Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20090048718 | Multi-building control for demand response power usage control - An energy usage coordinator controls the energy usage of individual buildings of a group (or portfolio) of buildings in one or more load zones. These buildings have all contracted with an energy company which controls (directly or indirectly) the energy usage coordinator. By agreeing to lower energy usage during times of peak usage (when the energy company may otherwise have to pay very high prices on the spot or short term market), the owners or managers of the buildings receive a preferential energy rate from the energy company. Such a preferential rate may be in the form of a fixed rate reduction or a variable rate reduction. Alternatively, the energy company may determine that the energy is currently selling for twice what its building portfolio has contracted to pay for it so it requests some portion of the portfolio to reduce usage so that it can sell the excess/saved energy in the market. | 02-19-2009 |
20090118873 | VARIABLE RATE FEEDFORWARD CONTROL BASED ON SET POINT RATE OF CHANGE - A method of controlling a power generating unit or other process equipment with a slow reaction time includes creating a feedforward control signal to selectively include a fast response rate component or a slow response rate component based on the average rate at which a load demand set point signal has changed during a particular previous period of time. The method then uses the developed feedforward control signal to control the power generating equipment or other slowly reacting process equipment. In particular, a control method switches between introducing a fast or a slow response component within a feedforward control signal based on whether the change in the load demand set point over a particular period of time in the past (e.g., an average rate of change of the load demand set point signal) is greater than or less than a predetermined threshold. This method is capable of providing a relatively fast control action even if the expected load demand set point change is in a small range. In addition, this method does not require knowledge of the final or target load demand set point during the time in which the load demand set point is ramping up to a final target value and is not dependent on the ramp size, i.e., the ultimate difference between the load demand set point at the beginning of the load demand set point change and the final or target value of the load demand set point, making it more versatile than prior art systems. | 05-07-2009 |
20090177332 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROL SYSTEM, POWER SUPPLY CONTROL DEVICE, CONTROL TERMINAL, POWER SUPPLY CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A power supply control system, which allows the user to control, via a first network, the start or stop of power feeding to a power receiving apparatus connected to a second network, comprises a control terminal | 07-09-2009 |
20090198385 | STORAGE MEDIUM FOR STORING POWER CONSUMPTION MONITOR PROGRAM, POWER CONSUMPTION MONITOR APPARATUS AND POWER CONSUMPTION MONITOR METHOD - A power consumption monitor device monitors power consumption of one or more devices through a network. The monitor device includes a storage unit, a load information collecting unit and a power consumption estimation unit. The storage unit stores power consumption estimation information indicating a relation between power consumption and processing load of the one or more devices. The load information collecting unit collects load information indicating the processing load of the one or more devices through the network to the monitor device. The power consumption estimation unit estimates power consumption of the one or more device based on the collected load information and the power consumption estimation information. | 08-06-2009 |
20090216387 | METHODS AND SYSTEM TO MANAGE VARIABILITY IN PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY - Methods and systems to control loads coupled to an electric energy or power grid within corresponding ranges of load values in response to one or more factors, such as to manage variability in production of renewable energy. Loads may be controlled in response to an indication of balance between available power and loads and/or in response to new loads and/or grid disconnections, and may be controlled repeatedly over time to adjust a sum load in response to changes in one or more of balance between available power and loads, new loads, and grid disconnections. A load may be repeatedly adjusted over time to provide an electrical power requirement within a time frame while accommodating at least a portion of variations in the balance between available electric power and load. | 08-27-2009 |
20090240381 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMPTION - Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling energy consumption at a facility, or a group of facilities, using current and future energy prices, and seasonal and environmental information to control a load shedding scheme. | 09-24-2009 |
20090271048 | Power Transmitting Apparatus, Power Transmission Method, Program, and Power Transmission System - There is provided a power transmitting apparatus including a power transmission side communication unit for communicating with one or more power receiving apparatus for receiving transmitted power; a power transmission unit for transmitting power to the one or more power receiving apparatus in a non-contact manner; an allocating unit for dividing transmission of power from the power transmission unit to the power receiving apparatus to a plurality of dividing periods for every predetermined period, and allocating the one or more power receiving apparatus to one of the dividing periods; and a power transmission control unit for selectively transmitting power to the one or more power receiving apparatus for every dividing period based on the allocation result in the allocating unit. | 10-29-2009 |
20090281678 | Power Transmission Device, Power Transmission Method, Program, Power Receiving Device and Power Transfer System - There is provided a power transmission device including a communication part that performs communication with an external power transmission device that transmits power, a power transmission part that transmits power to a power receiving device that receives the transmitted power in a non-contact manner, a determination part that determines whether power can be transmitted, based on external power transmission information received by the communication part indicating a start of power transmission by the external power transmission device, and a power transmission control part that controls the power transmission part to selectively transmit power based on a determination result from the determination part. | 11-12-2009 |
20090287359 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING AN ENERGY CONSUMING LOAD - An apparatus for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads comprising the load and a plurality of other loads, including a transmitter to transmit a set of load state data generated from the load and a receiver to receive sets of load state data generated from the other loads. A processor generates the set of load state data from the load, to compile the set of load state data from the load with the sets of load state data from the other loads, and to process the compiled sets of load state data in order to make an enablement state decision for the load, wherein the enablement state decision reflects an enablement state of the load which is either a load enabled or a load disabled state. The enablement state decision is made independently of the other loads, and is implemented by a controller. | 11-19-2009 |
20090326730 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ACTIVATION OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the activation of an electronic device. For a desired activation ratio, which defines the “ON” time relative to the “OFF” time of the electronic device for a given time period, the method and apparatus according to the present invention evaluates an activation sequence. The activation sequence comprises two or more activation time periods and one or more deactivation periods, wherein the ratio between the two or more activation periods and the predetermined time period is equivalent to the desired activation ratio. | 12-31-2009 |
20100010685 | SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING AND COLLECTING ELECTRIC CHARGE FEE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An electric charge fee calculation and collection system for an electric vehicle includes a charge control unit that receives power from a power supply means and charges a battery of the vehicle; a power usage amount and cost calculation unit that measures a power usage amount supplied to the battery from the power supply means and calculates an electricity rate corresponding to the measured power usage amount; and a collection means that collects the electricity rate from a user. | 01-14-2010 |
20100017045 | ELECTRICAL DEMAND RESPONSE USING ENERGY STORAGE IN VEHICLES AND BUILDINGS - The present invention relates to a system having a building control system with a vehicle battery controller. The vehicle battery controller may be configured to control a vehicle battery charge and a vehicle battery discharge of a vehicle having a vehicle battery coupled to an electrical system of a building. | 01-21-2010 |
20100023177 | LOAD CONTROL MODULE - A load control module suitable for an electrical equipment is disclosed, wherein the electrical equipment is coupled to a switch. The load control module includes an energy storage unit, a microprocessor, and a pulse control unit. The energy storage unit still outputs a reserved voltage for a predetermined time when the switch is turned off. Besides, the energy storage unit switches the level of an indication signal according to the on/off state of the switch. Along with the change in the level of the indication signal, the microprocessor regulates the duty cycle of a modulation signal through different control methods respectively within and without a fine tuning time. Thereby, the load control module regulates the level of a control voltage according to the on/off state of the switch so as to achieve a diversified control function. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023178 | HYBRID VEHICLE RECHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A system and method for recharging a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The system includes a controller that schedules the recharging of the vehicles on local electrical distribution networks. The system arranges the schedule to minimize the demand loading on the local distribution network to more efficiently operate power plants providing electrical power to the distribution networks. A system for collecting charges associated with the recharging of plug-in hybrid vehicles is also disclosed providing for prepaid utility accounts. | 01-28-2010 |
20100049372 | ELECTROPORATION SYSTEM WITH DIAL-IN TIME CONSTANT - Methods, systems, and apparatus provide an accurate time constant for electroporation. A model voltage function is created (analog, digital, or combination) to provide a model voltage having the desired time constant. A voltage is applied to the sample. A comparing circuit compares the output voltage, which may be attenuated, to the model voltage and provides an output control signal. This output signal is used to modify a resistance in parallel with the sample, thereby altering the output voltage to approximate the model voltage, which has the desired time constant. In one aspect, the control signal may be used to turn on and off a transistor that is in series with a resistor in order to modify the parallel resistance. | 02-25-2010 |
20100063645 | Load balancing based on user input - Load balancing with user input is provided for a community of users having chargeable devices, such as plug-in electric or hybrid vehicles. The users of the community input user preferences, including a time frame for charging the chargeable device. User-specific charging properties, such as a time for charging and a rate of charging, are determined based on the user preferences. Since each user provides a time frame when their chargeable device is required, a utility manager is able to reduce the aggregate power demand by delaying when to charge the devices of the users who do not require the devices immediately. By controlling the charging properties of the users, a utility manager can decrease peak power demands and can balance the power consumption of the community with the supply available to the community. | 03-11-2010 |
20100070101 | CONSUMER DIRECTED ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Methods and systems for providing consumer directed energy management are described. Consumer defined triggers provide consumers and utilities with the ability to control residential energy usage, by managing manage multiple residential load control elements. A user interface is provided separately from the load control elements to allow the consumer to define his or her schedule and preferences for the purposes of controlling the multiple load control elements. In addition, settings on load control elements can be automatically adjusted based on information about consumer schedules and preferences obtained from other sources. In some embodiments, a utility interface allows utilities to implement improved energy load control. When a utility expects to implement a load control event, the utility can monitor consumer schedules and/or preferences, in order to achieve the desired energy reduction while reducing the impact on participating consumers' comfort. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070102 | COLLABORATIVE ENERGY BENCHMARKING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for providing collaborative energy benchmarking are described. Information including background data, energy consumption data, temporal data, and/or other information is gathered from multiple sources and stored in a central database. Based on the stored information, energy benchmarks are created for measuring residential energy usage. Energy usage data is displayed to consumers in multiple formats, and permits consumers to directly compare their energy usage data to other consumers or groups of consumers, in addition to their own energy usage. In some embodiments, energy challenge programs encourage reduction of energy usage. Through such programs, consumers create and present challenges for themselves and/or other consumers, such as to reduce energy usage during a given timeframe. The progress of the group and individual consumers is displayed during the course of a challenge. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070103 | METHOD FOR LOAD CONTROL USING TEMPORAL MEASUREMENTS OF ENERGY FOR INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT - A method for load control in an electrical distribution system using energy usage profiles based on temporal measurements. A load control unit ( | 03-18-2010 |
