US20050119841A1 - Method of timing demand and time-of-use functionality with external clock source - Google Patents
Method of timing demand and time-of-use functionality with external clock source Download PDFInfo
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- US20050119841A1 US20050119841A1 US10/984,546 US98454604A US2005119841A1 US 20050119841 A1 US20050119841 A1 US 20050119841A1 US 98454604 A US98454604 A US 98454604A US 2005119841 A1 US2005119841 A1 US 2005119841A1
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- energy consumption
- time interval
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- 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
- G01D4/004—Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
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- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to utility meter systems, and in particular, to meter systems that communicate usage information using communication networks.
- Electricity meters are used to measure electricity consumption for many purposes, including billing for the usage of energy. In many cases, an electricity meter merely keeps track of accumulated energy usage. The accumulated usage over a month is then applied to one or more billing rates (e.g. dollars per kilowatt hour) to arrive at the amount to be billed to the customer for the month.
- billing rates e.g. dollars per kilowatt hour
- Time of Use involves application of different rates to energy usage at different times of day.
- a TOU meter may maintain several accumulators, one for each billing rate.
- accumulated energy usage is added to the appropriate one of the many accumulators, depending on the time of day.
- Different billing rates are then applied to the accumulated energy usage values in each of the accumulators.
- Demand metering involves billing based on time periods in which the demand is at or near a maximum level. Such billing/metering methods are known.
- TOU and Demand functions have been performed by the end device (i.e. the meter).
- the problem of recover after a power outage can be addressed by including a clock chip and a battery for power to maintain the time during a power outage.
- the clock chip may be used during normal operation as well.
- the invention addresses the above-described need, as well as others, by providing an arrangement that enable storage of energy consumption values in association with a first type of time interval within a meter, and then associating the stored energy consumption values with a second type of time interval, the second type of time interval aligned with or at least anchored or referenced to a chronological clock (e.g. time of day clock).
- a chronological clock e.g. time of day clock
- a first embodiment of the invention is a method of associating chronological time with energy consumption.
- the method includes a step of storing in a utility meter a plurality of energy consumption values, each energy consumption value corresponding to a time interval of a first type.
- the method also includes obtaining from a source external to the utility meter chronological time information regarding at least one of the plurality of energy consumption values.
- the method further includes associating each of the energy consumption values with a time interval of the second type, each time interval of the second type associated with at least one chronological time value.
- the energy consumption values may be associated with the chronological time value-based time intervals either internal to the meter, or at a remote location from the meter. In the former case, the chronological time information is communicated to the meter. In the latter case, the stored energy consumption values are communicated to a remote facility that has access to chronological time information. Other variations may of course be implemented.
- FIG. 1 shows a representative block diagram of an arrangement including a plurality of metering units and a data concentration system that implements embodiments of the invention
- FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary metering unit of the arrangement of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary set of operations performed by processing circuits of a metering unit and the data concentration system of the arrangement of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 shows a representative diagram data and timing elements that illustrate an exemplary execution of operations of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of another exemplary set of operations performed by processing circuit of a metering unit of the arrangement of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 1 shows a metering system that includes a data concentration system 10 and a plurality of customer premise metering units 12 .
- the customer premise metering units 12 include a metering device 14 , a data store 16 and communication circuit 18 .
- Each metering device 14 is a device that is configured to generate energy consumption information regarding a load.
- Each data store 16 is a memory device or set of memory devices that store energy consumption information, among other things, as discussed herein.
- the communication circuit 18 is a device configured to communicate information to and from the data concentration system 10 .
- the communication circuit 18 includes a radio.
- FIG. 2 shows in further detail the metering unit 12 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention.
- the metering unit 12 is an apparatus for measuring energy consumption that includes a measurement circuit 110 , a processing circuit 120 , a communication circuit 18 , an optional display 140 and a data store 16 . All of the above listed elements are preferably supported by a meter housing 13 , which may a plurality of known forms.
- the metering unit 12 shown in FIG. 2 includes an optional chronological clock circuit 130 , which is useful in an embodiment described below in connection with FIG. 5 .
- the measurement circuit 110 is a circuit operable to generate a first digital signal representative of a line voltage waveform and a second digital signal representative of a line current waveform.
- the measurement circuit 110 may suitably comprise current and voltage sensors, not shown, and one or more analog-to-digital converters, not shown.
- Many circuits capable of generating digital voltage and circuit waveform signals are well known in the art. Suitable examples of input circuits having such capabilities are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,188; U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,159; U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,158 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- the processing circuit 120 is a device that employs one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, discrete digital circuits and/or combinations thereof.
- the processing circuit 120 is operable to generate energy consumption data based on the first digital signal and the second digital signal. For example, the processing circuit 120 may generate watt-hours, VAR-hrs, power factor, root-mean-square voltage and/or current, or combinations of any of the foregoing.
- Various processing circuits operable to generate energy consumption data from digital voltage and digital current measurement signals are well known in the art. Suitable examples of such circuits are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,188; U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,159; U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,158 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,004.
- the processing circuit 120 is further operable to generate energy consumption values corresponding to a time interval of a first type.
- the energy consumption data preferably represent a quantity of energy (real, VA or VAR) accumulated over the time interval of the first type.
- the time interval of the first type is preferably a relatively small interval in comparison to a demand, TOU or load profiling time interval. For example, the time interval of the first type should be less than one minute, and preferably less than ten seconds. If the TOU, demand or load profiling time interval is relatively small, for example, 5 to 15 minutes, then the time interval of the first type should be one the order of one second or less. If the TOU, demand or load profiling time interval is more than an hour, then the time interval of the first type may be somewhat larger. Additional detail regarding the relationship between the time interval of the first type and the corresponding standard billing time interval is provided further below.
- the energy consumption data generated for metering purposes often represents an accumulation of energy for even a smaller time interval.
- Some measurement circuits such as the circuit 110 , either alone, or in combination with the processing circuit 120 , generate pulse signals representative of a particular quantum of accumulated consumed energy.
- Other meters generate accumulated energy usage signal for consecutive sub-second intervals.
- the processing circuit 120 accumulates such energy consumption information, in whatever form, for each successive time interval of the first type.
