Building Management and Appliance Control System

• US 20150066231A1
• Filed: 07/25/2014
• Published: 03/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orison, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Peaknrg
• Inventors: Clifton, Eric Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 9,705,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/296
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/20 The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources maximum power point systems in particular G05F1/67
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/28 The renewable source being wind energy wind motors F03D
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/10 The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/54 according to a pre-established time schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/60 : Planning or developing urban green infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 : Photovoltaic [PV]
• 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: Y02E 10/56 : Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 : Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/70 : Smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the energy generation sector
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 : Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/123 : the energy generation units being or involving renewable energy sources
• 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 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• 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 50/10 : Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to energy storage and supply management system. The system may include one or more of a control unit, which is in communication with the power grid, and an energy storage unit that stores power for use at a later time. The system may be used with traditional utility provided power as well as locally generated solar, wind, and any other types of power generation technology. In some embodiments, the energy storage unit and the control unit are housed in the same chassis. In other embodiments, the energy storage unit and the control unit are separate. In another embodiment, the energy storage unit is integrated into the chassis of an appliance itself.

Claims

1. A method for augmenting an electrical grid that distributes electricity to a geographical region, the method comprising:

deploying one or more energy storage units to the geographical region, each of the one or more energy storage units comprising;

an electrical input for being electrically coupled to the electric grid for receiving electricity from the electric grid;

an energy storage cell electrically coupled to the electrical input for receiving and storing the electricity received from the electric grid by the electrical input;

an electrical output for being electrically coupled between the energy storage cell and the electric grid, the electrical output being configured to receive the at least some of the electricity stored by the storage cell to supply the at least some of the electricity to the electric grid when the electrical outlet is electrically coupled to the electric grid; and

a control unit coupled to the electrical input, the storage cell, and the electrical output of at least one of the one or more energy storage units, the control unit for controlling a first time when the electricity will be received by the electrical input from the electric grid and stored within the storage cell, and for controlling a second time when the at least some of the electricity will be output from the storage cell and supplied to the electric grid via the electrical output;

determining a peak demand time period for electricity demand in the geographical region, and a non-peak demand time period for the electricity demand in the geographical region;

controlling at least one control unit that is connected to of the at least one of the one or more energy storage units, the controlling comprising one or more of;

enabling selected energy storage units of the one of the one or more energy storage units to withdraw electricity from the electric grid during the non-peak demand time period for electricity demand in the region, and store the withdrawn electricity as energy; and

enabling the selected energy storage units to supply the energy to the electric grid as electricity during the peak demand time period for electricity demand within the geographical region.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the energy storage units is coupled to an electric appliance, and is further configured for supplying electricity to the electric appliance.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein enabling the selected energy storage units to supply the energy to the electric grid as electricity on or near the peak demand time of the time period for electricity demand within the geographical region includes supplying at least some of the electricity to the electric appliance from the energy storage unit on or near the peak demand time of the time period for electricity demand within the geographical region.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a processor for controlling a plurality of functions of the control unit, and the enabling is performed by the processor.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a user interface to receive user commands to program the control unit, and the method further includes inputting the user commands into the user interface so as to program the control unit to withdraw energy from the electric grid.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the method further includes inputting the user commands into the user interface so as to program the control unit to supply energy to the electric grid.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the control unit includes a memory for storing the user commands and the program.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a communication interface for communicating with a remote server via a communications network, and the method includes communicating with the remote server via the communications network.

12. The system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the control unit includes a memory for storing the user commands and the program.

9. An energy flow augmenting system for storing and supplying energy to an electric grid, the energy flow augmenting system comprising:

an electric grid that transmits electricity from an electricity generation source to at least one electricity consumer;

an energy storage unit, the energy storage unit comprising;

an electrical input for being electrically coupled to the electric grid for receiving electricity from the electric grid;

an energy storage cell electrically coupled to the electrical input for receiving and storing the electricity received from the electric grid by the electrical input;

an electrical output for being electrically coupled between the energy storage cell and the electric grid, the electrical output being configured to receive the at least some of electricity stored by the storage cell to supply the at least some of the electricity to the electric grid when the electrical outlet is electrically coupled to the electric grid; and

