Systems and methods for creating dynamic nanogrids and aggregating power consumers to participate in energy markets

Abstract

To reduce an arc when power supply to a load is interrupted in response to a command.SOLUTION: A group of residences, enterprises, or other power consuming facilities are aggregated and commonly controlled so as to dynamically reduce a load at a sufficient rate and by a sufficient amount to participate in an energy market as a market participant. The participation includes participation as a peak load power generation plant. While an amount of reduction in power consumption for single facilities is typically very small, a sum of the reduced consumption for an aggregate of just a few thousand residences or enterprises may be on an order of several hundreds of kilowatts. A premises power controller may cooperate with an intelligent circuit breaker, which may include a dimmer. The premises power controller allows for dynamic management of individual loads at each facility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of power management, and more particularly to a system and method for managing a collection of power consumers to participate in an energy market. [Background technology]

[0002] In the United States, electric utility companies are highly regulated by both federal and state governments. Generally, the retail prices they charge for the electricity they supply are not determined by the free market. Rather, retail prices are determined by commissions or other regulatory review bodies through a formal administrative process that takes into account current and projected future demand, the costs of building and accessing new sources of supply, and a variety of other factors. Wholesale prices are often, but not always, based on the Independent System Operator (ISO) market.

[0003] Within regulated electricity markets, there are power generating facilities known as "baseload power plants," "load-following power plants," and "peak load power plants." Baseload power plants are typically large, low-cost facilities that operate continuously to meet the basic demand for electricity in a given service area. Load-following power plants, as the name suggests, are generally intended to operate when demand (load) is high but to limit or throttle operation when demand is low. Peak load power plants, often used to refer to the 10- and 30-minute reserves that are part of ancillary service markets, are generally intended to operate only intermittently to meet peak demand within a service area or to meet demand during contingencies such as power plant failure. Therefore, the actual need to operate a peak load power plant may occur only a few days each year and may last only a few hours.

[0004] To participate in the energy market, facilities are required by regulation to generate a minimum output power level (e.g., 100 kW), be able to bring power online within a specified time after a request from the grid operator, and remain online for a specified minimum period. By general rule, peak-load power plants are paid a premium price for the power they supply. This price is justified given the extremely intermittent operation of such power plants, the state of readiness they must maintain, and the importance of ensuring peak demand is continually met.

[0005] Recently, courts have considered the question of whether, under the general rule, market participants can consist of facilities that reduce the electrical load within a given service area, thereby reducing electricity consumption as opposed to generating additional electricity. Courts have indicated that the affirmative answer to this question creates an opportunity to develop new facilities that are eligible to participate in all established energy markets, including, but not limited to, ancillary services (including 10- and 30-minute reserves, frequency control, and output regulation), real-time markets, day-ahead markets, and forward capacity markets, but that operate under a model of reducing consumption and not increasing generation.

[0006] Another issue of concern arises in homes, businesses, or other facilities equipped with solar (photovoltaic, or PV) panels. The vast majority of these facilities are grid-tie systems, meaning that excess power generated by the solar panels is sent back to the power grid, and any additional power needed within the facility is provided by the power grid. Anti-islanding laws dictate that if the power grid fails, all grid-tie systems will no longer operate, even if the solar panels are still able to generate usable power within the facility. Recently, islanding inverters have become available that allow solar panels to continue operating while complying with anti-islanding laws. These secondary inverters work in conjunction with a battery and a critical load panel to provide limited power to critical loads within the home, business, or facility. However, the critical loads are "fixed" because they must be pre-selected and wired to a critical load panel separate from the main circuit breaker panel. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a group of homes, businesses, or other power-consuming facilities are aggregated and commonly controlled to dynamically reduce loads sufficiently quickly and by sufficient amounts to participate as market participants in an energy market. Participation includes participation as a peak-load power generating plant. While the reduction in power consumption for a single facility is typically very small, the total reduced consumption for a collection of just a few thousand homes or businesses may be on the order of hundreds of kilowatts. By choosing to participate in the aggregation, each home, business, or other facility can contribute to ongoing substantial energy conservation efforts and share in the revenues received from the provider. Similarly, inactive loads can be activated during peak periods when electricity costs are low, saving the cost of operating those loads during peak periods.

[0008] Each home, business, or other facility participating in the cluster is equipped with a local power controller and intelligent circuit breakers that augment traditional circuit breakers or fuses. The local power controller and intelligent circuit breakers may be installed during construction or through facility retrofitting. The local power controller may include a processor; memory; a display capable of providing a user interface; interfaces for intelligent circuit breakers, major appliances, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and water heaters; and interfaces for solar, geothermal, micro-hydro, or wind power generators and inverters, storage batteries, generators, other renewable power sources, home automation systems, schedulers, or user-controlled devices. The local power controller may further include interfaces for environmental sensors (e.g., temperature detectors, barometric pressure detectors, voltage detectors, current detectors, motion detectors) and other sensors of interest. The local power controller may further have a wide area network (WAN) connection or other suitable network connection for communication with an aggregation server or other systems, which may be located remotely.

[0009] Each intelligent circuit breaker can be electrically operated and can be connected to a conventional circuit breaker that can be manually operated. Each intelligent circuit breaker includes a power meter, a wireless transceiver for communicating with other intelligent circuit breakers and premises power control devices, a circuit breaker control device, memory, and a display device. In the case of a lighting circuit, the intelligent circuit breaker further includes a dimmer. The memory may be used to temporarily store data of interest regarding the intelligent circuit breaker's status, power consumption, operating history, etc. The intelligent circuit breakers may advantageously be made in a form factor compatible with (i.e., configured to fit with) circuit breaker panels offered by major manufacturers of electrical equipment (e.g., Schneider Electric's Square D, General Electric Company, Siemens AG, Siemens AG's Murray, Asea Brown Boveri's Thomas & Besso, and Airton's Claus-Heins).

[0010] Because intelligent circuit breakers are typically installed in metal circuit breaker panels, there is typically significant interference in communications between the breakers. To overcome this interference, a wireless mesh network may be established between the wireless transceivers associated with the intelligent circuit breakers. The wireless mesh network allows messages received by a designated gatekeeper wireless transceiver to propagate across all other wireless transceivers while reducing communication congestion between the circuit breakers and the local power control devices. The gatekeeper wireless transceiver transmits messages originating from any of the other wireless transceivers to the local power control device and relays messages received from the local power control device to one or more of the other wireless transceivers. To further reduce interference, the gatekeeper wireless transceiver may be located adjacent to an opening in the circuit breaker panel. The opening, alone or possibly in combination with wiring extending through the opening, may enable good wireless communication between the gatekeeper wireless transceiver and the local power control device. Alternatively, the opening may house a small antenna coupled to the gatekeeper wireless transceiver.

[0011] Each intelligent circuit breaker can transmit various messages to the premise power controller via its own wireless transceiver, the wireless mesh network, and the gatekeeper wireless transceiver. These messages can report the amount of power consumed instantaneously, the average power consumed over a given time period, changes in power consumption, status information, or other data of interest. Such data may be temporarily stored by the premise power controller before being communicated to an aggregation server or other system.

[0012] Each intelligent circuit breaker can also receive messages from the facility power controller. One type of message may trip the circuit breaker, thereby opening a circuit and disconnecting the associated load, or closing the circuit and connecting the associated load to a source voltage (power grid), a renewable power source, or a backup generator, or to an energy storage device such as a differential pressure cell, electrochemical battery, or on-site chemical energy storage system (hereinafter, battery). Thus, one advantage provided by the present invention is that critical loads within a facility do not need to be wired to a separate, dedicated circuit breaker panel in order to maintain a supply of power to those loads in the event of a power grid failure.

[0013] The facility may further include an AC-DC converter, the output of which may be coupled to a DC-AC inverter with power factor control, which in turn may be coupled to a dimmable load. The output of the converter (DC) may be coupled to the inverter, and the power factor of the inverter may be changed upon inversion to AC. The change in power factor reduces the amount of active power absorbed by the dimmable load, thereby providing a further improvement in overall efficiency and contributing to reduced consumption as part of the aggregate's activities as a market participant.

[0014] Another advantage provided by the present invention is that when the power grid is operational and renewable power sources are generating "excess" power within a facility, if possible and profitable under the prevailing circumstances, the intelligent circuit breakers can be dynamically managed to consume the available "excess" power by connecting additional loads (e.g., rechargeable batteries and electric vehicles first, followed by swimming pool heaters, auxiliary water heaters, etc.) rather than selling such power to the power company.

[0015] Yet another advantage provided by the present invention is that the dynamic management of each individual load by the campus power controller improves the overall efficiency of the facility and allows the facility to function as part of a collective that participates in the energy market.

[0016] Yet another advantage provided by the present invention is the ability to implement user-oriented functionality such as lighting control, including dimming, without the need for separate conventional lighting control devices.

[0017] Yet another advantage provided by the present invention is that when a facility is dynamically managed by a premises power controller in conjunction with intelligent circuit breakers, the facility maintains a higher level of functionality and acts as a nanogrid itself when the power grid fails. Conversely, when the power grid is operational, the present invention can take advantage of time-of-use pricing by managing loads based on a demand pricing structure.

