FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for energy design tool for telecommunication sites. In particular, the present invention provides for an optimized power system from determination of total cost of ownership of the power system and individual lease fee for each tenant of the telecommunication power system.

BACKGROUND ART

The basics of a power system consist of generating, distributing and transmitting electrical energy to supply power to extended area. Industrial revolution brought through industrialization to an economy which brings an impact on telecommunication sector and has generally created an infrastructure that allows transfer of data throughout the world, which demand more and more energy in order to ensure the sustainability in a long run. Generating and providing an economical energy production of telecommunication power systems is one of the critical factor in a telecommunication system. This will result on a sizeable savings of economic resources and promote sustainable development actions towards the telecommunication energy system management.

The present invention provides for a power solution based on techno commercial merits and recommends a most optimum telecommunication power system configuration output based on vendor profile. Further, the present invention determines a best total cost of ownership and an individual lease fee for each tenant of the telecommunication power system.

One example of a prior art covering an energy management system design is disclosed in United States Patent No. US 8,924,540 B2 (hereinafter referred to as the US 540 B2 Patent) entitled “Telecommunication Energy Management System” having a filing date of 26 April 2011 (Patentee: Telect Inc). US 540 B2 Patent relates to a method of managing energy usage by a telecommunication network infrastructure wherein a hall effect current monitor may be configured to monitor and report a current flowing through a piece of telecommunication equipment. Further, US 540 B2 Patent provides a monitoring system to track power consumption in the central office site and may comprise a central monitoring board configured to receive and send a reported current value. In US 540 B2 Patent, the method of managing energy usage may provide a lower cost of operation due to the ability to monitor the telecommunication failure.

Another example on energy management system design is disclosed in United States Patent No. US 9,563,215 B2 (hereinafter referred to as the US 215 B2 Patent) entitled “Method and Apparatus for Actively Managing Electric Power Supply for An Electric Power Grid” having a filing date of 14 July 2014 (Patentee: Causam Energy Inc.). The US 215 B2 Patent describes systems and methods for managing power supply from any electric power generation source or storage device for introduction to an electric power and for creating operating reserves for utilities and market participants of the electric power grid. US 215 B2 Patent further calculates power supply value, PSV at the meter or submeter or a building control system or at any device or controller that measures power within the standard as supplied by the regulatory body that govern the regulation of the grid. Further, US 215 B2 Patent provides the most cost effective energy resource to be dispatched in response to an energy management system, EMS messaging and/or telemetry from the EMS grid stability.

A further example of energy management system design is disclosed in United States Patent No. US 7,085,660 B2 (hereinafter referred to as the US 660 B2 Patent) entitled “Energy Management System in a Power and Distribution System” having a filing date of 2 May 2004 (Patentee: Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution Inc.). US 660 B2 Patent discloses a method and system for optimizing the performance of a power generation and distribution system that monitors the performance of a power system, detects disturbances and calculates statistical information. US 660 B2 Patent further uses historical performance data and economic factors to analyze and control the production of power. Further, US 660 B2 Patent discloses steps of obtaining a temporal trajectory of output power for each of the plurality of generating units over the set of predetermined and consecutive time intervals, such that costs associated with changing power output within the power system is minimized. Due to the drawbacks and limitation of the conventional system and method, there is a need to provide a system and method which provides more efficient and optimum telecommunication power system at a best total cost of ownership and lease fee for each tenant.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for energy design tool for telecommunication sites. In particular, the present invention provides for an optimized power system from determination of total cost of ownership of the power system and individual lease fee for each tenant of the telecommunication system.

One aspect of the invention provides that a system (100) for energy design tool for telecommunication sites, the system (100) comprising at least one user interface module (102) for obtaining information from input of a user, updating information and displaying results; at least one technical design processor (104) for generating a plurality of possible configurations based on processing of a combination of technical design parameters and information obtained from the user input; at least one techno commercial processor (106) for determining capital expenditure, operational expenditure, replacement and pricing for configurations output from the at least one technical design processor (104); at least one optimization module (108) for ranking the plurality of configurations generated by the at least one technical design processor (104) and a lowest total cost of ownership generated by the at least one techno commercial processor (106); at least one authentication module (110) for collecting user information and validating user and granting access to the user to resources requested by the user; at least one workflow tracker module (112) for tracking and managing a workflow; and a plurality of database (114a, 114b, 114c, 114d, 114e) for storing authenticated data, project data, vendor management data, financial data and technical data. The at least one technical design processor (104) further comprising at least one battery storage module (116) for determining battery capacity based on user inputs; at least one grid module (118) for determining a required grid sanction load of the system for capturing inputs by the user for outages of grid availability and tariff for the at least one techno commercial processor (106); at least one generator module (120) for determining required generator capacity based on the user input; at least one solar module (122) for determining solar run hours and solar capacity based on the user input; at least one power core and rectifier selector module (124) for determining sizing of power core and rectifier based on outputs from the at least one battery storage module (116) and the at least one generator module (118); at least one cooling calculator module (126) for determining air conditioner sizing based on the user input of cabin type and ambient temperature; and at least one design verifier (128) for checking criteria to validate information received from input from the user and to determine if technical design configuration of the system is acceptable.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the at least one user interface module (102) further comprising at least one input interface module (130) for enabling the user to enter information into the system; at least one parameter update or edit module (132) for updating or editing any parameters entered by the user into the system; and at least one output interface module (134) for enabling the user to review outputs displayed.

Still another aspect of the invention provides that the at least one techno commercial processor (106) further comprising at least one total cost of ownership module (136) for determining total cost of ownership; and at least one pricing and leasing fee module (138) for determining an individual lease fee for each tenant of the telecommunication site.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the at least one technical design processor (104) further comprises at least one sensitivity module with at least one backup sensitivity module (140a) in the at least one battery storage module (116), at least one tariff sensitivity module (140b) in the at least one grid module (118) and at least one fuel sensitivity module (140c) in the at least one generator module (120) for deriving different configurations by taking sensitivity value consideration the user has input.

Another aspect of the invention provides that a method (200) for energy design tool for telecommunication sites, the method (200) comprises steps of performing authentication of a user through an authentication module (201); receiving authenticated user input through a user interface module (202); transmitting user input to each individual module in a technical design processor (204); generating a plurality of possible technical configurations based on processing of a combination of technical design parameters and input information from the user (206); determining if the user entered any sensitivity iteration (208); reiterating steps 204, 206 and 208 if it is not a final sensitivity iteration entered by the user; creating a technical configuration array with the generated configurations (210) if it is a final sensitivity iteration entered by the user; retrieving information from generated technical configuration array and feeding the information to a total cost of ownership module within a techno commercial processor (212); receiving the information retrieved in step 212 by a techno commercial processor and determining the leasing fee and pricing based on a total cost of ownership output (214); selecting a technical component in the plurality of generated technical configurations (216); determining if the user has selected any specific vendors (218); if vendor has been selected, retrieving selected vendor from vendor management database (218a); and mapping total cost of ownership for selected vendor from data retrieved from a financial data storage (218b); else if vendor has not been selected, retrieving all vendors for technical component from vendor management database (218c); and determining total cost of ownership for all vendors from data retrieved from a financial data storage (218d); determining if there are anymore technical components (220); reiterating steps 216 and 218 if there are further technical components; saving the total cost of ownership configuration in an array (222) if there are no further technical components; determining if there are anymore configurations to determine total cost of ownership in the technical configuration array (224); reiterating steps 214, 216 and 218 if there are further technical configurations; else, ranking the configurations generated by the optimization module (226) if there are no further technical configurations; executing price and leasing fee module for each total cost of ownership (228); providing associated total cost of ownership lease fee at recovery point and determining the least lease fee price for each tenant at the telecommunication site (230); and performing a design approval and final selection by a workflow tracker module (232).

A further aspect of the invention provides that performing authentication of a user through an authentication module (201) further comprising steps of directing the user to a login page (300); transmitting the user input at the login page to an authenticator (304); transmitting the user input to an active directory domain (306); determining if the user exist (308); if the user does not exist, reiterating steps 302, 304, 306 and 308; else if the user exist, login is successful (310); and directing the user to an input interface module (312).

Still another aspect of the invention provides that generating a plurality of possible technical configurations based on processing of a combination of technical design parameters and input information from the user (206) comprising determining configuration in a battery storage module of a technical design processor (400a); determining configuration in a generator module of a technical design processor (400b); determining configuration in a cooling calculator module of a technical design processor (400c); and determining configuration in a solar module of a technical design processor (400d).

A further aspect of the invention provides that determining configuration in a battery storage module of a technical design processor (400a) further comprising steps of selecting and entering details of a battery type by the user (402a); determining required battery capacity using predefined technical parameters and user inputs (404a); and determining other battery parameters (406a) including actual depth of discharge and reusable year.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides that determining configuration in a generator module of the technical design processor (400b) further comprising steps of selecting and entering details on generator run hours and price per litre, price sensitivity and vendor selection by the user (402b); determining required generator capacity using predefined technical parameters (404b); and determining other generator parameters (406b) including total load deration factors.

