Patent Application
20200175534
The disclosed subject matter relates to methods, systems, and media for energy management.
Buildings can waste substantial amounts of energy, particularly at times when a building is not in use. For example, an office building may not be occupied or in use at night or on weekends, but thermostats in the office may still be set such that the building is being heated or cooled even when not in use. As another example, lights (e.g., hall lights, conference room lights, lobby lights, etc.) may remain on at times when a building is not in use. Adjusting settings of lights, appliances, thermostats, etc. of a building may save energy. However, it can be difficult to determine how these devices should be adjusted. For example, existing building management systems typically struggle to coordinate and/or integrate every system in a building, where one system may control lighting and another system may control heating and cooling, thereby making it difficult to use data to improve efficiencies across both systems.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide new methods, systems, and media for energy management.
Methods, systems, and media for energy management are provided.
In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a method for energy management is provided, the method comprising: identifying a plurality of devices associated with a building; generating a standardized identifier for each of the plurality of devices, wherein the standardized identifier includes location information, a device type, and an index number; receiving weather data and energy pricing information; receiving, from the plurality of devices, a stream of building data, wherein each piece of building data has a data type and is associated with the standardized identifier for that device; determining whether operation of one or more of the plurality devices is to be modified based on the weather data, the energy pricing information, and the stream of building data; in response to determining that the operation of a device is to be modified based on the weather data, the energy pricing information, and the stream of building data, determining operating instructions based on the device type and the location information from the standardized identifier of the device; and transmitting the operating instructions to the device associated with the building.
In some embodiments, the plurality of devices includes one or more of: a lighting sensor, a solar radiation sensor, an occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor, an air quality sensor, a smoke detector, a ventilation system, a heating system, a cooling system, an access control system, a media device, a thermostat device, a window shade device, an electrochromic glass device, a lighting system, a home appliance, and a smart power outlet.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises: determining a user-selected energy usage criterion; and, based on the user-selected energy usage criterion, causing a user interface to be presented on a computing device that requests a user initiate the modification of the operation of the device with the determined operating instructions.
In some embodiments, the modification of the operation of the device is determined using an optimizer that receives the weather data, the energy pricing information, and the stream of building data as input.
In some embodiments, a second portion of building data is derived from a first portion building data in the stream of building data.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises: determining that the device associated with the building is not capable of being controlled via the transmitted operation instructions; and causing a user interface to be presented that suggests an adjustment in the operation of the device using the operation instructions.
In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system for energy management is provided, the system comprising a hardware processor that is configured to: identify a plurality of devices associated with a building; generate a standardized identifier for each of the plurality of devices, wherein the standardized identifier includes location information, a device type, and an index number; receive weather data and energy pricing information; receive, from the plurality of devices, a stream of building data, wherein each piece of building data has a data type and is associated with the standardized identifier for that device; determine whether operation of one or more of the plurality devices is to be modified based on the weather data, the energy pricing information, and the stream of building data; in response to determining that the operation of a device is to be modified based on the weather data, the energy pricing information, and the stream of building data, determine operating instructions based on the device type and the location information from the standardized identifier of the device; and transmit the operating instructions to the device associated with the building.
In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for energy management is provided, the method comprising: identifying a plurality of devices associated with a building; generating a standardized identifier for each of the plurality of devices, wherein the standardized identifier includes location information, a device type, and an index number; receiving weather data and energy pricing information; receiving, from the plurality of devices, a stream of building data, wherein each piece of building data has a data type and is associated with the standardized identifier for that device; determining whether operation of one or more of the plurality devices is to be modified based on the weather data, the energy pricing information, and the stream of building data; in response to determining that the operation of a device is to be modified based on the weather data, the energy pricing information, and the stream of building data, determining operating instructions based on the device type and the location information from the standardized identifier of the device; and transmitting the operating instructions to the device associated with the building.
In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system for energy management is provided, the system comprising: means for identifying a plurality of devices associated with a building; means for generating a standardized identifier for each of the plurality of devices, wherein the standardized identifier includes location information, a device type, and an index number; means for receiving weather data and energy pricing information; means for receiving, from the plurality of devices, a stream of building data, wherein each piece of building data has a data type and is associated with the standardized identifier for that device; means for determining whether operation of one or more of the plurality devices is to be modified based on the weather data, the energy pricing information, and the stream of building data; means for determining operating instructions based on the device type and the location information from the standardized identifier of the device in response to determining that the operation of a device is to be modified based on the weather data, the energy pricing information, and the stream of building data; and means for transmitting the operating instructions to the device associated with the building.
Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered in connection with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements.
In accordance with various embodiments, mechanisms (which can include methods, systems, and media) for energy management are provided.
