Smart Meter Power Restriction Without Full Service Disconnect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disconnecting electrical power from customers with unpaid accounts leads to social hardships and lacks economic efficiency, as existing methods result in full service disconnection rather than managed restriction.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that restricts utility services without full disconnection by setting threshold values for electricity usage based on ambient temperature and appliance disaggregation, allowing partial service restoration after usage adjustments, using smart meters and central office servers to manage and control electricity supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full service disconnection is implemented for customers with unpaid accounts, then the utility company ensures payment collection and discourages non-payment, but social hardships increase and economic efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the utility service into different levels: full service, restricted service, and disconnection. Instead of moving customers directly from full service to complete disconnection, the system introduces an intermediate restricted service state where non-essential loads are curtailed while essential loads continue to operate, thereby reducing social hardships while maintaining payment collection leverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of service delivery by dynamically adjusting the threshold values that determine when disconnection or restriction occurs. By modifying these threshold parameters based on customer payment status and essential load identification, the system can transition between different service states (full service, restricted service, disconnection) to balance payment collection with social welfare
2Reliability
If full service disconnection is implemented for customers with unpaid accounts, then the utility company enforces payment discipline, but economic efficiency is reduced due to loss of potential revenue from future payments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic service management system where the service state (full service, restricted service, or disconnection) can change in real-time based on payment status and load conditions. This dynamic approach allows the utility company to maintain payment discipline while preserving economic efficiency by keeping customers in restricted service rather than complete disconnection, where they can still consume essential services and potentially resume full service upon payment
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the utility company continuously monitors payment status, load consumption patterns, and threshold violations. This feedback loop enables the company to adjust service levels appropriately - applying restrictions or disconnections when payment discipline is violated, while allowing service restoration when payments are made, thereby maintaining both payment enforcement and economic efficiency
3Productivity
If threshold values are set low to discourage excessive consumption, then payment collection is improved, but social hardships increase due to inability to operate essential appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between essential loads and non-essential loads. Instead of applying a uniform threshold restriction across all appliances, the system identifies specific essential loads (such as refrigeration, lighting, heating/cooling) and ensures they continue to operate even when threshold values are exceeded. Non-essential loads are the ones subject to restriction, thereby maintaining payment collection incentives while protecting social welfare
4Object-affected harmful factors
If threshold values are set high to allow essential appliance operation, then social hardships are reduced, but payment collection effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the load into essential and non-essential categories with different threshold treatments. Essential loads are assigned higher or no thresholds to ensure continuous operation and reduce social hardships, while non-essential loads are assigned lower thresholds that can be exceeded without causing social harm. This segmentation allows the utility company to maintain payment collection effectiveness through selective restriction while protecting essential services
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described for restricting the use of electricity at a service site that is "restricted," such as for non-payment. A threshold value is set, indicating a maximum rate of electricity usage. The threshold value may be set based in part on an ambient temperature or to exclude the use of certain appliances, such as air conditioners. In example operation, it is determined that a consumption level at the service site exceeds the threshold value. Accordingly, electricity is turned off at the service site. After a period of time, that allows customers to turn off one or more appliances, electricity is restored to the customer's service site, and a second consumption level is determined. It is determined if the second consumption level exceeds the second threshold level. If the second consumption level exceeds the second threshold value, then the service is again shut off.