Another aspect of the invention provides that determining configuration in a cooling calculator module of the technical design processor (400c) further comprising steps of selecting cabin type and vendor by the user (402c); determining condition for use either indoor or outdoor (404c); if condition is for indoor usage, selecting air conditioner vendors (406c); determining air conditioner capacity and other cooling parameters using predefined technical parameters and technical data (408c); and deciding on impact of temperatures for batteries and calculate battery lifetime (410c); else if condition is for outdoor usage, deciding on impact of temperatures for batteries and calculate battery lifetime (410c).

Still another aspect of the invention provides that determining configuration in a solar module of the technical design processor (400d) further comprising steps performing selection of solar contribution, daily radiation and vendor by the user (402d); and determining solar run hours and related technical information using predefined technical parameters (404d). A further aspect of the invention provides that determining the leasing fee and pricing based on a total cost of ownership output (214) further comprising steps of computing generated data of total cost of ownership and technical design output from technical design processor (502); determining all expenditure by incorporating financial data and vendor management data by creating a profit loss table (504); determining cashflow (506); determining net present value and internal rate of return and seek for zero net present value point (508); and displaying a lease fee at a recovery point and determining least fee price for each tenant at a telecommunication site (510).

Yet another aspect of the invention provides that performing a design approval and final selection by a workflow tracker module (232) further comprising steps of analysing configurations of the telecommunication site (602); determining if the project is initiated or reviewed by a national tower company or a group (604); sending the project to a group (606) if the project is initiated or reviewed by a national tower company; sending the project to the national tower company (608) if the project is initiated or reviewed by the group; verifying project by relevant party (610); sending project to a pricing team (612); and establishing resultant final site configuration selected from all site configurations (614).

The present invention consists of features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing an of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by references to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 .0 illustrates a general architecture of the system of the present invention.

Figure 1 .0a illustrates the components of the technical design processor.

Figure 1 .0b illustrates the components of the user interface module.

Figure 1 .Oc illustrates the components of the techno commercial processor.

Figure 2.0 is a flowchart illustrating the general methodology of the present invention.

Figure 3.0 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of performing authentication of a user through an authentication module.

Figure 4.0 is a chart illustrating generating a plurality of possible configurations based on processing of a combination of technical design parameters and information by the technical design processor.

Figure 4.0a is a flowchart illustrating the steps of determining configuration in a battery storage module of the technical design processor.

Figure 4.0b is a flowchart illustrating the steps on determining configuration in a generator module of the technical design processor. Figure 4.0c is a flowchart illustrating the steps on determining configuration in a cooling calculator module of the technical design processor.

Figure 4.0d is a flowchart illustrating the steps on determining configuration in a solar module of the technical design processor.

Figure 5.0 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of determining the leasing fee and pricing based on the total cost of ownership output.

Figure 6.0 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of performing design selection and final selection via workflow tracker module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a system and method for energy design tool for telecommunication sites. In particular, the present invention provides for an optimized power system from determination of total cost of ownership of the power system and individual lease fee for each tenant of the telecommunication system. Hereinafter, this specification will describe the present invention according to the preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1.0 which illustrates a general architecture of the system of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1.0, the system (100) for energy design tool for telecommunication sites comprising at least one user interface module (102) for obtaining information from a user input, updating information and displaying results; at least one technical design processor (104) for generating a plurality of possible configurations based on processing of a combination of technical design parameters and information obtained from combination from the user input; at least one techno commercial processor (106) for determining capital expenditure, operational expenditure, replacement and pricing for configurations output from the at least one technical design processor (102); at least one optimization module (108) for ranking the plurality of configurations generated by the at least one technical design processor (102) and a lowest total cost of ownership generated by the at least one techno commercial processor (106); at least one authentication module (110) for collecting user information and validating user and granting access to the user to resources requested by the user; at least one workflow tracker module (112) for tracking and managing a workflow; and a plurality of database (114a, 114b, 114c, 114d, 114e) for storing authenticated data, project data, vendor management data, financial data and technical data.