[0018] Typically, each on-site power controller is programmed to dynamically manage on-site (facility) power consumption according to a number of predetermined plans, such as a "normal" plan when the power grid is operational, an "emergency" plan when the power grid fails, a "renewable-friendly" plan when environmental conditions are favorable for renewable power sources, a "renewable-unfavorable" plan when environmental conditions are unfavorable for renewable power sources, and a "market trading" plan when the facility must function within an aggregation participating in an independent system operator market, including providing ancillary services (e.g., operating as a peak load power plant).

[0019] When a regional grid controller or other authority notifies the aggregation server that it needs a market participant to meet demand, the aggregation server uses the WAN to instruct the campus power controllers in the aggregation to initiate a "market transaction" or similar power management plan. In response, each campus power controller receives an override command issued by the facility owner or other authority and dynamically disconnects individual loads by wirelessly sending an appropriate message to its intelligent circuit breaker. The disconnected loads may remain disconnected for the duration of the aggregation's function as a market participant or may be reconnected upon authorized override command. When the aggregation server receives a signal that the aggregation no longer needs to function as a market participant, it issues a message to the campus power controllers instructing them to resume a "normal" power management plan or another appropriate plan.

[0020] The campus power controller may also issue various notifications to users regarding power management-related events. For example, if a facility is equipped with solar panels and the campus power controller receives a sunny weather forecast, a notification may be sent to the user's email address, cell phone, or other device to remind them to plug in and charge their electric vehicle, turn on their auxiliary water heater, or take other action to fully utilize the power predicted to be generated by the solar panels. Additionally, during periods of unusually high energy costs or very low predicted production, various notifications may be issued to users to remind them to take measures to limit usage, such as ensuring windows and doors are closed, reducing lighting demand, or minimizing other loads. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] In the following description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram of a power grid in which a group of power consuming facilities are aggregated and commonly managed for participation in an energy market, according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a power control system for the Class 1 facility shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a power control system for the Class 2 facility shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a power control system for the Class 3 facility shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the on-site power control device shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, and 4B. [Figure 6A] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an intelligent circuit breaker for two 15A / 120V AC circuits. [Figure 6B] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an intelligent circuit breaker for two 15A / 120V AC circuits, including two dimming circuits. [Figure 6C] 6C is a voltage-time graph illustrating sinusoidal dimming of the type implemented by the dimming circuit of FIG. 6B. [Figure 6D] FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram showing phase cut dimming. [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit breaker panel fitted with standard circuit breakers paired with intelligent circuit breakers with dimmers. [Figure 7B] FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit breaker panel fitted with standard circuit breakers paired with intelligent circuit breakers with dimmers. [Figure 7C] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating gatekeeper transceivers in a circuit breaker panel and a wireless mesh network interconnecting the gatekeeper transceivers with wireless transceivers associated with intelligent circuit breakers. FIG. [Figure 7D] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating that an illuminated keypad may be used to control an intelligent circuit breaker as an alternative or addition to a premise power control device. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gatekeeper transceiver with power monitoring capabilities. [Figure 9] 2 is a flow diagram illustrating high-level operation of the aggregation server shown in FIG. 1 when the aggregation is providing ancillary services. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating communication between the premises power control device and the intelligent circuit breaker shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, and 4B. [Figure 11A] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a high level control method implemented by the premise power controller for each of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 facilities. [Figure 11B] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a high level control method implemented by the premise power controller for each of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 facilities. [Figure 11C] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a high level control method implemented by the premise power controller for each of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 facilities. [Figure 11D] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a high level control method implemented by the premise power controller for each of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 facilities. [Figure 11E] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a high level control method implemented by the premise power controller for each of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 facilities. [Figure 11F] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a high level control method implemented by the premise power controller for each of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 facilities. [Figure 11G] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a high level control method implemented by the premise power controller for each of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 facilities. [Figure 11H] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a high level control method implemented by the premise power controller for each of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 facilities. [Figure 12A] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram for a premise power controller to manage HVAC loads. [Figure 12B] 12B is a graph of power cost versus temperature showing an example reference point and an example situation addressed in the flow diagram of FIG. 12A. [Figure 13A] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram for a premises power controller to manage dimmable (lighting) loads. [Figure 13B] 13B is a graph of power cost versus light intensity showing an example reference point and an example situation addressed in the flow diagram of FIG. 13A. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram for a premise power control device to manage a power factor controllable load. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram for a premises power controller to manage non-dimmable loads. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram for the on-site power control device to manage shunt loads. [Figure 17A] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram for the on-site power control device to manage the load of electric vehicles. [Figure 17B] 1 is a graph of electricity cost versus the fraction of trip time required to charge the battery of an electric vehicle. [Figure 17C] 1 is a graph of power cost versus reactive charge level. [Figure 18A] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for the premises power control device to calculate the virtual energy price. [Figure 18B] 18B is a graph illustrating the exemplary supply cost transfer function referenced in FIG. 18A. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating various examples of user notification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 1 illustrates a portion of a power grid 100 that includes a regional grid controller 102 associated with an independent system operator (ISO) or regional transmission organization (RTO). The regional grid controller 102 has bidirectional communication links 104 with each of a utility-scale intermittent (wind turbine) power plant 106, a conventional base load (nuclear) power plant 108, a conventional peak load (gas turbine) power plant 110, and an aggregation server 112. The aggregation server 112 has bidirectional communication 114 with a wide area network (WAN) 116, which in turn has bidirectional communication with each facility that is part of an aggregation 118.

[0023] The facilities making up the aggregation 118 can be categorized into one of three classes. Class 1 facilities are those that do not include solar or other renewable power sources (collectively "renewable power sources") or batteries capable of storing large amounts of power, but may include backup generating equipment that can power some or all of their facilities when the power grid 100 is unavailable. When the power grid 100 is available, Class 1 facilities typically draw power only (unidirectionally) from the power grid 100.

[0024] A Class 2 facility is a facility that includes at least one renewable power source and possibly additional backup power generation equipment, but does not include large-capacity batteries. A Class 2 facility draws power from the power grid 100 when the renewable power source is offline or insufficient to meet the facility's demand, but can supply power to the power grid 100 when there is a surplus. Thus, a Class 2 facility is characterized by a bidirectional power flow.

[0025] A Class 3 facility is a facility that includes at least one renewable power source and one or more large-capacity batteries, and possibly a backup power generation device. Like Class 2 facilities, Class 3 facilities can draw power from or supply power to the power grid 100, depending on environmental conditions, facility demand, and other factors. As described in more detail below, an aggregation 118 represents a mix of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 facilities. An aggregation 118 may be managed as a single entity acting as an energy market participant based on a reduced power consumption model, possibly combined with battery generation.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a Class 1 facility 200. The Class 1 facility 200 may correspond to, for example, a single-family home that does not include any renewable power sources or large-capacity batteries, but may include a backup power generation unit 228. To promote clarity and consistency, previously described elements, such as the WAN 116, will retain their previously assigned reference numbers throughout this specification unless otherwise specified. A premise power controller 202 communicates via wireless link 216 with various energy control modules, such as an HVAC status control module (thermostat) 204; a circuit breaker panel 206 populated with intelligent circuit breakers 222; a subpanel 208 populated with intelligent circuit breakers 226 including dimmers; an electric vehicle (EV) charging controller 210; and smart appliances 212. Load conductors 220 connect the individual intelligent circuit breakers 222 to the EV charging controller 210, smart appliances 212, an electric water heater 214, and other non-lighting loads (not shown). Conductors 224 connect lighting devices (not shown) through panel 206 to individual intelligent dimmer circuit breakers 226 located within sub-panels 208 .

[0027] The wireless communication link 216 may be implemented using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any of a number of other commercially available wireless technologies. Such a wireless communication link significantly reduces the cost and time required to install the premise power controller 202. Alternatively, if the design of a particular facility or the materials used in a particular facility do not permit wireless communication, a wired communication link (e.g., Ethernet) may be used by adding appropriate interfaces to the premise power controller 202 and other devices shown in FIG. 2 .

[0028] Backup generating unit 228 is coupled to transfer switch 232 by conductor 230. Transfer switch 232 is coupled to circuit breaker panel 206 by conductor 234. Transfer switch 232 is also coupled to a utility power meter (not shown) by conductor 218. In the event of a power grid 100 failure, transfer switch 232 moves to the position shown in FIG. 2 , thereby allowing backup generating unit 228 to supply power to critical loads managed by local power controller 202, as described below. Advantageously, again, non-critical loads can be disconnected under the direction of local power controller 202 during a power grid 100 failure.

[0029] In general, the campus power controller 202 is responsible for managing power consumption within the facility 200. Among other features and capabilities, the campus power controller 202 is responsible for dynamically activating individual intelligent circuit breakers 222, 226 to disconnect individual loads, thereby reducing power consumption for the facility 200 and contributing to the collective operating as an energy market participant. As described in more detail below, more than one campus power controller 202 may be present within a given facility for purposes such as redundancy and load sharing.

[0030] 3 illustrates a Class 2 facility 300. A Class 2 facility may correspond to, for example, a single-family home that includes a solar panel array (renewable power source) 302 and an inverter 304, and further includes a backup power generating unit 228, but does not include a large-capacity battery. The inverter 304 is coupled to the circuit breaker panel 206 by conductors 306. In addition to converting DC to AC, the inverter 304 may include an internal disconnect mechanism that serves to isolate the renewable power source 302 in the event of a power grid 100 (FIG. 1) failure and the backup power generating unit 228 being activated. Alternatively, a separate disconnect mechanism (not shown) may be provided between the inverter 304 and the circuit breaker panel 206.

