Energy alert power system and method
First Claim
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1. A method for temporarily reducing energy demand on an energy grid comprising:
- receiving a first power-save signal by a power meter of a user, the power meter being a remotely accessible power meter through which power is supplied to the user, the first power-save signal being received before a need to reduce power consumption;
transmitting a second power-save signal from the power meter to a control device, the control device associated with a thermostat;
changing a target temperature of the thermostat to a power-save target temperature in response to the second power-save signal;
transmitting a third power-save signal by the control device to a power-save adapter of an associated energy-consuming unit;
and upon receiving the third power-save signal by the power-save adapter, the power-save adapter permitting operation of the energy-consuming unit for a first period of time and at least substantially preventing operation of the energy-consuming unit following the first period of time.
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Abstract
An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for temporarily reducing energy demand on an energy grid comprising:
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receiving a first power-save signal by a power meter of a user, the power meter being a remotely accessible power meter through which power is supplied to the user, the first power-save signal being received before a need to reduce power consumption; transmitting a second power-save signal from the power meter to a control device, the control device associated with a thermostat; changing a target temperature of the thermostat to a power-save target temperature in response to the second power-save signal; transmitting a third power-save signal by the control device to a power-save adapter of an associated energy-consuming unit; and upon receiving the third power-save signal by the power-save adapter, the power-save adapter permitting operation of the energy-consuming unit for a first period of time and at least substantially preventing operation of the energy-consuming unit following the first period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for temporarily reducing energy demand on an energy grid comprising:
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receiving a first power-save signal by a power meter of a user, the power meter being a remotely accessible power meter through which power is supplied to the user, the first power-save signal being received before a need to reduce power consumption; transmitting a second power-save signal from the power meter to a control device, the control device associated with a thermostat; changing a target temperature of the thermostat to a power-save target temperature in response to the second power-save signal; and delaying changing the target temperature to the power-save target temperature for a second, chosen period of time. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An energy control system responsive to a need to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid comprising:
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a power meter capable of receiving a first power-save signal and generating a second power-save signal; a control device operably coupled to the power meter to receive the second power-save signal from the power meter; a thermostat operably coupled to the control device and having a selected target temperature, the selected target temperature being changed to a power-save target temperature in response to receipt of the second power-save signal for at least a first length of time; the control device capable of creating a third power-save signal in response to the receipt of the second power-save signal; and a power-save adapter, for an associated energy-consuming unit, responsive to the third power-save signal, the power-save adapter permitting operation of the energy-consuming unit for a second period of time and at least substantially preventing operation of the energy-consuming unit until after said second period of time in response to the third power-save signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification