System and method for managing power consumption

• US 9,300,138 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2011
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Wei-Peng, Yoshimura, Koji, Masuoka, Ryusuke, Lee, Sung
• Primary Examiner(s): Everett, Christopher E
• Application Number:
  US13/274,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20120316695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,625 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 3/008 involving trading of energy or energy transmission rights
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• 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: 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

In accordance with particular embodiments, a method for managing power consumption includes receiving from a plurality of electricity relays an indication of a current state associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays. The method also includes receiving a power rate associated with a cost of power. The method further includes determining a threshold state based on the power rate and the current state associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays. The method additionally includes transmitting one or more control requests to one or more of the plurality of electricity relays. A first control request transmitted to a first electricity relay is based on the threshold state and a first current state associated with the first electricity relay.

Claims

1. A method in an environment station of managing power consumption for a plurality of devices located in one building, each of the plurality of devices associated with an electricity relay, the method comprising:

receiving from a plurality of electricity relays an indication of a current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays, the plurality of electricity relays comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of devices;

receiving a power rate associated with a cost of power;

determining a threshold energy level based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays, the threshold energy level representing a threshold stored energy level;

transmitting the determined threshold energy level to one or more of the plurality of electricity relays, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electricity relays determines whether to allow power to flow through the first electricity relay based on the threshold energy level and a first current stored energy level associated with the first electricity relay;

monitoring an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determining the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjusting the determined threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the electricity relay is configured to control the flow of power to charge a battery; and

the current stored energy level comprises a state of charge of the battery.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sorting the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays; and

wherein the order of transmitting the determined threshold energy level to one or more of the plurality of electricity relays is based on the sorting of the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a threshold energy level based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays comprises determining a threshold energy level that minimizes an electricity bill using an objective function.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a threshold energy level based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays comprises determining a lower threshold energy level and an upper threshold energy level for each of the plurality of electric relays based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the electricity relay is configured to control the flow of power to an appliance; and

the current stored energy level comprises a temperature associated with the appliance.

7. A method of managing power consumption for a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices located in one building and associated with an electricity relay, the method comprising:

generating, at an electricity relay, an indication of a current stored energy level associated with a device, the electricity relay comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of devices;

transmitting the indication of the current stored energy level associated with the device to an environment station configured to manage power consumption for a plurality of devices;

receiving, at the electricity relay, a threshold energy level;

determining, at the electricity relay, whether to allow power to flow to the device based on the received threshold energy level and the current stored energy level, wherein the threshold energy level represents a threshold stored energy level, and the threshold energy level is based on a power rate and a plurality of current stored energy levels associated with each of the plurality of devices

monitoring an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determining the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjusting the threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the device comprises a battery; and

generating an indication of a current stored energy level associated with the device comprises generating an indication of a state of charge of the battery.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving an override request configured to override the control request.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein generating and transmitting the indication of the current stored energy level associated with the device comprises generating and transmitting the indication of the current stored energy level associated with the device on a periodic basis.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the device comprises an appliance; and

generating an indication of a current stored energy level associated with the device comprises generating an indication of a thermal state of the appliance.

12. A method of managing power consumption for a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices located in one building and associated with an electricity relay, the method comprising:

monitoring an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determining the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold;

receiving, at an electricity relay, at least one power usage value from an environment station, the power usage value indicative of an amount of power consumed by a plurality of devices, the electricity relay comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of devices;

receiving, at the electricity relay, a power rate associated with a cost of power;

determining, at the electricity relay, a stored energy level associated with a first device of the plurality of devices;

determining, at the electricity relay, whether to allow power to flow to the first device based on the power usage value, the power rate, and the stored energy level associated with the first device; and

adjusting the determined power flow to the first device to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building;

wherein the power usage value comprises;

an overall power usage associated with the amount of power consumed by the plurality of devices; and

a subset power usage associated with the amount of power consumed by a subset of the plurality of devices, the subset of the plurality of devices comprising the first device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the first device comprises a battery; and

the stored energy level associated the first device comprises a charge state associated with the battery.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein determining a stored energy level associated with a first device of the plurality of devices comprises receiving a message from the first device, the message comprising information indicative of the stored energy level associated with the first device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the first device comprises an appliance; and

the stored energy level associated with the first device comprises a temperature associated with the appliance.