20100070104 | Cathodic protection monitor - A cathodic protection monitor is disclosed to be electrically connected to a cathodic protection rectifier that is adapted to prevent rust, corrosion and possible leakage in an underground pipe or storage tank above which the rectifier is supported. The cathodic protection monitor includes a CPU that reads, digitizes and stores analog current and voltage signals which are supplied from the DC output of the rectifier and are indicative of the effectiveness thereof. The monitor includes an ISM band transceiver and antenna by which the CPU is polled and from which packets of stored data are transmitted to a data collector at an overhead airplane or nearby motor vehicle for retransmission and analysis by the pipe owner or maintenance crew. Synchronized timing signals are supplied (from the National Bureau of Standards) to a stable auxiliary clock by way of a WWVB transceiver and antenna. The auxiliary clock from each of a plurality of cathodic protection monitors along the pipeline provides a synchronized clock control signal to a respective CPU which, in turn, generates a switched relay control signal to a relay of the cathodic protection rectifier. Accordingly, the relays of all of the cathodic protection rectifiers can be simultaneously energized and de-energized during successive time periods so that all of the cathodic protection rectifiers can be turned on and off at the same time as may be required to compile ground voltage readings along the pipeline as part of a government-mandated survey. | 03-18-2010 |
20100125375 | Apparatus and method for controlling power supplied to fixing unit - An apparatus and method for controlling the power supplied to a fixing unit are provided. The apparatus includes a voltage detector detecting a voltage of input power supplied to heat at least one heating lamp, a synch signal generator generating a synch signal in response to the detected voltage, a switching unit switching a supply path of the input power to be applied to the at least one heating lamp, and a controller having table information of temporal duty level values of the input power that is initially supplied, and outputting a control signal for controlling a switching operation of the switching unit using the generated synch signal and the table information, wherein the switching unit performs the switching operation corresponding to the control signal. Accordingly, by sequentially increasing the input power for initial heating of the heating lamps, flickering and harmonic characteristics of a display device can be reduced, and by setting the duty level values to supply the maximum input power within a certain time, an initial heating time of the heating lamps can be minimized. | 05-20-2010 |
20100125376 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, CIRCUITS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR REDUCING PEAK ELECTRICAL DEMAND BY SHIFTING ACTIVATION OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES - Methods of reducing peak electrical demand at a single customer location of an electrical service provider during at least one time interval during a day can include shifting the activation of a first electrical appliance located at the single customer location from the at least one time interval during a day to a second time interval during which a second electrical appliance is not activated for at least part of the second time interval. Related systems, circuits, and computer program products are disclosed. | 05-20-2010 |
20100131119 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM BETWEEN CONTROL UNITS FOR IRRIGATION DEVICES - A communication system between a main control unit ( | 05-27-2010 |
20100138069 | PRE-PROGRAMMED ENERGY MANAGEMENT BALLAST OR DRIVER - A pre-programmed energy saving ballast or driver is presented, having a pre-defined energy profile to which the output power is controlled in accordance with the current time ascertained from the input power connection via simplex clock information or from received broadcast time signals, and which allows a user to select from a number of pre-programmed profiles and/or to modify and store user-defined energy profiles. | 06-03-2010 |
20100152915 | OPERATION CONTROLLER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING OPERATIONS - An operation controller controls operations of a plurality of electrical loads mounted on a vehicle and includes a start-up request accepting unit and a start-up coordinating unit. The start-up request accepting unit accepts a start-up request from the electrical loads. The start-up coordinating unit: controls start-up of the electrical load, from which the start-up request is output, on the basis of a priority assigned to the electrical load; outputs a signal for restricting start-up to a first electrical load having a relatively high priority, when the start-up request accepting unit accepts the start-up request from a second electrical load having a relatively low priority; and allows the second electrical load to start up, when the first electrical load is stopped after a predetermined waiting time elapses since the signal has been output. | 06-17-2010 |
20100152916 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF STANDBY STATUS IN LINEAR AND NON-LINEAR CHARGES CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICITY MAINS AND AUTOMATIC DISCONNECTION THEREOF - The method permits the detection of ‘standby’ state’ in linear and non-linear loads connected to the power grid and their automatic disconnection, and comprises 4 main stages: a) Detection of the normal operating state of at least one load by means of detection, obtaining the maximum value of the current in said operating state, b) Detection of entry into ‘standby’ mode’ of the at least one load by the means of detection establishing said ‘standby’ state’ when the existing current value obtained in each load is less than a percentage P of the maximum value of the current of each load in normal operating state, c) Start of means of timing at a determined time T for each load when it goes into ‘standby’ mode’, and d) Disconnection of the at least one load and of the means of detection when value T is reached of the means of timing without the at least one load having returned to normal operating state. | 06-17-2010 |
20100161149 | ADAPTIVE AND USER LOCATION-BASED POWER SAVING SYSTEM - An adaptive, user-centric system and network for controlling power consumption by an appliance is described. The appliance may be any type of powered apparatus, such as A/C units, heaters, computers, lights, kitchen appliances, home media centers, and so on. The power to these appliances is based on an estimated arrival time of the user to the destination where the appliance is located. It may also be based on previous performance data for the particular appliance, that is, given the current conditions (e.g., various environment temperature readings), how long has it taken in the past for the appliance to reach a certain level of operation. The location of the user is determined by a device that has some location-based services and is able to transmit this location/position data in a message to a power-control server. The server applies rules contained in the message to derive an estimated arrival time for the user which is used to power appliances at the user's destination. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161150 | APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE ENERGIZING OF A HEATER - [Object] To provide a heater energization control apparatus which can detect that a heater has been exchanged. | 06-24-2010 |
20100179708 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES - A system and method of managing energy use in a home, and more particularly to energy management of household consumer appliances, are provided. Existing appliances can be modified with add-on features or modules, and likewise new energy saving features and functions can be incorporated into new appliances. Communication among a home energy manager, an appliance, and a utility meter measures energy usage and/or a local generator controls operation of various appliances such as a refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven/range, microwave oven, dishwasher, HVAC system hot water heater, and the like. | 07-15-2010 |
20100191388 | Wireless Network Control for Building Facilities - Wireless control of building facility systems via a wireless network using a wireless relay controller with a unique identifier. The wireless relay controller receives wireless control signals via a wireless communication network. The wireless relay controller determines that a wireless control signal concerns the wireless relay controller based on the unique identifier. The wireless relay controller further identifies a mode of operation for a specified relay indicated by the wireless control signal and controls the power to the specified relay in accordance with the wireless control signal. The wireless control signal may also monitor the power consumption of the load controlled by the specified relay and send that information to the network. | 07-29-2010 |
20100204849 | ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION CONTROL - An electrical appliance configured to receive power and a power consumption signal from an electrical power distribution system comprises an energy storage device and a controller. The energy storage device includes a heat storage medium and a heater. The heater is configured to heat the heat storage medium at a heating rate. The controller adjusts the heating rate based on the power consumption signal. | 08-12-2010 |
20100211233 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An energy management system manages energy consumption of managed device(s) disposed to receive energy via a meter connected to an energy supply, the energy supply. A system controller has a computer processor that instructs the managed device(s) to employ an operational mode based on the priority, the energy need, the demand state, and whether the energy consumption rate of the managed device(s) exceeds energy available from at least one of the external energy source and internal energy source. | 08-19-2010 |
20100235011 | DETERMINING OPTIMAL SETTINGS FOR RESOURCE ACTUATORS - A power model that relates the settings of resource actuators to power consumption levels of the resource actuators and a condition model that relates the settings of the resource actuators to an environmental condition at the location of the at least one entity and a power consumption level of the at least one entity are developed. A constraint optimization problem having an objective function and at least one constraint is formulated, where the objective function computes at least a proportional quantity of a total power consumption level of the resource actuators and the at least one constraint comprises a setpoint environmental condition at a location of the at least entity. A solution to the constraint optimization problem is determined, where the solution provides optimal values for the resource actuator settings. | 09-16-2010 |
20100241285 | TECHNIQUE FOR AGGREGATING LOADS WITH TIME-VARYING OPERATING CYCLES - Embodiments of a system, a method, and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for aggregating an energy service from a group of loads with time-varying operating cycles are described. This aggregation may be performed by an aggregator, which provides the energy service to a power-system operator. In particular, for a desired demand response, a demand-response mechanism may modify a demand response of a given load by mapping an initial operating cycle of the load before a demand-response event to a final operating cycle. In addition, the demand-response mechanism may transition the given load to a new operating cycle associated with the demand-response event using a temporal set-point trajectory. This aggregation technique may ensure that a distribution of phases of the group of loads is, on average, uncorrelated with each other, either by preserving or modifying the distribution of phases prior to the demand-response event. | 09-23-2010 |
20100250017 | GRAIN AERATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES - In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a networked grain aeration control system. For example, the system can provide centralized monitoring of the aeration of a number of grain storage facilities, thereby improving the management of stored grain. The networked grain aeration control system can allow the custodian of the system to offer an aeration service. Farmers, or other individuals, cooperatives, or companies can purchase the aeration service at a cost proportionate to the amount of stored grain to be aerated and the duration of storage. In this manner, the purchaser of the aeration service can avoid relatively high fixed costs that can be associated with various aeration hardware. | 09-30-2010 |
20100262315 | HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE, IN PARTICULAR DISHWASHER - A household appliance and method of controlling the household appliance. In an exemplary embodiment, the household appliance, such as a dishwasher, may include a control element structured to control the household appliance; a power supply structured to supply power to the household appliance; at least one display element for displaying at least one of an operating state and data about the household appliance; and a control device structured to supply electrical energy from the power supply, by actuation of the control element, to the at least one display element, and at least one of reduce and interrupt the power supply to the display element after a preset time period. | 10-14-2010 |
20100274408 | Energy production and consumption matching system - A system for balancing energy being consumed by a first device against the available energy being produced by a second separate device. One application for the invention is monitoring the amount of energy being produced by a photovoltaic array and using that information to control a load so that the load consumes substantially the same amount of energy as is then being produced by the array. | 10-28-2010 |
20100280677 | Lighting and energy control system and modules - The present disclosure generally relates to lighting and energy control systems. In some embodiments, a control module is provided that can facilitate installation of lighting systems and control power consumption. Control module may control a ballast coupled to one or more lamps in a light fixture or energy consuming devices on a circuit. The control module can retrofit with various junction boxes or light fixtures and thus enable energy and sensor controls to be deployed in a wide variety of lighting installations which may be inaccessible due to cost or installation constraints. Control device may include a control circuit which provides relaying and one or more interfaces to provide power controls to various devices, such as ballasts, motors, appliances, or other devices. The system may also include receivers and transmitters which can allow sensors or switches to control groups or zones of devices in the system remotely. | 11-04-2010 |
20100292861 | Networked power control system - A method for network energy controller that can optimize total system power consumption is provided. The controller ( | 11-18-2010 |
20100298999 | Energy Saving Control for a Field Device - A control for a field device comprises a monitoring unit that is separate from a control unit for controlling the field device which monitoring unit, when the control unit is in a sleep mode, waits for an activation signal in order to switch the control unit to the operating mode. | 11-25-2010 |
20100305773 | REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION IN A NETWORK BY DETECTING ELECTRICAL SIGNATURES OF APPLIANCES - An apparatus, system and methods system for reducing power consumption in a network including electrical appliances connected via electrical outlets to an electricity supplier and/or a system managing power consumption. The system comprises a management system and apparatuses, each comprising a measurement unit, a processing unit, an optional communications unit and a control unit, such that each apparatus is connected to an electrical outlet and is associated with an appliance or a group of appliances. Control units inject electrical signals via the associated electrical outlet to the electrical appliance. The measurement unit measures electrical parameters at the outlet, and the processing unit analyzes the electrical parameters measured in view of the electrical signal and detects the electrical signature of the associated electrical appliance therefrom. The electrical signature is utilized to characterize various characteristics of the electrical appliances and manage power consumption of the network. | 12-02-2010 |
20110015800 | Data Communication in a Multi-Wire Irrigation Control System - An irrigation control device having a modulator that modulates data onto an alternating power signal by distorting amplitude of a first leading portion of selected cycles of the alternating power signal, and permit effectively a full amplitude of the alternating power signal on a following portion of the selected cycles, wherein the first leading portion and the following portion are either both on a high side of a cycle or both on a low side of a cycle of the alternating power signal. The irrigation control device further includes an interface configured to couple the modulator to a multi-wire interface coupled to a plurality of irrigation devices to permit the alternating power signal to be applied to the multi-wire interface. | 01-20-2011 |
20110035076 | ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM AUTOMATION USING TIME COORDINATED INSTRUCTIONS - A system for controlling and automating an electric power delivery system by executing time coordinated instruction sets to achieve a desired result. A communication master may implement the execution of time coordinated instruction sets in a variety of circumstances. The communication may be embodied as an automation controller in communication with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). The communication master may also be embodied as an IED that is configured to coordinate the actions of other IEDs. The time coordinated instruction sets may include steps for checking status of power system equipment before executing. The time coordinated instruction sets may include reactionary steps to execute if one of the steps fails. The time coordinated instruction sets may also be implemented based on a condition detected in the electric power delivery system, or may be implemented through high level systems, such as a SCADA system or a wide area control and situational awareness system. | 02-10-2011 |
20110071698 | Flush Valve Hydrogenerator - A power generating device for use with a plumbing fixture includes: a volute configured to receive water from a water supply pipe; a stator having a plurality of blades positioned around a circumference thereof positioned within the volute; a rotor positioned within the stator; and a generator coupled to the rotor. The volute directs substantially all of the water received from the water supply pipe in a circumferential direction through the plurality of blades of the stator to the rotor, thereby causing the rotor to rotate. | 03-24-2011 |
20110077791 | ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - An electrical equipment management system includes: a total electrical energy information acquiring unit disposed in a building having a plurality of sections, the unit to acquire total electrical energy information indicative of total electrical energy consumed in a whole of the sections; an individual electrical energy acquiring unit to acquire individual electrical energy information indicative of electrical energy consumption in each section depending on the total electrical energy; and a control information output unit to output control information for controlling operation of electrical equipment disposed in the sections so that electrical energy consumption thereof does not exceed an upper limit, in accordance with difference between the individual electrical energy information and upper limit information indicative of an upper limit of electrical energy consumption for each predetermined period for each of the sections as well as remaining period information indicative of a remaining period before a lapse of the predetermined period. | 03-31-2011 |
20110093131 | Energy saving for household appliances - The house hold appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers are usually turned on all day (24/7) long. They consume electricity throughout day and night. The flow of electricity through these appliances can be controlled for a finite period of time so that the food or other stored products are not going to be spoiled. The consumption of electricity can be reduced significantly by using a programmable timer or time switch. The programmable timer or time switch can be plugged into the wall and the power chord of the refrigerator or freezer can be plugged into the timer. The timer or time switch can be built-in to the appliances. The refrigerator or freezer with a built-in timer will control the flow of electricity by deliberately shutting of the power for a fixed period of time. A significant amount of energy can be saved by using the proposed method of deliberately shutting off the power for a fixed period of time using a timer or time switch which can be built-in to the appliances or they can be individual unit where the appliances can be directly plugged in. | 04-21-2011 |
20110098869 | ELECTRIC APPLIANCE AND A CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An electric appliance and a control method thereof are disclosed. The electric appliance includes a communication device connected with a smart grid net to recognize electric power information including power-rate information for each time period, a sensing device configured to sense a predetermined operation mode and an operation state according to the operation mode, and a control device configured to implement power-saving operation based on the received electric power information and the state information sensed by the sensing device. | 04-28-2011 |
20110118894 | HIGH SPEED FEEDBACK ADJUSTMENT OF POWER CHARGE/DISCHARGE FROM ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM - The invention provides systems and methods for control of power charge/discharge from energy storage system. The invention also provides for power monitoring and management. A smart charge system may include a system sensor, one or more energy storage units, and a controller, which may receive information about the power demand, power provided by an electricity provider, and charge/discharge information from an energy storage unit. The information received may all be time synchronized in relation to a time based reference. The controller may provide instructions to an energy storage unit at a rapid rate. | 05-19-2011 |
20110118895 | Household Appliance - The present invention relates to a household appliance ( | 05-19-2011 |
20110130887 | REFRIGERATION MONITOR UNIT - A control unit is attached to or embedded within a refrigeration appliance to monitor electric power voltage and/or frequency supplied by the mains. If the unit detects a sag or peak in either the voltage or frequency, the control unit either separates any high demand elements of the appliance from the mains to reduce demand in a sag or energizes the elements in a peak. When the control system separates the refrigeration compressor from the mains, a food spoilage monitoring system monitors the food storage compartments. This system utilizes food industry temperature and time algorithms to ensure the food does not spoil. If food spoilage could occur, the unit re-energizes the compressor to allow it to lower the temperature provided the power is sufficient to operate the compressor unit without damaging it. Once the sensed temperature is restored to a safe level, the unit separates the compressor from the mains. | 06-02-2011 |
20110144821 | PRE-PROGRAMMED ENERGY MANAGEMENT BALLAST OR DRIVER - A pre-programmed energy saving ballast or driver is presented, having a pre-defined energy profile to which the output power is controlled in accordance with the current time ascertained from the input power connection via simplex clock information or from received broadcast time signals, and which allows a user to select from a number of pre-programmed profiles and/or to modify and store user-defined energy profiles. | 06-16-2011 |
20110153109 | DEMAND RESPONSE APPLIANCE MODULE - The present disclosure provides a method of controlling an appliance comprising: profiling at least one appliance including one or more power consuming functions connected with a home energy management system (HEM); defining an energy event corresponding to each of the one or more power consuming functions; developing a home energy profile in the HEM of all the energy events including a calendar of energy events; manipulating the home energy profile by a user wherein the user cancels, delays, reschedules, or enables processing of the calendar of energy events; and, communicating through a translator board wireless communication between the HEM and the at least one appliance. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153110 | RETURN OF APPLIANCE STATE AFTER DEMAND RESPONSE EVENT - In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of controlling an appliance is provided comprising establishing settings on an appliance related to threshold variables, wherein the settings include the threshold variables for determining a reaction of the appliance in response to reaching one or more of the threshold variables. The method further comprises sending a signal from an associated utility to the appliance, wherein the appliance includes a controller in signal communication with the associated utility. The controller receives and processes a signal from the associated utility, and converts and compares the signal to the threshold variables. The method still further comprises changing the operating of the appliance from a first state of operation to a second state of operation, wherein in the second state of operation one or more power consuming functions of the appliance are based on the comparison of the signal to the threshold variables and, returning the appliance to the first state of operation. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153111 | STANDBY POWER CONTROL DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Provided is a power control device and a control method thereof for reducing power consumption. A standby power control devices includes a plurality of electronic devices each of which is operated in a standby mode and a normal mode, and a central control unit configured to monitor load power consumed by one of the electronic devices, and perform a control operation for electrically connecting or isolating the one of the electronic devices to or from a power line by referring to a result of the monitoring and each profile information of the electronic devices, wherein the central control unit controls the one of the electronic devices to be isolated or keep a connection from or to the power line when the load power consumed by the one of the electronic devices is kept as the standby mode over a reference time. | 06-23-2011 |
20110172845 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING AN ENERGY CONSUMING LOAD - A method for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads and a method for managing the group of energy consuming loads. The method includes generating sets of load state data from the loads, making enablement state decisions for one or more loads using the sets of load state data, and implementing the enablement state decisions. An apparatus for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads, including a transmitter, a receiver, a processor for processing sets of load state data to make an enablement state decision for the load, and a controller for implementing the enablement state decision. A method for managing an enablement state of an energy consuming load, including assigning an assigned duty cycle to the load, determining a load enabled utilization value for the load, and adjusting the assigned duty cycle using the load enabled utilization value. | 07-14-2011 |
20110172846 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING AN ENERGY CONSUMING LOAD - A method for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads and a method for managing the group of energy consuming loads. The method includes generating sets of load state data from the loads, making enablement state decisions for one or more loads independently of the other loads using the sets of load state data, and implementing the enablement state decisions. A computer readable medium for providing computer readable instructions directing a processor in order to manage an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads. An apparatus including a processor programmed to manage an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads. | 07-14-2011 |
20110178652 | Dynamically Adjusting an Operating State of a Data Processing System Running Under a Power Cap - A mechanism is provided for dynamically power capping one or more units. A power capping mechanism sets a counter value corresponding to an initial energy budget assigned to a unit for a given interval. Responsive to the unit receiving an operation to perform during the given interval, the power capping mechanism decrements the counter value by a decrement value. Responsive to the given interval expiring, the power capping mechanism sends the counter value to a power control loop in the data processing system, receives a new energy budget from the power control loop, and resets the counter value to a value corresponding to the new energy budget assigned to the unit for a next interval. | 07-21-2011 |
