This invention relates to a recording node for receiving energy-related consumption meter data, for calculating consumption amount and consumption rate, and for storing such information. The invention further relates to networks into which the recording node is incorporated, or which can otherwise be accessed by the recording node. The recording node receives signals from a meter and calculates a current consumption rate value and a predicted consumption value for a time interval. At the end of the time interval, values calculated for the interval are stored in memory in the recording node and the recording node resets and begins calculating values for the next time interval. Price data may be received at the recording node from an external source, over a network, such as a distributed network, which includes the recording node. Consumption values and price data stored in the recording node are available to other nodes in the network. The network preferably does not include a central processor.
A power amount control method includes inputting for storage both a customer's contracted power amount and the customer's actually consumed power amount, visually displaying via network links a power amount difference between the contracted power amount and the consumed power amount, and obtaining such power amount difference between the contracted power amount and the consumed power amount for execution of either price setting of the contracted power amount or a contract breach process in accordance with the power amount difference.
A utility meter which provides multiple concurrent registering of commodity consumption data includes a source of commodity consumption signals, a measurement circuit, and a registering circuit. The source of commodity consumption signals is coupled to provide commodity consumption signals to the measurement circuit. The measurement circuit is operable to generate commodity consumption data from the commodity consumption signals. The register circuit is operably coupled to the measurement circuit to receive the commodity consumption data therefrom. To this end, the register circuit includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores a first set of parameters corresponding to a first metering mode, and a second set of parameters corresponding to a second metering mode. The processor is operable to generate first metering information by performing a metering routine a first time using the first set of parameters and the commodity consumption data, generate second metering information by performing the metering routine a second time using the second set of parameters and the commodity consumption data, such that the processor generates the first metering information and the second metering information on a concurrent basis.
A system is disposed at a location of a utility commodity subscriber for informing the subscriber of and controlling utility commodity usage. The system includes utility meters, an information and control apparatus, and a first and second data communication link. The meters measure usage and and generate usage signals. The information and control apparatus includes a microprocessor, a memory, a clock, and a user interface. The first data communication link is between the utility meters and the information and control apparatus and the second data communication link is between the information and control apparatus and one or more central locations. The second communication link also provides rate information to the information and control apparatus and utility commodity usage data to the central location. The microprocessor computes an accumulated cost of utility commodity for a predetermined period of time. Information related to the accumulated cost is output to the subscriber.
A system for scheduling the generation of energy in an energy distribution network having a plurality of customers and a plurality of energy sources, wherein the customer chooses an energy provider from which to receive its energy. The system comprises memory in communication with the input. The memory is configured to store a schedule for each customer, the schedule setting forth the predicted energy consumption for that customer over a predetermined period of time. A processor is in communication with the memory. The processor is configured to sum the schedules for each energy provider thereby creating a load schedule for each energy provider. An output interface is in communication with the processor. The output interface is configured to output each of the load schedules.
In order to effectively supply and demand electric power between an electric power supplier and a node or a group of nodes individually having an electric power generator, the present invention provides an electric power supply and demand management system capable of obtaining the difference between the total of electric power supplied from the electric power supplier to the node or group and the total of electric power consumed by the electric power loads of the node or group and capable of transmitting information for increasing/decreasing the amount of electric power supply so that the difference becomes smaller to the electric power supplier.
