METHODS, CIRCUITS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR GENERATION FOLLOWING LOAD MANAGEMENT

• US 20120203389A1
• Filed: 02/17/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel P. Flohr, Stewart Ramsay
• Original Assignee: Daniel P. Flohr, Stewart Ramsay
• Inventors: Flohr, Daniel P., Ramsay, Stewart
• Granted Patent: US 8,571,692 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00024 by means of mobile telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/004 Generation forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future energy generation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/008 involving trading of energy or energy transmission rights
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• 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 20/12 Energy storage units, uninterruptible power supply [UPS] systems or standby or emergency generators, e.g. in the last power distribution stages
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

A method of managing excess electrical power generation may be provided by remotely controlling operation of at least one of two energy storage devices coupled in series at a customer location in response to availability of generated electricity to the customer location.

Claims

1. A method of managing excess electrical power generation comprising:

remotely controlling operation of at least one of two energy storage devices coupled in series at a customer location in response to availability of generated electricity to the customer location.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the availability of generated electricity comprises the availability of excess generated electricity exceeding demand,

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the availability of generated electricity comprises a cost associated with the generated electricity compared to a cost associated with gas.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one of two energy storage devices comprise a first water heater having an output thereof coupled to an input of a second water heater,

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein remotely controlling operation of the at least one of the two energy storage devices coupled in series at the customer location in response to the availability of the generated electricity comprises enabling the at least one of the two energy storage devices in response to determining that excess electrical capacity exists to increase demand associated with the customer location.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein remotely controlling operation comprises enabling the first water heater to be activated when excess electrical power generation capacity exists to store excess electrical power at the customer location in the first water heater to allow later usage of the portion of the excess electrical power at the customer location.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the first water heater heats water therein responsive to a thermostat associated therewith when activated to provide heated water via the output.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein enabling the first water heater to be activated when excess electrical power generation capacity exists comprises transmitting an activation signal from a system operated by an electric service provider over a network to a power relay at the customer location to couple the first water heater to electrical power.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the second water heater further heats the heated water provided by the first water heater responsive to a thermostat associated therewith for usage at the customer location.