20110184582 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OPERATIONS OF DEVICES BASED ON INFORMATION REGARDING POWER CONSUMPTION OF THE DEVICES - A method of controlling operations of a participating controlled device in a network that includes a control device and the participating controlled device, the method including: receiving operation limiting information from the participating controlled device, the operation limiting information including combinations of allowed operations from among a plurality of operations that the participating controlled device is capable of performing, and power consumption levels that are relative amounts of power consumption of the combinations of allowed operations; setting a power consumption level corresponding to the participating controlled device, from among the power consumption levels, based on information regarding time-based price and the operation limiting information; and controlling the operations of the participating controlled device based on the set power consumption level. | 07-28-2011 |
20110196547 | APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A POWER USING A SMART DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF - A smart device is discussed, which is connected to a smart grid to perform a power saving function. According to an embodiment, the smart device includes a power information receiving unit configured to receive power information through the smart grid network; a power saving control unit configured to perform the power saving function for at least one apparatus based on the power information in a power saving mode; at least one mode switching unit configured to switch from the power saving mode to a manual mode according to a user command; and a manual mode operational time determining unit configured to determine a manual mode operational time for operating the at least one apparatus in the manual mode, the at least one mode switching unit further configured to switch from the manual mode back to the power saving mode, automatically, when the manual mode operational time expires. | 08-11-2011 |
20110202198 | LOW COST AND FLEXIBLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH A SCHEDULING CAPABILITY - A method and system for controlling the operation of accessories in a home energy management system which manages a plurality of communication networks. The schedules are generated by using a central controller and interacting with a user interface found on a device separate from the central controller. The plurality of schedules are stored in the storage of the central controller, and a current schedule is selected from the stored schedules. The selected schedule is loaded onto an accessory through one of the communication channels for controlling the associate accessory. | 08-18-2011 |
20110208369 | Demand response method, computer-readable medium and system - A demand response (DR) system, computer-readable medium and method are disclosed. The DR system controls a high-power-consumption load to be pre-operated or post-operated in a low-power-rate interval instead of a high-power-rate interval, and reduces an amount of power consumption required for a high-power-rate interval, resulting in reduction of power rates. In addition, limitation to household appliance operation is minimized, to greatly reduce inconvenience of a user. | 08-25-2011 |
20110218691 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING REDUCED CONSUMPTION OF ENERGY USING AUTOMATED HUMAN THERMAL COMFORT CONTROLS - A system and method for reducing energy consumption at a site. The system and method may comprise a master control unit with a processor configured to receive data associated with a plurality of equipment at a site via a plurality of network elements communicatively coupled to the plurality of equipment. The master control unit may also be configured to determine control values based on the data and standard human thermal comfort values to ensure minimal energy consumption and optimized human thermal comfort level at the site. The master control unit may also transmitting the control values to the plurality of equipment via the plurality of network elements. | 09-08-2011 |
20110251731 | DEMAND RESPONSE METHOD AND DEMAND RESPONSE SYSTEM - A demand response (DR) method or a demand response (DR) system determines priority of each household appliance in response to a quality status of each household appliance, and variably controls a DR level of each household appliance according to the priority of each household appliance, to guarantee the quality of the household appliance and minimize power consumption. | 10-13-2011 |
20110264296 | UPDATING THERMOSTAT WEEKLY SCHEDULE OVER THE AIR - Provided is a method and system for updating of schedules to a device controlled by an energy management system. | 10-27-2011 |
20110282511 | Prediction, Communication and Control System for Distributed Power Generation and Usage - A system for predicting, communicating, displaying and utilizing data that is relevant to the distributed power generation and usage of electricity service via means that are easy to obtain, easy to interpret, and inexpensive. | 11-17-2011 |
20110301776 | In-Wall Occupancy Sensor with Mode Selection Features - An electrical wiring device operates in more than one operating mode and includes a microcontroller, an occupancy detection sensor communicably coupled to the microcontroller, and at least one accessible user interface communicably coupled to the microcontroller. The accessible user interface is accessible to an end-user without having to disassemble any portion of the device. The accessible user interface is manipulated to select one of several operating modes. In some embodiments, the device includes a night light that also can be an accessible user interface. In some of those embodiments, one of the operating modes includes a night light operating mode, wherein the device's operation is dependent upon the status of the night light. In some embodiments, an indicator is included to inform the end-user when to stop manipulating the accessible user interface. | 12-08-2011 |
20110307115 | AUTOMATIC MATCHING OF SOURCES TO LOADS - A method of matching sources to loads includes affecting load activity at a load with a pattern, receiving source activity data representing source activity at a plurality of sources, and matching the load to at least one source based on the source activity data. A system for matching sources to loads includes a load activity manipulator operably connected to a load and configured to affect load activity of the load with a pattern. The system for matching sources to loads further includes an activity monitor configured to receive source activity data representing source activity at the sources. The system for matching sources to loads also includes a matching engine operably connected to the activity monitor and configured to match the load to at least one source based on the source activity data. | 12-15-2011 |
20110307116 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, CIRCUITS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR REDUCING PEAK ELECTRICAL DEMAND BY SHIFTING ACTIVATION OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES - Methods of reducing peak electrical demand at a single customer location of an electrical service provider during at least one time interval during a day can include shifting the activation of a first electrical appliance located at the single customer location from the at least one time interval during a day to a second time interval during which a second electrical appliance is not activated for at least part of the second time interval. Related systems, circuits, and computer program products are disclosed. | 12-15-2011 |
20110313587 | Integrated Wireless Power Control Device - An integrated power control device and method are provided. In one embodiment, a device includes a body, a plurality of sockets for connection with a load, and a plurality of switch-controls each connected with corresponding one of the sockets and controlling power connecting to the load. The device further includes a microprocessor for the input, output, calculation and control of data and information flow, wherein the microprocessor issues commands to the switch-controls to execute switch on or off on the sockets, a timer, and a data storage unit for data storage so as to provide the microprocessor to access the data. A voltage-and-current detector detects voltage and current values and stores them into the data storage through the microprocessor. A voltage-current alerting unit receives the voltage values and current values and informs the microprocessor when the values exceed predetermined thresholds. Finally, a power computational unit calculates power consumption of the load. | 12-22-2011 |
20110313588 | POWER SAVING SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention relates to a method and a system to reduce losses of energy due to ripples, especially at the power grid, the ripples being short term power shortages or excess power. The method is based on the idea of shutting off energy consuming devices during a period of power shortage, if their operation is not necessary, and optionally to turn on such energy consuming devices during periods of excess power, if energy may be stored in them, especially when energy may be stored as some physical parameter or variable, being a part of the operation of the energy consuming devices, such as the temperature of a freezer. | 12-22-2011 |
20110320057 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USER DEFINED POWER CONSERVATION PERIODS - Electronic device communication systems and methods are operable to decrease power consumption in an electronic device during user defined power conservation periods. An exemplary embodiment identifies an occurrence of a start of a user defined power conservation period, maintains power to a first group of components in the electronic device, and shuts off a second group of components in the electronic device in response to the occurrence of the start of the user defined power conservation period. | 12-29-2011 |
20120004786 | PLC FUNCTION BLOCK FOR AUTOMATED DEMAND RESPONSE INTEGRATION - Systems and methods are described that allow a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to receive Demand Response (DR) data and process the data in a PLC Function Block (FB). Embodiments provide a PLC demand response FB that solicits DR data and a demand response load manager FB that compares the DR data with predetermined demand constraints corresponding to electrical equipment. The demand constraints provide energy consumption strategies for buildings and factories. | 01-05-2012 |
20120016532 | APPLIANCE INCORPORATING LOAD SELECTIVITY WITHOUT EMPLOYMENT OF SMART METERS - Methods and a system are disclosed for one or more appliances including a controller for managing power consumption within a household. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of one or more energy parameters of an associated energy utility, including at least a peak demand period or an off-peak demand period. A generated serial number is obtained from an original serial number of the appliance or controller, which is configured for a signal to communicate to the appliance within a population and command the appliance to operate in an energy savings mode and a normal mode at various time periods. The generated serial number (GSN) is used to segregate a total population into segments to provide granularity in assigning DR activations and deactivations based upon the GSN. | 01-19-2012 |
20120029719 | DSM ENABLING OF ELECTRO MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS - A system for reducing the peak power consumption in an electromechanically controlled refrigerator is provided. The system comprises a cold control device including a housing and a counter spring having at least one spring tension position corresponding to a temperature set point, a bourdon tube having a first end comprising an elastomeric diaphragm operatively associated with the counter spring, and a second end, opposite the first end, located in the compartment, wherein the counter spring is capable of providing a force against the diaphragm, and a DSM switching device operatively controlled by an associated DSM module. The DSM module is configured to receive a signal indicative of at least one of a peak or non-peak demand period of an associated utility. | 02-02-2012 |
20120046797 | PEAK LOAD OPTIMIZATION USING COMMUNICATING HVAC SYSTEMS - An HVAC system includes a first and a second electric motor. A load manager is coupled to the first electric motor. The load manager is configured to prevent the first electric motor from operating simultaneously with said second electric motor. | 02-23-2012 |
20120059530 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD - An energy management device manages a plurality of monitored devices distributed in a plurality of monitored areas. The energy management device determines whether a current time of each monitored area is during a monitored time of the energy management device. The energy management device acquires an area identifier and a body presence information from each of the monitored areas, and determines whether one or more monitored areas are under control and without body presence. If one or more monitored areas are under control and without body presence, the energy management device transmits one or more power-off commands to turn off the monitored devices located in the one or more monitored areas. | 03-08-2012 |
20120059531 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER - A method of controlling power to a plurality of devices on an energy network, wherein each device has an identifier which uniquely identifies the device on the network, the method comprising: generating a profile of the power associated with each device over a given time frame; and controlling the power to each device in accordance with the profile at a corresponding time frame on a different occasion. | 03-08-2012 |
20120078434 | MULTIVARIABLE CONTROL OF REGULATION AND FAST DEMAND RESPONSE IN ELECTRICAL GRIDS - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for resolving energy imbalance within an electrical grid. During operation, the system receives an imbalance signal and current outputs from a regulation service subsystem and a demand response subsystem. Subsequently, the system generates control signals for controlling future outputs of the regulation service subsystem and the demand response subsystem based on the imbalance signal and the current outputs, and applies the generated control signals to the regulation service subsystem and the demand response subsystem. | 03-29-2012 |
20120083938 | Consumer Energy Management System - A consumer energy management system includes a home gateway configured to receive at least CO2 emission intensity level information or power generation by renewable resources information associated with an electric power system, and a display unit configured to display the CO2 emission intensity level information or the power generation by renewable resources information received by the home gateway | 04-05-2012 |
