, one or more sets of instructions, and product data on a database communicatively coupled to the interface.31 . The method according to claim 30 comprising the step of transmitting external data, external predetermined threshold data values, external sets of instructions, and external product data from an external data source to replace the existing data and values stored on the database.

32. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 26 - 31 .

33. A data processing device comprising means for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 26 - 31 .

34. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 26 - 31 .

35. A computer-implemented method of training a machine-learning model for a computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:- establishing a connection between a utility meter and an interface communicatively coupled to a data module and a computing device comprising one or more processors;- receiving of data by the data module, where the data is derived from measurement means communicatively coupled to the utility meter;- providing a threshold module communicatively coupled to the interface, wherein the threshold module has one or more predetermined threshold data values accessible thereon;- providing a command module communicatively coupled to the interface with one or more sets of instructions which are executed by the one or more processors when the data is lower or higher than the one or more predetermined threshold data values;- training a model with the data to provide a user with one or more user-specific products;- allowing for the interface to display the one or more user-specific products to the user;- allowing for one or more user-specific products to establish a connection to the data module, and wherein the one or more products are capable of deriving product data; and- allowing for the one or more processors to execute one or more sets of instructions when the product data is lower or higher than the one or more predetermined threshold data values, wherein executing the one or more sets of instructions allow for one or more operations related to the one or more userspecific products to be executed.

36. The computer-implemented method according to claim 35 wherein the one or more operations are required to achieve one or more functions associated with the one or more user-specific products, and wherein the one or more operations are selected from the group consisting of an actuation action, a physical action, a firmware action, a digital action, and combinations thereof.

37. The computer-implemented method according to claim 35, wherein the one or more user-specific products comprises one or more hardware products or software applications, or hardware products and software applications in combination.

38. The computer-implemented method according to claim 35 wherein the userspecific product is a service plan wherein a user is provided with product-specific saving measures to reduce utility expenditure.

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