METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING AN ENERGY CONSUMING LOAD

• US 20110172845A1
• Filed: 01/24/2011
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Encycle Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Regen Energy Inc.
• Inventors: KERBEL, Mark, KULYK, Roman
• Granted Patent: US 8,527,109 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/296
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00026 involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/60 Limiting power consumption in the network or in one section of the network, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving
• 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 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• 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 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

A method for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads and a method for managing the group of energy consuming loads. The method includes generating sets of load state data from the loads, making enablement state decisions for one or more loads using the sets of load state data, and implementing the enablement state decisions. An apparatus for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads, including a transmitter, a receiver, a processor for processing sets of load state data to make an enablement state decision for the load, and a controller for implementing the enablement state decision. A method for managing an enablement state of an energy consuming load, including assigning an assigned duty cycle to the load, determining a load enabled utilization value for the load, and adjusting the assigned duty cycle using the load enabled utilization value.

Claims

1. A method for managing a group of energy consuming loads comprising a plurality of loads, the method comprising:

(a) generating a set of load state data from each of the loads in the group of loads, wherein at least one of the loads in the group of loads is comprised of a discretionary load, wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has a duty cycle, and wherein the duty cycle for at least one of the discretionary loads is less than 100 percent;

(b) making an enablement state decision for each of the loads using the sets of load state data from the loads, wherein each of the enablement state decisions reflects an enablement state of a corresponding load in the group of loads, wherein the enablement state is either a load enabled state or a load disabled state, wherein the load enabled state is a state where the corresponding load is capable of operating even when the corresponding load is not actually operating, and wherein the load disabled state is a state where the corresponding load is not capable of operating; and

(c) implementing the enablement state decisions.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads is an electrical load.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enablement state decisions are made with a goal of achieving a target system equilibrium for the group of loads.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand and wherein the target system equilibrium is equal to a sum for all of the loads in the group of loads of a product of the energy demand of one of the loads and the duty cycle of the one of the loads.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle and wherein the enablement state decisions are constrained by the enablement needs of the loads.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enablement state decisions for the group of loads are made in a decision making sequence.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle and wherein the decision making sequence is dependent upon the enablement need of each of the loads.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand and wherein the decision making sequence is dependent upon the energy demand of each of the loads.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand and wherein the decision making sequence is further dependent upon the energy demand of each of the loads.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising repeating (a), (b) and (c) in accordance with a schedule.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the schedule is comprised of at least one period.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the period is comprised of a plurality of segments.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the enablement state decisions for the group of loads are made in a decision making sequence.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle, wherein the decision making sequence is dependent upon the enablement need of each of the loads, and wherein the enablement need of each of the loads is defined by a remaining number of segments in the period during which the load must be in the load enabled state in order to achieve its duty cycle.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand and wherein the decision making sequence is dependent upon the energy demand of each of the loads.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand and wherein the decision making sequence is further dependent upon the energy demand of each of the loads.

17. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising assigning the duty cycle to each of the loads in the group of loads.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle, wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand, and wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is comprised of an enablement need indication of the enablement need of the load and an energy demand indication of the energy demand of the load.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is further comprised of a duty cycle indication of the duty cycle of the load.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the enablement state decision is constrained by the enablement need of the load.

21. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is further comprised of a load identifying indication identifying the load and a time indication of a time to which the set of load state data relates.

22. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the duty cycle for each of the loads is an assigned duty cycle which represents a percentage of time that the load is in the load enabled state, wherein the at least one discretionary load is configured to operate according to a natural duty cycle which represents a percentage of time that the at least one discretionary load must actually operate in order to provide a particular result, and wherein the operation of the at least one discretionary load according to the natural duty cycle is constrained by the assigned duty cycle for the at least one discretionary load.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the natural duty cycle for the at least one discretionary load is less than 100 percent.

43. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the duty cycle for the load is an assigned duty cycle which represents a percentage of time that the load is in the load enabled state, wherein the load is configured to operate according to a natural duty cycle which represents a percentage of time that the load must actually operate in order to provide a particular result, and wherein the operation of the load according to the natural duty cycle is constrained by the assigned duty cycle for the load.

44. The method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the natural duty cycle for the load is less than 100 percent.

