EP2269124A1

EP2269124A1 - Resource management system and method

Info

Publication number: EP2269124A1
Application number: EP09721473A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rick Maddox; Steve Miller
Original assignee: Ecovision Solutions Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ecovision Solutions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-18
Filing date: 2009-03-18
Publication date: 2011-01-05
Also published as: WO2009114906A1; CA2718944A1; EP2269124A4; AU2009225949A1

Abstract

There is provided a cooperative resource management system and method for optimising resource consumption over a range of applications. A resource control system (100) for a subscriber site (111) is provided the system (100) includes a main control unit (102) which is coupled to the metering equipment of various resource suppliers associated with the particular subscriber site (111) e.g. electricity meter (110), gas meter (109) and water meter (108). The control unit (102) monitors the amount of actual resource usage at the subscriber site (111) at any particular instance. The actual resource usage of the entire site is then compared by the control unit (102), to the desired usage targets set by the user via the user interface (101). Base on this comparison the system is able to predict when the targets maybe exceed and alter resource allocation to various sectors within the subscriber site (111).

Description

TITLE

Resource Management System and Method

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to integrated resource management. In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a cooperative resource management system and method for optimising resource consumption over a range of applications.

Discussion of the Background Art

Despite an overall increase in environmental awareness over the last twenty years, energy and water consumption has increased almost universally over this period. The efficient management of energy and water resources in particular is one of the key challenges facing today's society.

The ever increasing drive for a reduction in energy consumption has seen the construction of a number of energy efficient or energy wise buildings. The various strategies employed in such buildings in order to reduce energy usage can be relatively simple. An example of one such strategy is to simply orientate the building such that that it has a northerly aspect. Orientating the building in such a manner can reduce heating cost during winter months, at least in the Southern hemisphere. Alternatively such buildings may employ elaborate environmental control and management systems.

One example of a building employing an elaborate environmental control system is discussed in International Application No. WO 99/45445 entitled 'Integrated building control and information system with wireless networking'. This document is directed to an integrated building control and information system for controlling and/or monitoring of various building devices or appliances such as air conditioning, lighting and other environmental parameters or mechanical operation, together with utilities supplying the building or facility such as electricity, gas, water, steam through metering devices allowing real-time demand side utility management through the controlled equipment.

Another Example of a resource management service is the Live Data service presently offered by Building Control Management Pty Ltd. The Live Data system enables a user to track a meter (be it a gas, a water or an electricity meter) at any given site. The system is divided into two main components infrastructure and client services. The infrastructure component of the system relates primarily to the provision of the necessary hardware to monitor resource usage. This onsite metering equipment is typically interfaced with a utilities meter via the meter's pulsed output. The data captured by the onsite metering equipment is fed to a central data logger which stores the captured information for later forwarding to the Live Data processing centre. The forwarded information is then presented to an energy manager for further analysis. The client service component of the Live Data system relates to the production of various reports based on the energy manager's analysis of the data gathered by the onsite equipment.

A further example of energy management system is discussed in Japanese application No 2004012148 entitled 'energy data management system, device, method and program'. In the system exemplified in JP 2004012148 data is collected from the household metering equipment over a given period. This data is stored and then collated before being displayed to the householder. The information displayed can include the amount of gas, electricity and water usage for the given period. In addition to this information a number of pre-stored usage targets may also be displayed in order to provide the householder with not only an indication of their energy consumption but how their usage compares with the set reduction targets.

While the above systems are capable of providing a valuable feed back to end users on resource usage, they still primarily rely on the end user implementing a number of strategies to better manage resource usage. Clearly it would be advantageous to provide a system and method that allows for realtime management of resources in a co-operative manner between the end user, the supplier and community at large. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly in one aspect of the present invention there is provided a resource management system said system including: a plurality of subscriber sites each subscriber site including a control system; a central server coupled to each subscriber site; wherein the control system includes, a user interface allowing a user to input desired resource usage targets; a central control unit coupled to a plurality of resource control modules for controlling the supply of resources within the subscriber site; and wherein the control unit is adapted to regulate the supply of a given resource based on desired resource usage targets and adjust the supply of a given resource in response to information received from said central server.

