WO2015006820A1

WO2015006820A1 - An electricity distribution system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2015006820A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000740
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Clare River Gerrard KENNEDY; Adrian Maxwell BUNTER
Original assignee: Share My Solar Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-18
Filing date: 2014-07-18
Publication date: 2015-01-22
Also published as: AU2014292817A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electricity distribution system and method, which facilitate the uptake of clean energy electricity generation apparatus. Electricity generation apparatus, such as solar panels, may be installed at a remote location, such as on the roof of a commercial, industrial property. Shares in the solar panel (s) are owned by a consumer of electricity who may be remote and/or live in a property where it is not convenient to install solar panels, such as a rental property or an apartment, for example. The amount of electricity generated by the pane(s) is monitored and determined. The owner of the solar panel receives a share of the value of the electricity generated by the solar panel at the commercial premises. The owner of the commercial premises may also receive a share, or purchase a share of the electricity generated.

Description

AN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electricity distribution system and method, and particularly, but not exclusively, to an electricity distribution system and method which facilitate the uptake of clean energy

electricity generation apparatus.

Background of the Invention

So-called "clean energy" electricity generating apparatus, such as photovoltaic solar cells, are able to provide electricity while minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. Even though photovoltaic solar panels can be expensive compared to more traditional methods of

generating electricity (such as coal-fired power stations) the clean energy benefits are such that many people are willing to pay to install solar panels at their premises. For example, electricity customers may often have solar panels installed at their home (e.g. on the roof) in order to provide electric power to run their home or at least supplement electricity being provided to their home from other sources, such as coal-fired.

Energy generated by a customer from solar panels on their premises may be sold back to electricity retailers where there is excess capacity. This is particularly possible with the advent of Smart Grids.

A problem with the uptake of clean energy sources, such as solar panels, is that not all electricity

customers who would like to have a source of clean energy have the available space to host the clean energy

electricity generation equipment or may not have the financial capacity to install a complete system due to the capital expenditure required, or for any other reason. For example, persons who live in an apartment building may not have any roof space available to receive a solar panel to provide electricity for their apartment, or a person may not have the capital available to install a system that fully offsets their current electricity bill.

Further, for persons who live in rental properties, it is not practical to purchase solar panels. Even where roof space or other space is available, there may be site limitations, such as shade, insufficient angle to the sun, and other limitations.

Summary of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides an electricity distribution system, comprising a database storing participant share or

electricity data, comprising information on an electricity entitlement amount (or share) of electricity generated by a single electricity generation apparatus or a plurality of electricity generation apparatuses allocated to a customer, the electricity generation apparatus having been installed at a host premises, and a processor arranged to receive electricity generation data, comprising

information on an amount of electricity generated by the electricity generating apparatus, the processor being arranged to determine a participant amount of electricity to allocate to the participant from the electricity generating apparatus, depending on the participant

electricity entitlement amount (or share) data and the electricity generation data.

In an embodiment, the database is arranged to store host electricity entitlement amount data, comprising information on a share of the electricity generated by an electricity generating apparatus or a plurality of electricity generation apparatuses that is allocated to a host associated with the host premises. The share may be an amount of electricity or a value associated with the electricity generated. In an embodiment, the processor is arranged to determine a host amount of electricity to allocate to the host, depending on the host electricity entitlement amount (or share) data and the electricity generation data. The host may or may not be an owner of the host premises where the electricity generation

apparatus is installed.

In an embodiment, the electricity distribution system further comprises the electricity generation apparatus. The electricity generation apparatus may be any energy source, including photovoltaic solar cells, wind turbines, water turbines, or any other current or future technology that generates electricity. The energy source is not limited to what is commonly known as "clean

energy", but this may be preferable in embodiments.