24. A method for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads comprising the load and a plurality of other loads, the method comprising:

(a) generating a set of load state data from the load, wherein the load is comprised of a discretionary load, wherein the load has a duty cycle and wherein the duty cycle for the load is less than 100 percent;

(b) compiling the set of load state data generated from the load with sets of load state data generated from the other loads;

(c) making an enablement state decision for the load using the compiled sets of load state data, wherein the enablement state decision reflects an enablement state of the load, wherein the enablement state is either a load enabled state or a load disabled state, wherein the load enabled state is a state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating, and wherein the load disabled state is a state where the load is not capable of operating; and

(d) implementing the enablement state decision for the load.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads is an electrical load.

26. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the enablement state decision is made with a goal of achieving a target system equilibrium for the group of loads.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand and wherein the target system equilibrium is equal to a sum for all of the loads in the group of loads of a product of the energy demand of one of the loads and the duty cycle of the one of the loads.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the load has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle and wherein the enablement state decision is constrained by the enablement need of the load.

29. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the enablement state decisions for the group of loads are made in a decision making sequence.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle and wherein the decision making sequence is dependent upon the enablement need of each of the loads.

31. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand and wherein the decision making sequence is dependent upon the energy demand of each of the loads.

32. The method as claimed in claim 30 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand and wherein the decision making sequence is further dependent upon the energy demand of each of the loads.

33. The method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising repeating (a), (b), (c) and (d) in accordance with a schedule.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33 wherein the schedule is comprised of at least one period.

35. The method as claimed in claim 34 wherein the period is comprised of a plurality of segments.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the enablement state decisions for the group of loads are made in a decision making sequence.

37. The method as claimed in claim 36 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle, wherein the decision making sequence is dependent upon the enablement need of each of the loads, and wherein the enablement need of each of the loads is defined by a remaining number of segments in the period during which the load must be in the load enabled state in order to achieve its duty cycle.

38. The method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising assigning the duty cycle to the load.

39. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle, wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand, and wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is comprised of an enablement need indication of the enablement need of the load and an energy demand indication of the energy demand of the load.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is further comprised of a duty cycle indication of the duty cycle of the load.

41. The method as claimed in claim 40 wherein the enablement state decision is constrained by the enablement need of the load.

42. The method as claimed in claim 40 wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is further comprised of a load identifying indication identifying the load and a time indication of a time to which the set of load state data relates.

45. An apparatus for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads comprising the load and a plurality of other loads, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a transmitter configured to transmit a set of load state data generated from the load;

(b) a receiver configured to receive sets of load state data generated from the other loads;

(c) a processor configured to generate the set of load state data from the load, to compile the set of load state data from the load with the sets of load state data from the other loads, and to process the compiled sets of load state data in order to make an enablement state decision for the load, wherein the enablement state decision reflects an enablement state of the load, wherein the enablement state is either a load enabled state or a load disabled state, wherein the load enabled state is a state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating, and wherein the load disabled state is a state where the corresponding load is not capable of operating; and

(d) a controller for implementing the enablement state decision.

46. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein the controller is comprised of a control circuit and a switch.

47. The apparatus as claimed in claim 46 wherein the load is connected within an energization circuit and wherein the switch is actuatable so that the energization circuit is closed when the load is in the load enabled state and so that the energization circuit is open when the load is in the load disabled state.

48. The apparatus as claimed in claim 47 wherein the load is comprised of an electrical load and wherein the energization circuit is comprised of an electrical energy source.

49. The apparatus as claimed in claim 46 wherein the load is connected within a control line circuit and wherein the switch is actuatable so that the control line circuit is closed when the load is in the load enabled state and so that the control line circuit is open when the load is in the load disabled state.

50. The apparatus as claimed in claim 49 wherein the control line circuit is comprised of an electrical control line.

51. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein the transmitter is comprised of a wireless transmitter and wherein the receiver is comprised of a wireless receiver.

52. The apparatus as claimed in claim 51 wherein the wireless transmitter is comprised of a radio frequency wireless transmitter and where the wireless receiver is comprised of a radio frequency wireless receiver.

53. The apparatus as claimed in claim 52 wherein the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are configured to comply substantially with an IEEE 802.15.4 standard.

54. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein the load has an energy demand and wherein the apparatus is further comprised of a sensor device for sensing the energy demand of the load.

55. The apparatus as claimed in claim 54 wherein the load is an electrical load and wherein the sensor device is comprised of an electrical energy sensor device.