a control unit coupled to the electrical input, the storage cell, and the electrical output, the control unit for controlling a first time when the electricity will be received by the electrical input from the electric grid and stored within the storage cell, and for controlling a second time when the at least some of the electricity will be output from the storage cell and supplied to the electric grid via the electrical output; and

a remote command center having a communications module configured for sending control commands to the control unit of the energy storage unit via a communications network, the control commands being for augmenting energy flow across the electric grid by commanding the control unit to control the energy storage unit to withdraw energy from the electrical grid based on a storage need, and to control the energy storage unit to release energy to the electrical grid based on a supply need.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the control unit comprises a processor for controlling a plurality of functions of the control unit.

11. The system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the control unit includes a user interface to receive user commands to program the control unit.

13. An energy storage unit comprising:

a housing including at least one mounting wall, the mounting wall being configured for retaining one or both of an energy storage cell and a control unit;

an energy storage cell coupled to the at least one mounting wall of the housing, the energy storage cell comprising a top bounding member, a bottom bounding member, and an extended body separating the top bounding member from the bottom bounding member, the top bounding member, bottom bounding member, and extended body together bounding a reservoir that contains a chemical medium therein, the chemical medium configured for storing the first amount of electricity as chemical energy, and further configured for converting the chemical energy into a second amount of electricity, the energy storage cell further comprising;

a plurality of electrodes to receive the first and second amounts of electricity, the plurality of electrodes contacting the chemical medium and configured for the converting of the first amount of electricity into chemical energy, and further configured for the converting of the chemical energy into the second amount of electricity, the plurality of electrodes having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an extended body between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the proximal portion being coupled to the storage cell, and the extended body and distal portions extending into the reservoir so as to contact the chemical medium contained in the reservoir;

an electrical inlet electrically connected to both the source of power generation and the control unit, the electrical inlet being at least partially contained within the housing and configured for receiving the first amount of electricity from the source of power generation, and further configured for transmitting the first amount of electricity to the control unit;

a control unit electrically connected to the electrical inlet and the plurality of electrodes, the control unit for controlling receipt of the first amount of electricity from the electrical inlet, controlling the conversion of the first amount of electricity into chemical energy, and controlling the conversion of the chemical energy into the second amount of electricity, and controlling the emitting of the second amount of electricity by the electrical outlet; and

an electrical outlet being at least partially contained within the housing and electrically connected to the control unit, the electrical outlet for receiving the second amount of electricity from the control unit and being configured for emitting the second amount of electricity from the energy storage unit upon command of the control unit.

14. The energy storage unit according to claim 13, wherein the energy storage unit further comprises a converter for converting alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC), and further for converting DC into AC.

15. The energy storage unit according to claim 14, wherein the converter is operably coupled to the energy storage cell.

16. The energy storage unit according to claim 14, wherein the control unit includes a unitary control system, and the converter is operably coupled to the control system.

17. An energy storage unit for storing and supplying energy to an electric grid, the energy storage unit comprising:

an electrical input for being electrically coupled to the electric grid for receiving electricity from the electric grid;

an energy storage cell electrically coupled to the electrical input for receiving and storing the electricity received from the electric grid by the electrical input;

an electrical output for being electrically coupled between the energy storage cell and the electric grid, the electrical output being configured to receive at least some of the electricity stored by the storage cell to supply the at least some of the electricity to the electric grid when the electrical outlet is electrically coupled to the electric grid; and

a control unit coupled to the electrical input, the storage cell, and the electrical output, the control unit for controlling a first time when the electricity will be received by the electrical input from the electric grid and stored within the storage cell, and for controlling a second time when the at least some of the electricity will be output from the storage cell and supplied to the electric grid via the electrical output.

18. The energy storage unit according to claim 17, wherein the energy storage unit further comprises a converter for converting alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC), and further for converting DC into AC.

19. The energy storage unit according to claim 18, wherein the converter is operably coupled to the energy storage cell.

20. The energy storage unit according to claim 18, wherein the control unit includes a unitary control system, and the converter is operably coupled to the control system.