Generally speaking, the mechanisms described herein can provide one or more automated schedulers for offices, homes, and building operators that schedule and/or manage systems, equipment, and appliances that impact energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. These schedulers can integrate building system data, incorporate external data sources (e.g., tenant temperature preferences, operating budgets, building occupancy, weather forecasts, and real-time energy prices), and determine equipment control and scheduling (e.g., consistent with energy cost goals). For example, these schedulers can automatically communicate equipment control instructions and/or scheduling instructions to building systems (e.g., to adjust temperatures or control lighting).
It should be noted that each automated scheduler can be associated with a particular scheduler type. For example, an automated scheduler can be an office scheduler that assists tenants with managing energy consumption and costs in an office building by optimizing building systems under tenant control, based on factors, such as weather and energy prices. In another example, an automated scheduler can be a home scheduler that assists a household to manage energy consumption in a home based on a budget for energy costs.
In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can be used to modify energy usage within buildings. For example, in some embodiments, the mechanisms can be used to control devices that contribute to energy usage within a building, such as thermostats, lights and light switches, window shades, and building equipment (e.g., fans, heat pumps, etc.) such that overall energy usage within the building can be reduced.
In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can control devices that contribute to energy usage in any suitable manner and based on any suitable information. For example, in some embodiments, the mechanisms can cause one or more thermostats of a building to be set to particular temperatures such that a heating system is less likely to be activated and/or an air-conditioning system is less likely to be activated at times of day when the building is unlikely to be occupied. As a more particular example, in an instance in which the building is determined to be unlikely to be occupied at night and/or on weekends (e.g., in the case of an office building), the mechanisms can cause a thermostat to be set at a higher temperature during summer months and/or at a lower temperature during winter months. As another example, in some embodiments, the mechanisms can cause lights of a building to be deactivated and/or turned off during times of day the building and/or days of the week the building is unlikely to be occupied. As yet another example, in some embodiments, the mechanisms can cause window treatments and/or window shades of windows of a building to be drawn and/or adjusted in transparency based on any suitable information, such as an amount of outdoor sunlight. As a more particular example, in an instance where the mechanisms determine that there is more than a predetermined amount of outdoor sunlight, the mechanisms can cause window shades to be opened and/or a transparency of window treatments to be increased, thereby allowing a room of the building corresponding to the windows to be naturally heated rather than using a heating system of the building to heat the building.
In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can receive data from any suitable devices or sensors within the building (e.g., thermometers and/or thermostats, lights, light sensors, motion sensors, and/or any other suitable devices or sensors) and/or any other suitable information (e.g., weather forecast information, calendar information, and/or any other suitable information) and can aggregate the received data in any suitable manner. For example, to prevent glare, help manage temperature, and control lights, shades, and/or electrochromic glass, the mechanisms described herein can receive data from one or more light and solar radiation sensors upon receiving content and/or authorization. In another example, to adjust convenience electronics or appliances having flexibility in run times (e.g., a dishwasher in a residential home, monitors in a business during night hours, etc.), the mechanisms described herein can receive data from one or more plug load monitors that are in select outlets and/or appliances. In yet another example, the mechanisms described herein can receive data from one or more sensors for smoke, temperature, and air quality (e.g., carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, humidity, carbon monoxide, etc.). In a further example, to determine when heating, cooling, convenience plug loads, and lighting changes can save energy, the mechanisms described herein can receive data from one or more occupancy sensors and/or integrations with access control systems. In some such embodiments, the mechanisms can analyze the received data to determine a manner in which devices that contribute to energy usage within the building (e.g., thermostats, lights, window shades, building equipment, etc.) are to be controlled and/or set to minimize energy usage. For example, in some embodiments, the mechanisms can receive any suitable data or information and can determine rules or parameters for thermostats, lights, etc. within a building that will reduce or minimize energy usage. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, the mechanisms can determine that a particular building is unlikely to be occupied on weekends and that lights of the building are therefore to be turned off on weekends, as described above. In some embodiments, the mechanisms can use any suitable algorithms to determine rules or parameters for devices that contribute to energy usage within a building.
Note that, in some embodiments, data collected can be aggregated and made available in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the data can be anonymized with respect to a building from which the data was collected and can be made available via any suitable Application Programming Interface (API) to any suitable third-party applications or developers.
It should be noted that these mechanisms can be used in any suitable application.
For example, a tenant can use an automated scheduler to set an energy budget and, based on the energy budget, actual and/or predicted occupancy information, weather information, energy pricing information, the automated scheduler can automate the operation of energy systems and devices, such as air conditioners, dishwashers, drying machines, etc. In continuing this example, a lower energy budget set by the tenant can results in a greater amount of automation of the operation of energy systems and devices in the home by the automated scheduler. Conversely, a higher energy budget set by the tenant can result in little or no intervention by the automated scheduler in which the tenant may be provided with the opportunity to override the automated operation of the energy systems and devices in the home by the automated scheduler.
In another example, a facilities manager can opt-in to optimized control of tenant-controlled systems and devices based upon the actual and/or predicted inputs of occupancy information, weather information, and energy pricing information. This can, for example, deliver predictable energy bills, reduce and/or eliminate energy waste, manage peak demand, and respond to tenant control requests.
