Powerline Energy Monitoring via Broadband Over Powerline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rising energy consumption and costs, coupled with the challenge of managing peak and average energy usage in domestic and industrial environments, are exacerbated by the lack of detailed energy consumption metrics, making systematic management and reduction difficult, and contributing to environmental concerns like climate change.
Innovation Solution
The system employs broadband over powerline (BPL) technology to create a premises area network (PAN) using electrical wiring, enabling energy monitoring and automation, with adaptive intelligent software for device control, energy analysis, and predictive usage mapping, integrating existing communication technologies for seamless integration and retro-fit solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If broadband over powerline technology is implemented to create a premises area network for energy monitoring, then real-time energy usage monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing electrical wiring infrastructure to serve dual purposes: traditional power distribution and data communication for energy monitoring. By implementing broadband over powerline technology, the electrical network becomes a multi-functional system that simultaneously delivers electricity and enables real-time energy usage measurement without requiring separate communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing electrical wiring infrastructure already present in buildings to provide energy monitoring capabilities. Rather than requiring new dedicated measurement infrastructure, the patent makes the existing power distribution network self-sufficient by enabling it to perform both power delivery and data collection functions through intelligent metering devices.
2Loss of information
If detailed energy consumption metrics are collected and monitored, then energy management and reduction capability is improved, but data processing requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments energy consumption data collection at the individual device level through intelligent metering devices. Each device's energy usage is measured and recorded separately, creating granular data segments that can be individually analyzed. This segmentation approach enables detailed energy consumption metrics to be collected without overwhelming the central system, as data is organized into manageable device-specific units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where collected energy consumption metrics are processed and returned to users through interfaces that provide actionable insights. The feedback loop transforms raw data into meaningful information about energy usage patterns, enabling users to make informed decisions about energy management and reduction strategies.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing electrical wiring is utilized for both power distribution and data communication, then ease of manufacture and retro-fit capability are improved, but signal interference and reliability issues may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specialized intelligent metering devices as intermediary components between the electrical wiring infrastructure and the energy monitoring system. These devices serve as mediators that convert electrical signals into data communication signals, enabling reliable data transmission over power lines while isolating the communication system from electrical interference. The intermediary devices handle signal conditioning and protocol conversion to ensure reliable operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An integrated energy management and device automation system for managing a premises electrical system having a plurality of electrical circuits. The energy management and device automation system comprises a central controller. The central controller is configured to receive, over the premises electrical system, energy usage data from a plurality of modules and module originated notifications that a module has been connected to the premises electrical system. The central controller is configured to receive and send, over the premises electrical system, messages for device automation and control from a plurality of modules. The energy management system additionally comprises a plurality of modules. Each module comprises a processor, a powerline interface operatively connected to the processor and to one of the plurality of electrical circuits and a sensor operatively connected to the electrical circuit so that the sensor can sense at least one of current and voltage. Each module is configured to collect data relating to energy usage using the sensor and to transmit the data to the central controller. The central controller uses energy usage data to indentify, profile and analysis connected devices and their usage.