Energy Management System with Expert Costs Operations Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy management systems lack the ability to quickly identify, quantify, and monetize operating waste and savings opportunities, failing to provide context and accurate measurements of energy consumption patterns, which hinders effective energy management in commercial and industrial facilities.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an Expert module, a Costs module, and an Operations module that synchronizes energy consumption data with historical data to analyze and interpret patterns, provide contextual insights, and monetize energy savings, using a 'What If' financial modeling feature to calculate the value of energy savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional energy management systems are used, then energy consumption data can be collected, but the ability to quickly identify, quantify, and monetize operating waste and savings opportunities is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides energy management into three specialized modules: Expert module for pattern recognition and interpretation, Costs module for financial analysis and monetization, and Operations module for operational optimization. Each module processes specific aspects of energy data independently, enabling faster identification of waste opportunities while maintaining comprehensive contextual analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an Expert module as an intermediary between raw energy consumption data and actionable insights. This module synchronizes current data with historical patterns, interprets unusual consumption patterns, and provides contextual measurements, thereby bridging the gap between data collection and waste identification without losing critical information.
2Measurement precision
If detailed analysis of energy consumption patterns is performed, then accurate measurements and contextual insights are provided, but the time and resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization of current energy consumption data with historical data patterns before detailed analysis. The Expert module pre-processes data by comparing current readings against established baselines and identifying anomalies, so that when detailed measurement is performed, the context is already prepared, reducing the time required for accurate analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously compares measured energy consumption against historical patterns and provides feedback through the Expert module. This feedback mechanism identifies deviations from normal patterns in real-time, allowing the system to focus detailed measurement efforts only on unusual consumption patterns, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while reducing overall analysis time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive energy management analysis is implemented, then operating waste and savings opportunities can be identified, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex energy management system is segmented into three distinct modules with specialized functions: the Expert module handles pattern recognition and contextual analysis, the Costs module manages financial valuation and monetization calculations, and the Operations module focuses on operational recommendations. This segmentation reduces implementation complexity by allowing each module to be developed and maintained independently while providing comprehensive adaptability through their integrated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each module is designed to perform multiple functions within its domain. The Expert module not only identifies patterns but also synchronizes data, interprets results, and provides contextual measurements. The Costs module handles both financial calculation and valuation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
4Productivity
If energy management solutions are implemented quickly, then time is reduced, but accurate measurement and quantification of results may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The Costs module serves as an intermediary that automatically calculates and validates energy savings measurements. It takes input from the Expert and Operations modules, applies financial modeling and valuation methods, and produces accurate quantification of savings. This automated intermediary process enables quick implementation while maintaining measurement accuracy, as the calculation and validation occur simultaneously with the implementation rather than as a separate time-consuming step.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain examples relate to computer implemented methods and systems including at least three modules whose combined functionality provides for interpretation and optimization of usual and unusual patterns in energy consumption; the identification, quantification, and monetization of hidden operating and financial waste and the accurate measurement of the results of implemented energy management solutions. The first, “Expert Module”, provides information that assists with the accurate interpretation of the information provided in the Operations module. The second, “Costs Module”, allows users to modify consumption and price components and derive the resulting operating costs based on the facility's applied or available rate structures. The third, “Operations Module”, charts and evaluates the current operating performance of a facility down to 15-minute intervals in comparison to the operating performance of a pre-selected “base year”. Comparisons are synchronized over intervals in a manner that allows users to compare and comment on individual graphs interactively.