773 results about "Energy demand" patented technology

A business methodology for optimizing energy procurement energy demand (usage) and energy supply for a facility or complex. After ascertaining a baseline model, energy consumption is monitored and adjusted to reflect dynamic economic factors of operations. With the accumulation of data, contract negotiations with energy suppliers may provide further energy savings. Over time and patterns of usage determined further savings and optimization in energy, equipment, staffing and other operational areas are obtained. Remote access provides efficient monitoring of established systems.

A “Smart Grid Pricer” enables automated balancing of the supply and demand of energy supply and consumption, such as the generation and consumption of electricity between electricity providers and electricity consumers. The Smart Grid Pricer automatically computes and delivers real-time energy pricing information to consumers on behalf of energy retailers (e.g., electricity utilities) to help drive the balance of demand with supply. In various embodiments, real-time pricing is determined by using various probabilistic models to estimate overall consumer demand as a function of factors such as energy price, time of day, region, weather, etc. to compute a price that will result in an energy demand that is closely balanced to the available supply. On the consumer side, various components of the Smart Grid Pricer automatically respond to such pricing information to optimize energy consumption in accordance with a variety of automated and / or user defined rules and preferences.

A system that facilitates and implements energy savings decisions by a home owner. The system will provide a mechanism to reduce the peak level of energy demand. A controller in logical communication with energy consuming appliances responds to request for energy from energy consuming appliances and devices by permitting or curtailing energy supply to the appliances or devices based on evaluation of a plurality of logical considerations. The controller may be operated to provide energy to fewer than all of the energy requesting appliances to reduce the energy demand on an energy supply source, including the instantaneous peak demand.

A decentralized load management and control system and method are provided herein. A plurality of loads in a system are associated with a multitude of respective networked load controllers. If energy demand exceeds optimum limits in operation then the networked load controllers collaborate to determine which load(s) will be shed based on an optimization algorithm that considers, inter alia, variable load priority and business objectives. Additionally and / or alternatively, if the metered energy demand is less than optimum, the load controllers can determine which loads to reconnect again based at least upon load priority and business objectives.

A method and system for energy management via energy-aware process scheduling provides per-process energy use / power dissipation control to manage system energy requirements and thermal conditions without throttling overall system performance. Use of energy by a particular process is measured or is estimated from resource requirements that are determined by the operating system or reported by the application owning the process. The scheduler then determines whether or not to allocate execution slices to the process in conformity with the measured or estimated energy requirements of the process. The scheduler may insert “idle” execution slices to reduce energy use / power dissipation or may prefer low energy-use processes over high energy-use processes. Pragmatic faults may be issued as warnings from the operating system to an application to indicate that energy requirements need to be curtailed. If the warning sent to the application does not result in sufficient energy use / power dissipation reduction, then the scheduler may implement the selective allocation of slices to processes that have an excessive energy requirement. The scheduler may be notified of such a condition through pragmatic “critical” faults that indicate a higher degree of severity than the previously-issued warning faults.

An energy management system and method providing a holistic premise energy optimization and energy efficiency reclamation system comprised of an interconnected system of software, analytics and automated process that optimizes the energy generation and storage technologies, energy consumption, energy demand and energy utilization of energy consuming assets within a premise.

A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater upper and / or lower temperature and controls upper and / or lower water heater heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use patterns and / or measured capacity. One embodiment is adapted for use with existing water heaters without disrupting safety features of the existing water heater.

A method to calculate energy demand in an energy generation, transmission and distribution network including one or more power plants based on different energy source types including renewable energy, a communications system and one or more local consumption metering units. A customer demand profile for one or more customers is provided. A customer-specified proportion of power demand to be supplied from a given energy source type is registered. A total predicted energy demand dependent is calculated in part on an accumulated demand for the given energy source type.