In yet another example, a building operator can opt-in to optimized control of central building systems based upon the actual and predicted inputs of occupancy information, weather information, and energy pricing information. This can also, for example, deliver predictable energy bills, reduce and/or eliminate energy waste, manage peak demand, and respond to tenant control requests.
Turning to
In some embodiments, API 102 can be used to collect data related to energy use within building 104. For example, in some embodiments, API 102 can collect and/or aggregate data from energy management cloud 106 that relates to usage of thermostats 120 within building 104, usage of lights 122 within building 104, usage of window shades and window treatments 124 within building 104, and/or usage of building equipment 126 within building 104. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, API 102 can collect and/or aggregate data such as thermostat settings at different times of day and/or days of the week, times lights within building 104 are turned on and/or turned off, temperatures within different portions of building 104, an amount of outdoor sunlight around building 104 at different times of day, occupancy levels of building 104 at different times of day, and/or any other suitable data.
In some embodiments, API 102 can be used by any suitable third-party applications 128 for any suitable purpose. For example, in some embodiments, API 102 can be used by third-party applications 128 to access data relating to energy usage within building 104. Note that, in some embodiments, any data collected and/or aggregated by API 102 can be anonymized and/or de-identified in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, data relating to energy usage within building 104 can be stored in association with a randomly generated identifier corresponding to building 104 rather than an address or name of building 104.
In some embodiments, building 104 can be any suitable type of building. For example, in some embodiments, building 104 can be an office building, a house, an apartment building, a school, and/or any other suitable building. In some embodiments, energy usage within building 104 can be controlled by any suitable devices, such as thermostats 122, lights 124, window shades and window treatments 124, and/or building equipment 126. In some embodiments, thermostats 122 can be any suitable smart thermostats (e.g., that automatically adjust temperature settings and/or any other suitable settings) that can be controlled by any suitable third-party thermostat cloud 114. In some embodiments, lights 124 can be any suitable smart lights and/or smart switches connected to lights (e.g., lights and/or switches that are automatically activated or deactivated based on a current lighting condition, a current time of day, user preferences, and/or in any other suitable manner) that can be controlled by any suitable third-party lighting cloud 116. In some embodiments, window shades and window treatments 124 can be any suitable window shades and/or electrochromic glass that can be adjusted based on, for example, a current outdoor lighting level. For example, in some embodiments, window shades and window treatments 124 can be automatically adjusted such that a tint of glass darkens in response to a determination that a current outdoor lighting level exceeds a predetermined lighting level, and/or in response to any other suitable determination. In some embodiments, building equipment 126 can include any suitable building equipment that, for example, controls a heat level within building 104, such as heat pumps, fans, and/or any other suitable building equipment that can be adjusted.
In some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can be any suitable server or group of servers for collecting energy usage data from building 104 and/or adjusting settings of devices that contribute to energy usage within building 104. For example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive data relating to energy usage within building 104 and/or operation of devices that contribute to energy usage within building 104 (e.g., thermostats 120, lights 122, window shades and window treatments 124, building equipment 126, etc.) and can aggregate the received data. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive data that indicates preferred temperatures of different areas of building 104 at different times of day. As another example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive data that indicates measured or detected characteristics of building 104. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive data that indicates temperatures of different portions of building 104 at different times of day (e.g., due to heating from sunlight through windows, etc.). As another more particular example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive data that indicates characteristics relating to usage of building 104, such as occupancy of different areas of building 104 at different times of day, and/or any other suitable occupancy information.
Note that, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive data from any other suitable sources, such as a calendar device or multiple calendar devices associated with building 104, weather forecasts, and/or any other suitable data. For example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive event data from a calendar device associated with building 104 that indicates dates and/or times building 104 is likely to be occupied and/or date and/or times portions of building 104 is likely to be occupied. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, the event data can indicate dates and/or times a conference room within building 104 is likely to be occupied. As another more particular example, in some embodiments, the even data can indicate dates and/or times an atypical evening event or an atypical weekend event is to be held at an office building. As another example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive information indicating a weather forecast for a geographic region in which building 104 is located that can indicate any suitable weather information, such as predicted temperatures, predicted storms, and/or any other suitable weather information.
In some embodiments, received data can be stored in any suitable manner, such as in energy database 110. Note that, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive data through any suitable intermediary devices. For example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive data through a building management system 118. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, building management system 118 can receive data from any devices that contribute to energy usage within building 104 (e.g., devices 120-126), and can transmit the received data to energy management cloud 106. As another more particular example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can receive data through third-party thermostat cloud 114 (e.g., that indicates data associated with thermostats 120) and/or through third-party lighting cloud 116 (e.g., that indicates data associated with lights 122). Note that, in some embodiments, data received by energy management cloud 106 can be processed to be in any suitable format prior to storage in energy database 110. For example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can use a format translator 108 to convert data received from multiple sources (e.g., from building management system 118, from third-party thermostat cloud 114, from third-party lighting cloud 116, etc.) to a common format prior to storage in energy database 110.