In an embodiment, the electricity generation

apparatus comprises solar panels which are installed on available space at a host premises. The available space may be a rooftop or other area of the host premises. The host premises may be any industrial or residential building ( s ), or any other type of building, premises, or land which have space to take solar panels. A system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that a participant who may not have space at their residence or premises to host electricity generation apparatus or may not want to host electricity generation apparatus at their residence or premises for whatever reason, such as solar panels, may have the solar panels (or other electricity generating apparatus) hosted at a remote site. Space that otherwise would not be used for electricity generation such as available space on factory roofs or other buildings or other space, may therefore be used to generate

electricity. The participant who has an electricity entitlement amount (or share) in the electricity produced by an electricity generation apparatus will have the benefit of being entitled to electricity generated (or the value of electricity generated) by a clean energy

electricity generation apparatus.

A system in accordance with an embodiment also has the advantage that the host may share in the electricity or the value of the electricity generated by the

electricity generation apparatus. Often, large

electricity users, such as corporations, cannot afford or justify relatively expensive power sources, such as solar power or wind power. By hosting electricity generation apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, such host users can obtain benefits from such power sources. They can also be seen to be assisting with the environment.

In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of distributing electricity, comprising the steps of storing participant electricity entitlement amount (or share) data, comprising information on a share of electricity produced by a single electricity generation apparatus or a plurality of electricity

generation apparatuses allocated to a participant, the electricity generation apparatus having been installed at a host premises, obtaining electricity generation data, comprising information on an amount of electricity

generated by the electricity generating apparatus, and determining a participant amount of electricity to

allocate to the participant from the electricity

generation apparatus, in dependence on the participant share data and the electricity generation data. In accordance with a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of facilitating distribution of electricity or distribution of the value of electricity produced, comprising the steps of installing an

electricity generation apparatus at a host premises, and allocating an electricity entitlement amount (or share) of the electricity output of the electricity generating apparatus to a participant associated with a premises or account remote from the host premises.

In accordance with a fourth aspect, the present invention provides an electricity distribution system, comprising a database storing party electricity

entitlement amount (or share) data, comprising information on shares of electricity produced by a single electricity generation apparatus or a plurality of electricity

generation apparatuses allocated to a plurality of

parties, the electricity generating apparatus being installed at a host premises, and a processor arranged to receive electricity generation data, comprising

information on an amount of electricity generated by the electricity generation apparatus, the processor being arranged to determine amounts of electricity to allocate to each of the plurality of parties from the electricity generation apparatus, depending upon the party electricity entitlement amount (or share) data and the electricity generation data. In an embodiment, the parties may include one or more of:

a host associated with the host premises;

a participant associated with a participant premises account ;

a person or entity associated with the electricity distribution system;

an electricity retailer; and any other one or more parties.

An advantage of an embodiment of the invention is that a plurality of parties may have the benefit of owning electricity generated by electricity generating apparatus, such as "clean energy" apparatus (e.g. solar, wind, water) .

In an embodiment the host premises may be remote from a participant premises.

Brief description of the Figures

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of

embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with

reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electricity distribution system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of a method of facilitating the distribution of electricity, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of embodiments of the invention

Referring to Figure 1, an electricity distribution system, generally designated by reference numeral 1 is illustrated. The system 1 comprises a database 2 which is arranged to store participants' electricity entitlement amount (or share) data, comprising information on a share of electricity generated by an electricity generation apparatus or multiple electricity generation apparatuses allocated to participants. The system 1 also comprises a processor 3, which in this example is a server computer. The processor is arranged to receive electricity

generation data, comprising information on an amount of electricity generated by electricity generating apparatus, 7, 9, 16. In this example, the electricity generating apparatus is schematically shown as wind turbines 16, solar panels 7 on an industrial premises 8 roof, and solar panels 9 at a residential premises 10.

The processor is arranged to determine an amount of electricity to allocate to the participant, depending on the participant electricity entitlement amount (or share) data and electricity generation data.

