GB2467633A - Energy control system which triggers a change in supplier and/or tariff based on comparisons of an energy consumption reading and energy supply pricing data - Google Patents

Energy control system which triggers a change in supplier and/or tariff based on comparisons of an energy consumption reading and energy supply pricing data Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2467633A
GB2467633A GB1001586A GB201001586A GB2467633A GB 2467633 A GB2467633 A GB 2467633A GB 1001586 A GB1001586 A GB 1001586A GB 201001586 A GB201001586 A GB 201001586A GB 2467633 A GB2467633 A GB 2467633A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
energy
energy consumption
processing unit
energy supply
control system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1001586A
Other versions
GB201001586D0 (en
GB2467633B (en
Inventor
Michael Jarman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Secure Electrans Ltd
Original Assignee
Secure Electrans Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Secure Electrans Ltd filed Critical Secure Electrans Ltd
Publication of GB201001586D0 publication Critical patent/GB201001586D0/en
Publication of GB2467633A publication Critical patent/GB2467633A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2467633B publication Critical patent/GB2467633B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
    • G01D4/002—Remote reading of utility meters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
    • G01D4/10—Maximum indicating or recording apparatus, i.e. where the tariff for a period is based on a maximum demand within that period
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R21/00—Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor
    • G01R21/007—Adapted for special tariff measuring
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R22/00—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
    • G01R22/06—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters by electronic methods
    • G01R22/061—Details of electronic electricity meters
    • G01R22/063—Details of electronic electricity meters related to remote communication
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D2204/00—Indexing scheme relating to details of tariff-metering apparatus
    • G01D2204/10—Analysing; Displaying
    • G01D2204/12—Determination or prediction of behaviour, e.g. likely power consumption or unusual usage patterns
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D2204/00—Indexing scheme relating to details of tariff-metering apparatus
    • G01D2204/10—Analysing; Displaying
    • G01D2204/16—Displaying of utility pricing or cost
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02B90/20—Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
    • Y04S20/30—Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A processing unit 20 is arranged to communicate with an energy consumption monitoring device 30 to obtain an energy consumption reading, the processing unit is further arranged to communicate with a remote data repository 50 to obtain energy supply pricing data; the energy consumption reading and supply pricing data being compared to determine a recommended change in tariff and/or supplier. The processing unit is operable to trigger the change to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy. The processor may communicate wirelessly with the energy consumption monitoring device. The wireless communication may be through two bands, one for the energy consumption monitoring device and one for the communication with the remote data repository. The processing unit is designed to periodically communicate with the energy consumption monitoring device in accordance with a predetermined schedule. The processor may store historic energy consumption readings and use these to aid in determining a change in the tariff and/or supplier. Prior to triggering a change the processor is arranged to request approval of the change via a user interface.

