Patent ID: 7437333
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: G01D,G06Q,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A computer readable medium for estimating costs associated with the energy requirements of a water distribution system, comprising program instructions for performing the steps of: (A) defining the system components to be analyzed; (B) selecting a time interval over which costs are analyzed; (C) defining an energy cost definition describing the energy prices existing for each component in the system by assigning an energy price for the particular time interval selected; (D) performing a hydraulic simulation of the operation of the water distribution system to determine energy requirements of the system over the course of the simulation; (E) using the energy requirements determined in the hydraulic simulation, calculating energy costs associated with the energy requirements of the simulated water distribution system for the selected time interval, the calculating of energy costs based in part on a credit or a charge for changes in a level in a storage tank, wherein (F) displaying the energy costs to a user.