Estimating Always-On Energy Load Using Net Power Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy management systems lack the ability to accurately distinguish between active and passive electricity consumption in buildings, leading to inefficiencies and misperceptions about energy usage, especially when on-site renewable energy sources are implemented, as net power consumption statistics do not account for inactive devices contributing to the baseload.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a digital computer to estimate the always-on energy load by measuring net power load data with a smart meter, identifying regularly-cycling equipment, and isolating the always-on energy load by excluding energy consumption from these devices, providing consumers with a holistic view of their energy consumption and enabling targeted efficiency improvements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If net power consumption statistics are provided to consumers, then energy awareness is raised and monthly utility bills are lowered, but the overall efficiency of the building and passive energy consumption are masked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments energy consumption into active consumption (from regularly-cycling equipment) and passive consumption (always-on load). By dividing the total baseload into these distinct components, the system provides precise measurement of passive energy consumption that was previously masked in aggregate net power statistics, while still maintaining overall energy awareness for consumers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives net power consumption data from utilities and on-site generation data from consumers, then processes this information through algorithms that identify regularly-cycling equipment and calculate passive consumption. This intermediary layer transforms raw data into actionable insights without requiring direct changes to utility infrastructure or consumer behavior
2Loss of energy
If on-site renewable energy sources are implemented, then monthly utility bills are lowered and net power consumption statistics improve, but passive energy consumption from inactive devices is not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors energy consumption patterns, identifies regularly-cycling equipment, and calculates the always-on passive load. This feedback loop provides consumers with specific information about passive consumption that complements their existing knowledge of net power consumption and on-site generation, enabling more targeted energy efficiency improvements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification and characterization of always-on passive loads before consumers make energy efficiency decisions. By pre-calculating the passive consumption component and providing this information in advance, the system enables consumers to prioritize which devices or areas to address first when implementing energy efficiency measures or on-site generation
3Productivity
If consumers focus on reducing active energy consumption, then monthly utility bills are lowered, but the holistic view of energy consumption is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges active energy consumption data (from regularly-cycling equipment) with passive energy consumption data (always-on load) to provide a holistic view of total energy consumption. By combining these previously separate information streams into a unified framework, the system maintains productivity benefits from active energy management while adding the dimension of passive consumption awareness
Data Source
AI summary
Improved energy conservation, including realization of a ZNET (Zero Net Energy including Transportation) paradigm, can be encouraged by providing energy consumers with a holistic view of their overall energy consumption. Current energy consumption in terms of space heating, water heating, other electricity, and personal transportation can be modeled by normalizing the respective energy consumption into the same units of energy. In addition, the passive always-on electricity consumption caused by inactive devices that contributes to the baseload of a building can be identified and addressed by the consumer, as appropriate by expressing baseload as a compound value that combines constant always-on loads and regularly-cycling loads. The baseload is estimated as the peak occurrence in a frequency distribution of net load data, after which the always-on load can be determined by subtracting out any regularly-cycling loads.