- the processing circuit 120 is further operable to store the plurality of energy consumption values in the data store 16 .
- the processing circuit 120 stores the accumulated energy consumption value.
- the energy consumption values are stored in a manner such information regarding the order in which the energy consumption values were generated is retained.
- the energy consumption values may be stored with a counter that identifies a sequence number for each energy consumption value.
- the energy consumption values may be stored in a table in the data store 16 , which may be a random access memory, EEPROM, or other memory.
- the data store 16 may be circular buffer, FIFO device, or other memory that stores data in the order in which it is received. In such cases, no additional data need be stored. Other known methods may be used.
- the communication circuit 18 is a device operable to communicate data between the metering unit 12 and one or more remote devices. In a system such as that shown in FIG. 1 , the communication circuit 18 would be operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the data concentration system 10 . To this end, the communication circuit 18 may suitably include a radio, a telephone modem, a power line carrier modem, or other known communication device configured for use with utility meters.
- the meter display 140 which is optional, may be a digital display such as a liquid crystal display. It will be appreciated that the exact nature of the display is not particularly important to the implementation of the invention. Nevertheless, there is an advantage of including at least some display capabilities. LCD displays, moreover, have been found to have a particularly advantageous set of qualities for use in electronic meters.
- the chronological clock circuit 130 which is not necessary for the embodiment described below in connection with FIG. 3 , is a circuit maintains ongoing chronological clock information (e.g. time of day).
- the chronological clock circuit 130 is operable to receive, from time to time, system standard chronological time information from an external source through the communication circuit 18 or otherwise. Such information synchronizes the clock circuit 130 with other clock circuits of other metering units and/or the data concentration system 10 .
- the chronological clock circuit 130 ordinary updates its calendar/clock value by referencing timing information from the power line signal.
- Such circuits are known in the art, and may be in part or in whole carried out by the processing circuit 120 hardware.
- the data concentration system 10 is a device that is operable to receive energy consumption information from a plurality of metering units 12 and store the information.
- the data concentration system 10 provides the stored information to a billing system, not shown, that may or may not be co-located with the data concentrator 10 .
- the data concentration system 10 at a minimum includes a processing circuit 22 (such as one or more microprocessors) and associated circuitry and one or more memory or storage devices 24 .
- the data concentration system 10 may be configured as a data server that provides energy consumption information to other computers or systems via wired or wireless networks. Suitable data concentrator systems are known in the art.
- FIG. 1 may be used to carry out a variety of methods according to the present invention. Two of such methods are described below in relative detail. Alterations and modifications of those methods are within the scope of the invention.
- a first method relates to a configuration in which the metering unit 12 does not perform any TOU, demand or load profiling operations locally, but rather transmits the energy consumption values to the data concentration system 10 .
- the data concentration system 10 then associates the energy consumption values to the billing system time periods to obtain TOU, demand and/or load profiling information.
- FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary set of operations of the processing circuit 120 of the metering unit 12 and the processing circuit 22 of the data concentration system 10 in accordance with the first method described above.
- the processing circuit 120 generates energy consumption values corresponding to time intervals of the first type, and stores the energy consumption values in the data store 16 .
- the processing circuit 120 in step 302 obtains energy consumption data representative of energy being consumed by a load.
- the meter 12 is connected to measure power flowing through power lines 96 .
- the measurement circuit 110 generates a digital voltage signal, which preferably is a series of digital samples that represent a scaled version of the voltage waveform(s) on the one or more of the power lines 96 .
- the measurement circuit 110 also generates a digital current signal, which preferably is a series of digital samples that represent a scaled version of the current waveform(s) on the one or more of the power lines 96 .
- the processing circuit 120 receives the digital voltage and current signals and generates energy consumption data, for example, data representative of kilowatt-hours or the like.
- the processing circuit 120 optionally provides information representative of at least some of the energy consumption data to the display 140 .
- the processing circuit 120 in part generates the energy consumption data.
- a separate processing circuit may be used to generate the energy consumption data.
- step 304 new energy consumption data is added to a running total for a current time interval.
- the time interval is a time interval of the first type, described further above, which is preferably much smaller than a billing time interval.
- the processing circuit 120 determines whether the current time interval has expired or passed. If so, then in step 308 , the processing circuit 120 stores the accumulated running total to the data store 16 .
- the accumulated running total represents the energy consumption value for the time interval. Once the energy consumption value is stored, the processing circuit 120 starts a new running total for the next time interval energy consumption value and proceeds to step 3 10 , discussed further below.
- the data store 16 preferably stores the energy consumption value so as to retain the order in which it was generated with respect to the other energy consumption values of other time intervals.
- step 306 If, however, in step 306 it is determined that the current time interval has not expired, then the processing circuit 120 returns to step 302 directly to obtain further data for the current time interval.
- the timing for the current time interval may be obtained using a timing circuit or algorithm within the processing circuit that is referenced to the power line signal.
- the processing circuit 120 may be configured to count zero crossings of the power line signal based on the digital voltage measurement signal generated by the measurement circuit 110 . One-hundred and twenty zero crossings occur for each second of in a power line signal. Thus, the beginning and end of each successive time interval may be determined by counting the appropriate amount of zero crossings. Because the power line signal is relatively precise, the duration of the timing intervals of the first type will be relatively accurate and consistent. However, the chronological time (e.g. the actual time of day) associated with the timing intervals need not be known, and even if known, need not be accurate, within the metering unit 12 .
- step 310 which is reached after an energy consumption value is stored for a timing interval, the processing circuit 120 determines whether it is time to communicate stored energy consumption values to the data concentration system 10 . If so, then, in step 312 , the processing circuit 120 communicates the energy consumption values stored in the data store 16 to the processing circuit 22 of the data concentration system 10 . Typically, the processing circuit 120 communicates a plurality of energy consumption values corresponding to a plurality of timing intervals of the first type. Under normal circumstance, the processing circuit 120 communicates the energy consumption values for all of the timing intervals of the first type that have passed since the previous execution of step 312 .
- step 312 is effected by the communication circuit 18 of the meter unit 12 , which communicates the data to a compatible communication circuit, not shown, of the data concentration system 10 .