56. The apparatus as claimed in claim 55, further comprising a rechargeable battery for providing electrical power to the apparatus and further comprising a recharge circuit for recharging the battery.

57. The apparatus as claimed in claim 56 wherein the recharge circuit is comprised of the electrical energy sensor device.

58. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45, further comprising a device for adjusting the duty cycle of the load.

59. The apparatus as claimed in claim 58, further comprising a display for providing a visual representation of the duty cycle of the load.

60. A computer readable medium providing computer readable instructions for directing a processor to make an enablement state decision reflecting an enablement state of an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads comprising the load and a plurality of other loads, wherein the enablement state is either a load enabled state or a load disabled state, wherein the load enabled state is a state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating, and wherein the load disabled state is a state where the load is not capable of operating, the instructions comprising:

(a) generating a set of load state data from the load;

(b) compiling the set of load state data from the load with sets of load state data from the other loads; and

(c) processing the compiled sets of load state data in order to make the enablement state decision.

61. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 60 wherein the enablement state decision is made with a goal of achieving a target system equilibrium for the group of loads.

62. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 61 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand, wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has a duty cycle, and wherein the target system equilibrium is equal to a sum for all of the loads in the group of loads of a product of the energy demand of one of the loads and the duty cycle of the one of the loads.

63. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 62 wherein the load has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle and wherein the enablement state decision is constrained by the enablement need of the load.

64. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 62 wherein the enablement state decision is made in accordance with a schedule, wherein the schedule is comprised of at least one period, wherein the period is comprised of a plurality of segments, wherein the load has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle, wherein the enablement need of the load is defined by a remaining number of segments in the period during which the load must be in the load enabled state in order to achieve its duty cycle, and wherein the enablement state decision is constrained by the enablement need of the load.

65. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 62 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle and wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is comprised of an energy demand indication of the energy demand of the load, a duty cycle indication of the duty cycle of the load and an enablement need indication of the enablement need of the load.

66. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 65 wherein the enablement state decision is constrained by the enablement need of the load.

67. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 65 wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is further comprised of a load identifying indication identifying the load and a time indication of a time to which the set of load state data relates.

68. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 63 wherein the instructions are further comprised of directing a controller to implement the enablement state decision for the load.

69. An apparatus for making an enablement state decision reflecting an enablement state of an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads comprising the load and a plurality of other loads, wherein the enablement state is either a load enabled state or a load disabled state, wherein the load enabled state is a state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating, and wherein the load disabled state is a state where the load is not capable of operating, the apparatus comprising a processor programmed to:

(a) generate a set of load state data from the load;

(b) compile the set of load state data from the load with sets of load state data from the other loads; and

(c) process the compiled sets of load state data in order to make the enablement state decision.

70. The apparatus as claimed in claim 69 wherein the processor is programmed to make the enablement state decision with a goal of achieving a target system equilibrium for the group of loads.

71. The apparatus as claimed in claim 70 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an energy demand, wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has a duty cycle, and wherein the target system equilibrium is equal to a sum for all of the loads in the group of loads of a product of the energy demand of one of the loads and the duty cycle of the one of the loads.

72. The apparatus as claimed in claim 71 wherein the load has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle and wherein the enablement state decision is constrained by the enablement need of the load.

73. The apparatus as claimed in claim 71 wherein the enablement state decision is made in accordance with a schedule, wherein the schedule is comprised of at least one period, wherein the period is comprised of a plurality of segments, wherein the load has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle, wherein the enablement need of the load is defined by a remaining number of segments in the period during which the load must be in the load enabled state in order to achieve its duty cycle, and wherein the enablement state decision is constrained by the enablement need of the load.

74. The apparatus as claimed in claim 71 wherein each of the loads in the group of loads has an enablement need in order to achieve its duty cycle and wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is comprised of an energy demand indication of the energy demand of the load, a duty cycle indication of the duty cycle of the load and an enablement need indication of the enablement need or the load.

75. The apparatus as claimed in claim 74 wherein the enablement state decision is constrained by the enablement need of the load.

76. The apparatus as claimed in claim 74 wherein each of the sets of load state data from the group of loads is further comprised of a load identifying indication identifying the load and a time indication of a time to which the set of load state data relates.

77. The apparatus as claimed in claim 72 wherein the processor is programmed to direct a controller to implement the enablement state decision for the load.