Preferably the subscriber site is divided into a plurality of sectors. Each sector may include a plurality of sensors for providing feed back information to the control system on current actual usage of each resource within each sector. Each sector may also include a plurality of actuators to regulate the resource supply to each sector within the subscriber site. Preferably the plurality of sensors includes a plurality of power meters and flow meters. The actuators may include one or more smart junction boxes, one or more restrictor values and/or shut off valves.

Suitably the control system collates the feedback information from each sector to determine the overall resource usage of the subscriber site. The control unit may then transmit the collated feedback information to the central server.

The central server may be coupled to one or more resource suppliers. The central server receives updates from each of the resource supplies regarding current availability of a supplied resource. Based on this information and the collated information received by the central server may then calculate the amount of remaining resources available to the plurality of subscriber sites. The central server may then broadcast the amount of remaining resources available to the plurality of subscriber sites to each subscriber site within the plurality of subscriber sites. Once this information is received then the control unit within each subscriber site can adjust the current desired usage targets based on the amount of remaining resources available to the plurality of subscriber sites. The control unit may then operate one or more actuators associated with each sector within the subscriber site to regulate the resource supply to each sector within the subscriber site to meet the adjusted usage target.

The available resources include electricity, gas, water, reclaimed water and the like. Preferably the control unit adjust the desired target values in accordance with one or more predetermined usage strategies. Suitably the control unit includes an electricity usage management strategy which adjusts the load shedding priorities of each sector within the subscriber site based on current actual usage and the information provided by the central server. The control unit may then scale down electricity usage of the site by scaling back electricity usage in sectors having the highest load shedding value (i.e. the lowest usage priority). The control unit may also include one or more usage strategies for the management of water resources. Suitably the water management strategies adjust water pressure and flow rate to a given sector within the subscriber site based on current actual usage and the information provided by the central server. The water management strategy may also control the usage of recycled or reclaimed water sources, in such instances the management strategy can enable and disable the reclaimed feed to the site. The control unit may also include a management strategy for gas resources. Suitably the gas management strategy regulates the supply of gas to a given sector within the subscriber site based on current actual usage and the information provided by the central server.

Suitably the user interface is a touch screen display. The user interface may also include one or more auxiliary devices such as a keyboard or mouse. Preferably the user interface displays information regarding the current resource usage, past resource usage, desired usage targets, external constraints on resource supply provided by the central server and/or resource suppliers. The usage information maybe presented to the user in on or more sub-display screens each screen being formatted to display information regarding a particular resource.

The plurality of subscriber sites maybe a series of apartments within an apartment complex, a plurality of houses within a suburb, a plurality of offices within an office complex, a plurality of remote sites such as parks and gardens, mine sites etc under the supervision of a central authority.

Suitably the central server may be coupled to a plurality of auxiliary services. The auxiliary services may include weather and news feed service, security and emergency services or help desk services.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for allocating resources within a plurality subscriber sites the method including: acquiring a plurality of desired resource usage targets from an end user for a subscriber site within the plurality subscriber sites; determining the amount of resources available at each subscriber site within the plurality of subscriber sites; allocating resources to one or more sectors within the subscriber site based on the desired usage targets and the amount of available resources available at the subscriber site; and adjusting the desired usage targets a resources allocated to each sector due to a variation in the amount of available resources at the subscriber site.

The step of acquiring usage targets preferably includes selecting a usage strategy which best matches the usage needs of the subscriber site. The step of acquiring may also include receiving one or more external usage targets associated with the plurality of subscriber sites.

Suitably the step of determining the amount of resources available at each subscriber site further includes receiving information from a central server on the amount of resources provided to the plurality of subscriber sites. Preferably the method further includes the step of comparing the current actual usage of the subscriber site with the desired usage target at the site and project the time frame within which the usage target may be exceed based on the current usage rate. Suitably the step of allocating includes adjusting the amount of available resources to a given sector based on the results of the comparison of current actual usage against the desired usage target.

The step of adjusting usage targets may include receiving, information from one or more resource suppliers as to a change in the supply of a particular resource at a given site.