In some embodiments, format translator 108 can convert identified devices and sensors that are associated with a building into a set of standardized identifiers. For example, a standardized identifier can include any suitable metadata in which devices are named by floor, room number, device type, and an index. In a more particular example, television devices can be identified as 19-301-TV-1, 19-302-TV-1, etc., while thermostat devices can be identified as 19-301-TSAT-1 and 19-302-TSAT-1. Such a naming schema can, for example, allow the energy management server described herein to determine which rooms of a building a television device is located and how to control the lighting devices and the thermostat devices in the room to prepare for an event (e.g., a presentation).
In some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can use received data to control devices that contribute to energy usage within building 104. For example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can identify particular times of day and/or days of the week when building 104 is unlikely to be occupied and can adjust thermostats 120 and/or lights 122 based on the determination. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can adjust thermostats 120 to a temperature such that a heater is less likely to be activated and/or an air-conditioner is less likely to be activated at times of day that building 104 is unlikely to be occupied. As another more particular example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can set any of lights 122 to be off at times of day building 104 is unlikely to be occupied. As another example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can transmit instructions to window shades and/or window treatments 124 such that window shades are drawn and/or electrochromic glass is darkened in response to particular outdoor lighting conditions.
Note that, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can determine times of day building 104 is likely to be occupied and/or is unlikely to be occupied based on any suitable information. For example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can determine predicted occupancy levels of building 104 based on calendar information received from a device associated with building 104 that indicates scheduled events. As another example, in some embodiments, energy management cloud 106 can predict occupancy levels of building 104 based on sensor data (e.g., motion sensor data, and/or any other suitable sensor data) that indicates movement within building 104.
Additionally, note that, in some embodiments, control of devices that contribute to energy usage within building 104 can be controlled via any suitable intermediary device associated with energy management cloud 106. For example, in some embodiments, an optimizer 112 can receive data from energy management cloud 106 and/or from energy database 110 and can identify any suitable rules for devices within building 104 that achieve any suitable outcome, such as reducing use of heating and/or air-conditioning, reducing usage of lights at times building 104 is unlikely to be occupied, and/or any other suitable outcome. In some such embodiments, optimizer 112 can use any suitable technique or combination of techniques to determine rules for devices within building 104. For example, in some embodiments, optimizer 112 can use any suitable machine learning algorithm(s) to identify times of day building 104 is unlikely to be occupied, to identify preferred temperatures in different areas of building 104, to determine rises in temperature in particular areas of building 104 due to sunlight through windows of building 104, and/or to determine any other suitable information.
In a more particular example, optimizer 112 can receive energy budget information from a tenant, energy pricing information (e.g., which can change based on energy demands), weather information, and building data from one or more devices and sensors to determine whether control instructions for one or more of the devices should be modified. Based on the output of the optimizer 112, a control instruction and/or a recommendation to modify a control instruction can be transmitted. For example, optimizer 112 can determine that dishwasher operation should be delayed to avoid peak-time power pricing. In continuing this example, a tenant can override the determination by optimizer 112 to continue operating the dishwasher. In addition, in some embodiments, optimizer 112 can use such feedback to modify future recommendations for modifying control instructions of devices in the building.
Turning to
At 210 of process 200, an energy management server can identify one or more devices and/or sensors associated with a building in any suitable manner and using any suitable technique(s). For example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can use any suitable device discovery protocol to identify the one or more devices connected to a communication network, such as a local Wi-Fi network in a home of a user, and/or any other suitable communication network. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can identify the one or more devices via mDNS, Discovery and Launch (DIAL), and/or using any other suitable protocol(s).
In some embodiments, the energy management server can identify any suitable information about each of the one or more identified devices. For example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can determine a type of device associated with each of the identified devices. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, the type of device can indicate that the identified device is a television device, that the identified device is an appliance plugged into an outlet, that the identified device is a temperature sensor, and/or any other suitable type of device. As another example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can determine a capability of each of the identified devices. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can determine whether each identified device is capable of receiving control instructions from the energy management server.
In another more particular example, upon receiving authorization and/or content, the energy management server can detect devices and/or sensors that have been plugged in and/or unplugged to an outlet and, in response, can determine a type of device and/or sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the energy management server can identify the type of device and/or sensor that has been plugged into an outlet and can generate a user interface that requests that a user, such as a tenant of a building, verify the device that has been plugged in.
In some embodiments, a device and sensor kit can be transmitted to a user for installation within the building. For example, each device and sensor kit can include 1) all in one sensors that monitors air quality (volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide), 2) temperature and motion sensors, 3) thermostats, 4) smart power strips, and 5) a gateway. Upon installing the sensors and devices within the building, the energy management server can determine whether the devices and sensors from the kit are detected within the building. In a more particular example, the gateway can determine whether the devices and sensors from the kit are detected (e.g., over a communications network) and can transmit the device information that includes device identifiers and device type information to the energy management server.
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the device and sensor kit can be transmitted to the user (e.g., a tenant) upon accessing a page using a computing device that provides an energy cost calculator. In response to inputting building-related information (e.g., size or square footage of a building, number of tenants, number of floors, typical energy costs, etc.), the energy cost calculator can determine a predicted energy cost savings to the user upon installation of the device and sensor kit and can provide the user with an opportunity to receive the device and sensor kit.
In some embodiments, at 220 of process 200, the energy management server can generate a standardized identifier for each identified device and/or sensor. For example, as described above, the energy management server can identify devices and/or sensors that are connected to various outlets in a building and convert a name associated with each of the identified devices and/or sensors to a standardized identifier. This can, for example, generate a set of standardized identifiers for a building, for a neighborhood, for multiple offices within an office building, etc.
It should be noted that a standardized identifier can include any suitable metadata in which devices and/or sensors are named by floor, room number, device type, and an index. In a more particular example, a standardized identifier can include a sequence of characters that includes a floor identifier followed by a room number identifier followed by a device type identifier and followed by an index number. In continuing this example, television devices can be identified as 19-301-TV-1, 19-302-TV-1, etc., while thermostat devices can be identified as 19-301-TSAT-1 and 19-302-TSAT-1. Such a naming schema can, for example, allow the energy management server described herein to determine which rooms of a building a television device is located and how to control the lighting devices and the thermostat devices in the room to prepare for an event (e.g., a presentation).
In some embodiments, at 230 of process 200, the energy management server can receive data from one or more external data sources. For example, the energy management server can receive weather information that includes temperature information, precipitation information, sunlight information, wind information, and other forecasts. In another example, the energy management server can receive energy pricing information, such as electricity grid pricing information that may vary across a given day based on energy demands.
In some embodiments, process 200 can receive the weather information and/or the energy pricing information from any suitable source. For example, in some embodiments, data and/or information can be received from a government entity that collects and/or maintains data such as weather information. In another example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can receive information indicating a weather forecast for a geographic region in which a building is located from a weather service, where the weather forecast that can indicate any suitable weather information, such as predicted temperatures, predicted storms, and/or any other suitable weather information. In yet another example, in some embodiments, data and/or information relating to energy pricing, energy demands, and/or status of an energy grid can be received from an energy provider.
In some embodiments, the energy management server can use a machine learning classifier to predict energy pricing information based on weather information, such as temperature information and sunlight information. For example, additionally or alternatively to receiving energy pricing information from a suitable source (e.g., an energy provider source), the energy management server can determine a predicted electricity price by providing weather information and historical electric grid pricing information to a corresponding energy pricing classifier. In response, the energy pricing classifier can provide, as output, a predicted electricity price based on the provided weather information. The energy management server can use the predicted electricity price and/or a combination of the predicted electricity price with electricity prices provided by one or more external sources to, for example, transmit control instructions to or recommend to modify the control of one or more devices associated with a building (e.g., based on tenant-inputted energy budget information).
In some embodiments, at 240 of process 200, the energy management server can receive a stream of building data from the identified devices and/or sensors associated with the building. For example, building systems that include the identified devices and/or sensors can track multiple real-time metrics about energy use and can communicate that information to the energy management server. Such building data can include data on occupancy, interior temperature, airflow, and electricity usage. In a more particular example, the energy management server can receive a stream of building data from a gateway device that has been connected to a communications network within a building.
In some embodiments, the stream of building data can include the standardized device identifier, a timing information associated with a piece of building data, and the building data itself. Building data can include, for example, energy usage indications (e.g., an application is currently running), device connection information (e.g., an appliance has been plugged into an outlet), sensor information (e.g., a temperature sensor reading, a motion sensor reading, occupancy sensor readings, people counter readings, etc.), plug load information, ventilation information, heating information from a heating system, cooling information from a cooling system, etc.
In some embodiments, the energy management server can receive building data from other suitable sources, such as intermediary devices. For example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can receive data through a building management system (e.g., such as a building management system 118 of
In some embodiments, the energy management server can derive building data, such as occupancy information, from other building data. For example, the energy management server can determine occupancy information based on one or more of plug load usage in a particular zone of a building, data from a motion sensor, data from a room calendar or scheduling system, data from density people counters, etc. In a more particular example, the energy management server can receive data from any other suitable sources, such as a calendar device or multiple calendar devices associated with the building 104. For example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can receive event data from a calendar device associated with the building that indicates dates and/or times the building is likely to be occupied and/or date and/or times portions of the building is likely to be occupied. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, the event data can indicate dates and/or times a conference room within the building is likely to be occupied. As another more particular example, in some embodiments, the event data can indicate dates and/or times an atypical evening event or an atypical weekend event is to be held at an office building. The energy management server can use this event information from the calendar system to predict whether one or more portions of a building are occupied. As described hereinbelow, such occupancy information can be used by an optimizer of the energy management server to determine control information for one or more devices within a building (e.g., that a smart power strip should be turned off, that a heating or cooling system can be turned off or modified to reduce energy consumption, etc.).
