Energy Signal Disaggregation via Sensor-Mediated Device Attribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy monitoring systems for buildings or homes provide aggregate energy usage data but are costly and unable to accurately identify specific devices contributing to energy consumption, requiring inconvenient and expensive individual measurements or impractical current clamps.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a gateway device and user application to receive an aggregate energy usage signal, detect on/off states of devices, and combine metadata, sensor data, and crowd-sourced information to accurately attribute energy usage to specific devices, employing algorithms for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If aggregate energy monitoring systems are used, then energy usage data can be obtained, but the systems are costly and cannot identify specific devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sensors as intermediary devices that detect device states (on/off, operational modes) and combine this information with aggregate energy data to attribute energy consumption to specific devices without requiring direct measurement of each device. This mediator approach enables device-level precision while avoiding the complexity of installing measurement equipment on every appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical measurement devices (current clamps, power analyzers) with a computational system that uses sensors and algorithms to infer device-level energy consumption from aggregate data. This substitution eliminates the need for complex hardware installations while achieving comparable or superior measurement precision through software-based attribution.
2Measurement precision
If individual device measurement is performed using intermediate measuring devices, then specific device energy usage can be identified, but the appliance must be separately plugged into an analyzer creating inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to be measured in their normal operational context without requiring removal or separate testing. Sensors detect device states automatically as devices operate normally, and the system self-attributes energy consumption based on detected states and aggregate data, eliminating the need for users to manually connect devices to analyzers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multi-functional sensors that can detect various device states (on/off, operational modes, presence) and apply this information universally across different device types. This universal approach allows any device in the environment to be measured without requiring device-specific measurement equipment or procedures.
3Measurement precision
If current clamps are used for measurement, then device energy usage can be measured, but they are impractical for residential use due to multiple bound conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sensors as intermediary detection devices that can identify device states through alternative means (such as acoustic, optical, or other non-contact methods) rather than requiring direct electrical contact with conductors. This mediator approach enables measurement without the installation complexity of current clamps while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical current clamping with a computational system that uses sensor data and algorithms to infer energy consumption. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with electrical conductors, making the system practical for residential environments where conductors are bound together in walls and outlets.
4Loss of information
If aggregate energy monitoring is used, then overall energy consumption can be tracked, but actionable appliance-specific behavior cannot be driven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments aggregate energy information into device-level components by using sensor-detected device states to attribute portions of total energy consumption to individual devices. This segmentation recovers the lost device-level information, enabling targeted energy management actions for specific appliances rather than generic building-wide recommendations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of disaggregating an energy usage signal of a usage area includes steps of providing a gateway device for an aggregate energy usage signal of a usage area, installing a user application on a user computing device to display information from the gateway device, receiving a plurality of inputs, and determining the energy usage of the individual electrically powered devices in the usage area based on the aggregate energy usage signal and based on the plurality of inputs.