[0031] All other elements are substantially similar to those shown in Figure 2, with two important exceptions. First, due to the presence of renewable power source 302, facility 300, under favorable environmental conditions, can generate more power than it consumes, in which case excess power can be supplied to power grid 100 via a utility power meter (not shown). Second, the programming of premise power controller 202 must take into account renewable power source 302 and inverter 304, as described in more detail below.

[0032] 4 illustrates a class 3 facility 400. In class 3 facility 400, renewable power source 302 is present along with a battery / charge controller 402, an electric vehicle (EV) battery / stand-alone battery 403, and a solar panel / battery inverter 404. Battery / charge controller 402 is coupled to and charges EV battery / stand-alone battery 403, which is further coupled to inverter 404. Inverter 404 serves to convert DC output by renewable power source 302 or EV battery / stand-alone battery 403 to AC, which is supplied to circuit breaker panel 206 by conductors 406.

[0033] Transfer switch 232 operates to disconnect breaker panel 206 from power grid 100 ( FIG. 1 ) in the event of a power grid 100 failure, thereby allowing renewable power sources 302, battery charge controller 402, and inverters 404 (or backup power generation devices 228) to provide power to critical loads connected to particular intelligent circuit breakers 222 by conductors 408. Conversely, to conserve power during a power grid 100 failure, non-critical loads such as EV charge controller 210, smart appliances 212, and electric water heater 214 may be disconnected by each activating their respective intelligent circuit breakers 222 in response to one or more messages received from premise power controller 202.

[0034] Also shown is an AC-DC converter 410, the output of which is coupled to a power factor controlled DC-AC inverter 412, which in turn is coupled to a dimmable load 414. The AC-DC converter 410 and the power factor controlled DC-AC inverter 412 communicate with the premise power controller 202 via wireless communication link 216. As will be described in more detail below, the converter 410 can be used in combination with the inverter 412 to advantageously alter the power factor to reduce the amount of active power absorbed by the dimmable load 414.

[0035] 5 is a block diagram of the indoor power controller 202. The controller board 500 may be based on a commodity embedded system and includes 1 GB of DDR (double data rate) memory 502, 32 GB of flash memory 504, a processor 505, and a 16 GB microSDHC card 506. A reset button 508 is coupled to a GPIO interface 509. The controller board 500 further includes a USB / mini-USB interface 510; an Ethernet interface 512; an I2C interface 514; a 1-Wire interface 532; an SPI interface 516 coupled to a Wi-Fi module 524; four UART interfaces 518 (one of which is coupled to a Bluetooth module 522); and an RGB interface 520 coupled to an LCD TFT touchscreen 526. The 3D tracking gesture controller 528 is coupled to the touchscreen 526 and to the projected-capacitive touchscreen controller 530, which is further coupled to the I2C interface 514.

[0036] As described above in connection with FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the indoor power controller 202 can wirelessly communicate with the intelligent circuit breakers 222 and other devices within a given facility using the Wi-Fi module 524 or the Bluetooth module 522. A touchscreen 526 can be used by a user to configure and operate the indoor power controller 202 by displaying various on-screen icons, buttons, controls, messages, status information, menus, or other desired user interface elements (not shown). For example, the touchscreen 526 may be used to create, modify, or select power management plans; create, modify, or select schedules; obtain status information regarding various system components; connect or disconnect individual intelligent circuit breakers; override or disable the current operation of the indoor power controller 202; and otherwise configure, modify, and operate the indoor power controller 202. Alternatively, a user can wirelessly operate the indoor power controller 202 using a smartphone, tablet, or other device with an appropriate application and wireless network connectivity. Additionally, the premise power controller 202 may be integrated with and controlled by a home automation system.

[0037] FIG. 6A is a block diagram of the intelligent circuit breaker 222 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. As shown, the intelligent circuit breaker 222 supports two 15A / 120V AC circuits. A processor with an on-board Bluetooth transceiver functions as the breaker controller 600. The breaker controller 600 can be implemented using a Rigado BMD-200 module or similar commercially available components. The breaker controller 600 is coupled to a serial wire debug (SWD) connector 626, a 4D debug connector 628, a GPIO expander 610, an integrated graphics controller 604, and a power measurement digital signal processor (DSP) 608. The power measurement DSP 608 is also coupled to a voltage sense line 638 and a current sense line 640.

[0038] An LCD 602 ​​and a 16 GB microSD card are coupled to the integrated graphics controller 604. A pair of relays 630 are coupled between a pair of screw terminals 620 and a pair of Hall-effect sensors 618, respectively. Each of the pair of screw terminals 620 serves as a connection point for a conventional 15 A / 120 V AC circuit breaker (not shown), such as a manually actuated arc fault interrupter. Alternatively, the relays may be embodied as mechanically actuated switches to eliminate the need for a conventional circuit breaker while still providing sufficient safety. Each of the pair of screw terminals 622 serves as a connection point for a desired load (not shown). An AC-DC power supply 624 outputs +12 V DC and +3.3 V DC to power the intelligent circuit breaker 226. As an alternative to using the power measurement DSP 608 to output pulses when the sensed voltage and sensed current are near zero, a zero-crossing detection circuit 628 may be used to generate a square wave output signal that is coupled to the breaker controller 600.

[0039] The circuit breaker controller 600 uses its on-board Bluetooth® connectivity to communicate with other circuit breaker controllers, establishing a wireless mesh network among all circuit breaker controllers. Advantageously, the mesh network allows a single circuit breaker controller, or designated gatekeeper transceiver, in a circuit breaker panel to communicate with the local power controller (FIG. 2) and have such communications propagate to all other circuit breaker controllers. Alternatively, the wireless mesh network may be established using Zigbee, Z-wave, or other suitable technology.

[0040] The LCD 602 ​​may be used to display various information (e.g., the current state of the circuit breaker, the circuit breaker setting, the instantaneous power consumption, the circuit breaker's identifier such as zone, and diagnostic codes). The microSD card 606 may be used to store power consumption data and other data of interest until a scheduled time at which such data is transferred to the premise power controller 202 or aged out and discarded.

[0041] Among other utilities, the power measurement DSP 608 can calculate the instantaneous power consumption individually for each load connected to the screw terminals 622, as well as the average and peak power consumption over a specified period of time. The power measurement DSP 608 may be further configured to output various pulses (on dedicated pins ZX0, ZX1 coupled to the breaker controller 600) when the current and voltage are near zero.

[0042] By knowing when the current and voltage zero crossings occur, the breaker controller 600 ensures that the relay 630 switches (i.e., the intelligent circuit breaker 222 opens and closes) only coincident with the occurrence of the zero crossings. Advantageously, this tends to reduce arcing and extend the useful life of the relay 630.

[0043] An intelligent circuit breaker suitable for a single 30A / 220V AC circuit can be implemented using the various components shown in FIG. 6A, except that a Rigado BMD-300 module is used in place of breaker controller 600.

[0044] FIG. 6B is a block diagram of the intelligent circuit breaker with dimmer 226, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. Most of the components are the same as those shown in FIG. 6A. However, instead of a relay 630, the intelligent circuit breaker with dimmer 226 includes an isolation circuit 632 coupled between the GPIO expander 610 and two pairs of gallium nitride high electron mobility (GaN HEMT) transistors 636. A control circuit 634 for each of the transistors 636 functions as a dimmer. Each pair of transistors 636 is connected to the power measurement DSP 608 and is also coupled to one of the Hall effect sensors 618. Conventional dimmers utilize silicon-based field effect transistors (FETs) or triacs (TRIACs), both of which have higher on-resistances (R) than GaN HEMT components. on ). Conventional dimmers therefore must dissipate a relatively large amount of heat for a given amount of current, which is problematic and potentially dangerous in circuit breaker panels with densely packed components. To efficiently dissipate heat, conventional dimmers require large heat sinks that are poorly or not at all suitable for conventional circuit breaker panels. By using GaN HEMT components in dimmers, a significant reduction in heat dissipation is advantageously achieved without the need for large heat sinks, thereby allowing more circuitry to be safely packed into a given area.

[0045] Dimming can be achieved using conventional phase-cut dimming techniques, as shown in FIG. 6D. When using phase-cut dimming, the circuit breaker controller 600 must be capable of switching the GaN HEMT transistor 636 on and off at a frequency of 120 Hz. Forward and reverse phase-cut dimming can be achieved by switching the transistor near appropriate rising or falling edges of the line waveform. Alternatively, a pulse-width modulation dimming technique, sometimes referred to as sine-wave dimming, may be used, as shown in FIG. 6C. When using sine-wave dimming, the GaN HEMT transistor 636 must be able to be switched at a much higher frequency (e.g., 100 kHz or greater) compared to phase-cut dimming, and a low-pass filter must be used to remove high frequencies from the output sine wave (i.e., the low-pass filter has a cutoff frequency less than this high frequency) while allowing the line frequency to pass with little attenuation. To allow the circuit breaker controller 600 to signal the transistor 636 quickly enough, it may be necessary to bypass the GPIO expander 610 and connect the (GPIO) of the circuit breaker controller 600 directly to the isolation circuit 632. Another alternative would be a pulse width modulated driver circuit, such as the Fairchild Semiconductor FL77944MX, which converts an analog or digital input signal into a pulse width modulated output signal.