Reference is now made to figure 1.0a which illustrates the components of the technical design processor (104). Technical design processor (104) is the key module of the system of the present invention wherein the technical design processor (104) generates a plurality of possible configurations to obtain and determine the optimum power telecommunication system. In fact, other processors of the systems will not be able to function without the inputs generated by the technical design processor. As illustrated in Figure 1.0a, the technical design processor (104) comprises of at least one battery storage module (116) for determining battery capacity based on user inputs; at least one grid module (118) for determining a required grid sanction load of the system for capturing inputs by the user for outages of grid availability and tariff for the at least one techno commercial processor (106); at least one generator module (120) for determining required generator capacity based on the user input; at least one solar module (122) for determining solar run hours and solar capacity based on the user input; at least one power core and rectifier selector module (124) for determining sizing of power core and rectifier based on outputs from the at least one battery storage module (116) and the at least one generator module (118); at least one cooling calculator module (126) for determining air conditioner sizing based on the user input of cabin type and ambient temperature; and at least one design verifier (128) for checking criteria to validate information received from the user input and to determine if technical design configuration of the system is acceptable.

The technical design processor (104) further comprises of at least one sensitivity module with at least one backup sensitivity module (140a) in the at least one battery storage module (116), at least one tariff sensitivity module (140b) in the at least one grid module (118) and at least one fuel sensitivity module (140c) in the at least one generator module (120). The sensitivity modules (140a, 140b and 140c) repeat the calculation and derive different configurations by taking the sensitivity value consideration the user has input. For example, backup sensitivity module generates different battery sizing and sizes generator capacity according to different battery backup times user has input for the sensitivity module.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 .0b which illustrates the components of the user interface module (102). As illustrated in Figure 1.0b, the user interface module (102) comprises of at least one input interface module (130) for enabling the user to enter information into the system; at least one parameter update or edit module (132) for updating or editing any parameters entered by the user into the system; and at least one output interface module (134) for enabling the user to review outputs displayed. The information and parameters from the user are based upon grid profile, temperature, cabin type, solar information, battery information, generators information and number of tenants. Reference is now made to Figure 1.0c which illustrates the components of the techno commercial processor (106). As illustrated in Figure 1.0c, the techno commercial processor (106) comprises of at least one total cost of ownership module (136) for determining total cost of ownership; and at least one pricing and leasing fee module (138) for determining an individual lease fee for each tenant of the telecommunication site. The total cost of ownership is determined for the components of solar system, DC system, generator, the fuel cost for 10 years, grid connection cost, grid cost for 10 years, diesel cost for 10 years and the cost over energy in the unit kilowatt hour.

Reference is now made to Figure 2.0 which is a flowchart illustrating the general methodology of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 2.0, the method for energy design tool for telecommunication sites comprises steps of authenticating a user through an authentication module (201) and receiving authenticated user input via user interface module (202). Then, the inputs are transmitted to each individual module in a technical design processor (204). The technical design processor then generated a plurality of possible technical configurations based on processing of a combination of technical design parameters and information the user (206). The method followed by determining if the user entered any sensitivity iteration (208). If the sensitivity iteration is not the final sensitivity iteration, steps 204, 206 and 208 are reiterated. Whereas, if the sensitivity iteration is the final sensitivity iteration, a technical configuration array is created with the generated configurations (210). Further, it is followed by retrieving an information from generated technical configuration array and feeding the information to a total cost of ownership module within a techno commercial processor (212) The techno commercial processor receives the information retrieved in step 212 and determine the leasing fee and pricing based on a total of cost of ownership output (214); and selecting a technical component in the plurality of generated technical configurations (216). Following that, the system determined if the user has selected any specific vendors (218). If the vendor has been selected, retrieve selected vendor from vendor management database (218a); and mapping total cost of ownership for selected vendor from data retrieved from a financial data storage (218b). In contrast, if vendor has not been selected, retrieve all vendors for technical component from vendor management database (218c); and determining total cost of ownership for all vendors from data retrieved from a financial data storage (218d). Next, the system will determine if there are anymore technical components (220). Steps 216 and 218 are reiterated if there are further technical components, whereas the total cost of ownership configuration is saved in an array (222) if there are no further technical components. Further, is the system will determine if there are anymore configurations to determine total cost of ownership in the technical configuration array (224). If there are anymore configurations, reiterate steps 214, 216 and 218. If there no anymore configurations, proceed with ranking the configurations generated by the optimization module (226). Thereafter, price and leasing fee module is executed for each total cost of ownership (228); and associated total cost of ownership lease fee at recovery point is provided and further determining the least lease fee price for each tenant at the telecommunication site (230). Finally, design approval and final selection is performed by a workflow tracker module (232).