16. A method in an environment station of managing power consumption for a plurality of devices located in one building, each of the plurality of devices associated with an electricity relay, the method comprising:

receiving a control parameter, the control parameter indicative of a desired environmental state;

receiving a power rate associated with a cost of power;

determining a first threshold energy level based on the control parameter and the power rate, the first threshold energy level representing a threshold stored energy level;

broadcasting the first threshold energy level to a plurality of electricity relays, each electricity relay associated with at least one device and configured to control the flow of power to the at least one device based on the first threshold energy level and a stored energy level associated with the at least one device, the plurality of electricity relays comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of devices;

monitoring an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determining the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjusting the determined first threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining a second threshold energy level based on the control parameter and the power rate, the first threshold energy level indicative of when to stop the flow of power to the at least one device and the second threshold energy level indicative of when to start the flow of power to the at least one device.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining a baseline peak load value;

receiving a load message indicative of a power load value;

comparing the power load value to the peak load value;

if the power load value is less than the peak load value, adjusting the first threshold energy level by a first amount; and

if the power load value is greater than or equal to the peak load value, adjusting the first threshold energy level by a second amount.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising predicting the power load value based on the received load message.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein each electricity relay of the plurality of electricity relays is configured to control the flow of power to a battery.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein each electricity relay of the plurality of electricity relays is configured to control the flow of power to an appliance.

22. A method of managing power consumption for a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices located in one building and associated with an electricity relay, the method comprising:

receiving, at an electricity relay, a first threshold energy level value from an environment station, the first threshold energy level value broadcast from the environment station to a plurality of electricity relays, and the first threshold energy level representing a threshold stored energy level, the plurality of electricity relays comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of devices;

determining, at the electricity relay, a stored energy level associated with a device;

comparing the stored energy level associated with the device with the first threshold energy level value from the environment station;

determining, at the electricity relay, whether to allow power to flow to the device based on the comparison;

monitoring an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determining the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjusting the threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving a second threshold energy level value from the environment station, the second threshold energy level value broadcast from the environment station to the plurality of electricity relays; and

comparing the stored energy level associated with the device with the second threshold energy level value from the environment station;

wherein determining whether to allow power to flow to the device based on the comparison comprises;

if the stored energy level associated with the device is greater than the first threshold energy level value, determining that power is not to flow to the device;

if the stored energy level associated with the device is less than the first threshold energy level value and greater than the second threshold energy level value;

initiating a back-off timer configured to run for a period of time; and

determining that power is to flow to the device after the period of time; and

if the stored energy level associated with the device is less than the second threshold energy level value, determining that power is to flow to the device.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein:

determining a stored energy level associated with a device comprises determining a charge state associated with the device; and

determining whether to allow power to flow to the device comprises determining whether to allow power to flow to a battery associated with the device to charge the battery.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein:

determining a stored energy level associated with a device comprises determining a temperature energy level associated with the device; and

determining whether to allow power to flow to the device comprises determining whether to allow power to flow to an appliance to change the temperature energy level associated with the device.

26. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising logic that when executed by a computer is configured to:

receive from a plurality of electricity relays an indication of a current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays, the plurality of electricity relays comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to a plurality of devices located in one building;

receive a power rate associated with a cost of power;

determine a threshold energy level based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays, the threshold energy level representing a threshold stored energy level;

transmit the determined threshold energy level to one or more of the plurality of electricity relays, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electricity relays determines whether to allow power to flow through the first electricity relay based on the threshold energy level and a first current stored energy level associated with the first electricity relay;

monitor an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjust the determined threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

27. The medium of claim 26, wherein:

the electricity relay is configured to control the flow of power to charge a battery; and

the current stored energy level comprises a state of charge of the battery.

28. The medium of claim 26, wherein:

the logic is further configured to sort the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays; and

the order of transmitting the determined threshold energy level to one or more of the plurality of electricity relays is based on the sorting of the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays.

29. The medium of claim 26, wherein the logic configured to determine a threshold energy level based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays is further configured to determine a threshold energy level that minimizes an electricity bill using an objective function.

30. The medium of claim 26, wherein the logic configured to determine a threshold energy level based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays is further configured to determine a lower threshold energy level and an upper threshold energy level for each of the plurality of electric relays based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays.

