43 results about "Utility industry" patented technology

A building energy system includes equipment configured to consume, store, or discharge one or more energy resources purchased from a utility supplier. At least one of the energy resources is subject to a demand charge. The system further includes a controller configured to determine an optimal allocation of the energy resources across the equipment over a demand charge period. The controller includes a stochastic optimizer configured to obtain representative loads and rates for the building or campus for each of a plurality of scenarios, generate a first objective function comprising a cost of purchasing the energy resources over a portion of the demand charge period, and perform a first optimization to determine a peak demand target for the optimal allocation of the energy resources. The peak demand target minimizes a risk attribute of the first objective function over the plurality of the scenarios.

Examples described herein provide a system for controlling power flow in an energy distribution network. The system includes a plurality of inverters, each having an inverter controller associated therewith. The system further includes a utility controller associated with a utility and configured to communicate with at least a subset of the plurality of inverters. The system further includes a customer controller associated with a customer of the utility and configured to communicate with at least the utility controller. The system further includes a direct current (DC) breaker associated with a battery of the customer. The system further includes a DC meter of the customer, the DC meter and the DC breaker each configured to communicate with the utility controller and the customer controller. The utility controller is configured to determine a current operational scenario of the energy distribution network and to control power routing within the energy distribution network.

According to an embodiment, disclosed is a system comprising an energy management module, electrically coupled to a utility meter, energy consuming devices and energy producing devices, comprising, a communication module configured to receive input energy data from utility meter, and energy information of energy consuming devices and energy producing devices; a processor storing instructions in a non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the processor to: determine energy consumption data of the devices; identify a first device based on a first set of predefined priority values which requires energy; identify a second device based on a second set of predefined priority values which has excess energy; establish a connection and control energy transfer from the second device to the first device based on the energy consumption data and the input energy data to enable smart scheduling and power optimization among the energy consuming devices and the energy producing devices.

A system for processing utility bills having distinct formats is provided. The system comprises at least one processor. The processor obtains a plurality of utility bills comprising at least two utility bills of distinct formats and generates bill data based on the plurality of utility bills. The bill data includes a plurality of fields and corresponding field values for each bill. The processor classifies the field values into a set of predetermined uniform categories based on a field-category mapping to obtain uniform classified data. The processor computes one or more utility metrics for each utility bill. The processor generates utility reports for the utility bills based on the uniform classified data and the utility metrics, where each is of a predefined standard template and includes the utility metrics and uniform classified data. The processor provides the utility reports in the predefined standard template for display on a user interface.

To provide a method and system for improving the reliability of a utility system asset.SOLUTION: The method includes receiving a time series signal collected from a sensor in a utility system asset, using an inference model to generate an estimated value of the time series signal, performing a pairwise difference operation between the actual value and the estimated value of the time series signal to generate a residual, and performing a sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) on the residuals to generate an SPRT alarm, applying an irrelevance filter that removes SPRT alarm for a signal that does not correlate with previous failures of similar utility system assets to the SPRT alarm to generate a filtered SPRT alarm, using a logistic regression model to calculate an RUL-based risk indicator for the utility system asset on the basis of the filtered SPRT alarm, and generating a notification indicating that the utility system asset needs to be replaced when the risk indicator exceeds a threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

A gas line size gauge device is provided. The device is designed to assist first responders, utility workers, and contractors in accurately identifying natural gas pipe sizes during field operations. The device comprises multiple pipe sections corresponding to common industry-standard diameters. A connecting member secures the sections while allowing individual sections to be rotated upwards or downwards for direct size comparison. Each section includes permanent markings, which may be embossed, laser-etched, or phosphorescent for enhanced visibility. Color differentiation between the sections may further aid in quick identification. The device also features attachment points for securing to tool belts or emergency kits. A method of using the device involves extending individual sections to compare with a gas pipe, repeating the process until a match is found, and referencing the corresponding marking for verification.

A method may include receiving production data and facility data associated with an enterprise, such that the production data includes operational tasks performed in a hydrocarbon production system, and the facility data includes one or more utility operations within one or more buildings associated with the enterprise. The method may also include receiving sustainability parameter data associated with one or more operations corresponding to the enterprise based on the production data and the facility data, generating a sustainability report representative of sustainability parameters associated with the operations of the enterprise based on the sustainability parameter data, and sending the sustainability report to one or more engineering workflow systems to determine action plans associated with improving the sustainability parameters. After receiving the action plans, the method includes sending commands to cause devices to adjust their respective operations.