Description

ENERGY SUPPLY CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
The present invention relates to an energy supply control system and method that is particularly applicable to residential energy supply.
A number of years ago, energy supply in countries such as the United Kingdom was denationalised and the supply markets to consumers were opened up to allow competition.
Today, although the same infrastructure (pipes, cables etc) is used to deliver energy to the consumer irrespective of the supplier, it is possible for a consumer to switch energy suppliers to benefit from different offers and/or tariffs. However, the process is bureaucratic and it is difficult to compare the offerings of different energy suppliers.
Although switching does not involve any physical changes in the energy supply and the infrastructure used to supply it, it is nevertheless cumbersome and takes time. The hassle involved puts many people off changing suppliers.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an energy supply control system comprising a processing unit arranged to communicate with an energy consumption monitoring device to obtain an energy consumption reading, the processing unit being further arranged to communicate with a remote data repository to obtain energy supply pricing data, wherein the processing unit is operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the energy consumption reading and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy.
The energy consumption monitoring device may be a utility meter. Alternatively, the energy consumption monitoring device may be remote of the utility meter and includes measurement means for interfacing with the exterior of an energy supply conduit and being arranged to measure flow of energy through the conduit. Such a monitoring device may be of the type that connects terminals at or around electrical power supply cables and monitors electrical power consumption via changes in physical properties in or around the cables.
The processing unit may be arranged to communicate wirelessly with the energy consumption monitoring device. The processing unit may include a dual band wireless communication system having a first band for communication in a local neighbourhood with the energy consumption monitoring device and a second band for communication with the remote data repository.
Preferably, the processing unit is arranged to periodically communicate with the energy consumption monitoring device in accordance with a predetermined schedule. The processing unit may include a repository for storing historic energy consumption readings, wherein the processing unit is operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the energy consumption reading, the historic energy consumption readings and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy. The processing unit may be arranged to predict energy consumption in dependence on the energy consumption reading and the historic energy consumption readings and is operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the predicted energy consumption reading and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy.
The processing unit may further comprise a user interface for receiving user inputs on user expressed preferences, the processing unit being operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the energy consumption reading, the user preferences and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy The processing unit is preferably arranged to store data on a currently applied energy supply tariff, wherein the processing unit is operable to trigger the change upon detecting a difference of a predetermined magnitude between the energy supply pricing data and the currently applied energy supply tariff.
Prior to triggering the change, the processing unit may be arranged to request approval of the change via a user interface. Alternatively, the processing unit may be arranged to automatically trigger the change.
The processing unit may be arranged to communicate with a plurality of energy consumption monitoring devices to obtain a corresponding plurality of energy consumption readings, wherein the processing unit is operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the plurality of energy consumption readings and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier(s) and/or tariff(s) of supplied energy measured by one or more of the energy consumption monitoring devices.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer implemented method of controlling energy supply comprising: communicating with an energy consumption monitoring device to obtain an energy consumption reading; communicating with a remote data repository to obtain energy supply pricing data; and, communicating over a data communications network to trigger a change, in dependence on the energy consumption reading and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an energy supply control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The energy supply control system 10 includes a processing unit 20 arranged to communicate with a utility meter 30 at a consumer site 40 to obtain energy consumption data. The processing unit 20 is also arranged to communicate with a remote data repository 50 to obtain supply pricing data pertinent to the consumer and/or the geographical area of the consumer site 40.
The processing unit 20 communicates with the utility meter 30 to obtain energy consumption data either on demand, periodically or substantially in real time. The consumption data is collated and stored either at the utility meter 30 or at the processing unit 20. On a predetermined basis (or at the request of a user), the processing unit 20 communicates with the remote data repository 50 to obtain supply pricing data that is pertinent to the user or to the geographical area of the consumer site 40.
Preferably, the processing unit communicates wirelessly with the utility meter using wifi or some other RF or microwave communication method. Alternatively. The processing unit may communicate using powerline communication technology.
Upon receipt of the supply pricing data, the processing unit cross references the collated consumption data (and optionally any other user expressed preferences such as to avoid certain suppliers, use ecological suppliers only...) to determine the most appropriate energy supplier (in terms of costs and any other expressed preference) for the consumer. If the supplier differs from the consumer's current supplier, the processing unit then presents the supplier data and expected cost savings to the user via a user interface 21 and, subject to user confirmation via the user interface 21 is arranged to communicate with a supplier switching centre 60 to trigger change of energy supplier to the newly selected supplier.
Optionally, the processing unit 20 may be configured to trigger the change without waiting for acceptance by the user at the user interface 21.
In the described manner, fully automated switching of energy supplies based on the actual household consumption (which can optionally be viewed on the user interface 21) and the dynamic pricing for the pertinent geographic area. At the end of any given period, say a month, the processing unit 20 will display the energy prices for all relevant suppliers.
People will then switch by pressing one command on the user interface 21 which is preferably in the form of a touch screen.
Preferably, the remote data repository 50 is maintained by (or is collated from) an independent party such as The Energy Savings Trust.
It will be appreciated that the processing unit may communicate with a number of utility meters (for example of differing energy types or for meters over a collective building or neighbourhood) and attempt to obtain the best deal by looking at collective supply from a single supplier as well as single supply. It will also be appreciated that the consumption readings could be obtained from some device other than a meter (such as the types of devices that can be retro-fitted to the exterior of electricity power cables to measure power usage).
Preferably, the energy control system is a sub-system of a user device provided to an owner/occupier of the consumer site 40. Preferably, the user device provides additional functionality such as transaction authentication, communication, entertainment functions, household control, energy control etc. Optionally, a one time fee could be charged for the energy supply control system 10 which will ensure the household always pays the least possible rates for its energy.

Claims (16)

  1. Claims 1. An energy supply control system comprising a processing unit arranged to communicate with an energy consumption monitoring device to obtain an energy consumption reading, the processing unit being further arranged to communicate with a remote data repository to obtain energy supply pricing data, wherein the processing unit is operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the energy consumption reading and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy.
  2. 2. An energy supply control system according to claim 1, wherein the energy consumption monitoring device is a utility meter.
  3. 3. An energy supply control system according to claim 1, wherein the energy consumption monitoring device is remote of a utility meter and includes measurement means for interfacing with the exterior of an energy supply conduit and being arranged to measure flow of energy through the conduit.
  4. 4. An energy supply control system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the processing unit is arranged to communicate wirelessly with the energy consumption monitoring device.
  5. 5. An energy supply control system according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit includes a dual band wireless communication system having a first band for communication in a local neighbourhood with the energy consumption monitoring device and a second band for communication with the remote data repository.
  6. 6. An energy supply control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing unit is arranged to periodically communicate with the energy consumption monitoring device in accordance with a predetermined schedule.
  7. 7. An energy supply control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing unit includes a repository for storing historic energy consumption readings, wherein the processing unit is operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the energy consumption reading, the historic energy consumption readings and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy.
  8. 8. An energy supply control system according to claim 7, wherein the processing unit is arranged to predict energy consumption in dependence on the energy consumption reading and the historic energy consumption readings and is operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the predicted energy consumption reading and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy.
  9. 9. An energy supply control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing unit further comprises a user interface for receiving user inputs on user expressed preferences, the processing unit being operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the energy consumption reading, the user preferences and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy
  10. 10. An energy supply control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing unit is arranged to store data on a currently applied energy supply tariff, wherein the processing unit is operable to trigger the change upon detecting a difference of a predetermined magnitude between the energy supply pricing data and the currently applied energy supply tariff.
  11. 11. An energy supply control system according to claim 10, wherein prior to triggering the change, the processing unit is arranged to request approval of the change via a user interface.
  12. 12. An energy supply control system according to claim 10, wherein the processing unit is arranged to automatically trigger the change.
  13. 13. An energy supply control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing unit is arranged to communicate with a plurality of energy consumption monitoring devices to obtain a corresponding plurality of energy consumption readings, wherein the processing unit is operable to trigger a change, in dependence on the plurality of energy consumption readings and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier(s) and/or tariff(s) of supplied energy measured by one or more of the energy consumption monitoring devices.
  14. 14. A computer implemented method of controlling energy supply comprising: communicating with an energy consumption monitoring device to obtain an energy consumption reading; communicating with a remote data repository to obtain energy supply pricing data; and, communicating over a data communications network to trigger a change, in dependence on the energy consumption reading and the energy supply pricing data, to the supplier and/or tariff of supplied energy.
  15. 15. An energy supply control system as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
  16. 16. A computer implemented method of controlling energy supply as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB1001586.5A 2009-01-30 2010-02-01 Energy supply control system and method Expired - Fee Related GB2467633B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0901482.0A GB0901482D0 (en) 2009-01-30 2009-01-30 Energy supply control system

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GB201001586D0 GB201001586D0 (en) 2010-03-17
GB2467633A true GB2467633A (en) 2010-08-11
GB2467633B GB2467633B (en) 2013-09-25

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GBGB0901482.0A Ceased GB0901482D0 (en) 2009-01-30 2009-01-30 Energy supply control system
GB1001586.5A Expired - Fee Related GB2467633B (en) 2009-01-30 2010-02-01 Energy supply control system and method

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2560954A (en) * 2017-03-30 2018-10-03 Wipro Ltd A system and method for switching utility providers

Citations (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2285596A1 (en) * 1974-09-19 1976-04-16 Siemens Ag Energy consumption survey device for electricity meter - counts pulses and cuts load or transfers to another tariff
EP0357868A1 (en) * 1988-09-08 1990-03-14 Landis & Gyr Betriebs AG Electricity meter with a two or multiple tariff counting device
GB2244865A (en) * 1987-12-29 1991-12-11 Ped Ltd Electrical switching device
JP2003324846A (en) * 2002-04-26 2003-11-14 Rengo Co Ltd Method for selecting electricity charge contract system and system for supporting selection
DE202004021409U1 (en) * 2004-07-24 2008-01-24 Lehn, F. Heinrich, Dr.-Ing. System for displaying the consumption of electrical energy
WO2010008301A1 (en) * 2008-07-15 2010-01-21 Kraft Verket E.F., Siv Jensen Apparatus and method for computer implemented, automatic selection of a provider of utility power

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WO1998019380A1 (en) * 1996-10-25 1998-05-07 Southpower Ltd. Improved utility and utility control meter
FR2822303B1 (en) * 2001-03-15 2003-06-27 Electricite De France PROGRAMMABLE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY BASED ON TARIFF ORDERS
GB2380017A (en) * 2001-09-21 2003-03-26 Hewlett Packard Co Selection of service providers
JP2003299248A (en) * 2002-04-04 2003-10-17 Toshiba Corp Optimum power supply selecting method and device thereof
FR2838192B1 (en) * 2002-04-05 2004-06-04 En Et Services TARIFF OPTIMIZATION OF THE CONSUMPTION OF AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
JP2005020861A (en) * 2003-06-25 2005-01-20 Toshiba Corp Power company selection support system

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2285596A1 (en) * 1974-09-19 1976-04-16 Siemens Ag Energy consumption survey device for electricity meter - counts pulses and cuts load or transfers to another tariff
GB2244865A (en) * 1987-12-29 1991-12-11 Ped Ltd Electrical switching device
EP0357868A1 (en) * 1988-09-08 1990-03-14 Landis & Gyr Betriebs AG Electricity meter with a two or multiple tariff counting device
JP2003324846A (en) * 2002-04-26 2003-11-14 Rengo Co Ltd Method for selecting electricity charge contract system and system for supporting selection
DE202004021409U1 (en) * 2004-07-24 2008-01-24 Lehn, F. Heinrich, Dr.-Ing. System for displaying the consumption of electrical energy
WO2010008301A1 (en) * 2008-07-15 2010-01-21 Kraft Verket E.F., Siv Jensen Apparatus and method for computer implemented, automatic selection of a provider of utility power

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2560954A (en) * 2017-03-30 2018-10-03 Wipro Ltd A system and method for switching utility providers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201001586D0 (en) 2010-03-17
GB0901482D0 (en) 2009-03-11
GB2467633B (en) 2013-09-25

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732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20141030 AND 20141105

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20180201