BRIEF DETAILS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control system for use at a subscriber site according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a network of subscriber sites according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting a process for assigning setpoint values to available resources at a subscriber site;

FIG. 4A-4C are schematic diagrams depicting a information screens that may be displayed to an end user at a subscriber site according one embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting an energy management strategy according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting a group control strategy according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting a water management strategy according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting a management strategy for recycled water usage according to one embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting distribution strategy for broadcasting updates in resource availability to one or more subscriber sites according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Fig.1 there is illustrated one possible configuration of a resource control system 100 for a subscriber site 111. As shown the system 100 includes a main control unit 102 which is coupled to the metering equipment of various resource suppliers associated with the particular subscriber site 111. In this instance the control unit is coupled to an electricity meter 110, gas meter 109 and water meter 108. This allows the control unit 102 to monitor the amount of actual resource usage at the subscriber site 111 at any particular instance. The actual resource usage of the entire site is then compared by the control unit 102, to the desired usage targets set by the user via the user interface 101. Based on the comparison of the actual resource usage of the subscriber site 111 and the desired usage target the system is able to predict when the targets maybe exceed. Based on this information the control unit can then alter resource allocation to various sectors within the subscriber site 111.

To enable the control unit 102 to alter the resource allocation for given sectors within the subscriber site 111 , feedback information obtained form each sector is utilised. The control unit 102 compares the feedback information gathered from each sector, with the overall usage of the site111. Based on locally stored information on each of the sectors (which includes information on essential and non-essential services within the sector), current usage rate of the site 111 and the desired usage targets, the control unit 102 adjusts the resource supply to each sector to ensure that usage targets are met while maintaining all critical services and thus maintain operability of the site 111.

In the present example the allocation of electricity to various sectors within the subscriber site 111 is provided by coupling the control unit to a plurality of junction boxes 105a-105h disposed within each sector. Each of the junction boxes 105a- 105h is coupled to a set of sensors 106a-106h and a set of controlled outputs 107a- 107h. The sensors 106a-106h in this instance monitor current operating parameters within each of the sectors, for example, the sectors current power consumption, ambient temperature etc. The information gathered by the sensors 106a-106h is then passed via the junction boxes 105a-105h to the control unit 102. Based on the feedback form the sensors 106a-106h, the control unit 102 can then make a determination as to whether various services within a given sector should be maintained in view of the desired usage targets.

Once the control unit 102 has made a determination as to which services can be readily maintained in view of the current overall usage and desired usage targets, it can then scale back electricity usage to non-essential equipment within one or more sectors. As soon as the control unit 102 has made this determination it instructs the appropriate junction boxes 105a-105h to terminate supply to one or more of the controlled outputs 107a-107h associated with the pieces of non-essential equipment to be shut down.

The water and gas supplies 108, 109 to various sections within the subscriber site 111 are controlled in much the same manner to that of the electricity supply 110 discussed above. The control unit receives feedback information from a set of gas and water flow meters 112a-112h, 113a-113h disposed at various points within a given sector. Again based on the feedback information from each section, current overall usage and desired usage target the control can restrict or shut off the supply of water 108 and gas 109 via a series of control vales 114a-144h, 115a-115h respectively. As discussed above the control of the resource supply is done to limit the usage of a given resource by non-essential equipment to reduce overall usage to meet desired usage target without affecting the overall operation of the subscriber site 111.

In the example illustrated in Fig 2 a plurality of subscriber sites 111 have been networked to form a community 200 of subscriber sites. Such a community could for example be a series of apartments within an apartment complex, a plurality of houses within a suburb, a plurality of offices within an office complex, a plurality of remote sites such as parks and gardens, mine sites etc under the supervision of a central authority etc. In this case the community 200 is formed by linking each subscriber site 111 to switch 202, the switch 202 is then coupled to a central server 203. Each subscriber site 111 within the community 200 is provided with a control system 100 which allocates and controls the available resources at the subscriber site 111 based on given usage targets in a similar manner to that discussed in relation to the system of Fig 1 above.

As shown the server 203 may also be coupled to a number of resource suppliers such as electricity 205, water 206, gas 207 suppliers and other third party service providers, such waste recyclers e.g. recycled water 208 via network 204. A number of auxiliary services, such as security services 209, weather information services 210, system help desk 211 etc may also be linked to the server 203 via network 204.

Individual end users within the community 200 are free to input desired usage targets at a given subscriber site 111 via the site's control system 100. Each user has the ability to select resource usage targets, resource scheduling, load shedding priorities, occupancy responses and other demand side management strategies that they deem relevant to their purposes. The control system 100 can then control the allocation of resource at the site 111 based on the inputted usage targets in a similar manner to that discussed above.

