Utility Consumption Divergence Analysis for Peak Demand Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The electrical grid faces strain due to varying energy demand, particularly during peak periods, and existing technologies lack effective methods to manage energy consumption and supply efficiently without requiring large-scale infrastructure updates.

Innovation Solution

A method analyzing utility consumption data to identify recurring patterns and divergences, allowing for the calculation of a diagnostic measure that indicates irregular consumption, which can be used to adjust supply and demand, thereby improving the management of the grid and reducing the likelihood of power outages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large-scale infrastructure updates are implemented to increase network capacity, then the grid can handle increased demand, but construction time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid capacityVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from physical infrastructure expansion to modifying operational parameters through data analysis. By analyzing consumption patterns and generating diagnostic measures, the system optimizes existing grid capacity without physical construction, thereby avoiding time losses while maintaining reliability improvements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/construction-based solutions with an information-processing system. Instead of physically expanding infrastructure, the system uses consumption data analysis, pattern recognition, and diagnostic measure generation to manage grid capacity, substituting mechanical expansion with intelligent operational management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If infrastructure is updated to meet increasing demand, then grid capacity increases, but the cost of construction and implementation becomes very expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid capacityVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the problem from capital-intensive infrastructure investment to operational optimization through parameter analysis. By processing consumption data and generating diagnostic measures, the system improves grid capacity management without the high costs associated with physical construction and implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes expensive mechanical infrastructure updates with an information-based system that analyzes consumption patterns. This approach uses data processing and diagnostic algorithms to achieve capacity management goals without the substantial costs of construction, materials, and implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If consumption data is analyzed at high granularity intervals, then consumption patterns are accurately captured, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumption data granularityVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential diagnostic information from high-granularity consumption data through pattern recognition. By identifying recurring patterns and generating diagnostic measures that capture key deviations, the system maintains measurement precision while reducing processing complexity by focusing on extracted diagnostic features rather than processing all raw data points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary pattern recognition and recurring pattern generation before final diagnostic analysis. This preliminary action organizes high-granularity data into structured patterns, making subsequent diagnostic processing more efficient and less complex while preserving the precision benefits of fine-grained measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11249121B2Method of utility usage divergence identification between recurring consumption data indicative of repeating periodic consumption patterns and utility consumption data

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 CENTRICA HIVE LTD

AI summary

A method and apparatus for analysing utility consumption at a utility supply location is described. The method comprises the steps of: receiving utility consumption data corresponding to utility consumption at the utility supply location over a time period to be analysed; generating a recurring consumption model indicative of repeating consumption patterns in the utility consumption data; identifying divergences between the utility consumption data and the recurring consumption model; computing a diagnostic measure indicative of irregular consumption based on the identified divergences; and outputting the diagnostic measure. The diagnostic measure may be used to identify flexibility or irregularities in consumption and/or to control supply of the utility. The utility may be e.g. electricity, gas or water.