Third-Party Energy Management System for Multi-Facility Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial establishments face challenges in managing and controlling energy usage across multiple geographically diverse locations due to fragmented energy-efficient devices and lack of integrated systems for real-time measurement and holistic control, leading to inefficient energy savings.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves a third-party energy management company responsible for monitoring and controlling energy usage, providing a billing model that adjusts for rate changes and accounts for fluctuations in usage rates, using sensors and analytics to optimize energy usage and savings, and correlating data from various sources for precise energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multiple energy-efficient devices from different suppliers are installed across multiple facilities, then energy efficiency is improved, but system integration complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple energy-efficient devices from different suppliers into a single integrated energy management system. The system aggregates data from various device types (HVAC, lighting, appliances) across multiple facilities through a unified software platform, enabling centralized monitoring and control while maintaining the benefits of diverse energy-saving technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management system is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of energy-efficient devices from different suppliers. The platform can monitor and control HVAC systems, lighting, appliances, and other energy-consuming equipment through a single interface, eliminating the need for separate management systems for each device type.
2Measurement precision
If real-time measurement capability is implemented across multiple facilities, then energy management precision is improved, but resource requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time measurement at the facility level, breaking down the large-scale multi-facility monitoring into manageable segments. Each facility is monitored independently with granular device-level metrics, while the central platform aggregates these segmented data streams for holistic energy management and reporting.
3Loss of energy
If comprehensive energy monitoring and control is implemented, then energy savings are improved, but capital investment and operational resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management system enables facilities to autonomously optimize their energy consumption through automated control algorithms and real-time adjustments. The system self-regulates energy usage patterns, device operation schedules, and load management without requiring constant human intervention, reducing the need for specialized energy management personnel while maximizing savings.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of modules which control and measure energy usage at a building that are in communication with a software program executing on a remote server controlled by a third party. The third party said usage via the software program that communicates with the modules to modify energy usage and demand for energy and is responsible or liable for energy usage charges the building where the third party does not actually use the energy.