System and method for managing energy consumption
First Claim
1. A system for managing energy consumption comprising:
- a utility interface module configured for receiving power from a power grid and supplying power to distribution lines associated with the system;
a storage unit charged from the power grid and in electronic communication with the distribution lines for supplying power to the distribution lines;
a user interface module for receiving user inputs; and
,a control unit in operative communication with the utility interface module, the storage unit, and the user interface module, said control unit configured for;
receiving inputs through the user interface module to operate in one of a plurality of operational modes, based on the manner in which tariff information, including tariffs in the form of rates for peak period, off-peak period and shoulder period time slabs, is obtained, and, signaling said storage unit;
a) to charge from said power grid, or, b) to supply power to the distribution lines from said storage unit;
during the time when said tariffs are below a predetermined rate, signaling to charge the storage unit and supplying power to said distribution lines through said power grid; and
, during the time when said tariffs are at least at said predetermined rate, signaling to shut off power transmission through said utility interface module to selected distribution lines and utilize the charge from said storage unit to supply power said selected distribution lines; and
,continuously receiving information that the time slab is one of peak period, off-peak period and shoulder period, from the power grid through the utility interface module, and signaling to control power distribution of the storage unit based on;
1) a subsequent time slab after the current time slab,
2) available charge in the storage unit, and,
3) the load condition in the distribution lines.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control unit with data analyzer is connected to database and configured to receive user inputs such as time driven mode, supply driven mode and automatic mode and operate the system with respect to the selected mode, tariff opted and user input commands, and signals the storage unit to get charged from the input source or to supply power to all the lines or to the selected lines from storage unit. The control unit during the time when energy prices are less, signals to charge the storage unit and supplies power to all appliances through the input source and during the time when energy prices are more, signals to shut off the non critical loads and utilize the charged power from storage unit to selected lines.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for managing energy consumption comprising:
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a utility interface module configured for receiving power from a power grid and supplying power to distribution lines associated with the system; a storage unit charged from the power grid and in electronic communication with the distribution lines for supplying power to the distribution lines; a user interface module for receiving user inputs; and
,a control unit in operative communication with the utility interface module, the storage unit, and the user interface module, said control unit configured for; receiving inputs through the user interface module to operate in one of a plurality of operational modes, based on the manner in which tariff information, including tariffs in the form of rates for peak period, off-peak period and shoulder period time slabs, is obtained, and, signaling said storage unit;
a) to charge from said power grid, or, b) to supply power to the distribution lines from said storage unit;during the time when said tariffs are below a predetermined rate, signaling to charge the storage unit and supplying power to said distribution lines through said power grid; and
, during the time when said tariffs are at least at said predetermined rate, signaling to shut off power transmission through said utility interface module to selected distribution lines and utilize the charge from said storage unit to supply power said selected distribution lines; and
,continuously receiving information that the time slab is one of peak period, off-peak period and shoulder period, from the power grid through the utility interface module, and signaling to control power distribution of the storage unit based on;
1) a subsequent time slab after the current time slab,
2) available charge in the storage unit, and,
3) the load condition in the distribution lines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20)
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13. A method for managing energy consumption comprising:
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receiving power from a utility source; supplying the received power through distribution lines; charging a storage unit through the power received from the utility source; supplying power to the distribution lines; configuring an energy consumption management system including a control unit configured to receive inputs to operate in one of a plurality of operational modes, based on the manner in which tariff information of rates for peak period, off-peak period, and shoulder period time slabs is obtained; receiving information that the time slab information is one of peak period, off peak period and shoulder period, from the utility source, through a utility interface module; identifying;
1) the operational mode selected by a user and input into a user interface module, and,
2) the current time slab from the utility source; and
,signaling through said control unit to charge or discharge the storage unit based on the mode selected, the subsequent time slab, available charge in the storage unit, and the load condition in the distribution lines. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification