Demand Response Device Using Location Data for Targeted Notifications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing demand response systems face challenges in accurately forecasting peak resource consumption events, relying on costly smart thermostats and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), and lack real-time targeted notifications to reduce demand effectively.

Innovation Solution

A demand response device (DRD) equipped with a microprocessor, location module, and environmental sensors that correlates temperature and location data to provide real-time comparative consumption information, enabling targeted notifications without the need for expensive networking components or AMI metering, allowing for bi-directional communication and real-time demand response notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If costly smart thermostats and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) are used, then measurement precision of resource consumption is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource consumption measurementVSAvoidnetworking components and AMI metering

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive smart thermostats and AMI infrastructure with inexpensive demand response devices that can be deployed widely. These simple devices perform basic temperature sensing and communication functions without requiring complex networking infrastructure, effectively substituting costly permanent installations with affordable, easily deployable units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential demand response functionality from complex smart thermostat systems and AMI infrastructure. By isolating the core functions (temperature sensing, location identification, and basic communication) and removing unnecessary complexity, the system achieves measurement precision without requiring expensive smart thermostats or advanced metering infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of time

If peak event forecasting is relied upon, then demand response timing is improved, but loss of time due to inaccurate forecasting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemand response timing accuracyVSAvoidpeak event forecasting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time feedback loops where demand response devices continuously monitor local temperature conditions and immediately communicate with the notification system. This real-time feedback mechanism replaces reliance on forecasted peak events with actual observed conditions, allowing the system to respond to genuine demand spikes as they occur rather than based on potentially inaccurate predictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent sends notifications in advance of actual peak consumption events by monitoring real-time temperature trends and comparing them against historical patterns. This allows the system to take preliminary action before peak demand is fully realized, enabling proactive demand response rather than reactive measures after blackouts or rate hikes occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If real-time comparative consumption information is provided, then demand response effectiveness is improved, but loss of information due to lack of targeted notifications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomparative consumption informationVSAvoiddemand response effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides demand response notifications tailored to specific local conditions by geolocating demand response devices and comparing their temperature readings with neighboring devices. This local quality approach ensures that each notification is customized to the specific geographic and environmental context of the user, making the information more relevant and actionable compared to generic demand response messages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10033184B2Demand response device configured to provide comparative consumption information relating to proximate users or consumers

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 OPOWER

AI summary

Aspects of the subject technology relate to a demand response device that is configured to receive comparison report information from a notification system, wherein the notification system is configured to execute steps including receiving at least one temperature report for each of a plurality of demand response devices, and identifying two or more demand response devices that share a common geographic location. In some aspects, a notification system of the subject technology can be further configured for generating a comparison report, wherein the comparison report is based on the ambient temperature information and the geolocation data for at least two of the plurality of demand response devices.