[0046] 7A and 7B, a circuit breaker panel 700 is mounted with intelligent dimmer-equipped circuit breakers 226, each connected by a pair of conductors 704 to a pair of standard (i.e., conventional) 20A circuit breakers 702 and also to loads 1 and 2 (not shown). Alternatively, the intelligent circuit breakers may be connected to a pair of conductors embodied as busbars in the circuit breaker panel 700, eliminating the need for the conventional circuit breakers 702. Each pair of standard circuit breakers 702 is mounted adjacent to and above the corresponding intelligent dimmer-equipped circuit breaker 226 to which it is connected. A display device 602 is mounted on the front of each intelligent dimmer-equipped circuit breaker 226. The breaker controller 600 in each intelligent dimmer-equipped circuit breaker 226 may communicate directly with the premise controller 202 via the wireless link 216 or indirectly via a mesh network.

[0047] FIG. 7C shows a circuit breaker panel 706 populated with intelligent dimmer circuit breakers 226. For clarity, the standard circuit breakers that would normally occupy the space between the intelligent dimmer circuit breakers 226 have been omitted. A main breaker 718 is conventionally located near the top or bottom of the circuit breaker panel 706. The main breaker 718 functions to connect / disconnect all of the standard circuit breakers (not shown) and the intelligent dimmer circuit breakers 226 using a main conductor 218 that passes through an opening 708 located at the top of the circuit breaker panel 706. The main conductor 218 is connected to a utility power meter (not shown). A wireless mesh network 714 is established between all of the intelligent dimmer circuit breakers 226 and a gatekeeper transceiver 712 coupled to an antenna 716.

[0048] Due to wireless communication interference typically caused by the (metal) circuit breaker panel 706, the gatekeeper transceiver 712 may be dedicated to communicating with the local power controller 202 ( FIG. 2 ) via wireless communication link 216. An antenna 716 protruding from the circuit breaker panel helps overcome the interference, as does placing the gatekeeper transceiver 712 near the opening 708. Additionally, if excessive interference occurs in a particular environment, an alternative communication technology may be selected for the gatekeeper transceiver 712 without affecting the intelligent circuit breaker with dimmer 226. For example, the gatekeeper transceiver 712 may have Bluetooth® connectivity to join the mesh network 714. However, the gatekeeper transceiver 712 may also have a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, optical transceiver, infrared (IR) transceiver, or insulated wire link for communication with the local power controller 202.

[0049] The gatekeeper transceiver 712 may further include power monitoring functionality to measure the total power consumption (or excess power) in the main conductors 218. A current transformer (also referred to as a CT) 710 is coupled to each main conductor 218 and is also coupled to the gatekeeper transceiver 712. As best seen in FIG. 8, the gatekeeper transceiver 712 may include many of the same components as the intelligent circuit breaker 222 (FIG. 6A). Additionally, the Bluetooth® low energy module 800 provides the functionality to participate in the mesh network 714 and to communicate with the local power controller 202. The power measurement DSP 608 is coupled to the current transformer 710 (current sensing line) as well as the power source 624 (voltage sensing line), which allows for the calculation of the total power consumption (or excess power) in the main conductors 218.

[0050] 7D illustrates a facility where a lighting control keypad may be used within the facility to implement various user-directed functions via intelligent circuit breakers 222 or intelligent circuit breakers with dimmers 226, either as an alternative or in addition to the facility power controller 202. Wireless lighting control keypads 722 are commercially available from a number of vendors. The wireless lighting control keypads 722 may be placed in various locations within the facility to control lamps 724 or other lighting fixtures (not shown). The lamps 724 are each connected to the intelligent circuit breakers with dimmers 226 by conductors 728.

[0051] In general, each wireless lighting control keypad 722 typically includes a processor, microcontroller, or the like, capable of executing some or all of the same software executed by the indoor power controller 202 described herein. Additionally, each wireless lighting control keypad 722 typically has wireless network connectivity capabilities, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Using such network connectivity capabilities, the keypad 722 can establish a wireless communication link 730 with the intelligent circuit breaker 222 or the intelligent circuit breaker with dimmer 226. Thus, the wireless lighting control keypad 722 can be used either in place of or in conjunction with the indoor power controller 202 to turn lamps 724 (or other lighting loads) on or off, as well as to dim those lamps.

[0052] 9 illustrates the high-level operation of the aggregation server 112 (FIG. 1). In step 900, the aggregation server 112 receives a message to supply power from the regional grid controller ISO / RTO 102. Next, in step 902, the aggregation server 112 determines how much load shedding and battery storage is available within the aggregation 118 by communicating with the on-premise power controllers 202 associated with each facility within the aggregation. The aggregation server 112 then proceeds to step 904 and prioritizes particular facilities and loads based on the information collected in step 902 and based on the facility's class, load specifications, and geographic location (e.g., the profile of the particular facility).

[0053] Next, in step 906, the aggregation server 112 sends a message to each local power controller 202 in the aggregation 118, causing that local power controller 202 to implement its "market trading" power management plan. Generally, when a given local power controller 202 implements its "market trading" plan, it causes certain loads within the facility to be "shedded" or disconnected (by activating associated intelligent circuit breakers). As a result, Class 3 facilities that include batteries with large storage capacities can connect such batteries to supply power to the power grid. Next, in step 908, the aggregation server 112 implements a demand response reduction curve in accordance with ISO market rules.

[0054] FIG. 10 illustrates various exemplary communications between the local power controller 202 (FIG. 5) and the intelligent circuit breaker 222 (FIG. 6A) or the intelligent circuit breaker with dimmer 226 (FIG. 6B). At step 1000, each of the intelligent circuit breakers 222 and 226 is in a reset-off state, after which at step 1002, each of the intelligent circuit breakers is initialized. At step 1004, each of the initialized intelligent circuit breakers 222 and 226 waits for a query from the local power controller (PPC) 202. Upon receiving a query (e.g., via wireless link 216), a comparison is made between the address contained in the query and the address associated with the intelligent circuit breaker 222 or 226 that received the query. If the addresses do not match, the intelligent circuit breaker 222, 226 continues to wait for the next query at step 1004. If the addresses match, at step 1008, a determination is made as to whether the query includes a control command. If the query includes a control command, the intelligent circuit breaker 222, 226 configures its own relay 630 (FIG. 6A) or dimmer 634, 636 (FIG. 6B) to match the received control command and sends an acknowledgement to the local power controller 202 in step 1012. During operation, the intelligent circuit breaker transmits the instantaneous power consumption of the load to the local power controller at predetermined intervals.

[0055] Alternatively, if the determination in step 1008 indicates that no control command was received, then the intelligent circuit breaker 222, 226 checks its power reading status in step 1014. If the status has changed compared to the last known status, as determined in step 1016, then the intelligent circuit breaker 222, 226 transmits its power reading to the local power controller in step 1018, and then waits for an acknowledgement from the local power controller in step 1020. If the power reading status is found to have not changed in step 1016, then the intelligent circuit breaker 222, 226 transmits an indication of no change to the local power controller 1022 in step 1022, and then waits for an acknowledgement from the local power controller in step 1024.

[0056] 11A-11H illustrate a high-level control method implemented by the indoor power controller 202 for each of a Class 1 facility, a Class 2 facility, and a Class 3 facility. The method begins at step 1100, followed by step 1101, in which the indoor power controller 202 begins searching for other indoor power controllers 202 within the facility (e.g., using a wireless discovery service). A delay is then introduced at step 1103. Next, at step 1105, a determination is made as to whether a indoor power controller has been found to broadcast. If no indoor power controller has been found to broadcast, control flow proceeds to step 1107, in which the only indoor power controller 202 present begins broadcasting. A first determination step 1102 then occurs, in which it is determined whether the facility (system) in which the indoor power controller 202 is located is a Class 1 facility. If the facility is a Class 1 facility, control flow proceeds to step 1104 (FIG. 11C). If the facility is not a Class 1 facility, then decision step 1106 determines whether the facility is a Class 2 facility, and if so, control flow proceeds to step 1108 (FIG. 11D). If the facility is not a Class 2 facility, then decision step 1110 determines whether the facility is a Class 3 facility, and if so, control flow proceeds to step 1112 (FIG. 11F).

[0057] If step 1110 determines that the facility is not a Class 3 facility, control flow proceeds to step 1109, where the on-premise power controller 202 is queried for the current virtual energy price. The term "virtual energy price" is used herein to refer to a value that serves as a proxy for the relative scarcity or abundance of energy. Each activity associated with a load or energy source within a given facility is associated with either a threshold or a scaling factor for the virtual energy price. In its simplest formulation, a virtual energy price-based system may implement a prioritized list of loads or energy sources that allows both discrete and smooth transitions (i.e., smooth and discrete transitions in power consumption or production) as well as selection of loads based on temporal usage (e.g., recent usage). In more sophisticated embodiments, such a system may model the entire activity of the energy market.