- the processing circuit 120 of the metering unit 12 then returns to step 302 to start obtaining new energy consumption values for subsequent time intervals of the first type.
- step 310 the processing circuit 120 determines that it is not yet time to communicate values to the data concentration system 10 , then the processing circuit 120 proceeds directly from step 310 to step 302 .
- conditional steps 306 and 310 may suitably be interrupt-driven instead of being performed sequentially as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the processing circuit 120 may instead repeat steps 302 and 304 until an interrupt is generated indicating that the current timing interval is completed.
- the processing circuit 120 may instead repeatedly perform the sequence loop of steps 302 , 304 , 306 and 308 until an interrupt is generated indicating that it is time to communicate values to the data concentrator 10 .
- the interrupt may be generated by a timer within the processing circuit 120 or as a result of a polling signal provided by the data concentrator 10 .
- the processing circuit 22 of the data concentrator 10 receives a set of energy consumption values (ECVs) in step 314 .
- the processing circuit 22 preferably obtains (internally or from another source) chronological clock information (such as the time of day, or some other system-wide time value).
- the processing circuit 22 uses the chronological clock information to associate the ECVs with billing time periods.
- the approximate chronological time for each time period of the received ECVs may be determined by estimating the chronological time of the most recent ECV and knowing the duration of the time periods of the first type.
- the processing circuit 22 can determine that the last of the thirty ECVs covers from 10:04:50 to 10:05:00, and that the first of the thirty ECVs covers 10:00:00 to 10:00:10. Because the thirty ECVs are stored and preferably communicated such that the order of their generation may be reproduced, the processing circuit 22 can associate each of the ECVs with a particular ten second period between 10:00:00 and 10:05:00. The processing circuit 22 may then associate the ECVs into a particular billing time interval, which will likely be in excess of five minutes.
- the energy consumption values for the interval may be accumulated to identify energy consumption totals for the billing (load profiling) time interval.
- the ECVs may be multiplied by a particular use rate based on the associated billing time interval, and then added to a billing total for the metering unit 12 .
- the processing circuit 22 maintains the TOU, demand, and/or load profiling data for the metering unit 12 , and preferably for a plurality of other metering units.
- the metering unit 12 in this embodiment does not perform measurements and then directly associating energy consumption measurements with a particular billing (or load profiling) time interval. Instead, the metering unit 12 performs measurements to obtain the ECVs for more refined time intervals, but which are not necessarily tied to an accurate chronological clock. The metering provides these ECVs to the data concentrator 10 , which uses accurate clock information to backfill the ECVs into the proper billing or load profiling interval or period for that meter.
- FIG. 4 is a representative drawing that illustrates an exemplary performance of steps 314 and 316 by the processing circuit 22 .
- FIG. 4 shows a plurality of ECVs 402 received from the metering unit 12 , and a plurality of load profiling time intervals 404 into which the ECVs 402 are mapped.
- the processing circuit 22 receives the ECVs 402 and obtains the accurate chronological time information 406 , which shows a time of 5:06. Fifteen ECVs 402 a . . . 402 o are received, and the processing circuit 22 has prior knowledge that the ECVs correspond to timing intervals of thirty seconds.
- the load profiling time intervals 404 a, 404 b and 404 c are assumed to be five minutes each.
- the processing circuit 22 determines that the last ECV 402 o corresponds to a time of between 5:05:30 and 5:06:00, which maps to the load profiling interval 404 c.
- the processing circuit 22 further determines that the prior ECV 402 n corresponds to a time of between 5:05:00 and 5:05:30, which also maps to the load profiling interval 404 c.
- the processing circuit 22 further determines that the next prior ECV 402 m corresponds to a time of between 5:04:30 and 5:05:00, which maps to the load profiling interval 404 b.
- the processing circuit 22 determines that the ECVs 402 d - 402 l all correspond to times of between 5:00:00 and 5:04:30, and thus map the load profiling interval 404 b, and that the ECVs 402 a - 402 c also correspond to times of between 4:58:30 and 5:00:00, and thus map the load profiling interval 404 a.
- the processing circuit 22 maintains an accumulated energy consumption sum for each load profiling interval 404 x.
- the processing circuit 22 will add the ECVs to an existing value for the load profiling interval 404 a, add the ECVs 402 d - 402 m to generate a value for the load profiling interval 404 b, and add the ECVs 402 n and ECVo to generate a value for the load profiling interval 404 c. Additional ECVs for subsequent time intervals will eventually be added to the load profiling interval 404 c when they are received from the metering unit 12 .
- the processing circuit 22 may provide some billing or load profiling information back to the metering unit 12 , if desired, through additional communications. In most cases, the processing circuit 22 instead makes the energy consumption information available to billing processes and/or systems, or to other systems, not shown.
- the above described embodiment reduces the need for a highly accurate calendar clock within the metering unit 12 .
- the metering unit 12 may maintain a less accurate chronological clock, if any.
- There is no need for a highly accurate chronological clock because all of the calendar or time of day sensitive energy consumption information is determined and stored at the data concentrator 10 .
- the duration of the ECV timing intervals at the metering unit 12 can be highly accurate relatively inexpensively by referencing the timing intervals directly or indirectly to the 60Hz AC power line signal.
- the example of FIG. 4 is given by way of illustration only, and would not typically be implemented precisely as shown.
- the timing intervals of the first type must have relatively high granularity with respect to the billing or load profiling intervals.
- the defined demand interval for a metering unit 12 is five minutes, then using one minute ECV intervals can provide significant error, because as much as half or more of every fifth ECV would be associated with the wrong demand interval.
- the metering unit 12 has defined TOU periods that are no less than 3 hours, then a one minute or thirty second ECV interval may subject the calculation to a tolerable amount of error.
- the ECV intervals may be preferable to limit the ECV intervals to one second, as they do not necessarily require a lot of memory.
- metering unit 12 would only need to store up to approximately 3600 ECVs between communications to the concentrator 10 . If the updates to the data concentrator 10 are only made once per day, then the metering unit 12 would still only have to store approximately 86000 ECVs. Such storage in the data store 16 would not be exceedingly expensive.
- the metering unit 12 is configured to maintain a local chronological clock ( 130 ) and generate TOU, demand and/or load profiling information locally within the metering unit 12 .