Reference is now made to Figure 3.0 which is a flowchart illustrating the step of performing authentication of a user via authentication module. As illustrated in Figure 3.0, the step begins with directing a user to a login page (302). Then, the user enters the technical design parameters at the login page and the information is transmitted to an authenticator (304). Next, the user input is transmitted to an active directory domain (306). Thereafter, user existence is determined (308). If user does not exist, the module will directed back to the login page. Whereas, if the user exist, login process is successful (310) and the user is directed to an input interface module (312).

Reference is now made to Figure 4.0 which is a chart illustrating generating a plurality of possible configurations based on processing of a combination of technical design parameters and information by the technical design processor. As illustrated in Figure 4.0, the steps (400) comprises of determining configuration in a battery storage module of a technical design processor (400a); determining configuration in a generator module of a technical design processor (400b); determining configuration in a cooling calculator module of a technical design processor (400c); and determining configuration in a solar module of a technical design processor (400d).

Reference is now made to Figure 4.0a which is a flowchart illustrating the steps of determining configuration in a battery storage module of the technical design processor. As illustrated in Figure 4.0a, the step begins with selecting and entering details of a battery type by the user (402a). Thereafter, required battery capacity is determined using predefined technical parameters and user inputs (404a). Finally, other battery parameters are determined (406a) including actual depth of discharge and reusable year.

Reference is now made to Figure 4.0b which is a flowchart illustrating the steps of determining configuration in a generator module of the technical design processor. As illustrated in Figure 4.0b, the steps begins with selecting and entering details on generator run hours and price per litre, price sensitivity and vendor selection by the user (402b). Thereafter, required generator capacity is determined using predefined technical parameters (404b). Finally, other generator parameter including total load deration factors is determined (406b).

Reference is now made to Figure 4.0c which is a flowchart illustrating the steps of determining configuration in a cooling calculator module of the technical design processor. As illustrated in Figure 4.0c, the step begins with selecting cabin type and vendor by the user (402c). Next, determine condition for use either indoor or outdoor (404c). If condition is for indoor usage, selects air conditioner vendors (406c) and determine air conditioner capacity and other cooling parameters using predefined technical parameters and technical data (408c). if the condition is for outdoor usage, the steps of selecting air conditioner vendors and determining air conditioner capacity and other cooling parameters are not involved. Thereafter, impact of temperatures for batteries and calculate battery lifetime is decided (410c).

Reference is now made to Figure 4.0d which is a flowchart illustrating the steps of determining configuration in a solar module of the technical design processor. As illustrated in Figure 4.0d, the step comprises of performing selection of solar contribution, daily radiation and vendor by the user (402d) and determining solar run hours and related technical information using predefined technical parameters (404d).

Reference is now made to Figure 5.0 which is a flowchart illustrating the steps of determining the leasing fee and pricing based on total cost of ownership output. As illustrated in Figure 5.0, the step begins with computing generated data of total cost of ownership and technical design output from technical design processor (502). Next, all expenditure is determined by incorporating financial data and vendor management data by creating a profit loss table (504). Following to that, cashflow is determined (506). Thereafter, net present value and internal rate of return are determined and seek for zero net present value point (508). Finally, a lease fee at a recovery point and determining least fee price for each tenant at a telecommunication site is displayed (510).

Reference is now made to Figure 6.0 which is a flowchart illustrating the steps of performing design approval and final selection via workflow tracker module. As illustrated in Figure 6.0, the step begins with analysing configurations of the telecommunication site (602). Thereafter, it is determine if the project is initiated or reviewed by a group or a national tower company (604). If the project is initiated or reviewed by a national tower company, send the project to group (606), and vice versa. Further, project is verified by relevant party (410) and the project is sent to a pricing team (412). Finally, resultant final site configuration selected from all site configurations is established (414).

The distinctive feature of the present invention lies in providing a solution ranking based on techno commercial merits, specifically design for telecommunication-based power system. The technical design processor of the present invention is the key module to generate a plurality of possible configurations based on processing of a combination of technical design parameters and information obtained from combination from the user input. Further, the present invention provides the best total cost of ownership by doing total cost of ownership analysis for each vendor in any scenarios of the telecommunication power system. Finally, the present invention provide the individual lease fee and pricing for each tenant at a telecommunication site.

Unless the context requires otherwise or specifically stated to the contrary, integers, steps or elements of the invention recited herein as singular integers, steps or elements clearly encompass both singular and plural forms of the recited integers, steps or elements.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or integer or group of steps or elements or integers, but not the exclusion of any other step or element or integer or group of steps, elements or integers. Thus, in the context of this specification, the term “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense and thus should be understood as meaning “including principally, but not necessarily solely”.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons of skill in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.