In this embodiment, the allocation of the electricity entitlement (or electricity value entitlement) to the participant may be provided to an electricity retailer 11 who may then credit the electricity account of the

participant 12. Alternatively, the electricity

entitlement may be provided directly to the participant 12, or any other party 14, or as directed by the

participant 12.

In more detail, the server computer 3 includes processors and memory. The processors are arranged to process program instructions and data in a known manner. The memory is arranged to store program instructions and data in a known manner. The memory may comprise any known architecture and may include hard disk, floppy disks and any other type of additional memory such as CD-ROM.

System 1 may also include a user interface (not shown) including inputs such as keyboards, mail and graphical user interface. Network connection is also provided to enable connection to the network 15. The database 2 may be implemented by any appropriate database architecture under the control of the computer 3. The database 2 is arranged to store identifiers for electricity generation apparatus 16, 7, 9 (and any other electricity generation apparatus) utilised by the system. The database also stores various parties identifiers (e.g. participant's, hosts' or any other party) in association with the identifier of the electricity entitlement amount for the electricity produced by the electricity generation apparatus network that the respective party has an

interest in. The database 2 also stores the amount of electricity entitlement amount (or share) data of the electricity generated by the electricity generation apparatus network which has been allocated to the

particular electricity entitlement participant.

In the illustrated embodiment, the computing system comprises a server computer. In other embodiments, any architecture may be used for the computing system,

including a standalone PC with network connections, portable computing systems, mainframe/terminal

architecture or any other computing system or database architecture . Electricity generating apparatus 16, 7, 9 shown in the diagram are only representative of electricity

generation apparatus which may be utilised with the system of the present invention. Many different types of

electricity generation apparatus, including solar, wind power, water power and any other type of electricity generation apparatus may be utilised with the current system. It will be appreciated that further electricity generation apparatus may be created in the future which could also be incorporated into the system. The

apparatus may be hosted anywhere there is space. For example, it may be hosted on the roof of industrial buildings such as industrial building 8. It may be hosted by an owner of a domestic property who does not

necessarily wish to pay for the installation solar power but may be happy to host solar panels (reference numerals 6, 9 and 10) . Wind turbines 16 may be hosted by a land owner on land 4, where the land owner has spare space.

There may be many host sites (more than those shown in the diagram) hosting many different types of electricity generation apparatus for use with the system 1. As discussed above, there are many persons who may wish to own a share in an electricity generating

apparatus, particularly a clean energy electricity

generating apparatus. Many people do not have the

facility to host such an electricity generation apparatus themselves, however. For example, a person living in an apartment block does not have the roof space to mount a solar panel for their use. In this embodiment of the invention, a person is able to obtain a benefit from electricity generating apparatuses, such as a solar panel, by becoming a participant in the apparatuses that may be hosted at a host site which is remote from the participant premises .

A host may also benefit from the electricity

generation apparatus. Organisations (e.g. industrial corporations) for who clean energy (e.g. solar panels) may not usually be economical, may benefit.

There are several ways the system could be arranged. A participant may make a purchase of a solar panel. The amount of electricity generated by the panel is allocated to the participant.

Alternatively, a participant may make a purchase of an electricity entitlement amount within a group of apparatus and the amount of electricity generated by the group of apparatuses is allocated to the participant in accordance with their electricity entitlement amount. The apparatuses may be, for example, all the apparatuses in the system or may be a subset of the apparatuses. One subset may be a particular type of apparatus for example solar panels or apparatus in a particular area.

Participants may prefer to have an electricity entitlement amount linked to a series of apparatuses to avoid becoming over exposed to local problems affecting an individual panel, for example mechanical failure or adverse weather conditions.

A share of the electricity generated by the panel may also be allocated to the host. Or the electricity used by the host may be sold to the host. It could be sold at a preferable rate. The host may, for example be an owner of the premises where the panel is situated. An amount may also be allocated to another party. The other party 14 may be any other party. It could be an electricity retailer 11 who, as an incentive for facilitating the system would receive a benefit of some of the electricity generated by the panel. It could be any other party, including the system owner or another party which may be nominated by any of the previous parties, e.g. a gift to charity .

