Load control system

• US 10,027,167 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2015
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Embertec Pty Ltd
• Original Assignee: Embertec Pty Ltd
• Inventors: Gatto, Ricardo
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DINH THANH
• Application Number:
  US14/635,365
• Publication Number:
  US 20150256032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 307 33- 35, 307 38
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00006 characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/12 characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

An energy management system controls electrical load operation to maintain the loads'"'"' energy usage below a maximum energy limit. An OFF priority list specifies enabled loads that can be disabled, with an enabled load having higher priority if further from the load'"'"'s action threshold (such as a desired operating temperature). An ON priority list specifies disabled loads that can be enabled, with a disabled load having higher priority if closer to the load'"'"'s action threshold. If the collective loads'"'"' energy consumption is below a control energy level set below the maximum energy limit (preferably by an amount approximating the projected consumption of the largest disabled load), the load atop the ON priority list is enabled and moved to the OFF priority list. If the collective loads'"'"' energy consumption is above the control energy level, the load atop the OFF priority list is disabled and moved to the ON priority list.

Claims

1. An energy management system for controlling operation of one or more electrical loads such that energy usage of the electrical loads remains below a predetermined maximum energy limit, the system being configured to:

a. determine a control energy level, the control energy level being less than the maximum energy limit;

b. maintain an OFF priority list of enabled electrical loads suitable for disabling, wherein the OFF priority of each electrical load on the OFF priority list is dependent on the electrical load'"'"'s distance from an action threshold for the electrical load;

c. maintain an ON priority list of the disabled electrical loads suitable for enabling, wherein the ON priority of each electrical load on the ON priority list is dependent on the electrical load'"'"'s proximity to an action threshold for the electrical load;

d. compare a measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads to the control energy level, and;

(1) when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is less than the control energy level;

(a) enable the electrical load on the ON priority list having the highest ON priority, and

(b) add the enabled electrical load to the OFF priority list;

(2) when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is greater than the control energy level;

(a) disable the electrical load on the OFF priority list having the highest OFF priority, and

(b) add the disabled electrical load to the ON priority list.

2. The energy management system of claim 1 wherein:

a. each of the electrical loads is a device which is operated intermittently to keep a value of a load control parameter in a defined range, and

b. the defined range is either above or below the action threshold.

3. The energy management system of claim 2 wherein each of the electrical loads is operated such that the load'"'"'s energy usage is permitted to exceed the maximum energy limit if necessary to maintain the value of the load control parameter within the defined range.

4. The energy management system of claim 2 wherein each of the electrical loads is operated such that the load control parameter is permitted to deviate from the defined range if necessary to maintain the energy usage of the electrical loads below the maximum energy limit.

5. The energy management system of claim 2 wherein:

a. the electrical loads are air conditioning devices, and

b. the load control parameter associated with each electrical load is the temperature of a space in which the electrical load is operating.

6. The energy management system of claim 2 wherein:

a. the electrical loads are air conditioning devices, and

b. the load control parameter associated with each electrical load is a comfort level calculated from the temperature and humidity of a space in which the electrical load is operating.

7. The energy management system of claim 2 wherein:

a. each of the electrical loads is a water heater, and

b. the load control parameter associated with each electrical load is a water temperature.

8. The energy management system of claim 2 wherein the action threshold is:

a. determined by the energy management system, and

b. at least partially dependent upon the actions of a user in manually controlling the operation of the electrical device.

9. The energy management system of claim 2 wherein the action threshold is:

a. determined by the energy management system, and

b. at least partially dependent upon the value of environmental parameters other than the load control parameter.

10. The energy management system of claim 1 further including a communications module configured to receive communication of the maximum energy limit from an energy supplier.

11. The energy management system of claim 1 in combination with a load controller:

a. configured to be controlled by the energy management system, and

b. including a control module configured to control one or more devices constituting the electrical loads.

12. The load controller of claim 11 wherein:

a. the controlled devices include one or more air conditioners, and

b. the control module is an infra-red transmitter configured to send command sequences to the air conditioner.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is further configured to:

a. enable one of the disabled electrical loads, and

b. remove the newly-enabled electrical load from the ON priority list, if the electrical load passes the electrical load'"'"'s action threshold.

