Zone-Based Energy Management Using Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy management systems lack transparency and active participation from consumers in energy conservation, relying on passive measures like monthly bills and inadequate real-time data, and often inconvenience users with demand response programs that are not well-received.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that includes a database for site report data, a processor to analyze energy usage, and a mobile interface for scheduling and controlling energy consumption, using wireless communication to connect thermostats and appliances, enabling real-time energy monitoring and proactive energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If passive energy display technologies are provided to show current energy prices, then consumers can see energy price information, but consumers still lack active participation and must manually curtail their use
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables energy-consuming devices to automatically adjust their operation based on energy pricing and user-defined preferences. The energy management system autonomously makes curtailment decisions by analyzing real-time pricing data and controlling connected devices, eliminating the need for manual consumer intervention while maintaining energy cost optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously monitoring energy consumption data, real-time pricing information, and device status, then automatically adjusting device operation in response. This feedback mechanism provides consumers with both information transparency and automated response, resolving the contradiction between information availability and ease of operation
2Productivity
If demand response systems force curtailment on customers to react to load levels, then utility load management is achieved, but end users are inconvenienced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts energy curtailment strategies based on real-time conditions including user presence, device usage patterns, and energy pricing. Rather than forcing fixed curtailment schedules, the system adapts its control actions to current circumstances and user preferences, maintaining productivity while preserving user convenience through flexible, context-aware management
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to pre-configure their preferences, constraints, and priorities for different devices before demand response events occur. These preliminary settings enable the system to automatically make appropriate curtailment decisions during load management events without inconveniencing users, as the system already understands user preferences and can act accordingly
3Measurement precision
If smart meters are deployed to measure and report consumption data, then real-time energy measurement is enabled, but communication and analytical infrastructure is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functions including smart metering, real-time communication, data analysis, and device control into an integrated energy management platform. By merging these previously separate infrastructure components into a unified system, the patent reduces overall complexity while maintaining precise measurement and real-time analytical capabilities through consolidated processing and communication channels
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing a site includes monitoring an activation of a proximity detection function of a plurality of sites, with each site having a first zone as a home zone and a second zone having a boundary that is away from the first zone. The method proceeds by displaying an indicator within a web-based GUI enabling each user of each site to activate and deactivate use of the proximity detection function. Each site can include multiple users associated with each respective site. The method proceeds by detecting the multiple users as being home or away using the proximity detection function and then altering an operating condition of a network device located at at least one of the plurality of sites in response to a last user of the multiple users leaving the first zone.