While the end management of resources at the subscriber site 111 is similar to that discussed in relation to Fig 1 above, additional constraints may also be applied to the amount of resources available to the community 200. For example an overall usage target for the community could be negotiated between the end users. This would then impact on the management strategy employed at each subscriber sites 111 as the control system must not only take into account the local usage target but the community target and allocate resources to meet both goals while maintaining overall site performance. In addition to community negotiated targets a number of constraints could also be imposed by the various resource suppliers 205-208 for example mandatory usage targets given supply availability during various periods of the day etc. To manage the overall availability of resources at the community level, information on both the desired usage targets and the actual usage of each subscriber site 111 is communicated to the central server 203. Based on this information and the desired usage targets for the community 200 as a whole, the server firstly regulates the resources relating common services aspects of the community 200 (e.g. street lighting, communal facilities, pumps, treatment plants etc) that may impact on overall resource targets, to thereby release additional resources to the pool of resource available to the community.

In the event that resource usage increases to a point where the allocated targets are in danger of being overrun the server 203 could divert resources from the nonessential service components within the community, to service components essential to the operation of the community. The change in the availability of certain communal resources is then relayed to the control units 100 associated with each subscriber site 111. Each control unit 102 then adjusts the allocation of currently available resources to each sector within the subscriber site 111 to ensure that the local and community usage targets are met, while overall site operability is maintained.

The server 203 is also capable of monitoring the effects of aggregated usages against the supplied resource targets over time. This allows for more finite control over scheduling and allocation resources to various users based on the relevant management strategy employed. For example in instances where additional resource constraints are imposed by respective resource suppliers 205, 206, 207, 208 the server could assume control of resource allocation when the overall actual usages of the community begin approaching the wider areas targets imposed by suppliers.

In order to allocate the resources based on the supplied wider areas targets the server 203 must firstly convert the received targets to a normalised format. Once normalised the server 203 can calculate a set of usage the targets for each of the subscriber site 111 within the community based on the current actual usage and the desired target usage of each site 111. Based on this calculation, server 203 then distributes new usage targets to each subscriber site based on a combination of factors relating to each subscriber site 111 such as ownership, floor plan size, normal number of occupants, average usage etc. An example of how the server 203 may distribute new usage targets to each subscriber site is discussed in relation to 9 below. :

As ^briefly mentioned above the server may also access a number of auxiliary services via network 205, in the depicted example the server can access emergency and security services 209, weather information service 210 and a help desk services 211. By allowing the server to access to such services additional functionality can be added to the control unit 102 within each subscriber location 111. For instance an end user could place a call into emergency services or security services from a single service point namely the user interface of the local control unit 102. As the server knows the exact location of the control 101 unit lodging the call response times for the dispatch of the appropriate service could be significantly reduced. Such functionality is particularly desirable for elderly users of the system who may not be able to operate a touch pad phone due to such conditions as chronic arthritis.

By accessing whether information services the server can feed information to the control unit on changes in local weather patterns. This could allow end users at given subscriber sites 111 to implement a number of strategies to maximise collection of solar energy, rain water etc. By initiating appropriate management strategies an end user could has the ability to maximise the capture of renewable resources. In the event that the subscriber site achieves a surplus of a particular renewal resource then they may supply the surplus to other sites 111 or feedback the surplus resource to community pool.

The help desk service in this instance is essentially a support service offered by the applicant, which allows the applicant to provide software support for both the server 203 and control units 100 within the community 200. Through the link to the server the applicant can download up to date drivers, additional functions, revised resource allocation algorithms etc, to ensure that the system allocates the available resources in the most optimal manner, to ensure efficient operation of each subscriber site. Fig 3 illustrates the process of assigning control set point values for each available resource at a given subscriber site 111. The control set points act as a base line for resource allocation within the system. The setpoints may vary the as local, community and wider area usage targets are updated. Such a variation of the setpoints causes the control unit to re-evaluate resource allocation to various sectors of the subscriber site and adjust the resource usage strategies for each resource in which the change in the set point has occurred accordingly in order to ensure that the overall usage target is still met without a loss in overall performance of the site 111.

