Energy System Data Reconstruction from Partial Metering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy systems lack complete energy datasets due to the absence of measuring devices for all energy flows, leading to incomplete data sets and increased costs and complexity in installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates virtual measurement data for energy flows without meters by dividing the energy system into subsystems, using a directed graph to store topology and energy flows, and solving systems of equations with balance and model equations to determine missing values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If measuring devices are installed for all energy flows, then complete energy dataset is available, but installation and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of energy datasetVSAvoidnumber of measuring devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a calculation unit that acts as an intermediary to derive missing energy flow data from available measurements and system models. Instead of installing physical meters for every energy flow, the calculation unit computationally reconstructs the complete energy dataset by processing measurements from subset of meters along with system topology and component models, thereby eliminating the need for numerous additional measuring devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of measurement data through mathematical modeling. By establishing models of energy system components and their interrelationships, the system generates calculated measurement values that replicate what physical meters would measure, allowing complete energy flow monitoring without installing physical meters everywhere.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If measuring devices are installed for all energy flows, then complete energy dataset is available, but installation and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of energy datasetVSAvoidnumber of measuring devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The calculation unit serves as a computational intermediary that processes available measurements and system models to generate complete energy flow data. This approach replaces the need for additional physical measuring devices with a computational process that derives missing values mathematically, thereby reducing the quantity of measuring devices required while maintaining data completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates virtual measurement data through mathematical models of energy system components. These calculated values are copies of what physical meters would record, allowing the system to have complete measurement coverage without installing additional physical meters, thus reducing the quantity of measuring devices needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If measuring devices are installed for all energy flows, then complete energy dataset is available, but space constraints are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of energy datasetVSAvoidspace for meter installations
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The calculation unit acts as a virtual intermediary that computes missing energy flow data without requiring additional physical measurement infrastructure. By using available measurements combined with system topology and component models, the calculation unit generates complete energy datasets without needing additional physical space for meter installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If subsystems are divided for calculation, then calculation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of data processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the energy system into subsystems for calculation purposes. Each subsystem can be processed independently using local measurements and models, which improves calculation efficiency by avoiding the need to process the entire system at once. The segmentation allows parallel processing and reduces computational complexity of individual calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a computational dimension to the physical energy system by introducing a calculation unit that processes data mathematically. This computational layer operates alongside the physical system, enabling efficient subsystem-based calculations without adding physical complexity to the energy flows themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4437310B1Energy system with incomplete measurement data
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
  • EP4437310B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4437310B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4437310B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for evaluating measurement values of an energy system, wherein the energy system comprises components (COMPONENT) which are interconnected by energy flows (FLOW). Measurement values are available for only a portion of the energy flows (FLOW). Values are calculated for at least some energy flows (FLOW) for which no measurement values are available by successively considering different subsystems (SUBSYS) of the energy system, and in each subsystem (SUBSYS) a value is calculated for one or more energy flows (FLOW).