[0058] By selecting the same units and comparable quantities as are common in the public energy market, users can specify their priorities once and in real dollars. This is particularly meaningful to users when facilities pay market prices for energy, which are available on the power grid and provided by aggregation server 112. In some cases, virtual energy prices are calculated to perform various activities necessary for efficient management of system resources and may have no relationship to public market energy costs.

[0059] Instead of calculating a virtual energy price, a state machine may be implemented that accesses a lookup table or other data structure to obtain values ​​that are suitable references or proxy information for the purposes described herein.

[0060] Next, in step 1111, a determination is made whether the virtual energy price is above the notification threshold. If the virtual energy price is not above the notification threshold, control flow loops back to step 1102. If the virtual energy price is above the notification threshold, this means that a user notification should be sent, and control flow proceeds to step 1113 (FIG. 19).

[0061] Referring again to step 1105, if a (second) broadcasting indoor power control device 202 is discovered, the control flow proceeds to step 1115, where wireless communication is established between the discovered (master) indoor power control device 202 and the (subordinate) indoor power control device 202 performing this step. Next, in step 1117, the subordinate indoor power control device 202 obtains measurements from any sensors attached to it. Then, in step 1119, the subordinate indoor power control device 202 collects user input. Next, in step 1121, the subordinate indoor power control device 202 attempts to transmit its sensor measurements and user activity to the master indoor power control device 202.

[0062] In step 1123, a determination is made whether the attempted transmission to the master indoor power control device failed. If the transmission failed, the control flow loops back to step 1101. If the transmission did not fail (i.e., the transmission was successful), the control flow proceeds to step 1125, where the slave indoor power control device 202 attempts to read the system state and pending commands from the master indoor power control device 202. Next, in step 1127, a determination is made whether the attempted read failed. If the read failed, the control flow loops back to step 1101. If the read did not fail (i.e., the read was successful), the control flow proceeds to step 1129, where the slave indoor power control device 202 updates its user interface according to the previously read system state and executes the new command. If transmission fails in step 1121 or reception fails in step 1125, the master campus power controller 202 is considered to have been removed, powered down, or failed, and a new controller is selected in step 1101. In this manner, multiple redundant campus power controllers 202 can be operated within a given facility.

[0063] Referring now to FIG. 11C (Class 1 Facility), in step 1114, the on-site power controller 202 determines whether the utility grid 100 (FIG. 1) is available. If not, a determination is made in step 1126 as to whether a (backup) power generating unit 228 (FIG. 2) is available. If a back-up power generating unit is not available, control flow returns to FIG. 11A. If a back-up power generating unit 228 is available, in step 1128, the on-site power controller 202 determines whether the back-up power generating unit is on. If the back-up power generating unit is not on, in step 1130, the on-site power controller 202 turns on the back-up power generating unit, after which control flow returns to FIG. 11A. If the on-site power controller 202 determines in step 1128 that the back-up power generating unit is on, control flow proceeds to step 1132 (FIG. 18A) to establish a virtual energy price, and then proceeds to step 1124 (FIG. 11H).

[0064] If the local power controller 202 determines in step 1114 that the public power grid 100 is available, control flow proceeds to step 1116, where it is determined whether energy price data is available. The energy price data may be provided to the local power controller 202 via the WAN 116 by the aggregation server 112 or other external source. If energy price data is available, control flow proceeds to step 1124 (FIG. 11H). If energy price data is not available, control flow proceeds to step 1118, where it is determined whether the local power controller 202 has received an explicit command (message) from the aggregation server 112 that the aggregation 118 is acting or preparing to act as an energy market participant. Such a command means that the local power controller 202 must prepare to reduce load within the facility in order for the aggregation 118 to meet the regulatory requirements of an energy market participant. If such a command is received, the control flow proceeds to step 1120 where the on-premise power controller 202 finds a virtual energy price that meets the requirements of the aggregation 118 acting as a market participant by simulating on-premise power consumption.

[0065] If, at decision step 1118, no explicit command was received from the aggregation server 112 (i.e., the aggregation 118 does not currently need to act as a market participant), control flow proceeds to step 1122, where the virtual energy price is set to a default value. Control flow then proceeds to step 1124 (FIG. 11H).

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 11D (a Class 2 facility including at least one renewable power source and a backup power generation unit, but not a large battery), in step 1133, the on-premise power controller 202 determines whether the public power grid 100 (FIG. 1) is available. If the public power grid 100 is not available, control flow proceeds to step 1134, where a determination is made whether an islanded inverter / product is available. If an islanded inverter / product is not available, control flow returns to FIG. 11A. If an islanded inverter / product is available, control flow proceeds to step 1132, where a virtual energy price is calculated (FIG. 18A). Next, in step 1138, the on-premise power controller 202 compares the calculated virtual energy price with the backup power generation unit's on-threshold. If the calculated virtual energy price is greater than the backup power generation unit's on-threshold (i.e., it is economical to operate the backup power generation unit), control flow proceeds to step 1140, where a determination is made whether the minimum power generation unit off-time has elapsed. If the minimum power plant off time has elapsed, then in step 1142 the on-site power controller 202 turns on the backup power plant (non-renewable power source), after which the control flow proceeds to step 1124 (FIG. 11H).

[0067] If, in step 1138, the calculated virtual energy price is less than or equal to the standby generator's on-threshold, or if, in step 1140, the standby generator's minimum off-time has not yet expired, control flow proceeds to step 1144, where the on-site power controller 202 determines whether the calculated virtual energy price is less than the standby generator's off-threshold. To provide hysteresis, the standby generator's on-threshold and off-threshold are different, thereby preventing the standby generator from cycling on and off. If the calculated virtual energy price is less than the standby generator's off-threshold, the on-site power controller 202 then determines, in step 1146, whether the standby generator's minimum on-time has expired, and if so, proceeds to step 1148, where the standby generator is turned off. In step 1144, if the calculated virtual energy price is greater than or equal to the standby power generating unit's off threshold (i.e., they are equal within the hysteresis band), or in step 1146, if the standby power generating unit's minimum on-time has not yet elapsed, control flow proceeds to step 1124.

[0068] Referring again to step 1133, if the public power grid 100 is available, control flow proceeds to step 1150, where it is determined whether the utility company serving the facility pays for the net production of electricity. If the utility company does not pay for the net production of electricity, control flow proceeds to step 1152, where the campus power controller 202 forecasts the campus power production for the day, followed by setting the virtual energy price to the rate charged by the utility company in step 1154.

[0069] Next, in step 1156, the premise power controller 202 simulates premise power consumption using the virtual energy price and forecast. If, based on the simulation, no net power production is expected within the next 24 hours (i.e., all of the premise power production will be consumed), control flow proceeds to step 1124 (FIG. 11H). Alternatively, if, in step 1158, net power production is expected within the next 24 hours, the virtual energy price is decreased in step 1160 (i.e., the premise power is expected to have excess power, so the virtual energy price is decreased). In step 1162, it is determined whether the (decreased) virtual energy price is at a minimum. If not, control flow loops through steps 1156, 1158, 1160, and 1162, where the virtual energy price is repeatedly decreased, until the virtual energy price reaches a minimum. Once the virtual energy price reaches a minimum, control flow can proceed to step 1124.

[0070]

[0044] Referring again to step 1150, if the utility company serving the facility pays for the net production of electricity, control flow proceeds to step 1164, where a determination is made whether energy price data is available. If energy price data is available, control flow proceeds to step 1124. If energy price data is not available, then in step 1166 a determination is made whether an explicit command (message) has been received from the aggregation server 112. If an explicit command (message) has not been received, meaning that the aggregation 118 does not currently need to act as a market participant, control flow proceeds to step 1170, where the virtual energy price is set to a default value, after which control flow proceeds to step 1124. If in step 1166 a command is received from the aggregation server 112 (i.e., the aggregation 118 needs to act as a market participant and the on-premise power controller 202 needs to reduce load), in step 1168 the on-premise power controller 202 simulates on-premise power consumption and finds a virtual price that meets the requirements of the aggregation 118 acting as a market participant.

[0071] 11F and 11G (a Class 3 facility including at least one renewable power source and one or more large capacity batteries, and further including a backup power generation device), the campus power controller 202 determines in step 1172 whether the public power grid 100 (FIG. 1) is available. If the public power grid 100 is not available, control flow proceeds to step 1174, where the campus power controller 202 simulates campus power consumption using a virtual energy price. Concurrently with the branching of step 1174, step 1191 is performed. In step 1191, battery charge / discharge follows the load / supply while the battery capacity is greater than the minimum state of charge. In step 1176, a determination is made whether battery depletion is predicted within the next 24 hours. If it is uncertain whether battery depletion will occur within the next 24 hours, control flow proceeds to step 1124 (FIG. 11H).

[0072] If battery depletion will occur within the next 24 hours, control flow proceeds to step 1178, where the virtual energy price is increased (i.e., a facility power shortage is predicted, so the virtual energy price is increased). Next, in step 1180, it is determined whether the (increased) virtual energy price is greater than the power generation unit's on threshold. If the (increased) virtual energy price is not greater than the power generation unit's on threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1124. If the (increased) virtual energy price is greater than the power generation unit's on threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1182, where the power generation unit (non-renewable power source) is turned on if the power generation unit is off and the minimum off time has elapsed, and control flow then proceeds to step 1124.

[0073] Referring again to step 1176, if the battery is not predicted to run out within the next 24 hours, control flow proceeds to step 1184, where a determination is made as to whether a battery overrun is predicted within the next 24 hours. If a battery overrun is not predicted within the next 24 hours, control flow proceeds to step 1124. If a battery overrun is predicted within the next 24 hours, control flow proceeds to step 1186, where the virtual energy price is decreased, indicating that the facility has a predicted surplus of power. Next, in step 1188, a determination is made as to whether the virtual energy price is less than the generator turn-off threshold. If the virtual energy price is not less than the generator turn-off threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1124. If the virtual energy price is less than the generator turn-off threshold, then in step 1190, the on-premise power controller 202 turns the generator off if the generator is on and the minimum operating time has elapsed.

[0074] Referring again to step 1172, if the public power grid 100 is available, control flow proceeds to step 1192, where the local power controller 202 performs a look-ahead of the predicted time-cost curve. Next, in step 1194, it is determined whether the next peak on the predicted time-cost curve will be positive or negative. If a negative peak is predicted, control flow proceeds to step 1196, where a determination is made whether initiating charging immediately would minimize the costs incurred during the charging cycle. If initiating charging immediately would not minimize the costs incurred during the charging cycle, control flow proceeds to step 1124. If initiating charging immediately would minimize the costs incurred during the charging cycle, control flow proceeds to step 1198, where the local power controller 202 allows battery charging to begin, and then control flow proceeds to step 1124.

[0075] If a positive peak is predicted in step 1194, control flow proceeds to step 1200, where a determination is made whether the product of the sales revenue minus the purchase cost and the battery efficiency, if battery discharge is initiated immediately, is greater than the minimum operating profit (i.e., the discharge will generate a minimum profit that justifies the wear and tear on the equipment). If the product is greater than the minimum operating profit, control flow proceeds to step 1205, where a determination is made whether the trading efficiency, if battery discharge is initiated immediately, is greater than the minimum operating profit. If the trading efficiency, if battery discharge is initiated immediately, is greater than the minimum operating profit, control flow proceeds to step 1204, where battery discharge is initiated. If battery discharge is not initiated immediately and the trading efficiency is not greater than the minimum operating profit, control flow proceeds to step 1202, where a determination is made whether an explicit command (message) to act as a market participant is received from aggregation server 112. If an explicit command (message) is received from the aggregation server 112, the control flow proceeds to step 1204 to begin battery discharge. If an explicit command (message) is not received from the aggregation server 112, the control flow proceeds to step 1124.

[0076] FIG. 11H is logically connected to each of FIG. 11C, FIG. 11E, and FIG. 11G. Following step 1124, in step 1206, it is determined whether any more loads remain to be serviced under the control of the premise power controller 202. If no more loads remain to be serviced, control flow returns to the point from which the method of FIG. 11H was called. If more loads remain to be serviced, control flow proceeds to step 1208, where a determination is made whether the load under consideration is an HVAC system. If the load under consideration is an HVAC system, control flow proceeds to step 1220 (FIG. 12A). If the load under consideration is not an HVAC system, in step 1210, a determination is made whether the load is dimmable, and if so, control flow proceeds to step 1222 (FIG. 13A).

[0077] If the load is not dimmable, then in step 1211 a determination is made whether the load is of a type that can reduce the amount of active power absorbed by the load by controlling the power factor (PF). If the load is such a type, control flow proceeds to step 1213 (FIG. 14). If the load is not such a type, control flow proceeds to step 1212, where a determination is made whether the load is not dimmable, and if so, control flow proceeds to step 1224 (FIG. 15). If the load is not dimmable, then in step 1214 a determination is made whether the load is a shunt load, and if so, control flow proceeds to step 1226 (FIG. 16). If the load is not a shunt load, then in step 1216 a determination is made whether the load is an electric vehicle, and if so, control flow proceeds to step 1228 (FIG. 17A). In step 1218, the load is determined to be an unmanaged load, although the power consumption of the load may still be measured (e.g., by an intelligent circuit breaker to which the load is connected).

[0078] FIG. 12A illustrates a method by which the campus power controller manages HVAC loads. In step 1230, the campus power controller 202 measures zone temperatures within the facility. Such measurements can be made, for example, using temperature sensors connected to the campus power controller 202, as described above. Next, in step 1232, a global virtual energy price is queried, if not already available. The global virtual energy price may have been calculated using the logic above. Using the measured temperature and the calculated global virtual energy price, a point on the graph of FIG. 12B is located. In step 1236, a determination is made whether the point is above the cost-temperature curve D of the graph (e.g., the point designated by reference letter G in FIG. 12B). If the point is above the cost-temperature curve D, control flow proceeds to step 1238, which indicates that no action is to be taken because energy use is not justified, and then returns to FIG. 11H (i.e., the HVAC loads are not activated).

[0079] On the other hand, if step 1236 determines that the point is below cost-temperature curve D (e.g., the points designated by reference letter E or H in FIG. 12B), control flow proceeds to step 1240, where a determination is made whether the zone temperature will cross a user-defined setpoint (designated by reference letter A in FIG. 12B) during the HVAC Minimum Run Time (MRT). If so, this indicates that the minimum run time for the HVAC system would cause the zone temperature to increase or decrease excessively, and control flow returns to FIG. 11H.

[0080] If the zone temperature does not cross the user-defined setpoint during the minimum HVAC system operating time, then in step 1242 it is determined whether the minimum HVAC system off time has elapsed. If the minimum HVAC system off time has not elapsed, this means it is too early to operate the HVAC system again, and control flow returns again to FIG. 11H. If the minimum HVAC system off time has elapsed, control flow proceeds to step 1244, where the premise power controller 202 calculates a trajectory that will move the point of interest onto curve D while adhering to any system constraints. An acceptable trajectory will maintain the point of interest on curve D for at least the minimum HVAC system off time. Then, in step 1246, HVAC system operation is scheduled for the duration of the trajectory calculated in step 1244.

[0081] FIG. 13A illustrates how the campus power controller 202 manages dimmable (lighting) loads (e.g., sets the power level of the loads). After step 1222 (of FIG. 11H), control flow proceeds to step 1300, where a query of the global virtual energy price is made, as described above. Next, in step 1302, the campus power controller 202 finds the closest point(s) on the cost-light intensity curve (denoted by reference letter C in FIG. 13B). Thereafter, in step 1304, it is determined whether step 1302 returned two or more closest points. If two or more closest points were not returned, control flow proceeds to step 1308, where the single closest point (s K The closest point (the color value) is multiplied by a user-set intensity value in step 1310 to produce the final illumination intensity. Alternatively, if step 1304 returns more than one closest point, control flow proceeds to step 1306, where cubic interpolation is used to find a single closest interpolated point. This closest interpolated point is used for the multiplication in step 1310. After step 1310, control flow returns to FIG. 11H.

[0082] FIG. 14 illustrates how the on-site power controller 202 manages a load with a controllable power factor (PF) to reduce the amount of active power consumed by the load. Following step 1213, control flow proceeds to step 1215, where the on-site power controller 202 initializes the power factor controller. The power factor controller may be represented, for example, by a combination of an AC-DC converter 410 and a DC-AC inverter 412 with a power factor controller (FIG. 4). Next, in step 1217, the on-site power controller 202 checks the power reading status and the current power factor (PF) of the load. Following this, in step 1219, a search is performed to determine the minimum power factor (PF) that the load can handle. In step 1221, a (reduced PF) is set according to this minimum power factor (PF), thereby reducing the amount of active power consumed by the load. After step 1221, control flow returns to FIG. 11H.

[0083] FIG. 15 illustrates a method by which the indoor power controller 202 manages non-dimmable loads. Following step 1224, control flow proceeds to step 1400, where a global virtual energy price is queried, as described above. In step 1402, a determination is made as to whether the global virtual energy price is above a user-set threshold. If the global virtual energy price is above the user-set threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1404, where a determination is made as to whether the minimum on-time for the non-dimmable load of interest has elapsed. If the minimum on-time has elapsed, in step 1406, the indoor power controller 202 disconnects the non-dimmable load (i.e., the indoor power controller 202 trips an intelligent circuit breaker connected to the load) and sets a timer (minimum off-time), after which control flow returns to FIG. 11E. Alternatively, if in step 1404 the minimum on-time for the non-dimmable load of interest has not yet elapsed, control flow returns to FIG. 11H.

[0084] If, in step 1402, the global virtual energy price is not above the user-set threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1408, where a determination is made whether the global virtual energy price is below the user-set threshold. If the global virtual energy price is not below the user-set threshold, control flow returns to FIG. 11H. If the global virtual energy price is below the user-set threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1410, where a determination is made whether the minimum off-time for the non-dimmable load has elapsed. If the minimum off-time for the non-dimmable load has not elapsed, control flow returns to FIG. 11H. If the minimum off-time for the non-dimmable load has elapsed, in step 1412, the non-dimmable load is connected and a timer (minimum on-time) is set, after which control flow returns to FIG. 11H.