The present invention comprises a method, and corresponding system, apparatus and memory for trading energy commitments to reduce or increase energy demand (a demand response commitment), to increase or reduce energy production (a supply response commitment) upon demand or to deliver or to not deliver energy (an energy delivery commitment). Such commitments are made available by energy consumers, energy generators and energy delivery companies, respectively, to an entity that provides consideration for these energy commitments and trades them as fungible commodities to energy market participants. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a method for trading energy commitments to reduce or increase energy consumption, to increase or reduce energy generation, or to deliver energy, comprising receiving a plurality of multi-year energy commitments; providing consideration for each of the multi-year energy commitments; and trading at least one of the plurality of energy commitments upon demand.

The present invention relates to supervision and control of an energy generation, transmission and distribution system. In particular the present invention discloses a system, method and a computer program product for calculating a demand for energy from power plants based one or more different energy source types, including electrical energy generated from a renewable energy source.

An Intelligent Thermostat (IT) device and method of use for the retrieval and display of real-time energy demand and energy pricing. The IT device is configured to perform automatic adaptation of energy conservation based on real-time fluctuations in the energy pricing from a Utility Company. The IT device controls a multicolor backlight to immediately notify the user of real-time fluctuations in the energy pricing.

An energy management system and method providing a holistic premise energy optimization and energy efficiency reclamation system comprised of an interconnected system of software, analytics and automated process that optimizes the energy generation and storage technologies, energy consumption, energy demand and energy utilization of energy consuming assets within a premise.

Fully automated demand response may be implemented at end users, in accordance with terms agreed to by end users to reduce energy demand during demand response events. Demand reduction actions to implement the objectives of a demand response event at the end users may be determined, desirably using artificial intelligence and neural networks, based on energy demand curtailment objectives of the demand response event, hierarchy(ies) of demand reduction actions for respective demand response events ordered to minimize undesired impact at the end users, and monitoring data received from, or relating to implementing energy demand curtailment at, the end users. In addition, demand reduction actions may be automatically implemented at end users in the absence of a demand response event, to implement energy demand curtailment according to criteria of end users, where the demand reduction actions are determined based on monitoring data and a hierarchy(ies) of demand reduction actions and using artificial intelligence and neural networks.

The invention relates to an energy storing method and apparatus for use by end-users of energy, such as commercial property owners and operators. The system differs from past systems, insofar as it is not intended to be used by and in connection with energy suppliers, such as large utility and power supply plants and grids. The system preferably relates to the manner in which an end-user of energy can implement energy and costs savings, by using energy storage and time-shifting methods, to control and regulate the consumption of energy in a manner that achieves a cost savings over a period of time. One aspect of the method relates to accurately forecasting and predicting the energy demands and peaks that might occur on a daily basis, by recording and analyzing the prior day's history, as well as the overall energy demand histories, using short and long term forecasts, and then setting up a variable energy storage / use plan or schedule that helps to reduce the peak demands by time-shifting the energy that is used, i.e., reducing consumption during high demand / high cost periods, and using the energy stored during low demand / low cost periods during the high demand / high cost periods.

The invention relates to an electric vehicle orderly charging control method. The method comprises the following steps of accounting and calculating the charging load predicting results at the next time frame as per the history data or the charging demand of the conventional electric vehicle by station level management equipment and uploading the charging load predicting results to an electric fence administration center, calculating the available capacity of an electric fence as per the predicting results at the present time frame and the real-time operation state and sending electric fence available capacity command to the station level management equipment by the electric fence administration center, comparing the charging power demand of the present time frame by the station level management equipment and coordinating the charging demand of the electric vehicle if the charging demand of the electric vehicle is smaller than the charging power demand of the present time frame. The invention further relates to an electric vehicle orderly charging control system. The allowance power of a recharge replacement station is restricted reasonably by the electric fence administration center as per the charging load predicting results submitted by the station level management equipment and the operating condition of the electric fence, thereby avoiding the impact to the electric fence caused by power requirements of the recharge replacement station and coordinating the energy source requirements of the electric fence load and the electric vehicle better.