20120095609 | ENERGY RESPONSE MANAGEMENT - TIME OF DAY METHOD - An energy management system is provided for an appliance comprising: an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device; the controller includes a memory for storing the schedule and firmware to determine whether there is any off-peak time segments and overnight time periods between a current time and a deadline for completing the operation; wherein upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller is arranged to initiate the operation when an amount of time required to complete the operation maximizes the off-peak time segment between the current time and the deadline; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller is arranged to initiate the operation immediately; and, deactivating an element of the operation if the operation is during the overnight time period. | 04-19-2012 |
20120101652 | Power management apparatus, power management system including the power management apparatus, and method for controlling the power management system - A power management apparatus includes a communication unit to receive power rate information from a power provider and receive power consumption information and reservation information from an electric device, and a controller to decide an operation order on the basis of power consumption information and reservation information of the electric device, perform scheduling to decide an operation start time on the basis of the power rate information and reservation information in the operation order, and control an operation time of the electric device on the basis of the scheduling result. As a result, the power management apparatus performs optimum scheduling of an electric device using power rate information provided from the power provider, and power consumption information and reservation information of the electric device, resulting in an increase in user satisfaction. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101653 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING ENERGY USAGE, - A system for reducing energy usage includes one or more utility meters each capturing energy load data on at least a 15 minute interval basis; a usage disaggregator coupled to one or more of the utility meters to disaggregate energy consumption for one or more predetermined appliances based on the electrical load interval signatures of each predetermined appliance; and an energy messaging module coupled to the energy usage disaggregator to help users reduce energy consumption. | 04-26-2012 |
20120109399 | ENERGY RESOURCE CONSERVATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An energy saving system includes a utility controller to transmit a signal for a demand response period or a peak energy price for a peak pricing period from a utility facility; and a display receiving the signal from the utility controller, the display having a first brightness mode operative during the demand response period or the peak pricing period, and a second brightness mode for other period. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109400 | LOAD SCHEDULING OPTIMIZATION IN DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM - A power distribution management system is disclosed for optimal power distribution for a predetermined class of loads and other loads. The power distribution management system include a substation for distributing power supply to a load network, where the load network includes the predetermined class of loads and other loads and the substation includes a plurality of feeders. The power distribution management system includes an optimizer for generating an optimal load schedule for a control period for the predetermined class of loads. The power distribution management system also includes a communication interface for communicating between the plurality of individual loads and/or the optimizer. | 05-03-2012 |
20120158204 | POWER CONTROL APPARATUS AND POWER CONTROL METHOD - The electric apparatus using electric power of the present invention includes a communication unit for receiving power information including electric rate information or power demand information on each of time zones from an outside of the electric apparatus, a timer for determining a user unused time period in which a user does not use the electric apparatus during operation of the electric apparatus, and a control unit for shifting the electric apparatus to a power saving mode with reference to the power information received through the communication unit, and the user unused time period determined by the timer. | 06-21-2012 |
20120166010 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR APPLIANCE USAGE SCHEDULING AND CONTROL USING ON-LINE CALENDAR SERVICES WITH OPEN API - A device and method for appliance usage scheduling and control using on-line calendar services with open API is disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. The device includes an on-line calendar with open API, a control server and a sensor network. The on-line calendar sets date and time schedule according to a user setting to generate a control data packet corresponding to the schedule. The control server receives the control data packet by an internet and generates at least a control signal according to the control data packet. The sensor network communicates with an electronic appliance by radio frequency and controls actions according to the control signal. | 06-28-2012 |
20120197455 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING POWER OF SMART APPLIANCE - A method and apparatus for managing power of a smart appliance is provided. The method includes acquiring, from the smart appliance, by an Energy Management System (EMS) for managing power of the smart appliance at home over a home network, terminal information including function information and power consumption information; monitoring power of the smart appliance and transmitting results of the results to an energy service provider; and controlling, upon receiving a power reduction command from the energy service provider, the power of the smart appliance based on the acquired terminal information. | 08-02-2012 |
20120203392 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A FLOW BATTERY SYSTEM BASED ON ENERGY COSTS - A method and system for storing and/or discharging electrical energy that has a cost, which method includes steps of: (a) providing a flow battery system comprising at least one flow battery cell and a controller; (b) operating the flow battery cell at a power density having a first value; and (c) changing the power density at which the flow battery cell is operated from the first value to a second value as a function of the cost of the electrical energy, wherein the power density is changed using the controller, and wherein the second value is different than the first value. | 08-09-2012 |
20120209445 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING NETWORK SYSTEM - A method of controlling a network system is provided. The method of controlling a network system includes recognizing power information comprising a peak time period and an operation time period of an energy consumption component and changing the operation time period when the peak time period is included in at least portion of the operation time period of the energy consumption component. | 08-16-2012 |
20120215370 | NETWORK SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - Provided is a network system, which includes an advanced metering infrastructure, a communication device, and an energy management system. The advanced metering infrastructure is configured to measure energy supplied from a power supply source. The communication device is configured to communicate energy information related with the energy. The energy management system recognizes the energy information to control driving of an electric product. The energy management system limits a function of at least one part of power consumption units constituting the electric product, based on whether the recognized energy information is an on-peak time period. Thus, the concentration of power consumptions can be removed, so that a power supplier can effectively manage power consumptions and a consumer can save electricity costs and energy. | 08-23-2012 |
20120215371 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING NETWORK SYSTEM - Provided is a method of controlling a network system. In the method, power information and time information regarding an operation of an electric product is recognized. Then, an energy-saving operation mode is provided to the electric product or the electric product is operated in the energy-saving operation mode for reducing an energy-related value based on the reccognized power information and the time information. | 08-23-2012 |
20120239219 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AND PROVIDING DISPATCHABLE OPERATING RESERVE ENERGY CAPACITY THROUGH USE OF ACTIVE LOAD MANAGEMENT - A method for generating a value for available operating reserve for electric utility. Electric power consumption by at least one device is determined during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data, stored in a repository. Prior to a control event for power reduction and under an assumption that it is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the device(s) is determined for a time period during which the control event is expected to occur based on stored power consumption data. Additionally, prior to the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event, and associated with a power supply value (PSV) are determined based on devices' power consumption behavior. Amount of available operating reserve is determined based on projected energy savings. | 09-20-2012 |
20120253537 | POWER SUPPLY METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM WHICH IS COMPUTER READABLE AND POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - The method of controlling a power generator generating electric power using renewable energy and a battery storing electric power generated by the power generator, comprising: acquiring data on an amount of electric power generated by the power generator at predetermined time intervals over a sampling period, the data being acquired as electric signals; computing a target output value for the electric power to be supplied to an electric power transmission system based on the data on the amount of electric power generated by the power generator; supplying to the electric power transmission system electric power equal to the target output value from at least one of the power generator and the battery; determining a fading condition of the battery; and varying the sampling period in accordance with the fading condition of the battery. | 10-04-2012 |
20120296486 | ENERGY MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT SECURITY SYSTEM - An energy management system. The energy management system includes at least one energy monitoring and control device configured to monitor the power usage of one or more electrical devices, and a security system communicatively coupled to at least one energy monitoring and control device and having at least one sensor configured to sense a security event. The security system is configured to receive information about the power usage of the electrical device and to determine an abnormal operation of the electrical device based, at least in part, on the received information about the power usage of the electrical device and a state of the security system. | 11-22-2012 |
20120296487 | OCCUPANCY SENSING WITH VACATE INPUT - An occupancy sensing system includes a vacate input to cause the system to turn lights on without substantial delay when a monitored space becomes occupied after turning the load off in response to the vacate input. A special vacate input may be eliminated by determining, in response to a manual-off input, if the space has been vacated. A dead time may be included to prevent the lights from being turned back on by movement that is detected as occupants vacate the monitored space after pressing a vacate or manual-OFF button. | 11-22-2012 |
20120296488 | INTUITIVE SCHEDULING FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT DEVICES - An energy management device providing a series of user interface enhancements that enable the creation and modification of energy management schedules. The energy management device may provide these user interface enhancements in connection with a touch screen interface, as the user interface receives and processes a variety of touch screen gestures from users intended to create and manipulate the energy management schedules. Specific embodiments described herein include calendar views with customizable periods of interest, calendar views with overlays of scheduling and pricing information, and clocks providing runtime indications of specific energy consuming systems. | 11-22-2012 |
20120316695 | System and Method for Managing Power Consumption - In accordance with particular embodiments, a method for managing power consumption includes receiving from a plurality of electricity relays an indication of a current state associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays. The method also includes receiving a power rate associated with a cost of power. The method further includes determining a threshold state based on the power rate and the current state associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays. The method additionally includes transmitting one or more control requests to one or more of the plurality of electricity relays. A first control request transmitted to a first electricity relay is based on the threshold state and a first current state associated with the first electricity relay. | 12-13-2012 |
20120323391 | KEEP ALIVE METHOD FOR RFD DEVICES - A method and system is disclosed that includes a controller that determines a sleep schedule for reduced function devices on a home network. The devices have various sleep schedules in which to operate in an active state or a reduced function state. The controller determines the different schedules by sending communication messages to each device via a communication module. A timer is used to determine a sleep schedule for reduced function devices (RFDs) on the network. The sleep schedule is used to monitor when the devices are communicating on the network and are no longer able to communicate with the controller. | 12-20-2012 |
20120323392 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES - A household appliance configured to communicate with a second household appliance, a network of household appliances that can communication with each other, and method of controlling an operation of a primary function unit of a first household appliance based on one of a priority scheme and synchronized duty cycles of the first household appliance and the second household appliance, wherein the first household appliance is configured to communicate with the second household appliance. The household appliance includes a primary function unit, a controller that controls an operation of the primary function unit, a two-way communication module that transmits and receives signals between the controller and the second household appliance. | 12-20-2012 |
