System and methods for scheduling power usage
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for scheduling electric power consumption cycles in a power network, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of device-specific consumption cycle data (CCD) requests, wherein each CCD request uniquely corresponds to an electric-powered device and specifies for the corresponding device a required power consumption capacity, a power consumption duration, and a specified time period during which an allocation of power is requested, and wherein each CCD request is generated by a CCD requesting module communicatively linked to a respective electric-powered device;
responding to the plurality of CCD requests by determining which requests can be granted subject to a predetermined capacity constraint of the power network to which each device is communicatively linked, wherein the determination is carried out by a CCD responding module of the power network, the CCD responding module being communicatively linked to each CCD requesting module and within a meter or station of the power network; and
conveying to each device corresponding to a granted CCD request a signal indicating a start time for beginning a corresponding power consumption cycle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for scheduling electric power consumption cycles is provided. A consumption cycle is a time period of human scale, minutes or hours typically, rather than an electrical cycle. The system includes an electric-powered device driven by power supplied by an electric power network. The system also includes a consumption cycle data (CCD) requesting module communicatively linked to the electric-powered device. The link may use electric power lines via methods such as Broadband over Power Line, or may be wireless. The CCD requesting module is configured to generate a CCD request requesting allocation of electric power from the electric power network. Additionally, the system includes an electric power network node electrically connected to the electric-powered device from which electric power is conveyed to the electric-powered device. The system also includes a CCD responding module communicatively linked to the CCD requesting module. The CCD responding module is configured to determine whether the request for allocation of power can be granted subject to a predetermined capacity constraint.
27 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method for scheduling electric power consumption cycles in a power network, the method comprising:
-
receiving a plurality of device-specific consumption cycle data (CCD) requests, wherein each CCD request uniquely corresponds to an electric-powered device and specifies for the corresponding device a required power consumption capacity, a power consumption duration, and a specified time period during which an allocation of power is requested, and wherein each CCD request is generated by a CCD requesting module communicatively linked to a respective electric-powered device; responding to the plurality of CCD requests by determining which requests can be granted subject to a predetermined capacity constraint of the power network to which each device is communicatively linked, wherein the determination is carried out by a CCD responding module of the power network, the CCD responding module being communicatively linked to each CCD requesting module and within a meter or station of the power network; and conveying to each device corresponding to a granted CCD request a signal indicating a start time for beginning a corresponding power consumption cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for scheduling an electric power consumption cycle in a power network, the method comprising:
-
generating a consumption cycle data (CCD) request at a device connected to the power network, the CCD request comprising a device identifier, a required power consumption capacity, and a power consumption duration and requesting an allocation of power during a specified time period, wherein the CCD request is generated by a CCD requesting module communicatively linked to the device; conveying the CCD request to a node communicatively linked to the device and to the power network; receiving a CCD reply from a CCD responding module within the node and within a meter or station of the power network; and scheduling a next-to-occur consumption cycle based upon the CCD reply if the CCD reply indicates that the CCD request can be granted subject a predetermined capacity constraint. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for scheduling electric power consumption cycles in an electric power network, the method comprising:
-
receiving a device-specific consumption cycle data (CCD) request at a station communicatively linked to an electric-powered device and the electric power network, wherein the CCD request comprises a device identifier corresponding to the device, a required power consumption capacity, a power consumption duration, and a specified time period during which an allocation of power is requested, and wherein the CCD request is generated by a CCD requesting module communicatively linked to the device; responding to the CCD request by determining whether the CCD request can be granted subject to a predetermined capacity constraint; if the request can be granted and the station is connected to an upstream station, conveying the CCD request to the upstream station, wherein the determination is carried out by a CCD responding module within a meter or station of the power network; and if the station is not connected to an upstream station, conveying a positive CCD reply granting the CCD request to the device if the request can be granted or otherwise conveying a negative CCD reply denying the CCD request if the request cannot be granted. - View Dependent Claims (14)
-
-
15. A system for scheduling electric power consumption cycles in an electric power network, the system comprising:
-
an electric-powered device driven by power supplied by the electric power network; a consumption cycle data (CCD) requesting module communicatively linked to the electric-powered device, wherein the CCD requesting module is configured to generate a CCD request requesting allocation of electric power from the electric power network, wherein the CCD request comprises a device identifier corresponding to the device, a required power consumption capacity, a power consumption duration, and a specified time period during which an allocation of power is requested; an electric power network node electrically connected to the electric-powered device from which electric power is conveyed to the electric-powered device; and a CCD responding module within the electric power network node and within a meter or station of the power network, the CCD responding module communicatively linked to the CCD requesting module, wherein the CCD responding module is configured to determine whether the request for allocation of power can be granted subject to a predetermined capacity constraint. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification