INFORMATION FROM INTERVAL DATA

摘要

Interval data is the term used to describe energy use snapshots taken more frequently than traditional monthly billing reads. Interval data records are commonly 15 minutes apart, but can be any increment such as 5 minutes, 60 minutes, or daily reads. The shorter the interval, the more the data approaches true analog; the longer the interval, the more assumptions are applied to the blank spaces in between reads. Interval data is usually applied to electricity flows, but can be applied to natural gas, other fuels, and water. The granularity of interval data gives energy professionals new tools and insight into how and when energy is used, leading to new ways to manage it. Interval data is time/date stamped, and typically comes in blocks of time after the fact, displayed in a long list of records. Although not real-time, interval data shows very accurate load profiles that are not possible with monthly reads - this means knowing the usage at 3pm and 3am, rather than guessing. Peaks, ghost loads, and anomalies -usage that shouldn't be there - become apparent. Interval data has been available to large commercial and industrial customers for years, but is becoming available to other customers due to increased deployment of automated meter reading technology. Interval data does not have to come from a utility, but it is a convenient source; the data is there, so take advantage of it. There is data, and then there is doing something with it. Evaluating interval data can lead to opportunities that may otherwise go unnoticed. Examples and case studies are presented to show ways to turn the data into useful information.