Meter Data Detection of Electrical Non-Conformities
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread deployment of new generation meters (NGMs) in electrical utilities has reduced the need for manual meter reading, creating a challenge in identifying electrical installations likely to exhibit electrical non-conformities (ENCs) without additional sub-metering equipment, as existing solutions require substantial costs for acquisition, deployment, and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize algorithmic processing of electrical profiles generated by NGMs to detect ENC indicators, without the need for sub-metering equipment, by retrieving and analyzing data from a meter data management system, applying computing devices to identify potential ENCs, and optionally interrupting electricity supply to non-conforming installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sub-metering equipment is deployed to detect electrical non-conformities, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing meters as intermediary devices to detect electrical non-conformities. Instead of deploying dedicated sub-metering equipment, the system leverages the data already collected by standard meters through algorithmic processing of electrical profiles, thus achieving detection capability without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of electrical installation behavior through algorithmic processing of meter data. By analyzing patterns in electrical profiles (power consumption, voltage, current over time), the system copies the functionality of dedicated detection equipment using only existing meter measurements
2Measurement precision
If sub-metering equipment is deployed to detect electrical non-conformities, then detection capability is improved, but acquisition, deployment and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes existing meters serve dual purposes: their original billing function plus electrical non-conformity detection. The meters automatically generate electrical profiles that are processed by algorithms to identify non-conformities, eliminating the need for separate detection equipment and reducing acquisition, deployment, and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables existing meters to perform multiple functions simultaneously - traditional energy measurement for billing and electrical non-conformity detection. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for dedicated sub-metering equipment, significantly reducing overall system cost
3Productivity
If manual meter reading is replaced by automated remote reading, then productivity is improved, but loss of information occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops where electrical profiles collected by remote meters are continuously analyzed by algorithms to generate non-conformity indicators. This automated feedback mechanism replaces the information that would have been provided by manual meter reader observations, ensuring no loss of detection capability despite reduced human presence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical information-gathering process (manual meter reading and observation) with an automated electronic system. Computing devices process electrical profiles and generate non-conformity indicators, substituting human technicians with algorithmic analysis to maintain information quality while improving productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a system and a tangible product and non-transitory computer program are provided to automatically identify electrical installations in an electrical distribution system that are likely to exhibit an electrical non-conformity (ENC). The method requires only electrical profiles collected from meters and IT tools, without the need for any other sub-metering equipment. The method includes the steps of recovering electrical profiles generated by the meters; applying algorithmic processing associated with indicators of an ENC on the profiles; and identifying electrical installations likely to exhibit an ENC, according to the indicators that have met their target conditions. The method may include the recovery of local meteorological data and nominal data related to the electrical installations to confirm or deny that the identified electrical installations are likely to be non-conforming.