- the metering unit 12 performs operations similar to those of FIG. 3 to enable the metering unit 12 to obtain accurate TOU, demand and/or load profiling information immediately after power is restored.
- FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary set of steps performed by the processing circuit 120 of the metering unit 12 in this other embodiment of the invention.
- the processing circuit 120 includes the chronological clock circuit 130 .
- the clock circuit 130 from time to time receives a standard time reference from a remote source, such as the data concentrator 10 , another meter, or the like.
- a remote source such as the data concentrator 10 , another meter, or the like.
- Such meter processing circuits and clock calendar circuits are known.
- the processing circuit 120 obtains energy consumption data.
- Step 502 may suitably be the same as step 302 of FIG. 3 .
- the processing circuit 120 updates running energy consumption totals.
- Such totals typically include overall energy consumption, plus one of a TOU total (rate * energy consumption, where the rate is dependent on the time of day, week, month or season), a demand period total, or a load profiling period total.
- TOU total rate * energy consumption, where the rate is dependent on the time of day, week, month or season
- a demand period total or a load profiling period total.
- the timing information for the various TOU, demand and load profiling operations is provided by the clock calendar circuit or operations of the processing circuit 120 .
- the processing circuit 120 repeats steps 502 and 504 in the absence of a power interruption.
- the processing circuit 120 in this embodiment goes into a low power mode in which it maintains a counter that counts clock cycles of the interruption.
- the low power mode may be powered by a battery or a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor. Processors having the ability to operate in such a lower power mode are known in the metering art. Alternatively, the processing circuit 120 may shut down altogether, as would occur in the event of an extended power outage anyway.
- step 508 the processing circuit 120 detects the restoration of power.
- step 510 the processing circuit 120 in step 510 begins obtaining energy consumption data in a manner similar to step 502 .
- the processing circuit 120 also starts a timing interval of the first type similar to that described above in connection with FIG. 3 .
- step 512 new energy consumption data is added to a running total for a current time interval of the first type.
- the time interval of the first type is preferably much smaller than the TOU, demand or load profiling time interval of the metering unit 12 .
- the processing circuit 120 determines whether the current time interval has expired or passed. If so, then in step 516 , the processing circuit 120 stores the accumulated interval running total to the data store 16 similar to step 308 of FIG. 3 . In any event, once the energy consumption value is stored, the processing circuit 120 starts a new running total for the next time interval energy consumption value and proceeds to step 518 , discussed further below.
- step 514 If, however, in step 514 it is determined that the current time interval has not expired, then the processing circuit 120 returns to step 510 directly to obtain further data for the current time interval.
- the start and stop times for each time interval may be obtained using a timing circuit or algorithm within the processing circuit that is referenced to the AC power line signal. It is advantageous to use the power lines as the reference in most embodiments in order to reduce the accuracy requirements of the clock circuit 130 within the metering unit 12 .
- step 518 the processing circuit 120 determines whether it has received standard or system chronological clock synchronization information from an external source. In particular, after restoration, data concentrator 10 or another external system will eventually provide current standard clock information to the metering unit 12 through communication circuit 18 to allow the metering unit 12 to synchronize to a standard time reference. If such standard clock information has not been received, then processing circuit 120 returns to step 510 to accumulate energy consumption data for a new timing interval.
- step 520 the processing circuit 120 uses the chronological clock information to associate the ECVs generated and stored in steps 512 and 514 with appropriate billing time periods.
- Step 520 is thus similar to step 316 of FIG. 3 , except that it is performed by the processing circuit 120 of the metering unit 12 in FIG. 5 .
- the approximate chronological time for each time period of the received ECVs may be determined by estimating the chronological time of the most recent ECV and knowing the duration of the time periods of the first type.
- the processing circuit 120 of the metering unit 12 maintains its own TOU, demand, and/or load profiling data.
- the processing circuit 120 uses a method similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3 to temporarily store time interval energy consumption data after a power interruption until the clock of the metering unit 12 can be resynchronized to a time standard. Once the standard clock information is made available to the metering unit 12 , backfills the ECVs into the proper billing or load profiling intervals or periods.
- FIG. 5 thus allows for the use of a chronological clock circuit within a meter that does not require a highly accurate crystal driver.
- the chronological clock circuit 130 will keep relatively accurate time until a power interruption.
- the chronological clock circuit 130 within the metering unit 12 may have an inaccurate chronological clock reference (i.e. wrong time of day) or may have no chronological clock reference, similar to a VCR or electronic clock that flashes 12:00 am.
- the metering unit 12 may operate for minutes or hours without a standard synchronizing chronological clock reference.
- the processing circuit 120 merely backfills the ECVs generated without the chronological clock into the proper billing intervals once the clock circuit is resynchronized.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/517,740, of the same name, filed Nov. 6, 2003, which is incorporated by reference.
- The present invention relates generally to utility meter systems, and in particular, to meter systems that communicate usage information using communication networks.
- Electricity meters are used to measure electricity consumption for many purposes, including billing for the usage of energy. In many cases, an electricity meter merely keeps track of accumulated energy usage. The accumulated usage over a month is then applied to one or more billing rates (e.g. dollars per kilowatt hour) to arrive at the amount to be billed to the customer for the month.
- Other billing methods are employed in other cases. Two common alternative billing methods include so-called Time of Use (TOU) and Demand metering. Time of Use metering involves application of different rates to energy usage at different times of day. To this end, a TOU meter may maintain several accumulators, one for each billing rate. During billing accumulated energy usage is added to the appropriate one of the many accumulators, depending on the time of day. Different billing rates are then applied to the accumulated energy usage values in each of the accumulators. Demand metering involves billing based on time periods in which the demand is at or near a maximum level. Such billing/metering methods are known.
- Historically TOU and Demand functions have been performed by the end device (i.e. the meter). Industry standards, and in some cases governmental regulations, require relatively accurate determination of the start and finish of time periods used for TOU and Demand operations. Such accuracy can be achieved by referencing the timing off of the 60 Hz power line signal, which is generally fairly accurate. In such cases, however, power line timing information is lost in a power outage, and there must be some ability to recover chronological time information (time of day) after the power returns.