Systems and methods are provided for allocating and providing power to electric loads based on load classification information. A power system, such as a local electrical utility, may receive load demand requests from customers or loads wanting to consume power, and the system may allocate power to the loads based on load classifications of each of the loads. The system may then communicate the power allocations to the loads, and the loads may then consume power based on the power allocated to each of the loads. These improvements may be used to, for example, reduce the likelihood or frequency of demand response events in which power demand exceeds supply since the system may limit the total amount of power that is allocated at any given time.

An externally-controllable electrical power generating system for providing auxiliary or backup power to a load bus or device. The system may be used indoors, and generally includes a power source comprising a first DC output, an electrical storage unit comprising a DC input coupled to the first DC output of the power source, the electrical storage unit further comprising a second DC output. An inverter coupled to the second DC output receives power, the inverter having a first AC output that can be synchronized with an AC load bus or AC grid. The system includes a contactor connected between the first AC output and an AC load bus, and is controllable with an external controller operated by a utility or a managing entity, such that the external controller can enable the controller to connect or disconnect the contactor.

A cabinet lock for securing a door panel to a cabinet housing comprising a latching component, an electromechanical component, and a communications module. The latching component has a latch housing and latch member reciprocally translatable between locked and unlocked orientations to selectively secure the door panel to the cabinet housing. The electromechanical component includes an actuator operably coupled to a drive member that is coupled to the latch member whereby powering of the actuator translates the latch member to at least one of the unlocked or locked orientations. The communications module is configured for communication with a remote device of a municipal traffic control agency and / or a utilities worker. The communications module is configured to receive a control signal from the remote device for moving the latch member to the at least one of the unlocked orientation or the locked orientation.

Techniques for obtaining and processing utility consumption data (e.g., gas, water, electricity, etc.) of a utility network to determine if a violation has occurred with respect to a restriction schedule associated with a service site. By way of example, a number of utility restriction schedules associated with a number of service sites may be generated that indicate, for example, a type of restricted activity and / or event (e.g., irrigation), seasons and / or which days activity is allowed or not allowed, duration activity is allowed, and / or mitigation to take place if a violation is detected. A device (e.g., a smart utility meter, a router, etc.) may monitor utility consumption and detect a particular usage activity (e.g., irrigation) via data disaggregation. The device may compare the activity to the restriction schedule for that particular service site and perform automatic mitigation if a violation is detected.

The disclosure includes methods, systems and apparatus for predictive management of efficient selecting and receiving of retail electric utility service to a facility for a period, by automated selecting of a retail utility service provider corresponding to a selected least cost path of predicted rate plan choices across the period, wherein costs of all possible, viable time-bounded predicted rate plan choices are determined for predicted consumer usage where a predicted market of retail rate formulas for the period are predicted in relation to at least one variable, such as weather.

A flow meter is configured for use on a distribution line. These configurations incorporate a backup counter that can record data in absence of power. This counter may supplement a primary indexer that generates a value for corrected volume. In one implementation, the flow meter may include components to foreclose the need for the primary indexer. These components may include a processing unit and power source, for example, an energy harvester that can generate power from the localized area around the device. In this way, the flow meter can operate independent of any fixed power source to generate values for corrected volume, which utilities can use to bill customer for consumption of resources.

Backup electric power with a batter(ies) storing electrical energy (kilowatt hours—KWH) and a DC-to-AC inverter converting the stored electrical energy from the battery into electrical AC power (kilowatts—KW) may be provided for emergency power used when power from the electric utility fails. Condominium units and apartments in high rise buildings can benefit from having DC-to-AC inverter battery systems installed in each unit. Spare capacity power from existing emergency backup generators may be utilized to charge the battery of the inverter battery system of each condominium / apartment unit. The DC-to-AC inverter battery system may be used to reduce ampacity requirements of the electric utility power distribution system and electric service entrance equipment coupled to the utility electric meter per occupancy. Cold fusion-low energy nuclear reaction (LENR) power generation, may be used in place of or partial substitution of power from the electric utility.

A building stud (2) comprising a web (4) and first and second flanges (6, 8) formed with and depending from said web (4); a member (18) formed in said web (4) by a continuous cut (10) made in said web (4) and located in an operable position in which the member (18) is not located in a plane (21) of the web (4); an aperture (24) formed in the web (4) resulting from the member (18) being located in said operable position; wherein at least one conduit or cable (38, 40, 42, 44) is adapted to be secured to said member (18) and extends through said aperture (24).

