A system and method manage delivery of energy from a distribution network to one or more sites. Each site has at least one device coupled to the distribution network. The at least one device controllably consumes energy. The system includes a node and a control system. The node is coupled to the at least one device for sensing and controlling energy delivered to the device. A control system is coupled to the node and distribution network for delivering to the node at least one characteristic of the distribution network. The node for controls the supply of energy to the device as a function of the at least one characteristic.

System and method of controlling an HVAC system

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a home energy management system and method includes a network device disposed at a residence and a wireless home energy network capable of establishing communication with the network device. A server is disposed remotely from the residence and capable of generating a control action report to control the network devices. A controller is located at the residence and in communication with the server and configured to establish the wireless home energy network; initiate a plurality of operating status requests of the network device; receive device data in response to at least one of the operating status requests; generate a site report including the device data; initiate a communication of the site report to the remote server; and detect an availability of the control action report at the remote server in conjunction with the communication of the site report.

Energy management system and method

An indoor environmental condition control and energy-management system includes a plurality of inputs. A user input receives user input parameters including a desired indoor environmental condition range for at least one energy unit price point. An indoor environmental condition input receives a sensed indoor environmental condition. An energy price input receives a schedule of projected energy unit prices per time periods. A processor, coupled to the inputs, computes an environmental condition deadband range for multiple energy unit price points based on the user input parameters and controls at least one energy-consuming load device to maintain the indoor environmental condition within the computed deadband range for a then-current energy unit price point. In an embodiment, the environmental condition includes at least temperature and the at least one load device includes a heating and cooling system. The processor, in one embodiment, communicates through a communications link with at least one energy supply company and selects one energy supply company for a premise to minimize energy consumption cost.

Environmental condition control and energy-management system and method

An energy management and building automation system including a local area network or home automation data bus such as the CEBus. Each load is connected to the bus via a control module which may contain a circuit breaker to disconnect the load from the mains upon command or upon occurrence of a power outage. Current monitoring control modules measure load current and power monitor modules monitor power consumed by selected loads, both modules transmitting bus messages indicating load status and status changes. A first microcomputer preferably is external to the customer premises, adjacent the electric utility power meter. A second microcomputer preferably is inside the customer premises. The two microcomputers communicate with each other and with the various modules via the network/data bus. The first microcomputer communicates with the utility company via any appropriate communications link. The second microcomputer serves, in part, as an input/output terminal for the system, allowing the customer to set parameters and query the system as to power usage, displaying reports requested by the customer and messages transmitted by the utility company and by either microcomputer. The first microcomputer acts as a master controller and/or network server, communicating with the world outside the premises, as a communications gateway between voice, video and data services, and being the primary data collector and operator of load control modules; the second microcomputer provides certain backup functions. The utility company can access selected utilization data and control at least some loads via messages to the first microcomputer.

Engery management and building automation system

System and method for controlling usage of a commodity

The present invention features an energy storage scheduler that schedules the timing and extent of charging a storage device from the electric energy supply. The energy storage scheduler has a charge level device for receiving information representative of the level of charge of the storage device. A programmed measuring and refining mechanism is provided to quantify the load profile of the energy utilizing load system. A timer is connected to the energy storage scheduler to provide information representative of the ongoing time within the current cycle period. A price processor is connected to the energy storage scheduler for receiving and processing information representative of prospective time-varying prices of electric energy from the supply. Finally, a mechanism is provided to calculate, from the information available from the charge level device, the programmed measuring and refining mechanism, the timer and the price processor, optimal timing for charging the storage device to predetermined storage levels to achieve a minimal cost supply of the aggregate energy demands of the load system.

Energy storage scheduling system

The present invention features a method and system for storing electrical energy, and then using the stored energy to recharge automobiles. The system of the invention features a number of storage and recharging facilities that are connected to a main power generating station. Power is generally demanded from the power station in the evening or during off-peak power demand periods, in order to obtain lower rates from the power utility. Also, off-peak power loading does not put a strain on the power system. The energy obtained from the power utility company is then stored at each recharging facility in a bank of capacitors. A high voltage transformer and rectifier arranged ahead of the capacitor banks converts the incoming AC high voltage power from the utility to the required DC voltage for capacitor storage. The controller distributes power to a number of charging bays that are connected to the capacitor bank. A vehicle needing charging pulls into an individual bay in the recharging facility, and is connected to a metering device having feedback control. A sensing unit interrogates the power remaining in the batteries of the vehicle, and passes this information onto a controller. In this manner, the exact amount of required energy is transferred to the vehicle.

Method and system for electricity storage and discharge

A method and system incorporating an integral power consumption monitor-circuit breaker panel for industrial or commercial buildings and facilities. The power consumption monitor-circuit breaker panel not only protects each end use within the building against harmful overloads, but also monitors peak power demands of each end use. Electrical current, voltage and phase information is provided by each monitor-breaker. This information is then fed to a processing circuit that provides a power consumption value. The power consumption value is then fed to recording device to provide a power consumption history for each end use. Each monitor-breaker is identified by its end use, as for example, by color coding. The monitor device of each circuit breaker is designed to provide a voltage that is proportional to the circuit load. Two methods may be used to provide such a voltage signal: a) the voltage signal can be developed across a built-in shunt in each circuit braeker; and b) a proportional voltage can be obtained by use of a circuit breaker with a built-in Hall effect device, wherin the product of the instantaneous current and voltage along with the phase angle between them, provides the power measurement. The current and/or instantaneous power information can be sent to the recording device via a powerline carrier, radio link, or optical fiber. The information can be integrated to provide either kW or kW/hr readings.

Bradley J. Hesse

Papers

Energy storage scheduling system

Method and system for electricity storage and discharge

Electrical power monitoring system