Multi-utility energy control and facility automation system with dashboard having a plurality of interface gateways
A multi-utility energy and facility automation control system has control center computer(s) connected to various utility consuming systems and software that formats pertinent systems' energy data, stores, retrieves, diagnoses and acts in response to changes and includes a multi-utility master meter device and a plurality of sensors for utilities and other facility operational data. The system includes at least one dashboard screen as a control screen, and a plurality of interconnected gateways for selection of separate networks for various utility-facility related subscreens. The sensors monitor consumption of a plurality of different utilities and other pertinent data and, using the presentation of the facility information as processed by the computer and presented on the dashboard, exercise c control of the facility to optimize performance and reduce the cost of purchased utilities and other facility operations.
1. A computer-implemented method wherein all steps are performed by a computer, the method comprising:
generating and displaying a map of a region configured to present a plurality of facilities for selection;
receiving a selection of a facility from the displayed map;
based on the selected facility, generating a dashboard screen including information regarding overall energy consumption for the facility, the dashboard screen further including a dashboard of selectable utility and selectable facility operations related icons configured to calculate demand, usage, and usage patterns based on utility and selectable facility operations related data for the selected facility, the facility operations related data including characteristics of a fire system, sprinkler system, and power quality and at least two characteristics selected from a group of electrical, HVAC, occupancy, air quality, and lighting systems;
receiving a selection of at least one of a demand, usage, or usage pattern for a selected utility based on a selected utility icon;
receiving a selection of the facility operations related data icon for the selected facility, the facility operations related data including characteristics of a fire system, sprinkler system, and power quality and at least two characteristics selected from a group of electrical, HVAC, occupancy, air quality, and lighting systems;
in response to receiving a selection of the selected icons in the dashboard screen, accessing alternative costs for procuring energy from one or more alternative providers;
calculating at least one of a demand, usage, and usage pattern for the selected facility based on the selected facility operations related data, including characteristics of a fire system, sprinkler system, and power quality and at least two characteristics selected from a group of electrical, HVAC, occupancy, air quality, and lighting systems;
calculating a lowest cost for procuring energy for the facility by comparing the calculated at least one demand, usage, or usage pattern with the alternative costs; and
procuring energy for the facility from the alternative provider based on the calculated lowest cost.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said dashboard screen includes selectable icons for at least two utilities selected from the group consisting of electric, oil, gas, water and steam.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said dashboard screen further includes a plurality of multi-site consolidation screens and supporting software to enable a user to consolidate and coordinate utility information for multiple locations in real time as well as aggregate load demand for regions.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said dashboard screen further includes selectable icons configured to enable communication with at least a supply side management center, a facility management center and a demand center.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said dashboard screen includes at least two interface gateways to access the facility or operations related data, and further includes said selectable icons to enable communication with at least a demand side center, a supply side center, and systems operation center.