Systems and methods for interval energy disaggregation utilizing machine learning are provided. An example method includes obtaining and cleaning weather data and customer data, and based on the customer data, determining whether a structure utilizes solar energy. If the structure utilizes solar energy, the overall aggregate data is disaggregated by using and training a first machine learning model, to ultimately produce a predicted solar production. The predicted solar production is extracted from an overall aggregate data of the structure. Then, the method continues with disaggregating the non-solar aggregate data by utilizing at least a second ML model, to produce disaggregated data relating to at least one of AC energy consumption and EV (electric vehicle) consumption. The disaggregated data is provided to the customer or utility. The disaggregated data comprises at least one of the predicted solar production, the AC energy consumption, and the EV consumption of the structure.

The present disclosure provides a system and method for implementing a framework for Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) methodologies to address the need for efficient asset risk assessment and management in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, specialty chemical, power generation, utilities, pipeline, hi-tech industries, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing. The system analyses asset parameters, including specifications, historical data, and real-time performance metrics, to determine the probability of failure (PoF) and consequence of failure (CoF). Risk levels are calculated by combining PoF and CoF, allowing for the identification and prioritization of high-risk assets. In addition, real-time data updates refine risk assessments, enabling dynamic adjustments to inspection strategies. This framework generates optimized inspection recommendations and maintenance schedules, improving asset reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.

The present disclosure provides an energy orchestration router arranged to be installed between a utility energy meter and a main breaker panel of a building. The router includes a communication interface arranged to communicatively couple the router to the utility energy meter, the main breaker panel, and one or more energy assets at the building. The router further includes a power stage arranged to orchestrate bidirectional energy conversion and distribution for the energy assets and at least one processor arranged to perform operations including receiving data from the utility energy meter, the main breaker panel, and the energy assets, generating orchestration policies for allocating energy flows between the energy assets, and executing the orchestration policies in real-time, causing the power stage to control electron flow between the utility energy meter and the energy assets to dynamically optimize operation based on the orchestration policies.

A first energy converter that can consume a first physical energy form of a first energy delivery network can be controlled to produce a second physical energy form of a second energy delivery network and inject the second physical energy form into the second energy delivery network. A second energy converter that can consume the second physical energy form of the second energy delivery system can be controlled to produce the first physical energy form of the first energy delivery network and inject the first physical energy form into the first energy deliver network. The controlling of the first energy converter and the controlling of the second energy converter can be coordinated. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

A failure-tolerant hybrid energy system couples at least one renewable-generation source to at least one energy-storage system (ESS) using independent inverters that provide separate AC paths to a point of interconnection (POI). A bidirectional DC / DC converter establishes a direct DC link between subsystems to transfer energy, recover clipped generation, and time-shift dispatch. During a component outage, power is automatically rerouted through the remaining inverter, ensuring continuous delivery to the grid. A hierarchical controller supervises power routing and enables additional modes such as discharging ESS energy through the generation inverter — based on state of charge and market conditions. Modular configurations, including a "T-Model" with multiple generation branches and pre-integrated skid assemblies, support scalable deployment from distributed to utility scale. The architecture combines advantages of AC and DC coupling to improve round-trip efficiency, operational resilience, and grid responsiveness.

A line management device for guiding local distribution of a utility line includes a main body with a middle portion, a first end portion and a second end portion. The middle portion includes a first end, a second end and a contoured surface extending between the first end and the second end. The contoured surface directs the utility line in relation to an object in a local environment. The first end portion abuts the first end of the middle portion and includes a first exterior surface shaped to direct the utility line toward the middle portion and to obstruct the utility line from passing over the first end portion. The second end portion abuts the second end of the middle portion and includes a second exterior surface shaped to direct the utility line toward the middle portion and to obstruct the utility line from passing over the second end portion.

Various embodiments disclose a method comprising generating, by a central server, a list of locations where a stolen meter is likely to be used, identifying, by the central server, a first meter having one or more characteristics of a stolen meter, and in response to determining that a first location associated with the first meter meets one or more distance criteria relative to a second location on the list of locations, performing, by the central server, a remedial action in relation to the first meter.