In some embodiments, the energy management server can obtain the same type of building data from multiple sources. For example, occupancy information can be received from an occupancy sensor, a thermostat, a lighting device, a camera security system, a scheduling system, plug load usage information, etc. In continuing this example, a machine learning classifier can receive such information to predict whether it is likely that a portion of a building is occupied. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the energy management server can determine that a portion of the building is occupied based on one data source indicating that there is an occupant (or a particular number of occupants).
Referring back to
For example, the energy management server can set dynamic zone temperatures based upon occupancy information, predicted occupancy information, comfort feedback from tenants (e.g., a tenant application in which the tenant provides feedback regarding comfort), learned preferences (e.g., based on user-inputted thermostat settings), and/or contextual information (e.g., indoor zone temperature, outdoor weather including temperature and humidity, dress code with seasonal and geographical context, time to reach a set point, energy pricing, greenhouse gas intensity, and holiday schedule).
In another example, the energy management server can turn off or on plug loads or outlets when the energy management server determines that the plug load or outlet is not needed based on occupancy information, predicted occupancy information, device type, time of day, and/or energy pricing.
In yet another example, the energy management server can adjust lighting and/or shading by controlling one or more lighting devices and one or more shade devices based on occupancy, temperature, learned preferences, and/or interior light levels (e.g., impacted by outdoor brightness).
In some embodiments, the optimizer of the energy management server can be used to modify energy usage within buildings. For example, in some embodiments, the output of the optimizer of the energy management server can be interpreted to control devices that contribute to energy usage within a building, such as thermostats, lights and light switches, window shades, and building equipment (e.g., fans, heat pumps, etc.) such that overall energy usage within the building can be reduced.
It should be noted that the operation of a device can be controlled in any suitable manner and based on any suitable information. For example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can cause one or more thermostats of a building to be set to particular temperatures such that a heating system is less likely to be activated and/or an air-conditioning system is less likely to be activated at times of day when the building is unlikely to be occupied. As a more particular example, in an instance in which the building is determined to be unlikely to be occupied at night and/or on weekends (e.g., in the case of an office building), the energy management server can cause a thermostat to be set at a higher temperature during summer months and/or at a lower temperature during winter months. As another example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can cause lights of a building to be deactivated and/or turned off during times of day the building and/or days of the week the building is unlikely to be occupied. As yet another example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can cause window treatments and/or window shades of windows of a building to be drawn and/or adjusted in transparency based on any suitable information, such as an amount of outdoor sunlight. As a more particular example, in an instance where the energy management server determines that there is more than a predetermined amount of outdoor sunlight, the energy management server can cause window shades to be opened and/or a transparency of window treatments to be increased, thereby allowing a room of the building corresponding to the windows to be naturally heated rather than using a heating system of the building to heat the building.
In some embodiments, the energy management server described herein can receive data from any suitable devices or sensors within the building (e.g., thermometers and/or thermostats, lights, light sensors, motion sensors, and/or any other suitable devices or sensors) and/or any other suitable information (e.g., weather forecast information, calendar information, and/or any other suitable information) and can aggregate the received data in any suitable manner. For example, to prevent glare, help manage temperature, and control lights, shades, and/or electrochromic glass, the energy management server described herein can receive data from one or more light and solar radiation sensors. In another example, to adjust convenience electronics or appliances having flexibility in run times (e.g., a dishwasher in a residential home, monitors in a business during night hours, etc.), the energy management server described herein can receive data from one or more plug load monitors that are in select outlets and/or appliances. In yet another example, the energy management server described herein can receive data from one or more sensors for smoke, temperature, and air quality (e.g., carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, humidity, carbon monoxide, etc.). In a further example, to determine when heating, cooling, convenience plug loads, and lighting changes can save energy, the energy management server described herein can receive data from one or more occupancy sensors and/or integrations with access control systems. In some such embodiments, the energy management server can analyze the received data to determine a manner in which devices that contribute to energy usage within the building (e.g., thermostats, lights, window shades, building equipment, etc.) are to be controlled and/or set to minimize energy usage. For example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can receive any suitable data or information and can determine rules or parameters for thermostats, lights, etc. within a building that will reduce or minimize energy usage. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can determine that a particular building is unlikely to be occupied on weekends and that lights of the building are therefore to be turned off on weekends, as described above. In some embodiments, the energy management server can use any suitable algorithms to determine rules or parameters for devices that contribute to energy usage within a building.
