System and method for energy usage curtailment

• US 6,868,293 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2000
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Yee, Gaymond, Schurr, Allan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US09/677,700
• Time in Patent Office: 1,629 Days
• Field of Search: 700/22, 700/65, 700/66, 700/286, 700/276, 700/291, 700/295, 323/211, 323/304, 323/318
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 10/00 District heating systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/17 District heating

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for performing energy usage management within a network. The system may include an energy management system, such as a thermostat device, that may be associated with an energy consuming entity, such as a residence. A server may be remotely located from the energy consuming entity and may perform one or more energy curtailment management operations within the network. The server may be in communication with the energy management system over the network. One or more software applications may be stored thereon for remotely controlling the energy management system in accordance with a particular energy curtailment management operation. Additionally, a database may be associated with the server for storing curtailment event information relating to the network. A signal may be transmitted by the server to the thermostat device to alter an offset temperature setting of the thermostat device thereby remotely controlling the operation of the thermostat device. The thermostat device may also include a networking software application for enabling the remote monitoring and controlling of the thermostat device.

Claims

1. A system for performing energy usage management within a network, comprising:

a thermostat associated with an energy consuming entity,

a server remote from the energy consuming entity for performing one or more energy curtailment management operations within the network, the server being communicatively connected to the thermostat over the network and having a software application thereon for remotely controlling the thermostat in accordance with a particular energy curtailment management operation; and

a database associated with the server for storing curtailment event information relating to the network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy consuming entity is a residence.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a signal is transmitted by the server to the thermostat device to alter an offset temperature setting of the thermostat device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermostat device includes a networking software application for enabling the remote monitoring and controlling of the thermostat device.

5. In a system for performing energy usage management, a software application for enabling remote monitoring and controlling of an energy management system within an energy consuming entity, comprising:

an indoor temperature indicator module for monitoring the current temperature of the entity;

a temperature setpoint module for establishing operating temperature points for the energy management system;

a system setting module for activating the energy management system and for selecting the mode of operation of the energy management system; and

a curtailment event override module for overriding an active curtailment event.

6. In a system for performing energy usage management, a software application for monitoring one or more curtailment events within a network, comprising:

a curtailment manager module for initiating one or more load curtailment events within the network;

a curtailment summary module for indicating curtailment event status information within the network;

a curtailment history module for indicating historical curtailment information relating to current and prior curtailment events within the network;

a user status module for indicating user-specific curtailment information; and

a user history module for indicating curtailment history information relating to a particular user of the network.

7. The software application of claim 6, wherein the curtailment manager module includes an interface for selecting a starting time and duration for initiating one or more load curtailment events, and for selecting a particular offset temperature setting for remotely controlling pre-selected energy management systems within the network upon the occurrence of the load curtailment event.

8. The software application of claim 6, wherein the curtailment event status information includes the current status of a curtailment event and the number of entities scheduled to participate in, or electing to override, the curtailment event.

9. The software application of claim 6, wherein the user-specific curtailment information includes current curtailment state information and energy management system-specific information.

10. The software application of claim 9, wherein the energy management system-specific information includes current temperature information and temperature setpoint information.

11. A system performing energy usage management within a network, comprising:

a server remote from and in communication with an energy management system associated with an energy consuming entity, the server having a software application thereon for remotely monitoring and controlling the energy management system in accordance with an energy curtailment management operation, the software application including;

an indoor temperature indicator module for monitoring the current temperature of the entity;

a temperature setpoint module for establishing operating temperature points for the energy management system;

a system setting module for activating the energy management system and for selecting the mode of operation of the energy management system; and

a curtailment event override module for overriding an active curtailment event; and

a database associated with the server for storing curtailment event information relating to the network.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the energy consuming entity is a residence.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the energy management system is a thermostat device.

14. A method for remotely controlling an energy management system, comprising the steps of:

establishing a data communication session with an energy management system;

retrieving temperature information from the energy management system;

altering temperature setpoint information for the energy management system to remotely program the operating conditions for the energy management system; and

transmitting the altered temperature setpoint information to the energy management system for operating the energy management system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein controlling the energy management system further comprises controlling a thermostat.