Device-Specific Energy Charging Without Separate Meter Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy consumption billing systems cannot accurately charge individual energy-consuming devices, leading to inefficiencies and increased infrastructure costs, as they lack the ability to isolate and charge for energy usage by specific devices, especially with the introduction of intermittent renewable energy sources and increased electrification.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a communication interface and processor to receive information from energy-consuming devices, determining specific charging rates based on device type, usage, and time of use, allowing for differential pricing without the need for separate electrical circuits or costly rewiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a twin element meter with two separate measuring elements is used to charge individual devices, then device-specific energy charging is achieved, but installation cost and complexity increase due to required separate electrical circuits
Solution Approach 1:
A single measuring element serves multiple functions by measuring total energy consumption and, through communication with energy consuming devices, enabling device-specific charging. The system uses one measuring element to perform what traditionally required two separate elements, reducing circuit complexity while maintaining device-specific measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the measuring element and energy consuming devices. This intermediary enables the system to identify and charge specific devices without requiring separate physical measuring elements for each device, thus avoiding complex electrical circuit modifications
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable rate metering is implemented, then energy consumption at certain times is rewarded or discouraged, but device-specific charging capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges time-based variable rate metering with device-specific identification capabilities. The single measuring element combines both functions: it measures total energy consumption for time-based pricing while also enabling device-specific attribution through communication interfaces that identify which devices consumed energy during different time periods
Solution Approach 2:
Communication interfaces provide feedback between energy consuming devices and the measuring system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to identify which specific devices are consuming energy at any given time, allowing both device-specific charging and time-based variable pricing to operate simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calculating a cost for energy consumption is provided. The method includes receiving information regarding an energy consuming device from the energy consuming device, and determining a first charging rate for energy consumed by the energy consuming device based on the received information regarding the energy consuming device.