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the energy management server can train a model that predicts whether the operation of one or more devices in a building should be adjusted or otherwise modified using any suitable information, such as building data, tenant-inputted preference information, energy pricing information, energy usage information, weather information, etc. In some embodiments, the energy management server can train the model using any suitable technique or combination of techniques. Additionally, note that, in some embodiments, the model can include any suitable type of algorithm(s), such as any suitable type of machine learning model, and/or any other suitable type of algorithm(s). In some embodiments, the energy management server can train the model using the building data, the weather information, and/or the energy pricing information in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can generate a training set that includes any suitable number of training samples (e.g., one hundred, one thousand, ten thousand, one million, and/or any other suitable number) from the building data, the weather information, and/or the energy pricing information.
Note that, in some embodiments, building information (e.g., a location of a building, a type of activity associated with a building, a height of a building, a shape of a building, and/or any other suitable building information) can correspond to inputs of each training sample.
Note that, in some embodiments, the model can include any suitable type of algorithm(s). For example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can train a neural network with any suitable number of layers. Note that in some embodiments, the energy management server can train the model using a subset of the training samples (e.g., 70% of the training samples, 80% of the training samples, and/or any other suitable subset). In some such embodiments, the energy management server can then test a trained model using a remaining portion of the training samples to determine an accuracy of the trained model.
Referring back to
Alternatively, in some embodiments, the energy management server can transmit a recommendation (e.g., via a user interface, via a notification on a device, etc.) that suggests an adjustment in the operation of a device within the building. For example, the energy management server can present a user interface that suggests a temperature adjustment by changing a thermostat device to a particular temperature at a particular time and opening the windows. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the recommendation can be transmitted in response to determining that the energy management server cannot cause the corresponding device to automatically perform the adjustment in operation (e.g., lack of connectivity to the device, manual action such as opening a window, etc.). It should also be noted that, in some embodiments, the recommendation can be transmitted in response to determining that a user-selected energy budget is deemed high, thereby providing the tenant with additional flexibility in energy usage.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the energy management server can present a number of user interfaces to indicate the automated or suggested adjustments to the devices in the building. For example, as shown in
It should also be noted that the energy management server can receive energy budget information from a user interface presented on a tenant device. For example, as shown in
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the input of budget information by a tenant can determine an amount of automation by the energy management server. For example, in some embodiments, a lower energy budget set by a tenant using the interface shown in
In some embodiments, the energy management server can receive tenant feedback using a tenant application executing on a tenant device. For example, as shown in
In another example,
In continuing this example, prior to presenting the user interface shown in
As also shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the energy management server can allow a tenant to provide location information corresponding to the tenant in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the energy management server can request authorization from the tenant to receive location information from a user device associated with the tenant. In a more particular example, upon installing an energy management application, the energy management application can request specific authorization from the tenant to receive location information corresponding to the user device. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, a user interface can be presented that allows the tenant to indicate a current location. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, the energy management server can provide feedback to a tenant using a tenant application executing on a tenant device. For example, as shown in
In a more particular example, the energy management server can present a user interface on an energy management application that allows a tenant of an office building to find an optimal workspace based on user preferences. For example, as shown in
Continuing the above-mentioned example, the energy management application executing on a user device of a tenant can allow the tenant to explore a building based on user preferences. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, the energy management server can present an activity feed that indicates automated and/or suggested actions on the devices in the building. For example, as shown in
It should be noted that, although the embodiments described above show an activity feed for a facilities manager of an office building, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, an energy management application executing on a user device of a tenant can provide the tenant with an activity feed to, for example, provide the tenant with updated information on energy consumption and energy management of a building.
Turning to
As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the energy management application can provide a user, such as a tenant or a facilities manager, with energy consumption information. For example, as shown in
Turning to
Server 402 can be any suitable server(s) for storing information, data, programs, and/or any other suitable content. For example, in some embodiments, server 402 can store any suitable building energy data, such as information from energy-related sensors in a building (e.g., thermostat devices, lighting devices, automated window shade devices, heating systems, cooling systems, ventilation systems, etc.), information from external data sources (e.g., weather information, electricity grid pricing information, etc.), etc. In some embodiments, server 402 can execute any suitable functions for energy management of a building. For example, as described above in connection with
Communication network 404 can be any suitable combination of one or more wired and/or wireless networks in some embodiments. For example, communication network 404 can include any one or more of the Internet, an intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a local-area network (LAN), a wireless network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, a frame relay network, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, a virtual private network (VPN), and/or any other suitable communication network. User devices 406 can be connected by one or more communications links (e.g., communications links 412) to communication network 404 that can be linked via one or more communications links (e.g., communications links 414) to server 402. The communications links can be any communications links suitable for communicating data among user devices 406 and server 402 such as network links, dial-up links, wireless links, hard-wired links, any other suitable communications links, or any suitable combination of such links.
User devices 406 can include any one or more user devices suitable for detecting the presence of devices and/or sensors within a building, communicating building data, presenting user interfaces for initiating adjustments to the operation of one or more devices in a building, etc.