A controller and / or a gateway acts as a feedback-based energy estimator for controlling initial and refined estimates of energy usage of one or more buildings controlled by the controller or gateway. An initial estimate of a building's energy needs for a specified time in the future (e.g., a month or a week ahead) are calculated, and then over time, in conjunction with an energy company, the initial estimate (and subsequent estimates) is revised based on the costs of the energy predicted or quoted by the energy company. The controller may examine jobs to be performed at the time as well as predictive information that may affect the building's energy needs (e.g., the predicted temperature for the time of the predicted energy needs). As expectations change (or as predicted factors such as temperature change), the energy company may be informed of the additional energy that will be needed (e.g., if the predicted temperature is increasing and cooling will be needed) or the excess energy that is expected (e.g., if the predicted temperature is decreasing and less cooling will be needed).

Energy services business methods gather up many small pieces of renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and controllable energy demand reductions en a grid, and present all that in a unified interface to a power utility. The individual constituents benefit from collective bargaining with, a large utility, and can receive energy discounts, rebates, and bonuses for their participation.

An apparatus for generating a heated product stream downhole is provided wherein a fuel rich mixture is reacted downhole by contact with a catalyst to produce a partially reacted product stream, the fuel rich mixture comprising fuel and oxygen. The partially reacted product stream is brought into contact with an oxidant thereby igniting combustion upon contact producing a combustion product stream. The combustion product stream may be cooled by injecting a diluent flow such as water or CO2. The cooled combustion product stream may be injected into oil bearing strata in order to reduce the energy requirements for the production of heavy oil.

A method of price forecasting in an electrical energy supply network and / or load (energy demand) forecasting of a given consumer of electrical energy, in the context of an electrical energy supply network that is adapted to supply electrical energy to a number consumers connected to the network. The method includes developing a multi-regime, regime switching stochastic model for determining day ahead / spot market energy prices using at least one historical profile and subjective opinion from at least one expert; and the multiple regimes correspond to a number of combinations of physical factors. A regime is identifiable by at least three factors. The method thus facilitates identifying the optimal mix of energy hedge and exposure to day ahead / spot market prices for deriving economic benefits in overall energy expenditure.

A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater upper and / or lower temperature and controls upper and / or lower water heater heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use patterns and / or measured capacity. One embodiment is adapted for use with existing water heaters without disrupting safety features of the existing water heater.

The invention relates to an energy storing method and apparatus for use by end-users of energy, such as commercial property owners and operators. The system differs from past systems, insofar as it is not intended to be used by and in connection with energy suppliers, such as large utility and power supply plants and grids. The system preferably relates to the manner in which an end-user of energy can implement energy and costs savings, by using energy storage and time-shifting methods, to control and regulate the consumption of energy in a manner that achieves a cost savings over a period of time. One aspect of the method relates to accurately forecasting and predicting the energy demands and peaks that might occur on a daily basis, by recording and analyzing the prior day's history, as well as the overall energy demand histories, using short and long term forecasts, and then setting up a variable energy storage / use plan or schedule that helps to reduce the peak demands by time-shifting the energy that is used, i.e., reducing consumption during high demand / high cost periods, and using the energy stored during low demand / low cost periods during the high demand / high cost periods.

A method, system and program product for quantifying risk of unserved energy in an energy system using a digital simulation. An energy demand forecast is generated based at least in part on a weather model for near term future periods. A plurality of energy supply resources are committed to meet the plurality of energy demand assisted by a plurality of storage devices and associated ancillary services. A probable operating status is specified for each committed energy supply resource in the energy system. Renewable energy resources such as wind, solar cells, and biofuels are also included in the models for energy supply sources. A determination is made as to whether or not the committed supply resources and storage devices are sufficient to meet the energy demand as well as determine the cost of production above a prespecified LODP and EUE.

