Energy storage scheduling system

• US 5,274,571 A
• Filed: 05/20/1991
• Issued: 12/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Original Assignee: The Fleming Group
• Inventors: Carlson, Steven W., Hesse, Bradley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Jack B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEESO, THOMAS R
• Application Number:
  US07/703,084
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 364/492, 364/493
• US Class Current: 700/291
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/00 Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/10 Weather information or forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1923 using thermal energy, the cost of which varies in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 15/00 Systems for storing electric energy mechanical systems therefor F01-F04; in chemical form H01M
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/003 Load forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future load demand
• 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 70/30 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: Y02P 90/50 Energy storage in industry with an added climate change mitigation effect
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units

Abstract

The present invention features an energy storage scheduler that schedules the timing and extent of charging a storage device from the electric energy supply. The energy storage scheduler has a charge level device for receiving information representative of the level of charge of the storage device. A programmed measuring and refining mechanism is provided to quantify the load profile of the energy utilizing load system. A timer is connected to the energy storage scheduler to provide information representative of the ongoing time within the current cycle period. A price processor is connected to the energy storage scheduler for receiving and processing information representative of prospective time-varying prices of electric energy from the supply. Finally, a mechanism is provided to calculate, from the information available from the charge level device, the programmed measuring and refining mechanism, the timer and the price processor, optimal timing for charging the storage device to predetermined storage levels to achieve a minimal cost supply of the aggregate energy demands of the load system.

Claims

1. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system operating on an hourly basis and receiving feedback information with respect to an energy network or system under its control, said dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system comprising:

storage means for storing electrical energy;

electrical energy generating means for supplying electrical energy to said storage means;

electrical energy consumption means electrically connected to said storage means for drawing electrical energy therefrom in order to run electrical equipment;

a programmable electrical energy scheduling means connected between said storage means, said electrical consumption means and said electrical energy generating means, and operating on an hourly basis, said programmable electrical energy scheduling means being programmed with data representing previous energy consumption and temperature cycles of said electrical energy consumption means, and receiving data representing hourly temperature data and energy consumption data from said electrical energy consumption means, said programmable electrical energy scheduling means receiving information from said storage means with respect to its state of electrical charge, said programmable electrical energy scheduling means receiving electrical energy pricing information on an hourly basis from said electrical energy generating means and possible override signals indicative of electrical energy generating emergencies, said dynamic adaptive energy scheduling system having adaptive behavior reflecting ongoing changes or load-shedding requirements of said electrical generating means, said programmable energy scheduling means predicting and scheduling future energy usage of said electrical energy consumption means, based upon a previous energy profile corresponding to a similar energy usage cycle of said electrical energy consumption means and the most recently received data in order to provide efficient storage and an electrical energy draw from said storage means.

2. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrical energy consumption means includes at least one of the following:

a heating system, a cooling system, electrical control devices, buildings, schools, housing facilities and factories.

3. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said programmable electrical energy scheduling means comprises a

4. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said programmable electrical energy scheduling means comprises a microcontroller.

5. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said computer is connected to an energy management control system.

6. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said electrical energy generating means includes an electrical utility.

7. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said programmable electrical energy scheduling means includes means for updating energy profile information.

9. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said energy consumption means includes at least one of the following:

a heating system, a cooling system, electrical control devices, buildings, schools, housing facilities and factories.

8. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system operating on a real-time basis, and receiving feedback information with respect to an energy network or system under its control, said dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system comprising:

storage means for storing electrical energy;

electrical energy generating means for supplying electrical energy to said storage means;

electrical energy consumption means electrically connected to said storage means for drawing electrical energy therefrom in order to run electrical equipment;

a programmable electrical energy scheduling means connected between said storage means, said electrical consumption means and said electrical energy generating means, and operating on a real-time basis, said programmable electrical energy scheduling means being programmed with data representing previous energy consumption and temperature cycles of said electrical energy consumption means, and receiving data representing real-time temperature data and energy consumption data from said electrical energy consumption means, said programmable electrical energy scheduling means receiving information from said storage means with respect to its state of electrical charge, said programmable electrical energy scheduling means receiving electrical energy pricing information on a real-time basis from said electrical energy generating means and possible override signals indicative of electrical energy generating emergencies, said dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system having adaptive behavior reflecting ongoing changes or load-shedding requirements of said electrical generating means, said programmable energy scheduling means predict and schedule future energy usage of said electrical energy consumption means, based upon a previous energy profile corresponding to a similar energy usage cycle of said electrical energy consumption means and the most recently received data in order to provide efficient storage and an electrical energy draw from said storage means.

10. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said programmable electrical energy scheduling means comprises a computer.

11. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said programmable electrical energy scheduling means comprises a microcontroller.

12. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 10, wherein said computer is connected to an energy management control system.

13. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said electrical energy generating means includes an electrical utility.

14. A dynamic, adaptive energy scheduling system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said programmable electrical energy scheduling means includes means for updating energy profile information.