On initialisation 30,1 the control unit 102 proceeds to load local, community and wider area usage targets 302. Once the target data is loaded the control unit then proceed to compare the local and community targets 303. If the local target is lower than that of the community target then the system compares the local target with the wider area target 305. If the local target is less than the wider area target then the control unit 102 sets the local target as the set control point 306 for the given resource.

In the event that the local target is greater than the community target, the control unit then compares the community target against the wider area target 304. If the community target is less than the wider area target the control unit sets the community target as the control set point 308 for the given resource. If the wider area target is the lowest usage target for the given resource the control unit 102 set the wider area target as the control set point 307 for the given resource. The control unit the proceeds to check if the target evaluation has been preformed for all available resource types 309, if not the control unit then increments the system pointer 310 and proceed to perform the comparison of the local, community and wider area targets (steps 303-308 as discussed above) for the next available resource type. This process continues until the unit 102 has determined all control set points for each available resource type.

As mentioned above one of the main aspects of the present system is the provision of feedback information, in real time, of the actual resource usage level of the subscriber site 111. This information is then displayed to the end user via the user interface in a variety of formats. For example the end user, could be provided with a number of visualisations of there current usage against local targets, community targets, community best practice, community averages, community worst practice etc. Figs 4A to 4C depict a number of such display screens.

With reference to Fig 4A there is depicted one layout for the main display screen 400 detailing the resource usage of a particular subscriber site 111 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown the display includes a set of menu buttons 401a-401d, in the present example the menu buttons allow the user to access the relevant routines to set or adjust their usage targets 401a, review a log of various system messages and alerts 401b (e.g. changes in community resource pool broadcast by the server 203), information services 401c (e.g. weather service, news feeds etc) or request assistance in case of an emergency 401 d. The display also includes a graphical indication of current usage of available resources 402a-402c in this case electricity, water and gas.

In order to display more detailed information on the status of a given resource the user simply selects the desired resource type the wish to review via buttons 403a- 403g. Pressing one of the review buttons switches the main display to one of a number of resource specific sub-screens, which are discussed in greater detail below.

Also provided on the main display are a set of call buttons 404a-404c. In the present case the call buttons include a settings button 404a, an alerts button 404b and a home button. The settings button 404a allows the user to customise the display setting, e.g. background colour, overlay colour date and time display etc. The alerts button 404b provides the user with a listing of all current active alerts, while the home button 404c returns the user to the main display menu form any one of the sub- displays.

Depicted in Fig 4B is one example of a resource sub-display 405 relating to electricity usage and generation. As shown the sub-display 405 includes in this instance two display windows 406a, 406b. Widow 406a in this particular example depicts the amount of available electricity generated by solar cells associated with the subscriber site 111 , against the overall solar energy usage of the site 111 over a select time period. Lower window 106b in this instance details the overall general power usage of the site 111 over the same time period as that shown in window 406a. The user is free to select the time period over which the information in widows 406a, 406b is displayed via buttons 407a-d. As shown the user can select to display usage on a monthly 407a, weekly 407b, daily 407c or hourly 407d basis. The display also includes a graphical indicator of current general usage 408a, total electricity generated from solar sources 408b and the net electricity usage 408c. In this particular instance the net usage is negative i.e. the site 111 is generating surplus electricity. This surplus may then be feed back into the main grid or sold off to other subscriber sites within the community 200.

Fig 4C depicts one possible arrangement of the greenhouse sub-display 409, the sub-display again includes two display windows 410a and 410b. Window 410a in this instance displays the amount of green house emissions accumulated for the subscriber site 111 for a given period. Window 410b in this case shows the contribution to the accumulated greenhouse emissions from the sites net electricity usage. Again the user is free to display the accumulated emission information on a monthly 407a, weekly 407b, daily 407c or hourly 407d basis. The display also includes a graphical indication on the current accumulated greenhouse emissions 412a against the net electricity 412b and gas 412c usage.

Based on the feedback information provided to the user via the sub-screen the user can then adjust or alter their resource usage. As briefly mentioned above to assist the end user modify their current usage pattern the system provides a number usage management strategy. These strategies allow a user them to control their usage of a particular resource as determined by their total weekly or monthly usage targets.

An example of one such management strategy 500 is shown in Fig 5. This particular strategy relates to the management of electricity within the subscriber site 111. The intent of the strategy is to automatically tighten up on electricity usage for current period as the current usage approaches the desired usage target. The strategy is effectively a two stage strategy. The first stage involves alerting the sites end users 111 , via the displays discussed in relation to Figs 4a-4c above, that their behaviours and their current group control strategies are going to cause the target to be exceeded. This first stage is based on calculating the projected total for the period based on current daily usage rate and alerting the end user as early as possible.