20130006438 | Systems and methods for controlled startup of electrical devices loading a power line - An electrical system having a plurality of devices is supplied with power by a common power supply line. One of the devices has a circuit that slows or delays device startup or activation in response to a signal indicative of power demand, draw or use by another of the plurality of devices supplied with power by the common power supply line. | 01-03-2013 |
20130013124 | System and Method for the Multi-Dimensional Representation of Energy Control - A multi-dimensional energy control system is provided with an energy management software application that organizes the consumption of energy by a device as an n-dimensional energy space, where n is an integer greater than 2, and each axis in the energy space represents an energy consumption characteristic. The energy management application generates instructions for a device in response to calculating a compromise operating point in the energy space. A user interface (UI) connected to the energy management application has a display to receive a graphical representation of the energy space and compromise operating point, and an input to receive user commands for moving the represented compromise operating point in the represented energy space. The energy management application calculates the compromise operating point in the energy space to match the displayed compromise operating point. | 01-10-2013 |
20130041518 | Time clock control for outside lighting - A device and method to automatically control timing of outside lighting are achieved. An ephemeris program and a calendar are loaded into memory on a timing device. Power is applied to the device wherein a GPS circuit on the device is energized, and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Current Day (CD), and physical location of the device are determined from satellite signals through an antenna or alternately from a repeater circuit or a key fob type device. GMT and CD that are retrieved are stored in memory. Lighting on and off times are calculated by the ephemeris program based on physical location, the calendar, GMT, CD, and the user selected distance of the sun below the horizon. Lights are turned on and off based on the calculated on and off times. | 02-14-2013 |
20130060397 | MANAGEMENT OF POWER DISTRIBUTION CONSTRAINTS - A method for managing power distribution constraints in a power distribution network can include identifying the constraints at least one of before and during a time the constraint arises, identifying meters that are supplied by a portion of the power distribution network affected by the constraints, confirming an availability of dispatchable devices accessible by the meters, sending messages to the dispatchable devices, monitoring responses generated by the dispatchable devices, determining a resolution of the constraints for a duration of the constraint and resetting each resolution at the end of each constraint. | 03-07-2013 |
20130096729 | METHODS FOR MANAGING POWER CONSUMPTION FOR A HANDS-FREE DISPENSER - Methods for managing power consumption of a battery-powered device such as a fluid dispenser are disclosed. One method includes setting a duty cycle of a sensor used by the device to a first range and setting a timer upon detection of a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a second range. The method continues by checking for another triggering event during the second range. The checking step is repeated if the timer has not lapsed, but if the timer has lapsed the process returns to the setting step. Related methods may be used to adjust the duty cycle based upon a detected characteristic such as light, sound, motion or time. | 04-18-2013 |
20130103223 | SWITCHING ON END DEVICES ACCORDING TO NETWORK LOAD - An electrical device for connecting to an electrical distribution network of a building. The electrical distribution network is connected to an electrical energy supply network. The electrical device has a switching device for switching on and off an electrical load. For the purpose of relatively simple demand control of the electrical load, the electrical device has a monitoring device for monitoring the voltage and/or frequency at the electrical device on the distribution network side and to generate a switch-on signal if the monitored voltage and/or frequency exceeds an upper threshold value and to generate a switch-off signal if the monitored voltage and/or frequency falls below a lower threshold value. The switching device establishes a current flow between the distribution network and the electrical load when a switch-on signal is present and interrupts a current flow between the distribution network and the electrical load if a switch-off signal is present. | 04-25-2013 |
20130110305 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO IMPLEMENT DEMAND RESPONSE EVENTS | 05-02-2013 |
20130116847 | ADDING AND SHEDDING LOADS USING LOAD LEVELS TO DETERMINE TIMING - Some embodiments relate to a method of adding and shedding loads that are connected to a generator. The method includes determining whether a plurality of loads is being supplied with power by the generator and then determining the total load that the generator is supplying to the plurality of loads. The method further includes determining whether to change a number of the loads in the plurality of loads based on the amount of load L that is being supplied by the generator. The method further includes determining an amount of time T in which to change the number of loads in the plurality of loads based on the amount of load that is being supplied by the generator. | 05-09-2013 |
20130116848 | MULTICHANNEL POWER CONTROLLER - An object of the present invention is to provide a multichannel power controller for limiting the number of channels with outputs therefrom simultaneously turned on and enabling power conditioning that makes the ratio of the “ON time” to the “ON+OFF time” for the output proportional to the input value, thus allowing the power capacity of the power plant to be set to the minimum required value, when a plurality of channels are subjected to time-sharing output control. | 05-09-2013 |
20130124001 | MONITORING AND OPTIMIZING AN ELECTRICAL GRID STATE - Monitoring and optimizing a state of an electrical grid are provided. An approach for synchronizing state information and context information, associated with one or more electrical devices on an electrical grid, with time information is provided. The state information is from one or more phasor measurement units (PMUs) associated with the one or more electrical devices, and the context information is from one or more third party servers. The approach further includes notifying one or more subscribing devices of the synchronized state information and the synchronized context information such that the one or more subscribing devices monitors and controls the one or more electrical devices based on the synchronized state information and the synchronized context information. | 05-16-2013 |
20130124002 | STAGGERING AND FEATHERING OF DEMAND RESPONSE AND ENERGY SUPPLY CHANGE IN A MANAGED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - One embodiment of the present invention provides an energy-management system for managing energy within a predominantly closed power system. During operation, the system obtains one or more control actions that control energy transitions of a plurality of components, receives transitional characteristics associated with the components, and schedules the energy transitions by generating a set of offsets. A respective offset results in a delay of at least one energy transition. | 05-16-2013 |
20130173079 | POWER MANAGEMENT SERVER APPARATUS, POWER MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND POWER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - According to one embodiment, in order to manage the power consumption at a user's electrical apparatuses, the user's activity schedule is registered in various patterns, and the operation schedule of the electrical apparatuses is stored in various patterns. The operation schedule of the electrical apparatuses is specified in accordance with the user's activity schedule registered. The electrical apparatuses are controlled in accordance with the operating schedule thus specified. The power consumption at the home appliances can thereby be appropriately managed in various conditions, to meet the user's activity schedule and preference. | 07-04-2013 |
20130178998 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING POWER SYSTEMS - A power distribution network system is provided. The system includes a plurality of metering devices configured to generate load side data, a plurality of processing subsystems that is in operational communication with at least one of the plurality of metering devices and a central processing subsystem, wherein the plurality of processing subsystems is configured to receive a subset of the load side data from at least one of the plurality of metering devices, receive supervisory controls and supervisory conditions from the central processing subsystem, determine whether one or more of the supervisory conditions are satisfied based upon the received subset of the load side data, and execute one or more of the supervisory controls based upon the determination whether one or more of the supervisory conditions are satisfied, wherein each of the plurality of processing subsystems is located at a load bifurcation point in the power distribution network. | 07-11-2013 |
20130238160 | Home Energy Management Device With Energy Management Indicator - According to an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus includes a processor operable to manage energy use at a site wherein the processor is configured to detect a user interaction with the apparatus and create a personalized schedule automatically in response to the user interaction. The apparatus can also include a first profile accessible to the processor, wherein the first profile includes a first personalized schedule, and a second profile accessible to the processor, wherein the second profile is different from the first profile and includes a second personalized schedule. In addition, the processor can be configured to determine when to use the first profile or the second profile, initiate an outgoing message using the first or second personalized schedule, and update the first or second profile in response to a user interaction with an interface of the apparatus during use of the first or second personalized schedule. | 09-12-2013 |
20130253724 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR USE IN OPERATING ENERGY CONSUMING DEVICES USING LOAD SHEDDING OVERRIDE SCHEDULES - System, method, and computer-executable instructions for use in operating one or more energy consuming devices. A load shedding schedule and a load shedding override schedule that is associated with an energy consuming device are determined The energy consuming device is enabled during any portion of the load shedding schedule that coincides with the load shedding override schedule. The energy consuming device is disabled during any portion of the load shedding schedule that does not coincide with the load shedding override schedule. | 09-26-2013 |
20130253725 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR APPLIANCE ACTIVATION AND DEACTIVATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE - The invention consists of an electrical circuit having an internal CPU with clock, and means for switching external loads. By means of the CPU, clock, and possibly internal lookup tables, times during which certain circuits are to be switched off or on are determined. For example the CPU may be programmed to determine the time of the Sabbath onset each week, this time in fact shifting with the seasons as it is linked to the time of sunset. By use of the switching means (which may be implemented in the form of relays for instance) appliances such as lights, heaters and the like may be switched on or off for the duration of various events such as Sabbath, holidays, and the like, in accordance with yearly or multi-year calendars. | 09-26-2013 |
20130261832 | Thermal Management System, Vehicle and Associated Method - A system includes a cooling system having a cooling fluid for cooling an engine and a radiator fan motor; a dynamic braking system configured to supply electrical energy to the fan motor during a braking event; and a controller that is operable to direct the electrical energy from the dynamic braking system to the fan motor to cool the coolant to a predetermined minimum threshold temperature. A method includes switching a vehicle thermal management system from a first mode of operation in which the coolant is maintained at a steady operating temperature to a second mode of operation in which the coolant is cooled to a minimum threshold temperature. | 10-03-2013 |
20130268137 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING AN ENERGY CONSUMING LOAD - A method for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads and a method for managing the group of energy consuming loads. The method includes generating sets of load state data from the loads, making enablement state decisions for one or more loads using the sets of load state data, and implementing the enablement state decisions. Each of the enablement state decisions reflects an enablement state of a load, wherein the enablement state is either a load enabled state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating or a load disabled state where the load is not capable of operating. A computer readable medium may include computer readable instructions for directing a processor to perform the methods and make the enablement state decision. Further, an apparatus comprised of a processor may be programmed to perform the methods. | 10-10-2013 |
20130274945 | PLUG ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALLEVIATING PEAK LOADS - Methods and arrangements for load-shifting time deferrable devices. An electrical load scheduling mechanism is provided, and this is placed in communication with an appliance. Electrical grid load conditions are assessed, and delivery of electrical power to the appliance is scheduled via the electrical load scheduling mechanism. The scheduling includes altering a predetermined delivery of electric power to the appliance based on the assessed electrical grid conditions | 10-17-2013 |