31. The medium of claim 26, wherein:

the electricity relay is configured to control the flow of power to an appliance; and

the current stored energy level comprises a temperature associated with the appliance.

32. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising logic that when executed by a computer is configured to:

generate an indication of a current stored energy level associated with a device, the device comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to a plurality of devices located in one building;

transmit the indication of the current stored energy level associated with the device to an environment station configured to manage power consumption for the plurality of devices;

receive a threshold energy level from the environment station;

determine whether to allow power to flow to the device based on the received threshold energy level and the current stored energy level, wherein the threshold energy level represents a threshold stored energy level, and the threshold energy level is based on a power rate and a plurality of current stored energy levels associated with each of the plurality of devices;

monitor an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjust the threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

33. The medium of claim 32, wherein:

the device comprises a battery; and

the logic configured to generate an indication of a current stored energy level associated with the device comprises logic configured to generate an indication of a state of charge of the battery.

34. The medium of claim 32, wherein the logic is further configured to receive an override request configured to override the control request.

35. The medium of claim 32, wherein the logic configured to generate and transmit the indication of the current stored energy level associated with the device is further configured to generate and transmit the indication of the current stored energy level associated with the device on a periodic basis.

36. The medium of claim 32, wherein:

the device comprises an appliance; and

the logic configured to generate an indication of a current stored energy level associated with the device is further configured to generate an indication of a thermal state of the appliance.

37. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising logic that when executed by a computer is configured to:

monitor an aggregate power consumed by a building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

receive at least one power usage value from an environment station, the power usage value indicative of an amount of power consumed by a plurality of devices located in the building;

receive a power rate associated with a cost of power;

determine a stored energy level associated with a first device of the plurality of devices, the first device comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of devices;

determine whether to allow power to flow to the first device based on the power usage value, the power rate, and the stored energy level associated with the first device; and

adjust the determined power flow to the first device to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building;

wherein the power usage value comprises;

an overall power usage associated with the amount of power consumed by the plurality of devices; and

a subset power usage associated with the amount of power consumed by a subset of the plurality of devices, the subset of the plurality of devices comprising the first device.

38. The medium of claim 37, wherein:

the first device comprises a battery; and

the stored energy level associated with the first device comprises a charge state associated with the battery.

39. The medium of claim 37, wherein the logic configured to determine a stored energy level associated with a first device of the plurality of devices is further configured to receive a message from the first device, the message comprising information indicative of the stored energy level associated with the first device.

40. The medium of claim 37, wherein:

the first device comprises an appliance; and

the stored energy level associated with the first device comprises a temperature associated with the appliance.

41. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising logic that when executed by a computer is configured to:

receive a control parameter, the control parameter indicative of a desired environmental state;

receive a power rate associated with a cost of power;

determine a first threshold energy level based on the control parameter and the power rate, the first threshold energy level representing a threshold stored energy level;

broadcast the first threshold energy level to a plurality of electricity relays, each electricity relay associated with at least one device and configured to control the flow of power to the at least one device based on the first threshold energy level and a stored energy level associated with the at least one device, the plurality of electricity relays comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to a plurality of devices located in one building;

monitor an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjust the determined first threshold enemy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

42. The medium of claim 41, wherein the logic is further configured to determine a second threshold energy level based on the control parameter and the power rate, the first threshold energy level indicative of when to stop the flow of power to the at least one device and the second threshold energy level indicative of when to start the flow of power to the at least one device.

43. The medium of claim 41, wherein the logic is further configured to:

determine a baseline peak load value;

receive a load message indicative of a power load value;

compare the power load value to the peak load value;

if the power load value is less than the peak load value, adjust the first threshold energy level by a first amount; and

if the power load value is greater than or equal to the peak load value, adjust the first threshold energy level by a second amount.

44. The medium of claim 43, wherein the logic is further configured to predict the power load value based on the received load message.

45. The medium of claim 41, wherein each electricity relay of the plurality of electricity relays is configured to control the flow of power to a battery.

46. The medium of claim 41, wherein each electricity relay of the plurality of electricity relays is configured to control the flow of power to an appliance.

47. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising logic that when executed by a computer is configured to:

receive a first threshold energy level value from an environment station, the first threshold energy level value broadcast from the environment station to a plurality of electricity relays, and the first threshold energy level representing a threshold stored energy level, the plurality of electricity relays comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to a plurality of devices located in one building;

determine a stored energy level associated with a device;

compare the stored energy level associated with the device with the first threshold energy level value from the environment station;

determine whether to allow power to flow to the device based on the comparison;

monitor an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjust the threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

48. The medium of claim 47:

wherein the logic is further configured to;

receive a second threshold energy level value from the environment station, the second threshold energy level value broadcast from the environment station to the plurality of electricity relays; and

compare the stored energy level associated with the device with the second threshold energy level value from the environment station;

wherein the logic configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to the device based on the comparison is further configured to;

if the stored energy level associated with the device is greater than the first threshold energy level value, determine that power is not to flow to the device;

if the stored energy level associated with the device is less than the first threshold energy level value and greater than the second threshold energy level value;

initiate a back-off timer configured to run for a period of time; and

determine that power is to flow to the device after the period of time; and

if the stored energy level associated with the device is less than the second threshold energy level value, determine that power is to flow to the device.

49. The medium of claim 47, wherein:

the logic configured to determine a stored energy level associated with a device is further configured to determine a charge state associated with the device; and

the logic configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to the device is further configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to a battery associated with the device to charge the battery.

50. The medium of claim 47, wherein:

the logic configured to determine a stored energy level associated with a device is further configured to determine a temperature energy level associated with the device; and

the logic configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to the device is further configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to an appliance to change the temperature energy level associated with the device.

51. An apparatus for managing power consumption for a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices located in one building and associated with an electricity relay, the apparatus comprising:

an interface configured to;

receive from a plurality of electricity relays an indication of a current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays, the plurality of electricity relays comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of devices; and

receive a power rate associated with a cost of power; and

a processor coupled to the interface and configured to determine a threshold energy level based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays, the threshold energy level representing a threshold stored energy level;

the interface further configured to

transmit the determined threshold energy level to one or more of the plurality of electricity relays, wherein the one or more of the plurality of electricity relays determines whether to allow power to flow through the first electricity relay based on the threshold energy level and a first current stored energy level associated with the first electricity relay;

monitor an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjust the determined threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein:

the electricity relay is configured to control the flow of power to charge a battery; and

the current stored energy level comprises a state of charge of the battery.

53. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein:

the processor is further configured to sort the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays; and

the order of transmitting the determined threshold energy level to one or more of the plurality of electricity relays is based on the sorting of the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays.

54. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the processor configured to determine a threshold energy level based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays is further configured to determine a threshold energy level that minimizes an electricity bill using an objective function.

55. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the processor configured to determine a threshold energy level based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays is further configured to determine a lower threshold energy level and an upper threshold energy level for each of the plurality of electric relays based on the power rate and the current stored energy level associated with each of the plurality of electricity relays.

56. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein:

the electricity relay is configured to control the flow of power to an appliance; and

the current stored energy level comprises a temperature associated with the appliance.

57. An apparatus for managing power consumption, the apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to generate an indication of a current stored energy level associated with a device; and

an interface coupled to the processor and configured to;

transmit the indication of the current stored energy level associated with the device to an environment station configured to manage power consumption for a plurality of devices located in one building; and

receive, from the environment station, a threshold energy level; and

the processor further configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to the device based on the received threshold energy level and the current stored energy level, wherein the threshold energy level represents a threshold stored energy level, and the threshold energy level is based on a power rate and a plurality of current stored energy levels associated with each of the plurality of devices, the device comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of devices;

the interface further configured to;

monitor an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjust the threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein:

the device comprises a battery; and

the interface configured to generate an indication of a current stored energy level associated with the device comprises determining a state of charge of the battery.

59. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the interface is further configured to receive an override request configured to override the control request.

60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the interface configured to generate and transmit the indication of the current stored energy level associated with the device is further configured to generate and transmit the indication of the current stored energy level associated with the device on a periodic basis.

61. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein:

the device comprises an appliance; and

the interface configured to generate an indication of a current stored energy level associated with the device is further configured to generate an indication of a thermal state of the appliance.

