Smart Meter Threshold Control for Partial Utility Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disconnecting electrical power from customers with unpaid accounts leads to social hardships and inefficiencies, as existing methods do not effectively manage utility service restrictions to balance customer needs with payment obligations.
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 intermittent service disruptions and reconnections, managed by smart meters and central servers, to ensure essential usage while discouraging excessive consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full service disconnection is implemented for non-payment, then revenue collection is improved, but social hardships and customer welfare deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the utility service into essential and non-essential components. Smart meters and control systems identify and prioritize essential loads (refrigeration, lighting, heating/cooling) while allowing disconnection of non-essential loads. This segmentation enables partial service maintenance that protects customers from complete hardship while still providing enforcement leverage for payment collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different service quality levels to different loads within the same service site. Essential appliances receive continued power supply while non-essential appliances are disconnected. This local differentiation allows the utility to maintain basic customer welfare while still implementing consequences for non-payment.
2Reliability
If full service disconnection is implemented for non-payment, then payment enforcement is improved, but economic efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts service levels based on payment status, consumption patterns, and essential load identification. Rather than static full disconnection, the system continuously monitors and adapts service provision, reconnecting essential loads after partial disconnection events. This dynamic approach maintains economic efficiency by avoiding complete service loss while still enforcing payment obligations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where consumption data, payment status, and load identification information continuously inform service control decisions. Smart meters provide real-time feedback on consumption patterns, control systems analyze this data to identify essential vs. non-essential loads, and service levels are adjusted accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables efficient enforcement that maintains customer welfare while securing payment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If threshold-based intermittent disconnection is implemented, then customer welfare is improved, but service control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service functionality where the control system automatically identifies essential vs. non-essential loads and executes disconnection/reconnection decisions without manual intervention. The smart meter and control algorithms work autonomously to monitor consumption, apply threshold rules, and adjust service levels. This automation reduces operational complexity despite the sophisticated control logic required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by focusing control on parameter changes rather than complex device manipulation. Threshold values for essential load identification, disconnection thresholds, and reconnection criteria are the primary control parameters. By standardizing control around these parameters and using algorithmic load identification, the system achieves sophisticated welfare protection without proportionate increases in operational complexity.
Data Source
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.