INTERFACE DEVICE FOR AN ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. An interface device to interface with an energy harvesting system, the interface device comprising:
- at least one processing device;
a memory storing program code executable by the at least one processing device to control measurement, communication and location functions of the interface device;
a measurement component to measure electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting system;
a location component to determine a location of the interface device and the energy harvesting system; and
a communication component to wirelessly communicate to and from an external network.
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Abstract
Described embodiments relate generally to energy harvesting systems and interface devices for such systems. In particular, such energy harvesting systems may be configured to harvest kinetic energy from the environment, such as wind, hydro, wave or geothermal energy or to harvest electromagnetic energy like solar radiation. Embodiments also relate to systems and methods to facilitate remote monitoring and/or control of a system comprising an interface device.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An interface device to interface with an energy harvesting system, the interface device comprising:
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at least one processing device; a memory storing program code executable by the at least one processing device to control measurement, communication and location functions of the interface device; a measurement component to measure electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting system; a location component to determine a location of the interface device and the energy harvesting system; and a communication component to wirelessly communicate to and from an external network.
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2. An interface device to interface with an energy harvesting system, the interface device comprising:
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at least one processing device; a memory storing program code executable by the at least one processing device to control measurement and communication functions of the interface device; a measurement component to measure electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting system and to determine an amount of the generated electrical energy consumed by a local power sink; and a communication component to wirelessly communicate to and from an external network. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for remote monitoring of an energy harvesting system, comprising:
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an interface device installed at a site of the energy harvesting system and configured to continuously monitor energy drawn and/or produced by the energy harvesting system and to calculate a power contribution of the energy harvesting system, the interface device comprising a wireless communication component and being configured to periodically transmit data representing the calculated power contribution to an address over a network; and a server remote from the interface device and receiving data representing the transmitted power contributions from the interface device, the server being configured to store the data and to allow authorised access to the data in real-time. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for power consumption management comprising:
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a plurality of geographically spread electrical water heating systems, each being installed at a site for supplying heated water to the site; a plurality of interface devices, each being installed at a respective site, wherein each interface device has a wireless communication component to receive a control command from a server and each interface is configured to control supply of electrical power to a respective electrical water heating system in response to the control command; and the server, the server allowing receipt of control input to cause the server to transmit the control command to the interface devices. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of power consumption management, comprising:
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receiving at a server sensed water temperature data from a plurality of remote sites having respective electric water heating systems and respective interface devices arranged to control electrical power to the respective electric water heating system, wherein each interface device is configured to communicate the sensed water temperature data to the server; determining from the sensed water temperature data whether a sensed water temperature of a respective electric water heating system is at or above a threshold temperature; and during a specific daily time period, transmitting control commands to those interface devices at sites where the sensed water temperature is at or above the threshold temperature, the control commands causing the respective interface devices to turn off electrical power to the electrical water heating systems at the respective sites.
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27. A water heating system, comprising:
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a solar water heating system; an electric water heating system coupled to the solar water heating system to circulate water between the solar and electric water heating systems; temperature sensing means to sense the water temperature in the solar water heating system and in the electric water heating system; an interface device coupled to receive output signals from the temperature sensing means and to determine from the output signals a rate of change of water temperature in the solar water heating system, wherein for a predetermined period daily the interface device is configured to cause electrical power to the electric water heating system to be switched on when the electrical water heating system is off and determined rate of change indicates that the water temperature in the solar water heating system will not reach a target temperature by a predetermined time.
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28-30. -30. (canceled)
Specification