Predictive method, apparatus and program product for weather adjustment of resource usage data

A method for system automation of an electrical utility system, comprising:

• obtaining data defining a plurality of sequential events in a portion the electrical utility system, each event identified by three coordinate values, the three coordinate values being hour of day, recorded temperature, and resource usage of the electrical utility system;
• generating from the three coordinate values a three-dimensional topological surface by plotting the resource usage against the hour of day and the temperature in a three-dimensional space;
• generating a polynomial equation defining the topological surface, wherein the polynomial equation expresses the resource usage as a tenth-degree polynomial function of hour of day and temperature, with each independent variable having a highest degree of six, the polynomial equation having a set of calculated coefficients;
• determining a future load on a component of the electrical utility system at a particular temperature and hour of day by applying the calculated coefficients to the coordinate values for the particular temperature and hour of day;
• and
• modifying the functionality of one or more components of the electrical utility system based on the determined future load.

An electrical utility system, comprising:

• a plurality of electrical grid components;
• and
• a distribution management system;
• wherein the distribution management system is adapted to:
• receive communications from the electrical grid components;
• obtain data defining a plurality of sequential events in a portion the electrical utility system, each event identified by three coordinate values, the three coordinate values being hour of day, recorded temperature, and resource usage of the electrical utility system;
• generate from the three coordinate values a three-dimensional topological surface by plotting the resource usage against the hour of day and the temperature in a three-dimensional space;
• generate a polynomial equation defining the topological surface, wherein the polynomial equation expresses the resource usage as a tenth-degree polynomial function of hour of day and temperature, with each independent variable having a highest degree of six, the polynomial equation having a set of calculated coefficients;
• determine a future load on a component of the electrical utility system at a particular temperature and hour of day by applying the calculated coefficients to the coordinate values for the particular temperature and hour of day;
• and
• modify a component of the electrical utility system based on the determined future load.