Energy Prediction System with Environmental Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy prediction systems do not effectively determine whether current energy consumption status will meet a target value by the end of a predetermined period, lacking the ability to assess the sufficiency of power saving efforts.

Innovation Solution

An energy prediction system comprising an estimated information acquisition unit, consumption information acquisition unit, first prediction unit, environmental information acquisition unit, and output unit, which predicts energy consumption based on correlations between environmental states and consumption data, correcting predictions with real-time environmental information to provide both a target and actual consumption forecasts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the system only displays past energy consumption data and target values, then the user can check historical performance, but the user cannot determine whether current consumption status will meet the target by the end of the period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation about future energy consumption statusVSAvoidprediction system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary prediction of future energy consumption based on current consumption patterns and environmental factors before the target period ends. This allows users to know in advance whether they will meet their energy targets, enabling proactive adjustments to consumption behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback to users by comparing predicted future consumption with target values and displaying real-time consumption status. This feedback loop enables users to understand their current trajectory and make informed decisions about energy usage adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the system uses multiple prediction methods with environmental data correction, then the prediction accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption prediction accuracyVSAvoidprediction algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prediction system is divided into separate functional modules: a base prediction unit that generates initial predictions from consumption patterns, and a correction unit that adjusts predictions based on environmental factors. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while working together to improve overall accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts prediction parameters based on environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and seasonal variations. By changing the prediction model's parameters according to these environmental factors, the system maintains high accuracy without requiring an entirely complex redesign of the prediction architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the system provides detailed real-time prediction data, then users can make timely adjustments to meet energy targets, but the amount of information processing and display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy saving efficiencyVSAvoiddata processing and display complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and highlights only the most critical information needed for energy management, such as predicted total consumption, comparison with target values, and key environmental factors affecting consumption. By extracting only essential data rather than presenting all available real-time data, the system maintains user-friendly complexity while enabling effective energy-saving decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3958195B1Energy prediction system, energy prediction method, program, recording medium, and management system
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3958195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3958195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3958195B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Provided are an energy prediction system, an energy prediction method, a program, a storage medium, and a management system, all of which are configured or designed to allow the user to determine whether the current energy consumption status will enable reducing energy consumption to a target value or less at the end of a predetermined period. An energy prediction system (1) includes an estimated information acquisition unit (102), a consumption information acquisition unit (103), a first prediction unit (105), a second prediction unit (106), and an output unit (107). The first prediction unit (105) predicts, based on a correlation between estimated information acquired by the estimated information acquisition unit (102) and energy consumption, a quantity of energy defining a target value of a quantity of energy that needs to be consumed over a first predetermined period, as a first predicted value. The second prediction unit (106) predicts, in accordance with energy consumption information about respective quantities of energy consumed in a predetermined number of second predetermined periods acquired by the consumption information acquisition unit (103), a quantity of energy that is going to be consumed over the first predetermined period, as a second predicted value. The output unit (107) outputs prediction result information about the first predicted value and the second predicted value.