Energy Savings Selector for Load Control Device Payback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face difficulty in determining which energy-saving devices provide the greatest cost savings in load control environments, and they often wonder if installed energy-saving devices are actually saving energy and cost.
Innovation Solution
An energy savings selector tool is used to assist users in selecting electrical devices that reduce power consumption in load control systems. The tool provides information on recommended devices, including projected cost savings and payback information, based on current usage and load control information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If consumers implement multiple energy-saving devices in their load control environments, then energy consumption is reduced, but it becomes difficult to determine which devices provide the greatest cost savings
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring energy consumption data from smart meters and load control devices, then providing this information back to consumers through a user interface. The system calculates and displays cost savings for individual devices and overall system savings, enabling consumers to see the direct impact of their energy-saving actions and make informed decisions about additional device implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management system acts as an intermediary between the various energy-saving devices and the consumer. It collects data from multiple devices (smart meters, load control devices, energy-saving appliances), processes this information centrally, and presents synthesized cost savings information to the consumer, eliminating the need for consumers to manually track and calculate savings from each device individually.
2Use of energy by moving object
If consumers install energy-saving devices without knowing the projected savings, then energy efficiency is improved, but consumers cannot determine if the devices are actually saving them money
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating and storing projected cost savings information for each energy-saving device before the consumer installs it. The system uses energy consumption data, device specifications, and utility rates to pre-calculate expected savings, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about which devices to install and verify afterward whether the actual savings match projections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback by monitoring actual energy consumption after device installation and comparing it against projected savings. Through the user interface, the system displays whether devices are meeting their expected savings targets, allowing consumers to verify the effectiveness of their investments and adjust their energy-saving strategies accordingly.
3Ease of operation
If detailed savings information is provided for all electrical devices, then consumers can make informed decisions, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and isolates the complex calculation logic for cost savings into a centralized processing module. Individual load control devices and smart meters simply collect and transmit raw data without performing complex calculations. The central system handles all the sophisticated computations for projected savings, actual savings, and payback periods, keeping individual device complexity low while providing comprehensive savings information.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management system performs multiple functions through a single integrated platform: it collects data from various device types (smart meters, load control devices, appliances), processes energy consumption information, calculates projected and actual savings, and presents information through a unified user interface. This multi-functional approach avoids the need for separate complex systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy savings selector tool may assist a user in determining electrical devices that, when implemented in a load control system, may reduce an amount of power used by the load control system. The energy savings selector tool may use load control information of the load control system to identify electrical devices that may be added to or replace other electrical devices in the load control system. The load control information may define operations of the load control system and/or include energy usage information of the load control system. The energy savings selector tool may identify savings information associated with implementing an electrical device in the load control system. Once an electrical device is installed in the load control system, the energy savings selector tool may be used to report energy savings information about the electrical device.