Method for optimizing energy consumption and cost
First Claim
1. A method for optimizing energy consumption and energy cost at an end-user facility comprising the steps of:
- gathering information about energy consumption requirements of an end-user;
retrieving information on the availability of energy supplied by energy suppliers to end-users;
compiling a list of energy usage options, for energy consumption of a particular device within a particular time period, based on energy consumption requirements and energy availability, said energy use options including energy supply entities and end-users that generate energy;
selecting the energy use option from the compiled list that provides the optimal energy use for a particular device; and
implementing the selected energy use option at the end-user facility.
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Abstract
The present invention enables a facility (home, business or industrial site) to optimize the consumption of energy in that facility. In this invention, the power companies that supply energy provide information to its client facilities on the cost and availability of energy from that company on a real-time basis. Each client facility would have a power accounting server. These servers store this and process this information to predict when the rates for using the energy will be the least expensive for a particular task or to operate a particular appliance. A homeowner (client facility) for example can program appliances such as a dishwasher or laundry machine to turn on when the cost of energy is below a particular threshold price. The present invention has the capability to receive characteristics about a particular appliance, generate a list of energy consumption options for that particular product at a particular time period and select and implement the most efficient energy supply option. This invention can also enable a client facility that generates energy to efficiently use the generated energy and sell any excess energy to another end user or to other energy consumers.
285 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for optimizing energy consumption and energy cost at an end-user facility comprising the steps of:
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gathering information about energy consumption requirements of an end-user;
retrieving information on the availability of energy supplied by energy suppliers to end-users;
compiling a list of energy usage options, for energy consumption of a particular device within a particular time period, based on energy consumption requirements and energy availability, said energy use options including energy supply entities and end-users that generate energy;
selecting the energy use option from the compiled list that provides the optimal energy use for a particular device; and
implementing the selected energy use option at the end-user facility.
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- 2. The method as described in claim I wherein said gathering information step comprises determining the number of devices of the user that require the consumption of energy in order to operate.
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8. A method for optimizing energy usage at an end user site comprising the steps of:
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determining a cost for generating energy at the end user site;
determining the cost of purchasing energy from another energy supplier;
establishing a set of end-user energy policies for generating and using energy at the end-user facility; and
generating a set of energy supply alternatives based on the energy user requirements and the cost of the energy alternatives. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for optimizing energy consumption and energy cost at an end-user location comprising:
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an end-user controller including an accounting program and a memory operatively connected to said accounting program, said controller capable of identifying energy usage options;
a terminal, adapted to enable an end-user to communicate with said controller for the purpose of transmitting information about appliance operating requirements to said accounting program;
an energy information storage facility for storing and maintaining information about available energy sources for the end-user;
a decision-making entity that automatically selects and implements an optimal energy option, the selection and implementation being based on an established end-user energy consumption policy; and
a communication network the enables communication between said end-user controller and said energy information storage facility. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for optimizing energy usage at an end user site comprising:
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instructions for determining a cost for generating energy at the end user site;
instructions for determining the cost of purchasing energy from another energy supplier;
instructions for establishing a schedule for generating and using energy at the user end; and
instructions for generating a set of energy supply alternatives based on the energy user requirements and the cost of the energy alternatives. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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31. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for optimizing energy consumption and energy cost at an end-user facility comprising:
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instructions for gathering information about energy consumption requirements of an end-user;
instructions for retrieving information on the a vailability of energy supplied by energy suppliers to end-users;
instructions for compiling a list of energy usage options for energy consumption for a particular device within a particular time period, based on energy consumption requirements and energy availability, said energy use options including supply entities and end-users that generate energy;
instructions for selecting the energy use option from the compiled list that provides the optimal energy use for a particular device; and
instructions for implementing the selected energy use option at the end-user facility. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification