Virtualized Energy Metering for Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power distribution systems in data centers face challenges in accurately measuring and segmenting energy usage due to the need for dedicated hardware and processing elements, which are often inadequate for managing multiple customers and result in inaccurate estimates, especially for loads with low harmonic or displacement power factor.
Innovation Solution
A virtualized energy metering system that includes power modules with voltage and current sensing circuitry, processor units to transform analog signals into digital data, and interchangeable monitoring devices that aggregate and analyze energy-related parameters, reducing the complexity of hardware and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated hardware and processing elements are installed at each power distribution node for accurate metering, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex processing and aggregation functions from individual power distribution nodes and consolidates them into a centralized virtualization platform. Each node only performs simple local measurements and transmits data upstream, while the centralized platform handles complex calculations, data aggregation, and customer segmentation. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision through centralized processing while reducing hardware complexity at distribution nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal virtualization platform that serves multiple customers and multiple distribution nodes through a single shared infrastructure. This centralized platform provides energy metering, data aggregation, and customer segmentation services universally across the entire power distribution network, eliminating the need for dedicated complex hardware at each node while maintaining accurate measurement and segmentation capabilities.
2Device complexity
If arithmetic summation of calculated RMS values is used to estimate current/power usage, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization platform as an intermediary between simple local measurement devices and the need for accurate power usage analysis. The local nodes perform simple RMS measurements and transmit raw or partially processed data to the virtualization platform, which then performs accurate power calculations considering harmonics and displacement power factor. This intermediary approach allows simple hardware to achieve accurate measurements through sophisticated centralized processing.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional metering approaches are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but adaptability for managing multiple customers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic virtualization platform that can adaptively segment and allocate power usage data to multiple customers based on configurable parameters and real-time conditions. The system dynamically creates virtual metering instances, applies different segmentation rules, and adjusts customer allocations without requiring physical reconfiguration. This dynamic approach provides high adaptability for multi-customer management while maintaining a single standardized hardware platform that is easy to manufacture and deploy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, accurate, and optimized energy metering with reduced hardware complexity and costs, allowing for precise segmentation and management of energy usage across multiple customers in data centers.
Implementation Method 1
power modules with voltage and current sensing circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is a system and method for virtualized energy metering. The virtualized energy metering is performed via a power distribution system including power modules that include voltage and/or current sensing circuitry. Each power module may include a processor unit configured to transform incoming analog signals into time-correlated digital data. The data captured by a first power module may be sent to a second power module that further analyzes and/or aggregates the digital data and reports out the analyzed/aggregated data to a user, including aggregated energy-related parameters. The system and method may facilitate the efficient sensing, measurement, and calculation of energy metering parameters, with greater optimization of monitoring resources, reduced complexity of hardware, and lower solution costs.