The electricity generated by an electricity

generating apparatus 7, 9, 16 will generally be

distributed via the grid (not shown) or used by the property on which the electricity generating apparatus is situated. The retailer 11 may be responsible for

retailing the electricity which is distributed. The retailer 11 may be a general electricity retailer, also responsible for distributing electricity from general sources such as coal-fired power stations and other major utility infrastructure hosts. In embodiments, as shown in Fig 1 the resource may be distributed directly (20) and may not be via a retailer. In this embodiment, the system further comprises electricity meters 21, 22, 23 which are arranged to measure the amount of electricity being generated by the electricity generating apparatus 16, 7, 9. The

electricity meters may also measure the electricity utilised by the property or premises where the meter is installed. The information on the electricity generated and/or the electricity use is provided as electricity data to the processor 3 which then determines allocation of the electricity to the parties depending on the electricity entitlement amount of the party, the electricity

generation data. In this embodiment, the electricity allocation information is provided by the processor 3 to the retailer 11 who may credit the party's account for the appropriate amount of electricity.

The system 1 may be managed by an entity arranged to market the provision of electricity generating apparatus to prospective parties. The owner entity of the system 1 may be separate from the electricity retailer 11 or they may be the same. The entity who markets the system 1 may be separate from the owner entity of the system 1 or they may be the same.

Example 1

An apartment occupant (either a renter or an owner) would like to have some or all of their electricity provided by solar. They approach the system 1 and request to become a participant by purchasing an equivalent amount of panels, which could be less than the output of a single panel or equivalent to the output of one or more solar panels. The system 1 either allocates shares in panels already installed at a host premises (which may be remote from the participant premises) or arranges to have the panels installed at a host premises. The participant (apartment occupier) can add to the number of panels purchased in the future. They may be installed at

different locations. For hosting the apartment occupants solar panel (s) entitlement the host premises owner

receives a share of the output of an allocation of solar panel (s) . This may be a proportion of the electricity entitlement amount of the apartment occupant.

Alternatively, the host may purchase electricity that they consume from the electricity generated by the panels.

This may be a proportion of the electricity entitlement amount of the apartment occupant.

The electricity generated by the panel is credited to the participant12 and host 13 in accordance with their electricity entitlement amount.

If the participant moves housing, they still get the benefit of the electricity entitlement amount they own since it is not linked to their location or premises.

Further, they can choose to sell their interest in their electricity entitlement amount to another party or

parties .

Example 2

A business owner who rents or owns premises may wish to have the benefit of clean energy electricity or to guarantee their future entitlement to electricity to hedge future price rises in electricity prices. They purchase an electricity entitlement amount in one or more

electricity generators, which may be solar panels, wind, water or any other clean energy electricity generator. The system owner arranges to have the electricity

generating equipment installed at a host premises, or provides ownership of an electricity entitlement amount in already installed electricity generating equipment to the business owner. The business owner can add electricity entitlement amounts (which may be sourced via panels/wind turbines/water turbines) by purchasing more in the future. The business owner receives a share of the electricity generated by their purchased electricity entitlement amount. The host premises owner may also receive a share. If a business owner moves premises, or closes their business, they can sell their interest in the electricity entitlement amount to another party or parties.

The owner of the system 1 may receive revenue as an electricity entitlement amount from electricity

generating apparatus that it administers in the system 1 which it then sells to the retailer 11 or participant 12 or host 13 or another party 14. For example, it may be one of the other parties 14, and receive a proportion of revenue from all customer electricity entitlement holders 12.