20130297091 | DEMAND COORDINATION NETWORK CONTROL NODE - An apparatus for controlling peak demand of a system of energy consuming devices, including a first control node coupled to a second control node via a demand coordination network. The first control node has a node processor and a global schedule module. The node processor is coupled to a first energy consuming device, and operates the first energy consuming device within an acceptable operating margin to maintain a first local environment by cycling on and off. The global schedule module is coupled to the first node processor, and coordinates run times for the first energy consuming device and a second energy consuming device, where the coordination is based on a replica copy of a global run time schedule disposed within the first and second control nodes, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first local environment, and an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second local environment. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297092 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING PEAK ENERGY DEMAND - An apparatus including a monitor node and a first control node. The monitor node determines and broadcasts whether a non-system device is consuming an energy resource over a network. The first control node coupled to the monitor node and a second control node via the network. The first control node has a node processor and a global schedule module. The node processor operates a first energy consuming device to maintain a first local environment. The global schedule module is coupled to the first node processor, and coordinates run times for the first energy consuming device and a second energy consuming device based on a replica copy of a global run time schedule disposed within the first and second control nodes, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first local environment, an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second local environment, and energy consumption data broadcast by the monitor node. | 11-07-2013 |
20130304273 | CONFIGURABLE DEMAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - An apparatus including a network operations center and a first control node. The network operations center provides configuration data to the system of energy consuming devices. The first control node coupled to the network operations center and a second control node via a network. The first control node has a node processor and a global schedule module. The node processor operates a first energy consuming device to maintain a first local environment. The global schedule module is coupled to the first node processor, and coordinates run times for the first energy consuming device and a second energy consuming device based on a replica copy of a global run time schedule disposed within the first and second control nodes, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first local environment, an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second local environment, and the configuration data provided by the network operations center. | 11-14-2013 |
20130304274 | ENERGY SUPPLY SYSTEM - An energy supply system includes: an energy supply device configured to supply electric power and/or heat; and a controller configured to set a first maximum operation time of a first specified period including a plurality of second specified periods, the first maximum operation time being an upper limit of an operation time of the energy supply device in the first specified period; calculate and set a second target maximum operation time of each of the second specified periods of the first specified period such that the operation time of the energy supply device in the first specified period does not exceed the first maximum operation time, the second target maximum operation time being a target value of an upper limit of the operation time of the energy supply device in the second specified period; and reconfigure the second target maximum operation time of a future second specified period of a certain first specified period based on a time in which the energy supply device has been actually operated in a past second specified period of the certain first specified period. | 11-14-2013 |
20130310999 | ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT SHARING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS - Electric vehicle charging stations are coupled with a circuit sharing controller. Multiple electric vehicle charging stations are wired on the same electrical circuit. The circuit sharing controller implements a circuit sharing process that dynamically allocates electric current to charging stations on the same electrical circuit such that the capacity of the electrical circuit is not exceeded while permitting each of those charging stations to draw electric current through that electrical circuit for at least some amount of time. | 11-21-2013 |
20130311000 | ELECTRIC POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ELECTRIC POWER MANAGEMENT METHOD - The HEMS of each consumer transmits the amount of surplus electricity that is expected by to be generated by a PV system, and/or the amount of electric power that is needed by a controllable load, in a predetermined time slot on a predetermined date, to a server apparatus. The server apparatus, based on the notified amount of surplus electricity and the amount of electric power that is needed by the controllable load, combines a first consumer and a second consumer so that the amount of electric power needed by the controllable load will be equal to or greater than the amount of surplus electricity. Then, under the control the HEMS of the second consumer, the surplus electricity that is generated by the first consumer is consumed by each controllable load. | 11-21-2013 |
20130317662 | NETWORK SYSTEM - A network system is provided. The network includes: at least one component selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit. The energy receiving unit or the energy management unit receives energy rate related information; an energy usage amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the basis of at least the energy rate related information is less than that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at least energy rate related information; and if the energy rate related information is high cost information, a function of one component constituting the energy receiving unit is limited and a function of another component constituting the energy receiving unit is performed. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317663 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING AN ENERGY CONSUMING LOAD - A method for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads. The method includes generating and compiling sets of load state data from the load and other loads, making an enablement state decision for the load using the compiled sets of data, wherein the enablement state decision reflects either a load enabled or load disabled state, and implementing the enablement state decision for the load. An apparatus for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads, including a transmitter for transmitting the set of load state data from the load, a receiver for receiving sets of load state data from other loads, a processor for processing the load state data to make an enablement state decision, and a controller for implementing the decision. A computer readable medium provides computer readable instructions for directing the processor, wherein the instructions perform the method. | 11-28-2013 |
20140025219 | HOME ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH SABBATH COMPLIANT FUNCTIONALITY - A home energy management system simplifies the process of enabling and executing the Sabbath mode and similar operating modes on household devices. A central location, or central node device, is provided which enables the end user to selectively modify operation of the household devices, e.g., from a normal operating mode to the Sabbath mode. | 01-23-2014 |
20140025220 | TECHNIQUES FOR CONTROLLING ENERGY GENERATION AND STORAGE SYSTEMS - Techniques for controlling energy generation and/or storage systems. In one embodiment, a method is provided that can comprise receiving from a control server a plurality of schedules for controlling the charging and discharging of an energy storage device, where each schedule corresponds to a function that takes as input one or more input parameters and returns as output an output parameter corresponding to a power level for the energy storage device. The method can further comprise determining relative priorities for the plurality of schedules and controlling charging/discharging of the energy storage device based on the plurality of schedules and their relative priorities. | 01-23-2014 |
20140025221 | SMART ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND ASSOCIATED NETWORKS - A control system ( | 01-23-2014 |
20140032007 | METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING AN ENERGY FLOW OVER A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME TO A CLUSTER OF A PLURALITY OF DEVICES TAKING INTO ACCOUNT CONSTRAINTS RELATING TO THE ENERGY TO BE DELIVERED TO THE DEVICES, A COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR PERFORMING SUCH A METHOD AND A SYSTEM THEREFOR - Method for distributing an energy flow to a cluster of a plurality of devices taking into account constraints relating to the energy to be delivered to the devices, comprising the steps of: A. gathering flexibility information of the respective devices in the cluster, combining the flexibility information of the devices of the cluster into flexibility information for the cluster, B. determining accumulated energy to be delivered in function of time over the predetermined period of time, C. supplying the determined accumulated energy to the cluster by obtaining, from the flow of energy, power in function of time based on the determined accumulated energy to be delivered in function of time, determining priority for power for all devices in the cluster and distributing the obtained power among the devices of the cluster. | 01-30-2014 |
20140088785 | MANAGEMENT OF THE ENERGY SUPPLY FOR A LOCAL ENERGY TRANSPORT NETWORK - The invention relates to a system for managing the supply of energy of a client device connected to an energy transport network, said system comprising a switching device connected to said network, said system comprising an energy storage means connected to said network via the switching device, wherein the switching device is able to be configured according to three configuration modes, the system also comprising a control device comprising means for comparing a level of energy stored in the storage means and a local threshold of charge of the storage means and means for determining and assigning to the switching device a configuration mode from among the three configuration modes according to the result of said comparison. | 03-27-2014 |
20140129042 | Community Based Energy Management System - An energy management system for a localized community serviceable by a power equivalent of no more than about 100 MW of electrical energy. The system and techniques thereof are directed at managing allocations of total available energy generated at the localized community as between current use and storage. Further, the management of the energy is enhance through a variety of optimizations (e.g. optimizers) that may be applied to a variety of different, polygenerating energy-types available to the community. | 05-08-2014 |
20140156098 | POWER DEMAND MANAGEMENT ON A LOW VOLTAGE NETWORK WITH A PLURALITY OF INTELLIGENT SOCKETS - An electricity substation | 06-05-2014 |
20140163763 | METHOD FOR SCHEDULING AN APPLIANCE OPERATION - A method for scheduling an appliance operation is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of signals. Each signal has an on-peak signal. Based upon the plurality of signals, a predicted on-peak time value is determined. The predicted on-peak time value can be used to determine when to execute an appliance operation in order to avoid operating the appliance during an on-peak time period. | 06-12-2014 |
20140200730 | TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH - A time controlled electrical switch operable in a Sabbath state and in a working day state, comprising a switching component for selectively directing the supply of electrical power, or for selectively transmitting a logical input, to a device; a memory device in which is stored local sunset information, calendar information, and predetermined rules for initiating a state changing event relating to a Sabbath state and a working day state; a logical circuit in data communication with the switching component, and a time supplying device. The logical circuit is operable to transmit a signal to the switching component for initiating the state changing event in response to an instantaneous time indicated by the time supplying device and the stored local sunset information, calendar information, and predetermined rules. | 07-17-2014 |
20140214229 | LOW-FREQUENCY PWM APPLIANCE RESPONSE TO DEMAND RESPONSE MANAGEMENT SIGNALS - The present subject matter relates to energy management. Home energy management (HEM) devices are directed from a central control system to modify energy usage among appliances/loads within individual homes to meet energy source demand limitations. The HEM devices may work in cooperation with a group of such devices as a unit to negotiate with the central control system and then individually to control energy usage for their separately controlled home appliances/loads to meet group negotiated aggregate energy usage modification, for example, usage reductions so as to minimized peak usage demands on the energy source. | 07-31-2014 |
20140222238 | Grid Optimization Resource Dispatch Scheduling - Data comprising a request specifying a desired change in electrical load for a defined period of time is received. The electrical load is associated with a plurality of resources under control of resource agents and on a utility grid. Available capacity of resources within the control of each resource agent over the defined period of time is determined. Each available capacity is determined at least using a resource load model. Using the determined available capacity of resources over the defined period of time, resource scheduling instructions are calculated for a subset of resources. The resource scheduling instructions satisfy the desired change in electrical load of the request. Data characterizing the resource scheduling instructions is provided. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and articles are also described. | 08-07-2014 |
20150032281 | Method and Apparatus for Controlling Power Compensation of Wind Power Generating System - The present invention relates to the power compensation of a wind power generating system, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for controlling the power compensation of a wind power generating system, said method and apparatus being capable of compensating for the surplus and deficiency of the generated power by means of a battery and reducing the load on a battery to extend the life of the battery. To this end, the method of the present invention comprises: a step of detecting the output power obtained from wind power generation; a step of comparing the detected output power with a preset instructed value so as to smooth the output power; a step of performing a charging or discharging operation on a bank on the basis of the result of the comparison; and a step of updating the use priority of the bank on the basis of the time during which the charging or discharging operation is performed on the bank. | 01-29-2015 |
