Weather-Based Energy Preconditioning for Household Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy usage measurement systems are cryptic and not user-friendly for average consumers, as they provide measurements in kilowatts per hour without context, making it difficult for consumers to understand their energy usage in relation to other devices or the household as a whole.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that monitors and compares energy usage data from various devices within a household, generating instructions to modify energy profiles based on preprogrammed rules or demand-response calls from energy utilities, enabling efficient energy management by correlating device usage with overall household energy policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If energy usage measurements are provided in standard units (kilowatts per hour), then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because average consumers cannot understand or contextualize the measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts raw energy measurements (kilowatts per hour) into contextualized comparisons (e.g., equivalent to X number of light bulbs, or comparison to neighbor's usage). This mediator translates between the precise but cryptic measurement system and the consumer's intuitive understanding, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the parameter representation from absolute values (kilowatts per hour) to relative values (comparisons to other devices, households, or time periods). By changing how the measurement parameter is expressed rather than the measurement itself, the system maintains precision while improving consumer comprehension through familiar reference points.
2Measurement precision
If detailed energy usage data is collected from all devices, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for monitoring and processing multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal energy management platform that can monitor and manage multiple devices through a single integrated system. Rather than requiring separate monitoring systems for each device, the universal platform handles data collection, processing, and presentation across the entire household, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detailed measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges individual device monitoring functions into a centralized energy management platform that consolidates data from multiple sources. By combining scattered measurement functions into a single coordinated system, the patent reduces the complexity burden on individual components while achieving comprehensive household-level energy analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices is described, wherein the devices are coupled with a first structure. The energy usage of the devices is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction is generated to modify an energy usage profile of said device to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management.