The second stage involves enabling and disabling appliances according to the load shedding priorities. The application of the second stage is discretionary for the end user. They can set themselves tight targets and opt to allow the targets to be exceeded so that no control action is executed.

As shown in Fig 5, the system initialises the electricity management strategy by firstly loading the setpoint value for the target electricity usage 501 as determined under the setpoint evaluation process discussed in relation to Fig 3 above. The system then proceeds to compare the target usage setpoint value with the current actual usage 502. If the actual usage is less than a predetermined value of the target usage setpoint, which in this case is set at 75% of the total target usage setpoint, the system then compares the current actual usage rate against the target usage setpoint value divided by the number of days remaining in the current usage period 503 (i.e. average setpoint value).

If the usage is less than the average setpoint value the system then determines whether the maximum load shed priority assigned to the sector is less than a predetermined value 504. In the present case the load shed priority for each section is set to a value between 1 and 20 (1 being high priority i.e. critical systems and 20 low priority i.e. non-critical systems).

If the load shed priority is less than 20 then the system increments the load shed value assigned to a given sector 505. If the load shed priority has somehow exceed 20 then the system simply resets the maximum load shed priority for the sector to 20 506. In this way the system then can scale back electricity usage by shutting down services within the sectors having the lowest load shed priorities. If usage continues at a rate which would place the set target in jeopardy of being exceeded the system continues to shut down services having the lowest load shedding priorities. Each time a shut down is initiated the load shedding priorities of each remaining service is incremented i.e. the next lowest priority service is advanced in the queue for shut down unit only the service critical to the maintenance of site operations remain in use.

At step 502 the actual usage is not less than the predetermined value of target usage setpoint value, the system then proceeds to compare the current actual usage against the target usage setpoint value divided by the number of days remaining in the current usage period 507 (i.e. average setpoint value). If the actual usage is less than this average setpoint value then the system calculates the projected usage and then alerts the end user via the selected notification methodology 509, typically a warning message displayed on the main user display. In the event that the user is not within viewing range of the main display then the system could alert the user via SMS, MMS or other such messaging service. Similarly if the actual usage is greater than the average setpoint value at step 503 the system alerts the user via step 509 as discussed above.

If the actual usage rate at step 507 is greater than the average setpoint value calculated in step 503 then the system proceeds to check whether the usage management flag is set 508. If the usage flag is disabled then the system proceeds to alert the user via step 509. If the resource management flag is enabled then the system proceeds to decrement the maximum load shedding priorities associated with each sector (i.e. allows all sectors to operate at desired capacity).

As discussed above the system under this particular management strategy, seeks to scale back the energy usage of each sector having the lowest load shedding priority. This is achieved by dividing the energy resources in a particular sector into a series of virtual groups each virtual group is assigned a load shedding priority depending on whether the group includes critical or non-critical equipment needed to maintain the overall effective operation of the subscriber site 111. The average of the load shedding priorities assigned to each virtual group determines the overall load shedding priority assigned to the sector. Each virtual group includes a number of associated appliances, each appliance can then be assigned a load shedding priority within the virtual group. This allows the system to shut down non-critical appliances in order to scale back electricity usage for one or more virtual groups. For example the group associated with the pool pump could be assigned a load shedding priority of 20 as the operation of the pump is not necessarily critical to the overall operation of the site 111. Other defaults may be Hot Water 19, Air conditioner 18, Fixed Heating 18, Portable Heater 17, Clothes dryer 16, Refrigerator 2, Computer 1 , etc.

One example of how the system may enable and disable one or more virtual groups associated with a given sector is shown in Fig 6. As shown the system firstly loads the group load shedding priority 601 , and the calculated load shedding priority for each virtual group based on the current actual usage of the site 111 and the sector containing the virtual group. The system then compares the load shed priority for the given virtual group and the calculated load shedding priority 602, if the group load priority is greater than the calculated load shed priority value then the system enables the virtual group 603. If the group load priority is less than the calculated load shed priority value then the system disables the group 604. The system then determines whether all virtual groups within the given sector have been evaluated 605. If not the system increments the pointer to the next virtual group 606 and repeats the process.