20150039149 | System and method for estimating and providing dispatchable operating reserve energy capacity through use of active load management - A method for generating a value for available operating reserve for electric utility. Electric power consumption by at least one device is determined during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data, stored in a repository. Prior to a control event for power reduction and under an assumption that it is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the device(s) is determined for a time period during which the control event is expected to occur based on stored power consumption data. Additionally, prior to the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event, and associated with a power supply value (PSV) are determined based on devices' power consumption behavior. Amount of available operating reserve is determined based on projected energy savings. | 02-05-2015 |
20150057824 | AUTOMATED DEMAND RESPONSE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - The power flexibility of energy loads is maximized using a value function for each load and outputting optimal control parameters. Loads are aggregated into a virtual load by maximizing a global value function. The solution yields a dispatch function providing: a percentage of energy for each individual load, a time-varying power level for each load, and control parameters and values. An economic term represents the value of the power flexibility to different players. A user interface includes for each time interval upper and lower bounds representing respectively the maximum power that may be reduced to the virtual load and the maximum power that may be consumed. A trader modifies an energy level in a time interval relative to the reference curve for the virtual load. Automatically, energy compensation for other intervals and recalculation of upper and lower boundaries occurs. The energy schedule for the virtual load is distributed to the actual loads. | 02-26-2015 |
20150066231 | Building Management and Appliance Control System - The present disclosure is directed to energy storage and supply management system. The system may include one or more of a control unit, which is in communication with the power grid, and an energy storage unit that stores power for use at a later time. The system may be used with traditional utility provided power as well as locally generated solar, wind, and any other types of power generation technology. In some embodiments, the energy storage unit and the control unit are housed in the same chassis. In other embodiments, the energy storage unit and the control unit are separate. In another embodiment, the energy storage unit is integrated into the chassis of an appliance itself. | 03-05-2015 |
20150081128 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING NORMAL FACILITY OPERAITON IN A DEMAND COORDINATION NETWORK - An apparatus, including a plurality of devices, a network operations center (NOC), and a plurality of control nodes. Each device consumes a portion of the resource when turned on, and performs a corresponding function within an acceptable operational margin by cycling on and off. The NOC generates a plurality of run time schedules that coordinates run times for the each of the plurality of devices to control the peak demand of the resource. Each of the control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the devices. The plurality of control nodes transmits sensor data and device status to the NOC for generation of the plurality of run time schedules, and executes selected ones of the run time schedules to cycle the plurality of devices, and employs the sensor data and device status in a model to detect exceptions to normal operation of a facility. | 03-19-2015 |
20150120075 | ANALYTICS FOR CONSUMER POWER CONSUMPTION - A system and method for centralized statistical analysis and control of power consumption is provided. The centralized statistical analysis, performed by a centralized power utility management system, may then be compared with one or more goals of the customer. Based on the comparison of the statistical analysis with the one or more goals of the customer, one or more actions may be taken including controlling one or more appliances resident at the customer premises. | 04-30-2015 |
20150127184 | Water Heater Demand Side Management System - A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater upper and/or lower temperature and controls upper and/or lower water heater heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use patterns and/or measured capacity. One embodiment is adapted for use with existing water heaters without disrupting safety features of the existing water heater. | 05-07-2015 |
20150142199 | METHODS FOR MANAGING POWER CONSUMPTION FOR A HANDS-FREE DISPENSER - Methods for managing power consumption of a battery-powered device such as a fluid dispenser are disclosed. One method includes setting a duty cycle of a sensor used by the device to a first range and setting a timer upon detection of a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a second range. The method continues by checking for another triggering event during the second range. The checking step is repeated if the timer has not lapsed, but if the timer has lapsed the process returns to the setting step. Related methods may be used to adjust the duty cycle based upon a detected characteristic such as light, sound, motion or time. | 05-21-2015 |
20150148980 | COOKING SYSTEM POWER MANAGEMENT - A cooking environment is described for allocating power between multiple cooking systems and providing a calculated amount of energy to a cooking system. The cooking systems can each include a receptacle and a heating/cooling element to heat a product within the receptacle. A controller can receive requests for power from the cooking systems. Based on the requests for power, the controller allocates an amount of time within a time period in which the heating/cooling elements of each cooking system receive electrical energy. The controller can also allocate specific intervals within the time period in which the heating/cooling elements receive electrical energy. | 05-28-2015 |
20150293510 | MANAGEMENT METHOD, CONTROL APPARATUS, AND POWER STORAGE APPARATUS | 10-15-2015 |
20150355635 | MONITORING LOAD OPERATION - A method of monitoring power usage of a load includes defining one or more parameters of the load that vary with a mode of operation of the load, receiving measurement data related to the one or more parameters of the load over a first period of time, recording the measurement data, determining a plurality of groups, each group defining a set of measurements in a continuous range of values, each group having a lower threshold value and an upper threshold value, the lower and upper threshold values defined by having less than a minimum threshold number of recorded measurements of the lower and upper threshold values, and associating a mode of operation with each of the plurality of groups. | 12-10-2015 |
20150357848 | Managing a Picogrid with a Computing Device - Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing a picogrid with a computing device are provided herein. A method includes generating one or more power-related models based on (i) data pertaining to a given device battery, (ii) data pertaining to one or more context sources, and (iii) one or more items of power-related historical data; determining a charging schedule for the given device battery to provision power for a picogrid based on the one or more power-related models, wherein said picogrid comprises a set of one or more additional devices connected to (i) the given device and (ii) an energy storage component; and implementing the charging schedule on the given device. | 12-10-2015 |
20160011575 | MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING DEVICES USING MODULATED ELECTRICITY | 01-14-2016 |
20160070249 | GRID TIED, REAL TIME ADAPTIVE, DISTRIBUTED INTERMITTENT POWER - A method for predicting the reactive power needs (or other power characteristic needs) for a plurality of customer circuits on an intermediate circuit operably connected to the grid by averaging measurements of utility power characteristics (such as power factor, frequency, and voltage) from a plurality of energy management controllers (or other measuring devices) connected to said customer circuits so that the utility or other grid participant can tailor its power output to meet active and reactive power needs (or other power characteristic needs) to improve transmission efficiency, increase capacity and avoid voltage fluctuations. | 03-10-2016 |
20160072281 | POWER CONTROL SYSTEM - In a power control system which connects power from the power storage device to a power grid and supplies power to a load, the power from the power storage device is connected to the load and the power grid via a DC/DC converter, a smoothing capacitor, and a DC/AC converter. By a first power control unit for controlling flow power of the power grid to be a power command value, and by a second power control unit for suppressing reverse flow power, an output power command for the DC/AC converter is generated, an output power command for the DC/DC converter is generated so that voltage of the smoothing capacitor becomes target voltage, and the output power command is corrected so as to suppress voltage variation in the smoothing capacitor. | 03-10-2016 |
20160099567 | Dynamic and Adaptive Configurable Power Distribution System - A power distribution system is dynamically and adaptively configured in real-time to improve energy efficiency, reliability and power quality, particularly if the system includes renewable sources and storages. An optimal multi-objective scheduling and partitioning method is provided to partition the system into self-sufficient sections (SSS) through optimally combination of adjacent basic switching sections (BSS). The SSSs enable system operating at a lower cost, with less power losses, more energy efficiency, improved power quality, and sufficient transient security. The method uses two storage based transient security indices, storage compensation power margin (SCPM) and storage compensation energy margin (SCEM) evaluate the transient stability margin of distribution system. A minimal stability margin is used to ensure that the system remains stable when subject to large unexpected load deviations. | 04-07-2016 |
20160118794 | CONTROLLED DEVICE, CONTROL DEVICE, DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND DEVICE CONTROL SYSTEM - A controlled device that is capable of executing a predetermined operation set in advance and is also capable of executing an instructed operation in accordance with a control instruction transmitted from a control device that performs power control for the consumer's facility. The controlled device includes a communicator configured to acquire a control instruction from the control device; and a controller configured to execute, when the control instruction has been acquired, the instructed operation in accordance with the control instruction, and to measure, each time the control instruction has been acquired, an elapsed time period that has passed since acquisition of the control instruction, wherein the controller executes the predetermined operation once the elapsed time period since the previous acquisition of the control instruction has reached a predetermined time period without additional acquisition of the control instruction. | 04-28-2016 |
20160134116 | REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA PUBLISHING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments of the present technology may include a method to enable real-time data requests. The method may include subscribing to real-time data enable requests for a device on an energy generation (EG) network. The method may also include intercepting, from a requester, a request for real-time data for the device on an EG system within the EG network. The method may further include publishing a single request to the device to post a single measurement corresponding to the real-time data request. The single request may be published at less than or equal to a predetermined frequency for a request cycle that lasts for a predetermined duration. | 05-12-2016 |
20160137085 | RECHARGING OF BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON A SMART ELECTRICAL GRID SYSTEM - A method for recharging an electric vehicle includes receiving, by a control module and from the vehicle in transit along a route having a number of stops for passenger pickup, a current charge level and a current location. The stops include recharging stations for recharging the vehicle. The method includes receiving from a next stop, an anticipated stop time at the next stop for the vehicle. The method includes determining a power output to be supplied to the vehicle by a recharging station at the next stop based on the current charge level. The power output comprises an amount of power to be supplied at the next stop, the amount of power for satisfying a minimum amount of charge to enable the vehicle to arrive at a subsequent stop after the next stop. The method includes transmitting, to the recharging station at the next stop, the power output. | 05-19-2016 |
20160141874 | Charging Electronic Devices - A device and method are presented by which a client device can be charged according to a charging scheme which takes accounted of predicted energy cost over a charging interval and the predicted discharge rate of the client device in that time. Multiple client devices can be controlled to optimise the times at which they are charged from the power network in order to minimise energy costs. | 05-19-2016 |
20160149408 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF ENERGY DELIVERY SYSTEMS - Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatus for controlling an energy delivery system including providing an energy management system (EMS) having an automatic generation control (AGC) system including a load frequency control (LFC) module; executing two or more performance standard functions implemented within the LFC module using input data regarding the energy delivery system, wherein at least one of the performance standard functions is defined to be dependent upon another of the performance standard functions; and implementing corrections to the operation of the energy delivery system based upon solution results of executing the performance standard functions. Numerous other aspects are provided. | 05-26-2016 |
20160156188 | POWER MANAGEMENT DEVICE, POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, SERVER, POWER MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND PROGRAM | 06-02-2016 |
20160156679 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OPERATIONS OF DEVICES BASED ON INFORMATION REGARDING POWER CONSUMPTION OF THE DEVICES | 06-02-2016 |
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20190146538 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT BASED ON ESTIMATED RESOURCE UTILIZATION | 05-16-2019 |
20190146539 | SYSTEM FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT BASED ON ESTIMATED RESOURCE UTILIZATION | 05-16-2019 |