The invention provides a fluid-dynamic renewable energy harvesting system which includes fluid-foil means for interfacing with a fluid current such as a water current or wind or both, and which includes energy harvesting means utilizing fluid current driven periodic motion of the fluid-foil means for capturing fluid-dynamic renewable energy and converting it into usable energy in a desired form such as electricity. The invention provides devices, methods and systems for harvesting renewable energy for small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale applications, to provide real and substantial benefits towards efficiently fulfilling energy needs while also more broadly serving humanity and our global environment. The various embodiments of the invention provide energy with zero consumption of fossil fuels and zero emissions of greenhouse gases, and some selectively sited embodiments can beneficially counter global warming induced ice melting.

An enhanced pumped storage power system. More particularly, the invention is a regenerative power system that utilizes the gravitational forces of downward movement of large quantities of water to convert same to electrical energy. In the preferred mode of implementation, the system utilizes a man-made lake at a first level of elevation. Though higher altitudes can be effective, the lake need only be approximately twenty to thirty feet in elevation. The lake, which may exceed one hundred acres in size, may be elevated above and adjacent a natural body of water, such as seawater at a coastline. As such, sandy terrain associated with the region facilitates initial construction of the system. An underground generator is utilized for the power conversion and pumping of the water back to the upper reservoir during times of low energy demand, allowing for significant noise reduction. Importantly, the system of the present invention may be utilized to provide significant levels of power to serve relatively large geographic areas during times of peak energy demand, when other sources of power are more expensive and subject to power outages. Finally, it should be noted that the components of the system are aesthetically-pleasing in nature, allowing the system to be effectively utilized in a residential area.

In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.

It is described a fenestration system comprising a window pane provided with a horizontal stripe pattern of solar cells, and window blinds provided with slats operative to concentrate direct sunlight onto said solar cells and operative to redirect diffuse daylight and / or direct sunlight for improved daylight distribution within an interior space. The fenestration system may be provided with control means for automatically adjustment of said window blinds based on a number of parameters like sun position, sky conditions, energy demands, need for daylight within the interior space and need for solar shading.

Novel methods of providing fuels to a gas-to-liquids facility are disclosed. A gas-to-liquids facility typically operates in a remote location and therefore must supply its own energy needs. These facilities are often sustained by fuels having different heating values, and for smooth operation while transitioning from one fuel to another, (such as during startup, shut down, and emergencies) the Wobble Indices of the two fuels cannot greatly vary from one another. According to embodiments of the present invention, the Wobble Index of either or both of the fuels is adjusted such that their ratio is less than or equal to about 3. The fuel having the higher Wobble Index may be natural gas, and materials such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and flue gas may be added to lower its Wobble Index. The fuel having the lower Wobble Index may be the tail gas of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and materials such as methane, ethane, LPG, or natural gas may be added to raise its Wobble Index. Alternatively, carbon dioxide may be removed from the tail gas to raise its Wobble Index.

An enhanced pumped storage power system. More particularly, the invention is a regenerative power system that utilizes the gravitational forces of downward movement of large quantities of water to convert same to electrical energy. In the preferred mode of implementation, the system utilizes a man-made lake at a first level of elevation. Though higher altitudes can be effective, the lake need only be approximately twenty to thirty feet in elevation. The lake, which may exceed one hundred acres in size, may be elevated above and adjacent a natural body of water, such as seawater at a coastline. As such, sandy terrain associated with the region facilitates initial construction of the system. An underground generator is utilized for the power conversion and pumping of the water back to the upper reservoir during times of low energy demand, allowing for significant noise reduction. Importantly, the system of the present invention may be utilized to provide significant levels of power to serve relatively large geographic areas during times of peak energy demand, when other sources of power are more expensive and subject to power outages. Finally, it should be noted that the components of the system are aesthetically-pleasing in nature, allowing the system to be effectively utilized in a residential area.