14. The energy management system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the electrical loads are heating and/or cooling devices, each such electrical load operating intermittently to keep a value of a load control parameter within a range defined above or below the action threshold for the electrical load.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein each electrical load'"'"'s action threshold is dependent on one or more of:

a. a temperature threshold, and

b. a humidity threshold.

16. An energy management system for controlling operation of one or more electrical loads, the system including:

A. an incoming energy monitor configured to provide a measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads;

B. one or more load controllers, each configured to enable or disable operation of at least one of the electrical loads,

wherein the system is configured to;

a. determine a control energy level, the control energy level being less than a maximum energy limit defining an undesirable level of energy consumption by the electrical loads;

b. maintain an OFF priority list of the electrical loads which are enabled and suitable for disabling, wherein the OFF priority of each electrical load on the OFF priority list is dependent on the electrical load'"'"'s distance from an action threshold for the electrical load;

c. maintain an ON priority list of the electrical loads which are disabled and suitable for enabling, wherein the ON priority of each electrical load on the ON priority list is dependent on the electrical load'"'"'s proximity to an action threshold for the electrical load;

d. compare a measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads provided by the incoming energy monitor to the control energy level, and;

(1) when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is less than the control energy level;

(a) enable the electrical load on the ON priority list having the highest ON priority, and

(b) add the enabled electrical load to the OFF priority list;

(2) when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is greater than the control energy level;

(a) disable the electrical load on the OFF priority list having the highest OFF priority, and

(b) add the disabled electrical load to the ON priority list.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the system is further configured to:

a. enable one of the disabled electrical loads, and

b. remove the newly-enabled electrical load from the ON priority list, if the disabled electrical load passes the disabled electrical load'"'"'s action threshold.

18. An energy management system for controlling operation of one or more electrical loads, the system including:

A. an incoming energy monitor configured to provide a measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads;

B. one or more load controllers, each configured to enable or disable operation of at least one of the electrical loads,

wherein the system is configured to;

a. determine a control energy level, the control energy level being less than a maximum energy limit defining an undesirable level of energy consumption by the electrical loads;

b. maintain an OFF priority list of any enabled electrical loads which are suitable for disabling, wherein the OFF priority of each enabled electrical load on the OFF priority list is dependent on the electrical load'"'"'s distance from an action threshold for the electrical load;

c. maintain an ON priority list of any disabled electrical loads which are suitable for enabling, wherein the ON priority of each disabled electrical load on the ON priority list is dependent on the electrical load'"'"'s proximity to an action threshold for the electrical load;

d. when one of the disabled electrical loads on the ON priority list passes the disabled electrical load'"'"'s action threshold;

(1) enable the disabled electrical load, and

(2) remove the newly-enabled electrical load from the ON priority list.

19. The energy management system of claim 18 wherein the system is further configured to compare the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads provided by the incoming energy monitor to the control energy level, and:

a. when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is less than the control energy level;

(1) enable the electrical load on the ON priority list having the highest ON priority, and

(2) add the enabled electrical load to the OFF priority list;

b. when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is greater than the control energy level;

(1) disable the electrical load on the OFF priority list having the highest OFF priority, and

(2) add the disabled electrical load to the ON priority list.

20. An energy management system for controlling operation of electrical loads in an installation, each of the loads:

A. having an associated load control parameter, wherein the associated load control parameter has a value which is at least partially controlled by the operation of the load,

B. operating as required to keep the value of the associated load control parameter close to a predetermined setpoint value for the load,

the system including;

I. an incoming energy monitor configured to provide a measure of the energy consumption of the installation,

II. a load controller configured to enable and disable operation of at least one of the electrical loads,

wherein the system is configured to;

a. determine a control energy level, the control energy level being less than a maximum energy limit defining an undesirable level of energy consumption by the electrical loads;

b. compare the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads provided by the incoming energy monitor to the control energy level, and when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is;

(1) less than the control energy level, enable one of the electrical loads which is currently disabled, such that operation of the newly-enabled electrical load would not cause the measure of the energy consumption of the installation to exceed the maximum energy limit, and

(2) greater than the control energy level, disable one of the electrical loads which is currently enabled, such that operation of any remaining enabled electrical loads would not cause the measure of the energy consumption of the installation to exceed the maximum energy limit.

21. The energy management system of claim 20 wherein the control energy level is defined by the maximum energy limit less the electrical load value of the largest one of the electrical loads.

22. The energy management system of claim 20 wherein each of the electrical loads is operated such that the load'"'"'s load control parameter is permitted to exceed the action threshold if necessary to maintain the energy usage of the installation below the maximum energy limit.

23. The energy management system of claim 20 wherein:

a. at least some of the electrical loads are air conditioning devices, and

b. the load control parameter associated with each such device is the temperature of a space in which the device is operating.

24. The energy management system of claim 20 wherein:

a. at least some of the electrical loads are air conditioning devices, and

b. the load control parameter associated with each device is a comfort level calculated from the temperature and humidity of a space in which the device is operating.

25. The energy management system of claim 20 wherein:

a. at least some of the electrical loads are water heaters, and

b. the load control parameter associated with each such electrical load is a water temperature.

26. The energy management system of claim 20 wherein the system is further configured to:

a. maintain an OFF priority list of the enabled electrical loads which are enabled and suitable for disabling, wherein the OFF priority of each electrical load on the OFF priority list is dependent on the electrical load'"'"'s distance from an action threshold for the electrical load;

b. maintain an ON priority list of the disabled electrical loads which are disabled and suitable for enabling, wherein the ON priority of each electrical load on the ON priority list is dependent on the electrical load'"'"'s proximity to an action threshold for the electrical load;

c. compare a measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads provided by the incoming energy monitor to the control energy level, and;

(1) when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is less than the control energy level;

(a) enable the electrical load on the ON priority list having the highest ON priority, and

(b) add the enabled electrical load to the OFF priority list;

(2) when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is greater than the control energy level;

(a) disable the electrical load on the OFF priority list having the highest OFF priority, and

(b) add the disabled electrical load to the ON priority list.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the system is further configured to enable one of the disabled electrical loads if the load control parameter for the disabled electrical load passes the disabled electrical load'"'"'s action threshold.

28. The energy management system of claim 26 wherein each of the electrical loads is operated such that the energy usage of the installation is permitted to exceed the maximum energy limit if necessary to prevent the value of the load control parameter passing the action threshold.

29. The energy management system of claim 26 wherein the action threshold is:

a. determined by the energy management system, and

b. at least partially dependent upon the actions of a user in manually controlling the operation of the electrical device.

30. The energy management system of claim 26 wherein the action threshold is:

a. determined by the energy management system, and

b. at least partially dependent upon the value of environmental parameters other than the load control parameter.

31. An energy management system for controlling operation of electrical loads, each of the loads:

A. having an associated load control parameter, wherein the associated load control parameter has a value which is at least partially controlled by the operation of the load,

B. operating as required to keep the value of the associated load control parameter close to a predetermined setpoint value for the load,

the system including;

I. an incoming energy monitor configured to provide a measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads,

II. a load controller configured to enable and disable operation of at least one of the electrical loads,

wherein the system is configured to;

a. determine a control energy level, the control energy level being less than a maximum energy limit defining an undesirable level of energy consumption by the electrical loads;

b. maintain an OFF priority list of any enabled electrical loads which are suitable for disabling, wherein the OFF priority of each enabled electrical load on the OFF priority list is dependent on the proximity of the current value of the load parameter to the setpoint value for the electrical load;

c. maintain an ON priority list of any disabled electrical loads which are suitable for enabling, wherein the ON priority of each disabled electrical load on the ON priority list is dependent on the proximity of the current value of the load parameter to an action threshold for the electrical load;

d. when the load control parameter of one of the disabled electrical loads on the ON priority list passes the disabled electrical load'"'"'s action threshold;

(1) enable the disabled electrical load, and

(2) remove the newly-enabled electrical load from the ON priority list.

32. The energy management system of claim 31 wherein the system is further configured to compare the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads provided by the incoming energy monitor to the control energy level, and:

a. when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is less than the control energy level;

(1) enable the electrical load on the ON priority list having the highest ON priority, and

(2) add the enabled electrical load to the OFF priority list;

b. when the measure of the energy consumption of the electrical loads is greater than the control energy level;

(1) disable the electrical load on the OFF priority list having the highest OFF priority, and

(2) add the disabled electrical load to the ON priority list.