The credit that parties receive for their electricity entitlement amounts in the electricity

generating apparatus may be balanced against costs of all the electricity they consume. That is, it may be credited to their bill by the retailer 11 or any other relevant party issuing them a bill, or may be credited to any account as directed by the participant. Example 3

An owner of a premises who wishes to make the premises available for installation of electricity

generating apparatus may contact the system manager. The system manager may then arrange installation of the apparatus and provide the owner with an allocation of the electricity generated by the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a process for distributing electricity to each participant. At step 100, electricity is sensed for all the electricity

generating apparatus administered by system 1. This may be "n" solar panels, wind turbines, water turbines, and other electricity generating apparatus. At step 101, the processor 3 determines the electricity entitlement amount value for each participant of x participants for each respective apparatus or for the entire network of

apparatuses. At step 102, the amount of electricity to allocate to each of the participants A to x is determined. At step 103, the account of each of the participants A to x is credited with the appropriate allocation. Figure 3 is a simple flow diagram showing a process by which a person who wishes to purchase a clean energy electricity generation apparatus participation, may do so . At step 200, the system 1 receives a request from a prospective purchaser to become a participant. This may be done in a number of ways using a number of interfaces. In one example, the system 1 provides a website which the prospective purchaser may access to obtain an electricity entitlement amount (or share) of electricity generated by an electricity generation apparatus or electricity

generation apparatuses. Alternatively, the request may be received by telephone, or in any other way. At step 201, the system 1 allocates an electricity entitlement amount (or share) of electricity produced by an electricity generation apparatus (or the network or apparatuses) , such as a solar panel, to the participant and loads the database with the electricity entitlement amount value. The electricity generation apparatus may already have been installed at a remote host premises. If not, the system 1 may arrange for

installation of a new electricity generating apparatus such as a solar panel.

Another option is to have the ID of the electricity generating apparatus or apparatuses which are associated with the participant loaded in a database and associated with the participant value and participant ID, so that when operable, the electricity generated by the electricity generation apparatuses can be allocated to the participant in accordance with their shareholding.

A flow diagram illustrating operation of an embodiment of the invention where solar panels are the electricity generation apparatus, is shown in Figure 4.

At step 50, the consumer indicates they wish to buy a panel or part of a panel from the system.

At step 51, if panels are not already installed, the system administrator or a contractor contracted by the system may install panels on rooftops of commercial premises. At step 52, the system monitors, records and bills commercial users for consumption of the electricity (e.g. commercial users who have panels installed on their rooftops, or other commercial users) .

At step 53, the system credits the consumer with the agreed percentage of sold electricity. The

electricity may be sold to commercial users, put on the grid or sold to any users generally. Consumers may receive a credit to their electricity bill, or may be separately credited with funds relating to the amount of electricity generated and sold.

In the above embodiments, the electricity generating apparatus is clean energy apparatus. The invention is not limited to clean energy, although it is preferable. Other electricity generating apparatus could be utilised by the system of the present invention.

In another embodiment, rather than purchasing a specific electricity entitlement amount in a particular electricity producing apparatus or the network, a party may join a membership program, in order to get an amount of electricity entitlement amount from the network of clean energy generation apparatuses. For example, a party may join a "silver", "gold", and "platinum" membership scheme. The particular level of program they join will determine the amount of electricity entitlement amounts they receive based on the allocation of the power

generated .

Embodiments of the invention have the advantage of connecting those who can benefit from the electricity generating apparatus with those with spare space to host the apparatus, who may also receive a benefit.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented utilising software. The software may be provided in any form, in memory, on a disk, or over a network as a data signal .

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the

invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. An electricity distribution system, comprising a database storing participant share data, comprising information on a share of electricity generation apparatus allocated to a participant, the electricity generation apparatus having been installed at a host premises, a processor arranged to receive electricity generation data, comprising information on an amount of electricity

generated by the electricity generation apparatus, the processor being arranged to determine a participant amount of electricity to allocate to the participant from the electricity generation apparatus, depending on the

participant share data and the electricity generation data.

