Utilized Generation Measurement for At-Premise Renewable Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high upfront costs of solar power systems, particularly solar panels and solar hot water systems, deter widespread adoption due to their expensive initial investment, making them less competitive with conventional energy sources, despite offering environmental benefits. Additionally, measuring utilized energy from solar hot water systems is complex due to limited storage and reliance on secondary systems, hindering accurate billing and incentive qualification.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising at least one at-premise renewable power system, meters, data hubs, and communication nodes that transmit usage data to a server for calculating utilized generation, allowing for accurate measurement and billing based on energy usage, including the use of pulse and watt meters to isolate renewable energy contributions in solar hot water systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If solar power systems are installed at consumer premises, then renewable energy generation and environmental benefits are improved, but upfront costs become prohibitively high for most consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the solar power system into multiple measurement components (meters, data hubs, communication nodes) that track different aspects of energy generation and utilization. This segmentation enables precise measurement of renewable energy contribution, which supports billing arrangements and incentive qualification, thereby reducing the financial barrier to adoption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a measurement and verification system as an intermediary between the solar power system and the consumer/utility. This intermediary provides accurate data on energy generation and utilization, enabling third-party ownership models and performance-based billing, which allow consumers to access solar energy without bearing full upfront costs
2Object-generated harmful factors
If solar hot water systems are used to reduce fossil fuel dependence, then environmental benefits are improved, but accurate measurement of utilized energy becomes complex due to limited storage and secondary systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement system into distinct components: meters that measure specific parameters (flow, temperature, energy input), data hubs that aggregate and process data, and communication nodes that transmit information. This segmentation simplifies the overall measurement task by breaking it into manageable, specialized functions
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed with multi-functional components that can handle various measurement tasks. The data hub, for example, performs multiple functions including data collection, processing, storage, and transmission, making the system adaptable to different solar hot water system configurations without requiring completely different measurement approaches
3Measurement precision
If meters and measurement systems are installed to track solar energy usage, then billing accuracy and incentive qualification are improved, but system complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement and data handling functions into integrated components. The data hub merges data collection, processing, and communication functions into a single device, reducing the number of separate components needed. The system also merges the measurement data with billing and verification processes, creating a streamlined workflow that improves accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A computer processor implemented method of measuring utilized generation of at least one at-premise power system to a consumer, the method comprising the steps of; providing at least one at-premise renewable power system, at least one meter in communication with at least one said at premise renewable power system and at least one wireless communication node in communication with at least one meter; determining usage from each meter, wherein at least one of the meters collects usage data from at least one at-premise renewable power system. A first meter collects data input from a pulse meter to provide primary input, a second meter collects data input from a secondary source meter to provide secondary input and the utilized generation is arrived at by subtracting the secondary input from the primary input.