- The problem of recover after a power outage can be addressed by including a clock chip and a battery for power to maintain the time during a power outage. In some cases, the clock chip may be used during normal operation as well. There are disadvantages to reliance on the clock chip for timing information, however, which are outlined below:
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- 1. The accuracy of clock chips drifts over time, causing devices to become out of synch with the real or actual time;
- 2. Updating the time information in the meter often requires a visit to the physical location with a programming device;
- 3. Even when the time information is updated in the meter, the programming devices also have clock drift, and as a result, meters across the population on a system are never truly set to the same time base;
- 4. The cost of a clock chip and a battery is borne by all metering devices in the system.
- To address these problems, some meters now implement two-way communication systems that offer the ability to provide accurate timing information to the meters from a single accurate time base. Keeping the metering devices time synced to the system time greatly improves the accuracy of billing demand and TOU data from the metering devices. However, this solution also has disadvantages. In order to ensure accuracy, all devices must get the correct time within seconds to maintain the integrity of the time-of-use, demand or load profiling data, which is not practical in a system with many metering devices.
- There is a need, therefore, for a metering system that addresses one or more of the shortcomings identified above in connection with prior art solutions.
- The invention addresses the above-described need, as well as others, by providing an arrangement that enable storage of energy consumption values in association with a first type of time interval within a meter, and then associating the stored energy consumption values with a second type of time interval, the second type of time interval aligned with or at least anchored or referenced to a chronological clock (e.g. time of day clock). Such a device thus stores energy consumption values in the absence of a standardized clock, and then later associating the energy consumption values with the standardized clock, which may be used to obtain data for standard TOU, Demand or other meter billing or data gathering time periods.
- A first embodiment of the invention is a method of associating chronological time with energy consumption. The method includes a step of storing in a utility meter a plurality of energy consumption values, each energy consumption value corresponding to a time interval of a first type. The method also includes obtaining from a source external to the utility meter chronological time information regarding at least one of the plurality of energy consumption values. The method further includes associating each of the energy consumption values with a time interval of the second type, each time interval of the second type associated with at least one chronological time value.
- The energy consumption values may be associated with the chronological time value-based time intervals either internal to the meter, or at a remote location from the meter. In the former case, the chronological time information is communicated to the meter. In the latter case, the stored energy consumption values are communicated to a remote facility that has access to chronological time information. Other variations may of course be implemented.
- The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 shows a representative block diagram of an arrangement including a plurality of metering units and a data concentration system that implements embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary metering unit of the arrangement ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary set of operations performed by processing circuits of a metering unit and the data concentration system of the arrangement ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 shows a representative diagram data and timing elements that illustrate an exemplary execution of operations ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of another exemplary set of operations performed by processing circuit of a metering unit of the arrangement ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 1 shows a metering system that includes adata concentration system 10 and a plurality of customerpremise metering units 12. The customerpremise metering units 12 include ametering device 14, adata store 16 andcommunication circuit 18. Eachmetering device 14 is a device that is configured to generate energy consumption information regarding a load. Eachdata store 16 is a memory device or set of memory devices that store energy consumption information, among other things, as discussed herein. Thecommunication circuit 18 is a device configured to communicate information to and from thedata concentration system 10. In an exemplary embodiment, thecommunication circuit 18 includes a radio. -
FIG. 2 shows in further detail themetering unit 12 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. Themetering unit 12 is an apparatus for measuring energy consumption that includes ameasurement circuit 110, aprocessing circuit 120, acommunication circuit 18, anoptional display 140 and adata store 16. All of the above listed elements are preferably supported by ameter housing 13, which may a plurality of known forms. Themetering unit 12 shown inFIG. 2 includes an optionalchronological clock circuit 130, which is useful in an embodiment described below in connection withFIG. 5 . - In the embodiment described herein, the
measurement circuit 110 is a circuit operable to generate a first digital signal representative of a line voltage waveform and a second digital signal representative of a line current waveform. To this end, themeasurement circuit 110 may suitably comprise current and voltage sensors, not shown, and one or more analog-to-digital converters, not shown. Many circuits capable of generating digital voltage and circuit waveform signals are well known in the art. Suitable examples of input circuits having such capabilities are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,188; U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,159; U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,158 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. - The
processing circuit 120 is a device that employs one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, discrete digital circuits and/or combinations thereof. Theprocessing circuit 120 is operable to generate energy consumption data based on the first digital signal and the second digital signal. For example, theprocessing circuit 120 may generate watt-hours, VAR-hrs, power factor, root-mean-square voltage and/or current, or combinations of any of the foregoing. Various processing circuits operable to generate energy consumption data from digital voltage and digital current measurement signals are well known in the art. Suitable examples of such circuits are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,188; U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,159; U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,158 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,004. - The
processing circuit 120 is further operable to generate energy consumption values corresponding to a time interval of a first type. The energy consumption data preferably represent a quantity of energy (real, VA or VAR) accumulated over the time interval of the first type. The time interval of the first type is preferably a relatively small interval in comparison to a demand, TOU or load profiling time interval. For example, the time interval of the first type should be less than one minute, and preferably less than ten seconds. If the TOU, demand or load profiling time interval is relatively small, for example, 5 to 15 minutes, then the time interval of the first type should be one the order of one second or less. If the TOU, demand or load profiling time interval is more than an hour, then the time interval of the first type may be somewhat larger. Additional detail regarding the relationship between the time interval of the first type and the corresponding standard billing time interval is provided further below. - It will be appreciated that the energy consumption data generated for metering purposes often represents an accumulation of energy for even a smaller time interval. Some measurement circuits such as the
