System, method and apparatus for power management

• US 10,402,753 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2018
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert F. Cruickshank III
• Original Assignee: Robert F. Cruickshank III
• Inventors: Cruickshank, III, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Application Number:
  US16/157,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20190065997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus provide management of power to meet demand of consumers that consume the power. An interface is configured to receive a pricing signal that indicates a price for the power. Wherein the interface is configured to control an appliance coupled to the interface to shift adjusting power consumption sooner in time than the appliance is predetermined to shift its power consumption.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

generating, by a first entity, power for the use by a second entity, wherein the first entity includes a power generation utility having a power generation source, and the second entity includes a demand side;

setting, by a third entity, a pricing signal, the pricing signal representative of a price for the power and an availability of power generation capacity, wherein the setting of the pricing signal is upward or downward and causes maximizing an efficient operating level of power generation at both a first time and a second time, wherein a maximum efficient operating level is at or near a maximum power generation output; and

transmitting, by the third entity, the pricing signal continually in real-time over a telecommunication network to the second entity;

wherein an appliance of the second entity is controlled automatically based on the pricing signal to maximize the efficient operating level of power generation by the first entity at both the first time and the second time;

wherein before the power generation source of the first entity is online, the pricing signal is set upward to decrease a demand of the power by the second entity at the first time to forestall bringing the power generation source of the first entity online; and

wherein after the power generation source of the first entity is online, the pricing signal is set downward to increase the demand of the power by the second entity at the second time until the power generation source of the first entity is operating at the maximum efficient operating level of power generation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third entity uses a data management system, dynamic systems control and distributed operations equipment.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the third entity at a present time, the power generation source capable of immediate power generation based on a previously unused output capability of the power generation source.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the power generation source includes combustion turbines, hydropower, electric energy, oil, coal, nuclear, wind power, solar power, or fossil-fuel generator.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the pricing signal to increase demand or decrease demand is based on a time when a renewable energy source is available.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

changing, by the third entity, the pricing signal to decrease the demand of the power until a time when an aggregate demand of the power matches the availability of power generation capacity.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pricing signal is set to decrease the additional demand of the power when the first entity reaches the efficient operating level of power output.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the pricing signal delays spinning-up and bringing online of additional power generation sources until an aggregate demand matches the availability of power generation capacity.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the pricing signal to decrease the demand of the power stabilizes and protects transmission and distribution infrastructures coupled to the power generation source when there is a power grid failure or a defunct power generation source.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pricing signal is set multiple times in a day.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pricing signal is set to increase demand of the power to maximize output of the power generation source and to use an energy storage capacity of the second entity.

12. A system comprising:

a first entity that includes a power generation utility having a power generation source that generates power;

a second entity that includes a demand side, and utilizes the power from the first entity; and

a third entity connected through a communication network to the first entity and the second entity, the third entity setting a pricing signal, the pricing signal being representative of a price for power and an availability of power generation capacity, the third entity continually transmitting the pricing signal in real-time over the communication network to the second entity, wherein the setting of the pricing signal is upward or downward and causes maximizing an efficient operating level of power generation by the first entity at both a first time and a second time, wherein a maximum efficient operating level is at or near a maximum power generation output;

wherein an appliance of the second entity is controlled automatically based on the pricing signal to maximize the efficient operating level of power generation by the first entity at both the first time and the second time;

wherein before the power generation source of the first entity is online, the pricing signal is set upward to decrease a demand of the power by the second entity at the first time to forestall bringing the power generation source of the first entity online; and

wherein after the power generation source of the first entity is online, the pricing signal is set downward to increase the demand of the power by the second entity at the second time until the power generation source of the first entity is operating at the maximum efficient operating level of power generation.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the third entity uses a data management system, dynamic systems control and distributed operations equipment.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the power generation source includes combustion turbines, hydropower, electric energy, oil, coal, nuclear, wind power, solar power, fossil-fuel power, or fossil-fuel generator.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein setting the pricing signal to increase demand or decrease demand is based on a time when a renewable energy source is available.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein:

the third entity changes the pricing signal to decrease the demand of the power until a time when an aggregate demand of the power matches the availability of power generation capacity.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the pricing signal is set to decrease the additional demand of the power when the power generation source of the first entity reaches the efficient operating level of power output.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein setting the pricing signal to decrease the demand of the power stabilizes and protects transmission and distribution infrastructures coupled to the power generation source when there is a power grid failure or a defunct power generator.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the pricing signal is set multiple times in a day.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the pricing signal is set to increase demand of the power to maximize output of the power generation source and to use an energy storage capacity of the second entity.