Under the control paradigm of Fig 6 the system may also alter the allocated load shedding priorities based on the behaviour needs of the appliance types. For example where the internal and the external temperatures are being monitored the portable heater load shedding priority may be reduced if the inside temp < 15 Deg or the Air conditioner load shedding priority may be reduced if the inside temp > 32 Deg. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the initialisation of the default load shedding priorities and the strategies for automatic control of the priorities for the individual appliance types will evolve with technology, usage and ongoing optimisation of the system. Similar management strategies to those discussed above may be employed for other available resources at the subscriber site 111. Fig 7 shows one possible management strategy 700 for the overall management of water usage at a given site 111. Under this strategy the system firstly loads the water usage setpoints 701 as determined under the setpoint evaluation process discussed in relation to Fig 3 above. The system then proceeds to compare the target usage setpoint value with the current actual usage 702. If the actual usage is less than a predetermined value of the target usage setpoint (e.g. 75% of the total target usage). If the actual usage is less than the predetermined value of target usage setpoint value the system then compares the current actual usage rate against the target usage setpoint value divided by the number of days remaining in the current usage period 703 (i.e. average setpoint value). If the actual usage is less than the average setpoint value calculated in step 703 then the system disables the water pressure reduction flag 704.

In the event that the actual current usage is greater than the predetermined value of the target usage at step 702, the system then proceeds to compare the current actual usage against the t average setpoint value 705. If the actual usage is less than this average usage value then the system calculates the projected usage and then alerts the end user via the selected notification methodology 708, again this is typically a warning message displayed on the main user display.

If the actual current usage is greater than the average setpoint value, the system then determines whether the usage management flag is enabled 706. If the usage management flag is disabled then the system calculates the projected usage and alerts the user accordingly 708. If the usage management flag is set then the system enables the water pressure reduction flag 707, which then causes control vales 114a-114h to then restrict the flow of the water to a given sector.

Fig 8 illustrates yet another usage management strategy 800 which may be utilised in one embodiment of the present invention to manage the usage of recycled or reclaimed water. As shown the system firstly loads the recycled water usage setpoints 801 as determined under the setpoint evaluation process discussed in relation to Fig 3 above. The system then proceeds to check the current actual water usage against the current setpoint 802. If the current actual water usage is less than 75% of the setpoint value, the system then compares the actual recycled water usage rate against the setpoint divided by the days within the current usage period (i.e average setpoint value) 808. If the current actual usage is less than the average setpoint value then the system disables the water pressure reduction flag and the recycled water isolation flag 810. If as a result of the comparison the actual usage rate is found to be less than the average setpoint value then the system proceeds to calculate the projected usage and alert the end user by the appropriate methodology 809 before proceeding to step 810.

In the event that the actual water usage exceeds 75% of the usage setpoint then the system compares the actual recycled water usage to the setpoint value 803. If the actual usage value is greater than the setpoint value the system alerts the end user via the appropriate methodology 804. The system then disables the water pressure reduction flag and enables the recycled water isolation flag 806. If the actual recycled water usage is less than the setpoint value the system proceeds to calculate projected usage and alerts the end user via the appropriate methodology 805. Once the system has 'calculated the projected usage rates it then proceeds to enable the water pressure reduction flag and disable the recycled water isolation flag 807.

As discussed above where the subscriber sites 111 are linked to a central server 202 to form a community 200, the server can alter the management usage strategies by updating the community and wider area usage targets. One possible distribution strategy 900 of such revised community and wider area targets is shown in Fig 9. Here the sever 203 firstly loads the current actual community resource usage rate, the community and supplier resource usage targets 901. As mentioned above the community usage targets can be set based on a collaborative negotiation amongst all end users within the community, while the wider area targets are set by the resource suppliers and are dependent upon a number of factors.

Once the server 203 has loaded the current desired usage targets for each available resource, the server 203 then compares the recently loaded usage targets with the last stored usage targets 902 for each available resource. If the recently loaded usage target for a given resource fails to match the previously stored value, the server 203 then proceeds to load the distribution rules for the given resource and then calculates the new usage target for the resource in question 903. The server 203 then determines whether the new target evaluations are done for each available resource 904 within the community 200, if not the server 203 then proceeds to increment the pointer to the next available resource 905 and repeat steps 902 to 904 until all resource evaluations are complete.