circuit 110, either alone, or in combination with theprocessing circuit 120, generate pulse signals representative of a particular quantum of accumulated consumed energy. Other meters generate accumulated energy usage signal for consecutive sub-second intervals. In such cases, theprocessing circuit 120 accumulates such energy consumption information, in whatever form, for each successive time interval of the first type. - The
processing circuit 120 is further operable to store the plurality of energy consumption values in thedata store 16. In other words, for each time interval of the first type, theprocessing circuit 120 stores the accumulated energy consumption value. Preferably, the energy consumption values are stored in a manner such information regarding the order in which the energy consumption values were generated is retained. For example, the energy consumption values may be stored with a counter that identifies a sequence number for each energy consumption value. In another embodiment, the energy consumption values may be stored in a table in thedata store 16, which may be a random access memory, EEPROM, or other memory. In still other embodiments, thedata store 16 may be circular buffer, FIFO device, or other memory that stores data in the order in which it is received. In such cases, no additional data need be stored. Other known methods may be used. - The
communication circuit 18 is a device operable to communicate data between themetering unit 12 and one or more remote devices. In a system such as that shown inFIG. 1 , thecommunication circuit 18 would be operable to communicate directly or indirectly with thedata concentration system 10. To this end, thecommunication circuit 18 may suitably include a radio, a telephone modem, a power line carrier modem, or other known communication device configured for use with utility meters. - The
meter display 140, which is optional, may be a digital display such as a liquid crystal display. It will be appreciated that the exact nature of the display is not particularly important to the implementation of the invention. Nevertheless, there is an advantage of including at least some display capabilities. LCD displays, moreover, have been found to have a particularly advantageous set of qualities for use in electronic meters. - The
chronological clock circuit 130, which is not necessary for the embodiment described below in connection withFIG. 3 , is a circuit maintains ongoing chronological clock information (e.g. time of day). Preferably, thechronological clock circuit 130 is operable to receive, from time to time, system standard chronological time information from an external source through thecommunication circuit 18 or otherwise. Such information synchronizes theclock circuit 130 with other clock circuits of other metering units and/or thedata concentration system 10. Thechronological clock circuit 130 ordinary updates its calendar/clock value by referencing timing information from the power line signal. Such circuits are known in the art, and may be in part or in whole carried out by theprocessing circuit 120 hardware. - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , thedata concentration system 10 is a device that is operable to receive energy consumption information from a plurality ofmetering units 12 and store the information. Thedata concentration system 10 provides the stored information to a billing system, not shown, that may or may not be co-located with thedata concentrator 10. Thedata concentration system 10 at a minimum includes a processing circuit 22 (such as one or more microprocessors) and associated circuitry and one or more memory orstorage devices 24. Thedata concentration system 10 may be configured as a data server that provides energy consumption information to other computers or systems via wired or wireless networks. Suitable data concentrator systems are known in the art. - The configuration of
FIG. 1 may be used to carry out a variety of methods according to the present invention. Two of such methods are described below in relative detail. Alterations and modifications of those methods are within the scope of the invention. A first method relates to a configuration in which themetering unit 12 does not perform any TOU, demand or load profiling operations locally, but rather transmits the energy consumption values to thedata concentration system 10. Thedata concentration system 10 then associates the energy consumption values to the billing system time periods to obtain TOU, demand and/or load profiling information. -
FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary set of operations of theprocessing circuit 120 of themetering unit 12 and theprocessing circuit 22 of thedata concentration system 10 in accordance with the first method described above. In steps 302-308, theprocessing circuit 120 generates energy consumption values corresponding to time intervals of the first type, and stores the energy consumption values in thedata store 16. - In particular, the
processing circuit 120 instep 302 obtains energy consumption data representative of energy being consumed by a load. To this end, brief reference is made toFIG. 2 . In particular, themeter 12 is connected to measure power flowing throughpower lines 96. Themeasurement circuit 110 generates a digital voltage signal, which preferably is a series of digital samples that represent a scaled version of the voltage waveform(s) on the one or more of thepower lines 96. Themeasurement circuit 110 also generates a digital current signal, which preferably is a series of digital samples that represent a scaled version of the current waveform(s) on the one or more of thepower lines 96. - The
processing circuit 120 receives the digital voltage and current signals and generates energy consumption data, for example, data representative of kilowatt-hours or the like. Theprocessing circuit 120 optionally provides information representative of at least some of the energy consumption data to thedisplay 140. Thus, in the embodiment ofFIG. 2 , theprocessing circuit 120 in part generates the energy consumption data. In other embodiments, a separate processing circuit may be used to generate the energy consumption data. - In
step 304, new energy consumption data is added to a running total for a current time interval. The time interval is a time interval of the first type, described further above, which is preferably much smaller than a billing time interval. Instep 306, theprocessing circuit 120 determines whether the current time interval has expired or passed. If so, then instep 308, theprocessing circuit 120 stores the accumulated running total to thedata store 16. The accumulated running total represents the energy consumption value for the time interval. Once the energy consumption value is stored, theprocessing circuit 120 starts a new running total for the next time interval energy consumption value and proceeds to step 3 10, discussed further below. It will be appreciated that thedata store 16 preferably stores the energy consumption value so as to retain the order in which it was generated with respect to the other energy consumption values of other time intervals. - If, however, in
step 306 it is determined that the current time interval has not expired, then theprocessing circuit 120 returns to step 302 directly to obtain further data for the current time interval. - It will be appreciated that the timing for the current time interval may be obtained using a timing circuit or algorithm within the processing circuit that is referenced to the power line signal. For example, the
processing circuit 120 may be configured to count zero crossings of the power line signal based on the digital voltage measurement signal generated by themeasurement circuit 110. One-hundred and twenty zero crossings occur for each second of in a power line signal. Thus, the beginning and end of each successive time interval may be determined by counting the appropriate amount of zero crossings. Because the power line signal is relatively precise, the duration of the timing intervals of the first type will be relatively accurate and consistent. However, the chronological time (e.g. the actual time of day) associated with the timing intervals need not be known, and even if known, need not be accurate, within themetering unit 12. - In
step 310, which is reached after an energy consumption value is stored for a timing interval, theprocessing circuit 120 determines whether it is time to communicate stored energy consumption values to thedata concentration system 10. If so, then, instep 312, theprocessing circuit 120 communicates the energy consumption values stored in thedata store 16 to theprocessing circuit 22 of thedata concentration system 10. Typically, theprocessing circuit 120 communicates a plurality of energy consumption values corresponding to a plurality of timing intervals of the first type. Under normal circumstance, theprocessing circuit 120 communicates the energy consumption values for all of the timing intervals of the first type that have passed since the previous execution ofstep 312. - The communication in
