Wearable Energy Management via Utility Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy management systems require users to be at a fixed location to control energy consumption and receive utility communications, limiting remote management and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a user interface, memory, and processor that allows users to manage energy consumption and receive utility communications from anywhere, using wireless communication to interact with energy management systems and utility information systems, and determining relevant energy information based on user location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed location operational terminal is used for energy management, then the system can provide stable energy control capabilities, but the user cannot manage energy consumption when away from the fixed location
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a utility communication receiver and an energy management system interface. The device can receive utility communications (demand response events, energy prices) and simultaneously send/receive energy management commands, eliminating the need for separate fixed-location terminals and enabling mobile energy management
2Ease of operation
If the user interface is always on to provide continuous energy information, then the user can access energy data at any time, but the energy consumption of the wearable device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the display only when new energy information is received from the utility information system or when the user interacts with the device. This periodic activation provides necessary energy information while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous display operation
Data Source
AI summary
Energy management using a wearable device is described herein. One apparatus includes a user interface, a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive a communication from a utility information system of a utility, wherein the communication includes information associated with energy being provided to a facility by the utility, provide, via the user interface, the information to a user of the apparatus, receive, via the user interface, a command from the user to adjust energy consumption of the facility based, at least in part, on the information, and send the command to an energy management system of the facility, wherein the apparatus is a wearable device.