[0085] FIG. 16 illustrates how the on-premise power controller 202 manages shunt loads. Following step 1226, control flow proceeds to step 1500, where a global virtual energy price query is performed as described above. Next, in step 1501, a determination is made whether a load is currently connected to the system. If a load is not currently connected to the system, control flow proceeds to step 1503, where a determination is made whether its virtual energy price is below the user notification threshold. If the virtual energy price is not below the user notification threshold, control flow returns to FIG. 11H. If the virtual energy price is below the user notification threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1113 (FIG. 19).

[0086] Referring again to step 1501, if it is determined that a load is currently connected to the system, control flow proceeds to step 1502, where a determination is made whether the virtual energy price is above a user-set threshold. If the virtual energy price is above a user-set threshold, then in step 1504, a determination is made whether the minimum on-time of the shunt load has elapsed. If the minimum on-time has not elapsed, control flow returns to FIG. 11H. If the minimum on-time has elapsed, then in step 1506, the shunt load is disconnected and a timer (minimum off-time) is set, after which control flow returns to FIG. 11H.

[0087] If, in step 1502, the virtual energy price is not above the user-set threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1508, where a determination is made whether the virtual energy price is below the user-set threshold. If the virtual energy price is not below the user-set threshold, control flow returns to FIG. 11H. If the virtual energy price is below the user-set threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1510, where a determination is made whether the shunt load minimum off-time has elapsed. If the shunt load minimum off-time has not elapsed, control flow returns to FIG. 11H. If the shunt load minimum off-time has elapsed, in step 1512 the premise power controller 202 connects the shunt load and sets a timer (minimum on-time) before returning to FIG. 11H.

[0088] FIG. 17A illustrates a method by which a campus power controller manages the charging of an electric vehicle load. Following step 1228, in step 1599, a determination is made as to whether the load is properly connected to the system (i.e., whether the electric vehicle is properly connected to its charging controller). If the load is not properly connected to the system, control flow proceeds to step 1601, where it is determined whether the virtual energy price is below the notification threshold. If the virtual energy price is not below the notification threshold, control flow returns to FIG. 11H. If the virtual energy price is below the notification threshold, control flow proceeds to step 1113 (FIG. 19).

[0089] If step 1599 determines that the load is properly connected to the system, control flow proceeds to step 1600, where it is determined whether the user has requested a charge cycle. If the user has requested a charge cycle, control flow proceeds to step 1610, where the electric vehicle begins charging, and then returns to FIG. 11H. If the user has not requested a charge cycle, control flow proceeds to step 1602, where it is determined whether a trip is scheduled within the next 24 hours. If a trip is not scheduled within the next 24 hours, control flow proceeds to step 1606, where it is determined whether the global virtual energy price is lower than the reactive charge level-cost curve, shown by reference letter C in FIG. 17C. If the global virtual energy price is lower than the reactive charge level-cost curve, control flow again proceeds to step 1610, where charging begins. If the global virtual energy price is not lower than the reactive charge level-cost curve, control flow proceeds to step 1608, where it is determined whether the electric vehicle's battery charging cycle covers a minimum energy price period provided by the public power grid (PPG). If the electric vehicle's battery charging cycle covers a minimum energy price period provided by the public power grid (PPG), control flow again proceeds to step 1610, where charging begins. If the electric vehicle's battery charging cycle does not cover a minimum energy price period provided by the public power grid (PPG), control flow returns to FIG. 11H. If it is determined in step 1602 that a trip is scheduled within the next 24 hours, control flow proceeds to step 1604, where it is determined whether, over the duration of the trip, the global virtual energy price is lower than the charging deprivation-cost curve, designated by reference letter C in FIG. 17B. If the global virtual energy price is lower than the charging deprivation-cost curve over the duration of the trip, control flow again proceeds to step 1610, where charging begins. If the global virtual energy price is not lower than the charge scarcity-cost curve for the duration of the trip, control flow proceeds to step 1606 as described above.

[0090] FIG. 18A illustrates a method for calculating a global virtual energy price for a given facility. In step 1700, a measurement of the total instantaneous generating capacity within the facility is made. That is, a measurement of the total available energy generated by the facility, including renewable and non-renewable sources, is made. Next, in step 1702, the total instantaneous energy demand within the facility due to managed and unmanaged loads is measured. Control flow then proceeds to step 1704, where a calculation is made of the portion of the total instantaneous generating capacity currently needed by the facility. Next, in step 1706, a supply cost transfer function, indicated by reference letter C in FIG. 18B, is used to set a global virtual energy price. That is, the location of the calculated portion of the total instantaneous generating capacity is found along the horizontal axis of FIG. 18B, and this location is then used to find the corresponding point (on the transfer function). The ordinate of this point is the global virtual energy price.

[0091] FIG. 19 illustrates a method for issuing a user notification for a given facility. Following step 1113, control flow proceeds to step 1800, where the indoor power controller 202 obtains the current notification context from the caller. Next, in step 1802, it is determined whether this or a similar notification has been previously sent to the user within the adjustment time period. If this or a similar notification has been previously sent to the user within the adjustment time period, control flow returns to the point from which this method was originally invoked. If this or a similar notification has not been previously sent to the user within the adjustment time period, control flow proceeds to step 1804, where a determination is made whether the user's mobile device is accessible from the indoor mesh network. If the user's mobile device is accessible from the indoor mesh network, control flow proceeds to step 1812, where a notification is sent to the user's mobile phone via the indoor mesh network, after which control flow returns.

[0092] If the user's mobile phone is not accessible in step 1804, the control flow proceeds to step 1806, where it is determined whether the user has requested mobile push notifications. If the user has requested mobile push notifications, the control flow proceeds to step 1814, where a request for a push notification event is sent to the aggregation server 112. If the user has not requested mobile push notifications, the control flow proceeds to step 1808, where it is determined whether the user has provided an email address to receive notifications. If the user has provided an email address to receive notifications, the control flow proceeds to step 1816, where a request for an email notification event is sent to the aggregation server 112. In step 1810, a message is displayed on the display 526 (FIG. 5) of the indoor power controller 202, after which the control flow returns.

[0093] The above description is directed to specific embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. For example, it is expressly contemplated that the teachings of the present invention may be embodied in software, hardware, firmware, or combinations thereof, including a computer-readable medium having program instructions executed on a computer. Accordingly, this description should be understood as illustrative only, and not as limiting the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[0094] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are listed below. 1. one or more energy control modules configured to control power to one or more loads in a facility; a power control device connected to the one or more energy control modules, the power control device enabling each energy control module to be operated by the power control device; Including, The power control device calculating a virtual energy price using a supply cost transfer function based on a ratio of measured total instantaneous power demand in the facility to total instantaneous generating capacity in the facility; Finding the closest point on a cost-intensity curve of a selected load based on the virtual energy price, the selected load being dimmable; determining a lighting intensity value for the selected load by multiplying a user-set lighting intensity value for the selected load by a scaling factor corresponding to the found closest point; simulating electrical energy consumption of the selected loads over a period of time using the virtual energy price; determining whether the virtual energy price exceeds a virtual energy price threshold for the selected load during the time period; In response to determining that the virtual energy price exceeds the virtual energy price threshold for the selected load, initiate operation of an energy control module that controls the selected load to reduce the power. The system is configured as follows: 2. The power control device Receive commands to reduce power consumption from an aggregation server acting as a participant in the energy market. 2. The system of claim 1, further configured as follows: 3. The power control device Enforcing a prioritized list of the one or more loads based on user-specified priorities. further configured as follows: 10. The system of claim 1, wherein each load can be determined as one of a dimmable load and a discrete power load. 4. The power control device determining whether a measured temperature in the facility is below a cost-temperature curve for another selected load based on the virtual energy price, the other selected load being a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) load; maintaining the power to the other selected load in response to determining that the measured temperature within the facility is below the cost-temperature curve; 2. The system of claim 1, further configured as follows: 5. The power control device finding a trajectory for moving the measured temperature onto the cost-temperature curve; Schedule operation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) load for the duration of the trajectory. 5. The system of claim 4, further configured as follows: 6. The power control device Setting the power level of the selected load to correspond to the lighting intensity value. 2. The system of claim 1, further configured as follows: 7. The power control device Perform cubic interpolation to find the closest point on the cost-intensity curve. 2. The system of claim 1, further configured as follows: 8. The power control device determining whether the virtual energy price is lower than a scarcity-cost curve of another selected load, the other selected load being a battery of an electric vehicle; charging a battery of the electric vehicle in response to determining that the virtual energy price is lower than the scarcity-cost curve. 2. The system of claim 1, further configured as follows: 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy control module comprises any one of a lighting control device, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control device, a smart appliance, and an electric vehicle charging control device. 10. One or more circuit breakers configured to control power to one or more loads in the facility; a power control device connected to the one or more circuit breakers, the power control device enabling each circuit breaker to be operated by the power control device; Including, The power control device calculating a virtual energy price using a supply cost transfer function based on a ratio of measured total instantaneous power demand in the facility to total instantaneous generating capacity in the facility; Finding the closest point on a cost-intensity curve of a selected load based on the virtual energy price, the selected load being dimmable; determining a lighting intensity value for the selected load by multiplying a user-set lighting intensity value for the selected load by a scaling factor corresponding to the found closest point; simulating electrical energy consumption of the load over a period of time using the virtual energy price; determining whether the virtual energy price exceeds the virtual energy price scaled by a scaling factor for the selected load during the time period; Initiating operation of a circuit breaker controlling the selected load to reduce the power in response to determining that the virtual energy price exceeds the virtual energy price scaled by the scaling factor. The system is configured as follows: 11. Calculating a virtual energy price using a supply cost transfer function based on a ratio of measured total instantaneous electricity demand in the facility to total instantaneous generating capacity in the facility; using one or more circuit breakers to control power to one or more loads within said facility; Finding the closest point on a cost-intensity curve of a selected load based on the virtual energy price, the selected load being dimmable; determining a lighting intensity value for the selected load by multiplying a user-set lighting intensity value for the selected load by a scaling factor corresponding to the found closest point; simulating electrical energy consumption of the selected loads over a period of time using the virtual energy price; determining whether the virtual energy price exceeds a virtual energy price threshold for the selected load during the time period; Initiating operation of a circuit breaker controlling the selected load to reduce the power in response to determining that the virtual energy price exceeds the virtual energy price threshold for the selected load. A method comprising: 12. Receiving commands to reduce power consumption from an aggregation server acting as a participant in the energy market. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: 13. Implementing a prioritized list of the one or more loads based on user-specified priorities. further comprising 12. The method of claim 11, wherein each load can be determined as one of a dimmable load and a discrete power load. 14. determining whether a measured temperature in the facility is below a cost-temperature curve for another selected load based on the virtual energy price, the other selected load being a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) load; maintaining the power to the other selected load in response to determining that the measured temperature within the facility is below the cost-temperature curve. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: 15. Find a trajectory to move the measured temperature onto the cost-temperature curve; scheduling operation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) loads over the duration of the trajectory; 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: 16. Setting the power level of the selected load to correspond to the lighting intensity value. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: 17. Performing cubic interpolation to find the closest point on the cost-intensity curve. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: 18. Determining whether the virtual energy price is lower than the scarcity-cost curve of another selected load, wherein the other selected load is an electric vehicle battery; charging a battery of the electric vehicle in response to determining that the virtual energy price is lower than the scarcity-cost curve. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: 19. reducing said virtual energy price in response to the projected net production of electric energy within said facility during said period; 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: 20. Prioritizing said facilities based on the class of said facilities and said one or more load specifications. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