step 312 is effected by thecommunication circuit 18 of themeter unit 12, which communicates the data to a compatible communication circuit, not shown, of thedata concentration system 10. Theprocessing circuit 120 of themetering unit 12 then returns to step 302 to start obtaining new energy consumption values for subsequent time intervals of the first type. - If, however, in
step 310, theprocessing circuit 120 determines that it is not yet time to communicate values to thedata concentration system 10, then theprocessing circuit 120 proceeds directly fromstep 310 to step 302. - It will be appreciated that the
conditional steps FIG. 3 . In other words, instead ofstep 306, theprocessing circuit 120 may instead repeatsteps step 310, theprocessing circuit 120 may instead repeatedly perform the sequence loop ofsteps data concentrator 10. In such a case, the interrupt may be generated by a timer within theprocessing circuit 120 or as a result of a polling signal provided by thedata concentrator 10. - In any event, referring now to the
data concentrator 10, theprocessing circuit 22 of thedata concentrator 10 receives a set of energy consumption values (ECVs) instep 314. Instep 316, theprocessing circuit 22 preferably obtains (internally or from another source) chronological clock information (such as the time of day, or some other system-wide time value). Theprocessing circuit 22 uses the chronological clock information to associate the ECVs with billing time periods. To this end, it will be appreciated that the approximate chronological time for each time period of the received ECVs may be determined by estimating the chronological time of the most recent ECV and knowing the duration of the time periods of the first type. For example, if the time intervals of the first type are each ten seconds, and if thirty ECVs are received when the locally obtained chronological clock information is 10:05:00, then theprocessing circuit 22 can determine that the last of the thirty ECVs covers from 10:04:50 to 10:05:00, and that the first of the thirty ECVs covers 10:00:00 to 10:00:10. Because the thirty ECVs are stored and preferably communicated such that the order of their generation may be reproduced, theprocessing circuit 22 can associate each of the ECVs with a particular ten second period between 10:00:00 and 10:05:00. Theprocessing circuit 22 may then associate the ECVs into a particular billing time interval, which will likely be in excess of five minutes. - When the processing circuit associates the ECVs into a particular billing time interval, the energy consumption values for the interval may be accumulated to identify energy consumption totals for the billing (load profiling) time interval. Alternatively, in the case of a TOU meter, the ECVs may be multiplied by a particular use rate based on the associated billing time interval, and then added to a billing total for the
metering unit 12. - Thus, in this embodiment, the
processing circuit 22 maintains the TOU, demand, and/or load profiling data for themetering unit 12, and preferably for a plurality of other metering units. In contrast to a normal TOU, demand or load profiling meter, themetering unit 12 in this embodiment does not perform measurements and then directly associating energy consumption measurements with a particular billing (or load profiling) time interval. Instead, themetering unit 12 performs measurements to obtain the ECVs for more refined time intervals, but which are not necessarily tied to an accurate chronological clock. The metering provides these ECVs to thedata concentrator 10, which uses accurate clock information to backfill the ECVs into the proper billing or load profiling interval or period for that meter. -
FIG. 4 is a representative drawing that illustrates an exemplary performance ofsteps processing circuit 22.FIG. 4 shows a plurality ofECVs 402 received from themetering unit 12, and a plurality of loadprofiling time intervals 404 into which theECVs 402 are mapped. Theprocessing circuit 22 receives theECVs 402 and obtains the accuratechronological time information 406, which shows a time of 5:06. FifteenECVs 402 a . . . 402 o are received, and theprocessing circuit 22 has prior knowledge that the ECVs correspond to timing intervals of thirty seconds. The loadprofiling time intervals - The
processing circuit 22 determines that the last ECV 402 o corresponds to a time of between 5:05:30 and 5:06:00, which maps to theload profiling interval 404 c. Theprocessing circuit 22 further determines that theprior ECV 402 n corresponds to a time of between 5:05:00 and 5:05:30, which also maps to theload profiling interval 404 c. Theprocessing circuit 22 further determines that the nextprior ECV 402 m corresponds to a time of between 5:04:30 and 5:05:00, which maps to theload profiling interval 404 b. In a similar manner, theprocessing circuit 22 determines that theECVs 402 d-402 l all correspond to times of between 5:00:00 and 5:04:30, and thus map theload profiling interval 404 b, and that theECVs 402 a-402 c also correspond to times of between 4:58:30 and 5:00:00, and thus map theload profiling interval 404 a. - Because the example is a load profiling meter, the
processing circuit 22 maintains an accumulated energy consumption sum for each load profiling interval 404 x. Thus, in the case ofECVs 402 a-402 c, theprocessing circuit 22 will add the ECVs to an existing value for theload profiling interval 404 a, add theECVs 402 d-402 m to generate a value for theload profiling interval 404 b, and add theECVs 402 n and ECVo to generate a value for theload profiling interval 404 c. Additional ECVs for subsequent time intervals will eventually be added to theload profiling interval 404 c when they are received from themetering unit 12. - Referring again generally to
FIG. 3 , it will be noted that theprocessing circuit 22 may provide some billing or load profiling information back to themetering unit 12, if desired, through additional communications. In most cases, theprocessing circuit 22 instead makes the energy consumption information available to billing processes and/or systems, or to other systems, not shown. - The above described embodiment reduces the need for a highly accurate calendar clock within the
metering unit 12. Thus, themetering unit 12 may maintain a less accurate chronological clock, if any. There is no need for a highly accurate chronological clock because all of the calendar or time of day sensitive energy consumption information is determined and stored at thedata concentrator 10. Nevertheless, the duration of the ECV timing intervals at themetering unit 12 can be highly accurate relatively inexpensively by referencing the timing intervals directly or indirectly to the 60Hz AC power line signal. - It will be appreciated that the example of
FIG. 4 is given by way of illustration only, and would not typically be implemented precisely as shown. In particular, in order to ensure that the billing (or load profiling) interval totals are accurate in thedata concentrator 10, the timing intervals of the first type must have relatively high granularity with respect to the billing or load profiling intervals. Thus, for example, if the defined demand interval for ametering unit 12 is five minutes, then using one minute ECV intervals can provide significant error, because as much as half or more of every fifth ECV would be associated with the wrong demand interval. However, if themetering unit 12 has defined TOU periods that are no less than 3 hours, then a one minute or thirty second ECV interval may subject the calculation to a tolerable amount of error. - In general, it may be preferable to limit the ECV intervals to one second, as they do not necessarily require a lot of memory. In particular, if updates to the
data concentrator 10 are only made every hour, thenmetering unit 12 would only need to store up to approximately 3600 ECVs between communications to theconcentrator 10. If the updates to thedata concentrator 10 are only made once per day, then themetering unit 12 would still only have to store approximately 86000 ECVs. Such storage in thedata store 16 would not be exceedingly expensive. - It will be appreciated, however, that those of ordinary skill in the art may readily determine their own combination of ECV intervals and the time between communications to the data concentrator based on billing time intervals, metering error, accuracy requirements and other factors.