78. A method for managing an enablement state of an energy consuming load, wherein the enablement state is either a load enabled state or a load disabled state, wherein the load enabled state is a state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating, and wherein the load disabled state is a state where the load is not capable of operating, the method comprising:

(a) assigning an assigned duty cycle to the load which represents a percentage of time that the load is in the load enabled state;

(b) determining a load enabled utilization value for the load, wherein the load enabled utilization value provides an indication of an extent to which the load is actually operating while the load is in the load enabled state; and

(c) adjusting the assigned duty cycle for the load using the load enabled utilization value.

79. The method as claimed in claim 78 wherein the load is configured to operate according to a natural duty cycle which represents a percentage of time that the load must actually operate in order to provide a particular result, and wherein the operation of the load according to the natural duty cycle is constrained by the assigned duty cycle for the load.

80. The method as claimed in claim 79 wherein the load is a discretionary load and wherein the natural duty cycle for the load is less than 100 percent.

81. The method as claimed in claim 80 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is less than 100 percent.

82. The method as claimed in claim 78 wherein the load enabled utilization value is a ratio of an amount of energy consumed by the load while the load is in the load enabled state to an amount of energy which would be consumed by the load if the load were actually operating at all times while the load is in the load enabled state.

83. The method as claimed in claim 82, further comprising measuring the amount of energy consumed by the load while the load is in the load enabled state.

84. The method as claimed in claim 78 wherein the load enabled utilization value is a ratio of an amount of time that the load is actually operating while the load is in the load enabled state to an amount of time that the load is in the load enabled state.

85. The method as claimed in claim 84, further comprising measuring the amount of time that the load is actually operating while the load is in the load enabled state.

86. The method as claimed in claim 78 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is adjusted by increasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is above an upper limit.

87. The method as claimed in claim 86 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is not adjusted by increasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is above the upper limit if the assigned duty cycle is at a ceiling limit.

88. The method as claimed in claim 78 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is adjusted by decreasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is below a lower limit.

89. The method as claimed in claim 88 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is not adjusted by decreasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is below the lower limit if the assigned duty cycle is at a floor limit.

90. The method as claimed in claim 78 wherein the method is performed in accordance with a schedule.

91. The method as claimed in claim 90 wherein the schedule is comprised of at least one period.

92. The method as claimed in claim 91 wherein the period is comprised of a plurality of segments, and wherein during each of the segments the load is either in a load enabled state or a load disabled state.

93. The method as claimed in claim 92, further comprising generating a set of load state data from the load for each segment in the period in which the load is in a load enabled state, wherein each set of load state data is comprised of an indication of an extent to which the load is actually operating during the segment, and wherein the load enabled utilization value is determined from the sets of load state data.

94. The method as claimed in claim 93 wherein the schedule is comprised of a plurality of periods and wherein the method is repeated throughout the periods.

95. A computer readable medium providing computer readable instructions for directing a processor to manage an enablement state of an energy consuming load, wherein the enablement state is either a load enabled state or a load disabled state, wherein the load enabled state is a state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating, and wherein the load disabled state is a state where the load is not capable of operating, the instructions comprising:

(a) assigning an assigned duty cycle to the load which represents a percentage of time that the load is in the load enabled state;

(b) determining a load enabled utilization value for the load, wherein the load enabled utilization value provides an indication of an extent to which the load is actually operating while the load is in the load enabled state; and

(c) adjusting the assigned duty cycle for the load using the load enabled utilization value.

96. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 95 wherein the load is configured to operate according to a natural duty cycle which represents a percentage of time that the load must actually operate in order to provide a particular result, and wherein the operation of the load according to the natural duty cycle is constrained by the assigned duty cycle for the load.

97. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 96 wherein the load is a discretionary load and wherein the natural duty cycle for the load is less than 100 percent.

98. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 97 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is less than 100 percent.

99. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 95 wherein the load enabled utilization value is a ratio of an amount of energy consumed by the load while the load is in the load enabled state to an amount of energy which would be consumed by the load if the load were actually operating at all times while the load is in the load enabled state.

100. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 99, further comprising measuring the amount of energy consumed by the load while the load is in the load enabled state.

101. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 95 wherein the load enabled utilization value is a ratio of an amount of time that the load is actually operating while the load is in the load enabled state to an amount of time that the load is in the load enabled state.

102. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 101, further comprising measuring the amount of time that the load is actually operating while the load is in the load enabled state.

103. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 95 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is adjusted by increasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is above an upper limit.

104. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 103 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is not adjusted by increasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is above the upper limit if the assigned duty cycle is at a ceiling limit.

105. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 95 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is adjusted by decreasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is below a lower limit.

106. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 105 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is not adjusted by decreasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is below the lower limit if the assigned duty cycle is at a floor limit.

107. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 95 wherein the method is performed in accordance with a schedule.

108. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 107 wherein the schedule is comprised of at least one period.

109. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 108 wherein the period is comprised of a plurality of segments, and wherein during each of the segments the load is either in a load enabled state or a load disabled state.

110. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 109, further comprising generating a set of load state data from the load for each segment in the period in which the load is in a load enabled state, wherein each set of load state data is comprised of an indication of an extent to which the load is actually operating during the segment, and wherein the load enabled utilization value is determined from the sets of load state data.

111. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 110 wherein the schedule is comprised of a plurality of periods and wherein the method is repeated throughout the periods.

112. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 95 wherein the instructions are further comprised of directing an adjusting device to implement the adjusting of the assigned duty cycle for the load.

113. An apparatus for managing an enablement state of an energy consuming load, wherein the enablement state is either a load enabled state or a load disabled state, wherein the load enabled state is a state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating, and Wherein the load disabled state is a state where the load is not capable of operating, the apparatus comprising a processor programmed to:

(a) assign an assigned duty cycle to the load which represents a percentage of time that the load is in the load enabled state;

(b) determine a load enabled utilization value for the load, wherein the load enabled utilization value provides an indication of an extent to which the load is actually operating while the load is in the load enabled state; and

(c) adjust the assigned duty cycle for the load using the load enabled utilization value.

114. The apparatus as claimed in claim 113 wherein the load is configured to operate according to a natural duty cycle which represents a percentage of time that the load must actually operate in order to provide a particular result, and wherein the operation of the load according to the natural duty cycle is constrained by the assigned duty cycle for the load.

115. The apparatus as claimed in claim 114 wherein the load is a discretionary load and wherein the natural duty cycle for the load is less than 100 percent.

116. The apparatus as claimed in claim 115 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is less than 100 percent.

117. The apparatus as claimed in claim 113 wherein the load enabled utilization value is a ratio of an amount of energy consumed by the load while the load is in the load enabled state to an amount of energy which would be consumed by the load if the load were actually operating at all times while the load is in the load enabled state.

118. The apparatus as claimed in claim 117, further comprising measuring the amount of energy consumed by the load while the load is in the load enabled state.

119. The apparatus as claimed in claim 113 wherein the load enabled utilization value is a ratio of an amount of time that the load is actually operating while the load is in the load enabled state to an amount of time that the load is in the load enabled state.

120. The apparatus as claimed in claim 119, further comprising measuring the amount of time that the load is actually operating while the load is in the load enabled state.

121. The apparatus as claimed in claim 113 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is adjusted by increasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is above an upper limit.

122. The apparatus as claimed in claim 121 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is not adjusted by increasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is above the upper limit if the assigned duty cycle is at a ceiling limit.

123. The apparatus as claimed in claim 113 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is adjusted by decreasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is below a lower limit.

124. The apparatus as claimed in claim 123 wherein the assigned duty cycle for the load is not adjusted by decreasing the assigned duty cycle when the load enabled utilization value is below the lower limit if the assigned duty cycle is at a floor limit.

125. The apparatus as claimed in claim 113 wherein the method is performed in accordance with a schedule.

126. The apparatus as claimed in claim 125 wherein the schedule is comprised of at least one period.

127. The apparatus as claimed in claim 126 wherein the period is comprised of a plurality of segments, and wherein during each of the segments the load is either in a load enabled state or a load disabled state.

128. The apparatus as claimed in claim 127, further comprising generating a set of load state data from the load for each segment in the period in which the load is in a load enabled state, wherein each set of load state data is comprised of an indication of an extent to which the load is actually operating during the segment, and wherein the load enabled utilization value is determined from the sets of load state data.

129. The apparatus as claimed in claim 128 wherein the schedule is comprised of a plurality of periods and wherein the method is repeated throughout the periods.

130. The apparatus as claimed in claim 113 wherein the processor is programmed to direct an adjusting device to implement the adjusting of the assigned duty cycle for the load.