The invention relates to the technical field of power market and public utility management, in particular to a micro-grid cost dredging mechanism design and evaluation method, system, equipment and medium, which comprises the following steps of: assembling a cost conduction rule based on a cost collection unit delimiting structure and a cost conduction diagram; loading life cycle parameters to carry out cash flow prediction under multiple scenes, and generating a multi-scene economy evaluation set; and based on the multi-scene economic evaluation set, performing parameter disturbance, sensitivity and elasticity analysis, identifying key risk factors and generating allocation suggestions, further performing write-back and versioning management on conduction rule parameters, and generating a cost grooming mechanism after iterative correction. The method has the beneficial effect of effectively supporting scientific decision and efficient operation of multiple types of microgrids in a complex market environment.

A zero-emission generator system comprises hydrogen fuel cell modules, electrolyzers, energy storage components, and a cloud-based telemetry system for autonomous operational control. The system receives electrical power from renewable sources and grid connections, with excess energy directed to electrolyzers for hydrogen production and storage in compressed form. A control system interfaces with cloud-based processing algorithms that analyze real-time utility pricing, renewable energy availability, storage levels, and market conditions to select optimal operational protocols. Four distinct protocols enable cost optimization, renewable energy maximization, storage maximization, and revenue generation through energy sales and grid services. The cloud-based system processes external data including utility rate structures, weather forecasting, and energy market pricing to generate operational commands transmitted to local control systems. Protocol selection occurs autonomously based on user preferences and real-time conditions, enabling proportional or absolute energy source allocation to supply electrical loads. The system coordinates electrical storage in batteries with chemical storage as compressed hydrogen, providing extended operational duration and grid independence while optimizing economic performance through intelligent energy source management and market participation capabilities.

A device, system and method for reaming a substantially horizontal bore for installation of a casing pipe for utilities. The device for draining loosened ground from reaming of a substantially horizontal bore for installation of a casing pipe for utilities. The device comprises a trailing pipe for being trailed behind a reamer head. The trailing pipe forming at least part of a drainage channel for draining loosened ground therethrough. The device comprises a pump unit for being connected between a leading end of the trailing pipe and the reamer head. The pump unit is configured for drawing the loosened ground into the drainage channel and pumping the loosened ground through the drainage channel away from the reamer head.

A utility monitoring application device is disclosed, which is a software and / or mobile application for monitoring all home and business utilities (i.e., gas, electric, water, etc.) on one site. The utility monitoring application device includes a wall display sensor which is tied to each utility at the entrance of the home or business to monitor usage and leaks and transmit the information wirelessly to the software application. The user will input his or her normal monthly usage of electricity, gas, and water into the unit or application. If the user exceeds the normal monthly usage, he / she will be notified through the application or sensors. The device will prevent overuse and overcharging. Further, monthly reminders can be sent for bills. Users may also monitor the application for potential leaks.

Carbon emission reduction using machine learning is provided. A system receives data for profiles linked with locations of an entity. The system determines, based at least in part on data from a utility service provider system and the data indicative of energy consumption associated with the locations, a first value of a metric indicative of carbon emissions associated with the locations. The system determines, based on a comparison of the first value of the metric with a threshold, to invoke an automated process via the payroll processing system to reduce the metric. The system generates, generate, using one or more models trained with machine learning, an action to execute via the automated process. The system selects a first profile from that is compatible with the action, and commands the payroll processing system to execute the generated action to cause a reduction in the first value of the metric.

A first aspect of the invention provides a method of fault monitoring in a utility supply network, the method comprising: receiving user queries, each user query about a performance of the network at a respective location; defining a region based on the locations specified in the received user queries; determining an estimate of a user population in the region; and according the region, based on the estimate, a priority for one or more of fault investigation and remediation.

A computer-implemented method and computer program product for predicting a required committed capacity of an electric utility are provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) performing a stochastic optimization of raw data to produce a total committed capacity from conventional thermal units as a target data, wherein the raw data comprises grid operating conditions; (b) combining the total committed capacity from conventional thermal units with raw features and engineered features to generate training data; (c) training a machine learning model for predicting the required committed capacity of the electric utility using the generated training data; (d) predicting the required committed capacity of the electric utility using the trained machine learning model; and (e) running an augmented version of a deterministic dispatch optimization model based on the predicted required committed capacity of the electric utility. The computer program performs the aforementioned steps.

Various embodiments disclose a method comprising generating, by a central server, a list of locations where a stolen meter is likely to be used, identifying, by the central server, a first meter having one or more characteristics of a stolen meter, and in response to determining that a first location associated with the first meter meets one or more distance criteria relative to a second location on the list of locations, performing, by the central server, a remedial action in relation to the first meter.