[0095] Other exemplary embodiments of the present invention are listed below. 1. A device having a form factor configured to fit with an electrical circuit breaker panel, comprising: a switch coupled to a processor, load terminals, and a power connector, the power connector configured to accommodate conductors compatible with the electrical circuit breaker panel; a sensor coupled to the load terminals and the processor; a network module coupled to the processor; wherein the processor: using the sensor to sample the current conducted to the load terminals; and opening the switch when a zero crossing of the conducted current is detected in response to receiving a command to interrupt the supply of power to the load terminals via the network module. The apparatus is configured to: 2. The apparatus of 1, wherein the switch is a transistor capable of a switching frequency of at least 100 kHz for a conduction current of at least 20 A at 100 VAC. 3. The device described in 1, wherein the sensor is a Hall effect sensor. 4. The apparatus of 1, further comprising a zero-crossing circuit coupled to the processor and configured to send a signal to the processor when the zero-crossing of the conduction current is detected. 5. The device of 1, wherein the network module includes a wireless receiver, and the command to cut off power is received via the wireless receiver. 6. The apparatus of 1, wherein the switch is a relay, and the processor configured to open the switch is further configured to open the relay simultaneously with the zero crossing of the conduction current and the zero crossing of the conduction voltage to the load terminals. 7. The device according to 1, wherein the conductor is a bus bar. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power connector is coupled in series with an arc fault circuit breaker of the electrical circuit breaker panel. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled to the processor and configured to display instantaneous power consumption data of a load coupled to the load terminals, the display being visible when the apparatus is mounted on the electrical circuit breaker panel. 10. The apparatus of 9, further comprising a non-volatile memory device coupled to the processor, the processor further configured to store the instantaneous power consumption data in the non-volatile memory device. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor, the processor further configured to transfer the stored instantaneous power consumption data via the wireless transceiver. 12. Sampling current conducted to a load terminal coupled to a switch, the switch coupled to a power connector of a circuit breaker device coupled to a network module and configured to accommodate conductors compatible with an electrical circuit breaker panel; and opening the switch when a zero crossing of the conducted current is detected in response to receiving a command to interrupt the supply of power to the load terminals via the network module. A method comprising: 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the switch is a transistor capable of a switching frequency of at least 100 kHz for a conduction current of at least 20 A at 100 VAC. 14. Sending a signal to a processor of the circuit breaker device coupled to the switch when the zero crossing of the conduction current is detected. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: 15. The opening of the switch is simultaneous with the zero crossing of the conduction current and the zero crossing of the conduction voltage to the load terminals. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: 16. Sampling the voltage at the load terminals; displaying the instantaneous power consumption data on a display device coupled to said processor. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: wherein the indicating device is visible when the device is mounted on the electrical circuit breaker panel. 17. Storing the instantaneous power consumption data in a non-volatile memory device coupled to the processor. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: 18. Transmitting the stored instantaneous power consumption data via a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: 19. Displaying the identifier on a display device coupled to the processor. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: wherein the indicating device is visible when the device is mounted on the electrical circuit breaker panel. 20. A circuit breaker having a form factor configured to fit with an electrical circuit breaker panel, a switch coupled to a processor, load terminals, and a power connector, the power connector configured to accommodate conductors compatible with the electrical circuit breaker panel; a sensor coupled to the load terminals and the processor, the load terminals being coupled to a load; a display coupled to the processor and visible when the circuit breaker is mounted on the electrical circuit breaker panel; a network module coupled to the processor; wherein the processor: using the sensor to sample the current conducted to the load terminals; sampling the voltage conducted to the load terminals; Transmitting the power consumption of the load to the display device 1. A circuit breaker configured as follows:

Claims

1. 1. An electrical circuit breaker panel apparatus comprising: a switch coupled to a processor, a load terminal coupled to a branch circuit, and a power connector coupled to a power input of the electrical circuit breaker panel apparatus; a sensor connected to the load terminals and the processor; and a network module coupled to the processor; wherein the processor: using the sensor to sample the current conducted to the load terminals; and opening and closing the switch when a zero crossing of the conducted current is detected in response to receiving a command to turn on or off power to the load terminals via the network module.

1. An electric circuit breaker panel apparatus configured as follows:

2. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch is a transistor capable of a switching frequency of at least 100 kHz at 15 A.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a zero-crossing circuit coupled to the processor and configured to send a signal to the processor when the zero-crossing of the conducted current is detected.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the network module includes a wireless receiver.

6. the switch is a relay; 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor configured to open and close the switch is further configured to open and close the relay coincident with the zero crossing of the current conducted to the load terminals.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the network module receives the command from a smartphone.

8. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power connector is coupled in series with an arc fault circuit breaker of the electrical circuit breaker panel apparatus.

9. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to calculate one or more values ​​of (i) an instantaneous power consumption to the branch circuit, (ii) an average power consumption within a predetermined period of time to the branch circuit, or (iii) a peak power consumption to the branch circuit, and the calculated values ​​are transmitted via the network module.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to communicate with a remote server over a wide area network via the network module.

11. (i) connecting a switch to a processor, (ii) connecting load terminals to a branch circuit, (iii) connecting a power connector to a power input of an electrical circuit breaker panel, (iv) connecting a sensor to the load terminals and the processor, and (v) connecting a network module to the processor; using the sensor to sample the current conducted to the load terminals; and opening and closing the switch when a zero crossing of the conducted current is detected in response to receiving a command to turn on or off power to the load terminals via the network module. A method comprising:

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the switch is a transistor capable of a switching frequency of at least 100 kHz at 15 A.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sensor is a Hall Effect sensor.

14. a zero crossing circuit connected to the processor; sending a signal to the processor when the zero crossing of the conducted current is detected; The method of claim 11 further comprising:

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the network module includes a wireless receiver.

16. the switch is a relay; The method of claim 11 , wherein opening and closing the switch further comprises opening and closing the relay coincident with the zero crossing of the current conducted to the load terminals.

17. receiving, in the network module, the command from a device having wireless network connectivity; The method of claim 11 further comprising:

18. coupling said power connector in series with an arc fault circuit breaker of said electrical circuit breaker panel; The method of claim 11 further comprising:

19. calculating one or more values ​​of (i) an instantaneous power consumption to the branch circuit, (ii) an average power consumption to the branch circuit within a predetermined period of time, or (iii) a peak power consumption to the branch circuit; transmitting the calculated value via the network module; The method of claim 11 further comprising:

20. 1. An electrical circuit breaker panel apparatus comprising: a switch coupled to the processor, a load terminal coupled to the branch circuit, and a power connector coupled to a power input of the device; a sensor connected to the load terminals and the processor; and a network module coupled to the processor; wherein the processor: calculating one or more values ​​of (i) an instantaneous power consumption to the branch circuit, (ii) an average power consumption to the branch circuit within a predetermined period of time, or (iii) a peak power consumption to the branch circuit, and transmitting the calculated values ​​via the network module; using the sensor to sample the current conducted to the load terminals; and opening and closing the switch when a zero crossing of the conducted current is detected in response to receiving a command to turn on or off power to the load terminals via the network module.

1. An electric circuit breaker panel apparatus configured as follows:

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