62. An apparatus for managing power consumption, the apparatus comprising:

an interface configured to;

receive at least one power usage value from an environment station, the power usage value indicative of an amount of power consumed by a plurality of devices located in a building; and

receive a power rate associated with a cost of power;

a processor coupled to the interface and configured to;

determine a stored energy level associated with a first device of the plurality of devices, the first device comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of devices;

determine whether to allow power to flow to the first device based on the power usage value, the power rate, and the stored energy level associated with the first device;

monitor an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjust the determined power flow to the first device to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building;

wherein the power usage value comprises;

an overall power usage associated with the amount of power consumed by the plurality of devices; and

a subset power usage associated with the amount of power consumed by a subset of the plurality of devices, the subset of the plurality of devices comprising the first device.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein:

the first device comprises a battery; and

the stored energy level associated with the first device comprises a charge state associated with the battery.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the processor configured to determine a stored energy level associated with a first device of the plurality of devices is further configured to receive a message from the first device, the message comprising information indicative of the stored energy level associated with the first device.

65. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein:

the first device comprises an appliance; and

the stored energy level associated with the first device comprises a temperature associated with the appliance.

66. An apparatus for managing power consumption for a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices located in one building and associated with an electricity relay, the apparatus comprising:

an interface configured to;

receive a control parameter, the control parameter indicative of a desired environmental state; and

receive a power rate associated with a cost of power; and

a processor coupled to the interface and configured determine a first threshold energy level based on the control parameter and the power rate, the first threshold energy level representing a threshold stored energy level;

the interface further configured to

broadcast the first threshold energy level to a plurality of electricity relays, each electricity relay associated with at least one device;

control the flow of power to the at least one device based on the first threshold energy level and a stored energy level associated with the at least one device, the plurality of electricity relays comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to the plurality of device;

monitor an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjust the first threshold energy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a second threshold energy level based on the control parameter and the power rate, the first threshold energy level indicative of when to stop the flow of power to the at least one device and the second threshold energy level indicative of when to start the flow of power to the at least one device.

68. The apparatus of claim 66:

wherein the interface is further configured to receive a load message indicative of a power load value; and

wherein the processor is further configured to;

determine a baseline peak load value;

compare the power load value to the peak load value;

if the power load value is less than the peak load value, adjust the first threshold energy level by a first amount; and

if the power load value is greater than or equal to the peak load value, adjust the first threshold energy level by a second amount.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the processor is further configured to predict the power load value based on the received load message.

70. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein each electricity relay of the plurality of electricity relays is configured to control the flow of power to a battery.

71. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein each electricity relay of the plurality of electricity relays is configured to control the flow of power to an appliance.

72. An apparatus for managing power consumption, the apparatus comprising:

an interface configured to receive a first threshold energy level value from an environment station, the first threshold energy level value broadcast from the environment station to a plurality of electricity relays, and the first threshold energy level representing a threshold stored energy level, the plurality of electricity relays comprising a distributed storage that coordinates transmitting energy levels to a plurality of devices located in one building; and

a processor coupled to the interface and configured to;

determine a stored energy level associated with a device;

compare the stored energy level associated with the device with the first threshold energy level value from the environment station;

determine whether to allow power to flow to the device based on the comparison;

monitor an aggregate power consumed by the building;

determine the aggregate power consumed by the building is near a peak load threshold; and

adjust the first threshold enemy level to reduce the aggregate power consumed by the building.

73. The apparatus of claim 72:

wherein the interface is further configured to receive a second threshold energy level value from the environment station, the second threshold energy level value broadcast from the environment station to the plurality of electricity relays;

wherein the processor is further configured to compare the stored energy level associated with the device with the second threshold energy level value from the environment station; and

wherein the processor configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to the device based on the comparison is further configured to;

if the stored energy level associated with the device is greater than the first threshold energy level value, determine that power is not to flow to the device;

if the stored energy level associated with the device is less than the first threshold energy level value and greater than the second threshold energy level value;

initiate a back-off timer configured to run for a period of time; and

determine that power is to flow to the device after the period of time; and

if the stored energy level associated with the device is less than the second threshold energy level value, determine that power is to flow to the device.

74. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein:

the processor configured to determine a stored energy level associated with a device is further configured to determine a charge state associated with the device; and

the processor configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to the device is further configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to a battery associated with the device to charge the battery.

75. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein:

the processor configured to determine a stored energy level associated with a device is further configured to determine a temperature energy level associated with the device; and

the processor configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to the device is further configured to determine whether to allow power to flow to an appliance to change the temperature energy level associated with the device.