If the current desired usage target for a given resource matches the stored value no change in the present usage paradigm for the given resource is required and the server then determines whether the new target evaluations are done for each available resource 904 within the community 200. If not the server 203 then proceeds to increment the pointer to the next available resource 905 and repeat steps 902 to 904 until all resource evaluations are complete. Once the evaluations are complete the server 203 proceeds to load the distribution lists for the community and send the updated target information to each subscriber site 111 contained in each distribution list.

It is to be understood that the above embodiments have been provided only by way of exemplification of this invention, and that further modifications and improvements thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the present invention described herein.

Claims

1. A resource management system said system including: a plurality of subscriber sites each subscriber site including a cbntroTsysfem; a central server coupled to each subscriber site; wherein the control system includes: a user interface allowing a user to input desired resource usage targets; a central control unit coupled to a plurality of resource pontrol modules for controlling the supply of resources within the subscriber sjje; and wherein the control unit is adapted to regulate the supply of a given resource based on desired resource usage targets and adjust the supply of a given resource in response to information received from said central server.

2. The resource management system of claim 1 wherein the subscriber site is divided into a plurality of sectors and wherein each sector includes a plurality of sensors and actuators associated with each available resource within each sector.

3. The resource management system of claim 2 wherein the sensors provide feedback information to the control system on current actual usage of each resource within each sector.

4. The resource management system of claim 3 wherein the control system collates the feedback information from each sector to determine the overall resource usage of the subscriber site and wherein the control system is further configured transmit the collated feedback information to the central server.

5. The resource management any one of the preceding claims wherein the central server is coupled to one or more resource suppliers.

6. The resource management system of claim 5 wherein the central server receives updates from each of the resource supplies regarding current availability of a supplied resource.

7. The resource management system of claim 6 wherein the central server calculates the amount of remaining resources available to the plurality of subscriber sites based on the overall resource usage of each subscriber site and the current availability of the resources supplied by said one or more resource suppliers.

8. The resource management system of claim 7 wherein the central server broadcasts the amount of remaining resources available to the plurality of subscriber sites to each subscriber site within the plurality of subscriber sites.

9. The resource management system of claim 8 wherein the control unit within each subscriber site adjusted the current desired usage targets based on the amount of remaining resources available to the plurality of subscriber sites and operates one or more actuators associated with each sector within the subscriber site to regulate the resource supply to each sector within the subscriber site to meet the adjusted usage target.

10. The resource management system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the user interface is a touch screen display.

11. The resource management system of claim 10 wherein the user interface provides feedback information to an end user on the current actual resource usage of the subscriber site.

12. The resource management system of claim 10 or 11 wherein the user interface alerts the user when a predetermined amount of the desired usage target is reached.

13. The resource management system of claim 12 wherein the predetermined amount is 75% of the desired usage target.

14. The resource management system of any one of the proceeding claims wherein the available resources include electricity, gas, water, reclaimed water. ^•

15. A method for allocating resources within a plurality subscriber sites the method including: acquiring a plurality of desired resource usage targets from an end user for a subscriber site within the plurality subscriber sites; . j determining the amount of resources available at each subscriber site within the plurality of subscriber sites; allocating resources to one or more sectors within the subscriber site based on the desired usage targets and the amount of available resources available at the subscriber site; and adjusting the desired usage targets a resources allocated to each sector due to a variation in the amount of available resources at the subscriber site.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of acquiring usage targets preferably includes selecting a usage strategy which best matches the usage needs of the subscriber site.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16 wherein the step of acquiring further includes receiving one or more external usage targets associated with the plurality of subscriber sites.

18. The method of any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the step of determining the amount of resources available at each subscriber site further includes receiving information from a central server on the amount of resources provided to the plurality of subscriber sites.

20. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18 further including the step of comparing the current actual usage of the subscriber site with the desired usage target at the site and determine when usage target may be exceed based on the current usage.

21. The method of any one of claims 20 wherein the step of allocating includes adjusting the amount of available resources to a given sector based on the results of the comparison of current actual usage against the desired usage target.

22. The method of any one of claims 15 to 21 wherein the step of adjusting usage targets includes receiving information from one or more resource suppliers as to a change in the supply of a particular resource at a given site.