Building Energy Invoicing Platform for Off-Peak Usage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Buildings face significant challenges with lost revenue, wasted energy, and operational inefficiencies due to uncontrolled energy usage by tenants during off-peak hours, leading to increased energy costs and penalties, with existing systems lacking accountability and disparate management systems across large portfolios.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented building management system that utilizes web-based and telephony-based tools to track and invoice energy-related services, allowing tenants to request and manage energy services outside standard lease hours, integrating with existing energy management systems to automate billing and monitoring, and providing a user-selectable approval process for invoices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If energy usage is allowed to go unchecked during off-peak hours, then tenants have operational flexibility, but energy waste increases and revenue is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated monitoring and billing feedback mechanisms that track energy consumption during off-peak hours and provide tenants with real-time information about their usage and associated costs, enabling them to make informed decisions about their energy consumption patterns
Solution Approach 2:
Tenants are empowered to self-manage their off-peak energy usage through automated request and approval workflows, where they can request energy services, view billing information, and make decisions about their consumption without requiring manual intervention from building management
2Device complexity
If manual energy management processes are used, then system complexity is low, but operational inefficiencies increase and accountability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical processes with automated digital workflows, including electronic request submissions, automated approval routing, digital billing generation, and integrated monitoring systems that eliminate paper-based processes and manual tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The platform provides a unified multi-functional system that handles energy service requests, approval workflows, billing generation, payment processing, and monitoring all through a single integrated interface, serving multiple functions that would otherwise require separate systems
3Loss of energy
If digital controls are implemented to replace pneumatic controls, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The building management platform serves as a universal control system that integrates multiple functions including energy monitoring, service request management, billing, and optimization algorithms into a single system, replacing multiple separate control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated self-optimization capabilities where the platform automatically adjusts energy consumption patterns, routes service requests, generates billing information, and performs monitoring without requiring constant manual intervention or complex manual control procedures
4Measurement precision
If automated invoicing systems are implemented, then billing accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual billing processes with automated digital invoicing that automatically calculates energy consumption, applies appropriate rates, generates accurate bills, and handles payment processing through integrated software systems
Solution Approach 2:
The automated invoicing system implements real-time feedback loops that continuously monitor energy consumption data, verify billing calculations, and provide tenants with accessible billing information through multiple channels including web portals and mobile devices
Data Source
AI summary
A building management and optimization system and method are disclosed. Building services data obtained at the building is received by a building optimization platform through a first communication network. The building optimization platform includes at least one server system for generating an electronic invoice based on the building services use data. A representation of the electronic invoice is transmitted to a user interface through a second communication network for web-based review, editing and approval by a property manager associated with the building.