- In another embodiment of the invention, the
metering unit 12 is configured to maintain a local chronological clock (130) and generate TOU, demand and/or load profiling information locally within themetering unit 12. However, after a power interruption, themetering unit 12 performs operations similar to those ofFIG. 3 to enable themetering unit 12 to obtain accurate TOU, demand and/or load profiling information immediately after power is restored. -
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary set of steps performed by theprocessing circuit 120 of themetering unit 12 in this other embodiment of the invention. In such an embodiment, theprocessing circuit 120 includes thechronological clock circuit 130. Theclock circuit 130 from time to time receives a standard time reference from a remote source, such as thedata concentrator 10, another meter, or the like. Such meter processing circuits and clock calendar circuits are known. - Referring now to
FIG. 5 , instep 502, theprocessing circuit 120 obtains energy consumption data. Step 502 may suitably be the same asstep 302 ofFIG. 3 . Instep 504, theprocessing circuit 120 updates running energy consumption totals. Such totals typically include overall energy consumption, plus one of a TOU total (rate * energy consumption, where the rate is dependent on the time of day, week, month or season), a demand period total, or a load profiling period total. Such operations are well known in the art. The timing information for the various TOU, demand and load profiling operations is provided by the clock calendar circuit or operations of theprocessing circuit 120. Theprocessing circuit 120 repeatssteps - Assume that an interruption in power occurs. In
step 506, theprocessing circuit 120 in this embodiment goes into a low power mode in which it maintains a counter that counts clock cycles of the interruption. The low power mode may be powered by a battery or a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor. Processors having the ability to operate in such a lower power mode are known in the metering art. Alternatively, theprocessing circuit 120 may shut down altogether, as would occur in the event of an extended power outage anyway. - Eventually, the utility power is restored. In
step 508, theprocessing circuit 120 detects the restoration of power. Afterstep 508, theprocessing circuit 120 instep 510 begins obtaining energy consumption data in a manner similar to step 502. Theprocessing circuit 120 also starts a timing interval of the first type similar to that described above in connection withFIG. 3 . - In
step 512, new energy consumption data is added to a running total for a current time interval of the first type. As discussed above, the time interval of the first type is preferably much smaller than the TOU, demand or load profiling time interval of themetering unit 12. Instep 514, theprocessing circuit 120 determines whether the current time interval has expired or passed. If so, then instep 516, theprocessing circuit 120 stores the accumulated interval running total to thedata store 16 similar to step 308 ofFIG. 3 . In any event, once the energy consumption value is stored, theprocessing circuit 120 starts a new running total for the next time interval energy consumption value and proceeds to step 518, discussed further below. - If, however, in
step 514 it is determined that the current time interval has not expired, then theprocessing circuit 120 returns to step 510 directly to obtain further data for the current time interval. - The start and stop times for each time interval may be obtained using a timing circuit or algorithm within the processing circuit that is referenced to the AC power line signal. It is advantageous to use the power lines as the reference in most embodiments in order to reduce the accuracy requirements of the
clock circuit 130 within themetering unit 12. - In
step 518, theprocessing circuit 120 determines whether it has received standard or system chronological clock synchronization information from an external source. In particular, after restoration,data concentrator 10 or another external system will eventually provide current standard clock information to themetering unit 12 throughcommunication circuit 18 to allow themetering unit 12 to synchronize to a standard time reference. If such standard clock information has not been received, then processingcircuit 120 returns to step 510 to accumulate energy consumption data for a new timing interval. - If synchronizing clock information has been received, however, then the
processing circuit 120 returns to step 502 to begin normal processes, but also performsstep 520 in parallel (i.e. interleaved or otherwise). Instep 520, theprocessing circuit 120 uses the chronological clock information to associate the ECVs generated and stored insteps FIG. 3 , except that it is performed by theprocessing circuit 120 of themetering unit 12 inFIG. 5 . As withstep 316 ofFIG. 3 , the approximate chronological time for each time period of the received ECVs may be determined by estimating the chronological time of the most recent ECV and knowing the duration of the time periods of the first type. - Thus, in this embodiment, the
processing circuit 120 of themetering unit 12 maintains its own TOU, demand, and/or load profiling data. However, theprocessing circuit 120 uses a method similar to that illustrated inFIG. 3 to temporarily store time interval energy consumption data after a power interruption until the clock of themetering unit 12 can be resynchronized to a time standard. Once the standard clock information is made available to themetering unit 12, backfills the ECVs into the proper billing or load profiling intervals or periods. - The embodiment of
FIG. 5 thus allows for the use of a chronological clock circuit within a meter that does not require a highly accurate crystal driver. Using the power line signal, thechronological clock circuit 130 will keep relatively accurate time until a power interruption. After power is restored, thechronological clock circuit 130 within themetering unit 12 may have an inaccurate chronological clock reference (i.e. wrong time of day) or may have no chronological clock reference, similar to a VCR or electronic clock that flashes 12:00 am. However, because energy consumption values are stored in accurate increments of time (based on the power line signal), themetering unit 12 may operate for minutes or hours without a standard synchronizing chronological clock reference. Once the reference is received, theprocessing circuit 120 merely backfills the ECVs generated without the chronological clock into the proper billing intervals once the clock circuit is resynchronized. - The above described embodiments are merely exemplary. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations that incorporate the principles of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims (22)
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