2. A system in accordance with Claim 1, the database also storing host electricity entitlement amount (or share) data, comprising information on a share of the electricity produced by electricity generation apparatus allocated to a host, the host being associated with the host premises, the processor being arranged to determine a host amount of electricity to allocate to the host from the electricity generation apparatus, depending on the host electricity entitlement amount (or share) data and the electricity generation data.

3. A system in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising the electricity generation apparatus.

4. A system in accordance with Claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the electricity generation apparatus comprises one or more of photovoltaic solar panels; wind turbines; work water turbines or any other current or future electricity generation apparatus.

5. A system in accordance with Claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the electricity generating apparatus comprises solar panels which are installed at an available area of a host premises .

6. A system in accordance with Claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the host premises is industrial or residential building (s) or other premises or land, with space arranged to receive the electricity generation apparatus.

7. A system in accordance with Claim 6, wherein the space is available roof space or any other space that can host an electricity generating apparatus.

8. A method of distributing electricity, comprising the steps of storing participant electricity entitlement amount data, comprising information on a share of

electricity generation apparatus allocated to a

participant, the electricity generation apparatus having been installed at a host premises, obtaining electricity generation data, comprising information on an amount of electricity generated by the electricity generation apparatus, and determining a participant amount of electricity to allocate to the participant from the electricity generating apparatus, in dependence on the participant electricity entitlement amount data and the electricity generation data.

9. A method in accordance with Claim 8, wherein the step of obtaining the electricity generation data, comprises the step of sensing the amount of electricity being generated by the electricity generation apparatus.

10. A method in accordance with Claim 8 or Claim 9, comprising a further step of storing host electricity entitlement amount (or share) data, comprising information on a share of electricity generated by one or more electricity generation apparatus allocated to a host, and determining a host amount of electricity to allocate to the host from the electricity generation apparatus, depending on the host electricity entitlement amount data and the electricity generation data.

11. A method in accordance with Claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein the electricity generation apparatus is one or more of a photovoltaic solar cells, wind turbine (s), water turbine (s) or any other current or future electricity generation apparatus.

12. A method in accordance with any one of Claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein the electricity generation apparatus comprises solar panel (s) installed at available space of the host premises .

13. A method in accordance with Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the host premises is industrial or residential building (s) or other premises or land with space arranged to receive the electricity generation apparatus.

14. A method in accordance with Claim 13, wherein the space comprises roof space or land or any other location that can hold an electricity generation apparatus.

15. A method of facilitating distribution of electricity, comprising the steps of installing an electricity

generation apparatus at a host premises, and allocating a share of the electricity output of the electricity

generation apparatus to a participant associated with a participant premises and/or an account remote from the host premises.

16. A method in accordance with Claim 15, wherein the electricity generation apparatus is one or more of

photovoltaic solar cells, wind turbine (s), water turbine (s) or any other current or future electricity generation apparatus.

17. A method in accordance with Claim 15, wherein the electricity generation apparatus comprises solar panels installed at available space of the host premises.

18. A method in accordance with Claim 17, wherein the available space is roof space or land or any other

location that can hold an electricity generation

apparatus .

19. An electricity distribution system, comprising a database storing party share data, comprising information on electricity entitlement amounts (or shares) of

electricity produce by one or more electricity generation apparatus allocated to a plurality of parties, the

electricity generation apparatus being installed at a host premises, and a processor arranged to receive electricity generation data, comprising information on an amount of electricity generated by the electricity generation apparatus, the processor being arranged to determine amounts of electricity to allocate to each of the

plurality of parties from the electricity generation apparatus, depending upon the party electricity

entitlement amount (or share) data and the electricity generation data.

20. A computer program, comprising instructions for controlling a computer to implement a system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 or 19.

21. A computer readable medium, providing a computer program in accordance with Claim 20.

22. A data signal, comprising a computer programme in accordance with Claim 20.

23. A system in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the host premises is remote from a participant premises.

24. A method in accordance with Claim 8 wherein the host premises is remote from a participant premises.