Dynamic Energy Savings Allocation for Remote Lighting Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Customers are hesitant to adopt energy-efficient light fixtures due to their higher upfront costs, despite long-term energy savings, as the immediate cost barrier discourages their use.

Innovation Solution

A computerized system that collects energy consumption data from energy-efficient light fixtures equipped with wireless communication devices, calculates energy savings, and dynamically allocates these savings between customers and enterprises, providing incentives such as discounts or rebates to encourage the use of energy-efficient lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If energy efficient light fixtures are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but upfront cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidupfront cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by calculating and allocating energy savings amounts before the customer fully bears the upfront cost. The enterprise determines the energy savings amount based on projected energy consumption data and allocates a portion to the customer as an incentive, effectively preparing financial support in advance to offset the higher initial cost of energy efficient light fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring energy consumption data from light fixtures and dynamically adjusting the allocation of energy savings amounts. The enterprise receives feedback on actual energy consumption patterns and uses this information to recalculate and redistribute savings amounts, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual performance and reinforces the benefit of choosing energy efficient fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If energy savings are allocated to customers, then adoption incentive increases, but enterprise revenue decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadoption incentiveVSAvoidenterprise revenue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making the allocation of energy savings amounts flexible and adjustable rather than fixed. The enterprise can dynamically modify allocation ratios, time periods, and amounts based on business objectives, customer performance, and market conditions. This dynamic approach allows the enterprise to optimize between providing adoption incentives and maintaining revenue, adapting the revenue-sharing arrangement in real-time rather than being locked into static terms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10304145B2System and method to dynamically allocate energy savings amounts for remote energy efficient light fixture networks

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 LINKBEE LLC

AI summary

According to some embodiments, data about a plurality of remote energy efficient light fixture networks may be received, and each energy efficient light fixture network is associated with a customer of an enterprise and includes a plurality of energy efficient light fixtures equipped with wireless communication devices. Based on data indicative of energy consumption by a first customer, a first energy savings amount may be determined for the first customer in connection with a pre-determined period of time. An allocation of the first energy savings amount between the first customer and the enterprise may be dynamically calculated and an indication of the allocation between the first customer and the enterprise may be transmitted.