For example, in some embodiments, user devices 406 can include one or more building devices 408. Examples of building devices can include appliances (e.g., a refrigerator, a washer/dryer, a dishwasher, a fan, and/or any other suitable devices), a heating system, a cooling system, a ventilation system, a lighting device, a camera or imaging device (e.g., an outdoor camera, an infrared imaging device, a thermal imaging device, a LIDAR imaging device, etc.), a display device, a mobile device, a gaming device, and/or a communications device (e.g., a gateway, a Wi-Fi access point, a wireless backhaul system, etc.).
In another example, in some embodiments, user devices 406 can include one or more sensor devices 410. Examples of sensor devices can include an air quality sensing device, a temperature sensing device, a pressure sensing device, a sound or noise sensing device, a light sensing device, a humidity sensing device, an occupancy sensing device, etc.
Although server 402 is illustrated as one device, the functions performed by server 402 can be performed using any suitable number of devices in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, multiple devices can be used to implement the functions performed by server 402.
Although two user devices 408 and 410 are shown in
Server 402 and user devices 406 can be implemented using any suitable hardware in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, devices 402 and 406 can be implemented using any suitable general purpose computer or special purpose computer. For example, a mobile phone may be implemented using a special purpose computer. Any such general purpose computer or special purpose computer can include any suitable hardware. For example, as illustrated in example hardware 500 of
Hardware processor 502 can include any suitable hardware processor, such as a microprocessor, a micro-controller, digital signal processor(s), dedicated logic, and/or any other suitable circuitry for controlling the functioning of a general purpose computer or a special purpose computer in some embodiments. In some embodiments, hardware processor 502 can be controlled by a server program stored in memory and/or storage of a server, such as server 402. In some embodiments, hardware processor 502 can be controlled by a computer program stored in memory and/or storage 504 of user device 406.
Memory and/or storage 504 can be any suitable memory and/or storage for storing programs, data, and/or any other suitable information in some embodiments. For example, memory and/or storage 504 can include random access memory, read-only memory, flash memory, hard disk storage, optical media, and/or any other suitable memory.
Input device controller 506 can be any suitable circuitry for controlling and receiving input from one or more input devices 508 in some embodiments. For example, input device controller 506 can be circuitry for receiving input from a touchscreen, from a keyboard, from one or more buttons, from a voice recognition circuit, from a microphone, from a camera, from an optical sensor, from an accelerometer, from a temperature sensor, from a near field sensor, from a pressure sensor, from an encoder, and/or any other type of input device.
Display/audio drivers 510 can be any suitable circuitry for controlling and driving output to one or more display/audio output devices 512 in some embodiments. For example, display/audio drivers 510 can be circuitry for driving a touchscreen, a flat-panel display, a cathode ray tube display, a projector, a speaker or speakers, and/or any other suitable display and/or presentation devices.
Communication interface(s) 514 can be any suitable circuitry for interfacing with one or more communication networks (e.g., computer network 404). For example, interface(s) 514 can include network interface card circuitry, wireless communication circuitry, and/or any other suitable type of communication network circuitry.
Antenna 516 can be any suitable one or more antennas for wirelessly communicating with a communication network (e.g., communication network 404) in some embodiments. In some embodiments, antenna 516 can be omitted.
Bus 518 can be any suitable mechanism for communicating between two or more components 502, 504, 506, 510, and 514 in some embodiments.
Any other suitable components can be included in hardware 500 in accordance with some embodiments.
In some embodiments, at least some of the above described blocks of the processes of
In some embodiments, any suitable computer readable media can be used for storing instructions for performing the functions and/or processes herein. For example, in some embodiments, computer readable media can be transitory or non-transitory. For example, non-transitory computer readable media can include media such as non-transitory forms of magnetic media (such as hard disks, floppy disks, and/or any other suitable magnetic media), non-transitory forms of optical media (such as compact discs, digital video discs, Blu-ray discs, and/or any other suitable optical media), non-transitory forms of semiconductor media (such as flash memory, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or any other suitable semiconductor media), any suitable media that is not fleeting or devoid of any semblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitable tangible media. As another example, transitory computer readable media can include signals on networks, in wires, conductors, optical fibers, circuits, any suitable media that is fleeting and devoid of any semblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitable intangible media.
In situations in which the systems described herein collect personal information about users, or make use of personal information, the users may be provided with an opportunity to control whether programs or features collect user information (e.g., information about a user's social network, social actions or activities, profession, a user's preferences, or a user's current location). In addition, certain data may be treated in one or more ways before it is stored or used, so that personal information is removed. For example, a user's identity may be treated so that no personally identifiable information can be determined for the user, or a user's geographic location may be generalized where location information is obtained (such as to a city, ZIP code, or state level), so that a particular location of a user cannot be determined. Thus, the user may have control over how information is collected about the user and used by a content server.
Accordingly, methods, systems, and media for energy management are provided.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/775,360, filed Dec. 4, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62775360 | Dec 2018 | US |
