Modular Implementation of Correlative Electricity Consumption Management Systems

• US 20120245751A1
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engie Storage Services NA LLC (ENGIE SA)
• Original Assignee: Green Charge Networks LLC (ENGIE SA)
• Inventors: Gow, Philippe Hart, Prosser, Ronald D., Wilhelm, Luke Asher, McIntyre, Kevin James
• Granted Patent: US 9,614,373 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/291
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/60 Limiting power consumption in the network or in one section of the network, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/144 Demand-response operation of the power transmission or distribution network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• 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

Abstract

Modular consumption management systems provide benefits of adaptability, customization, and progressive investment to electrical utility customers, particularly those with loads and electrical systems capable of curtailment and mitigation. Providing modules based on measurements made and consumption patterns detected in load profiles of individual loads and the site as a whole is described. Control and mitigation capabilities and methods are described in conjunction with identifying correlative modules that will best serve the needs of the site being monitored by a measurement module. Combined measurement and control modules or control and mitigation modules are also described, as well as interchangeable modules that can be put in place when excess consumption patterns at the site change over time.

Claims

1. A method for modular implementation of a utility consumption management system for a site, the method comprising:

providing a measurement module at the site, the measurement module being enabled to gather consumption data at the site;

gathering consumption data over time using the measurement module;

detecting an excess consumption pattern in the consumption data that is optimizable with a correlative control module, the correlative control module being correlated with the excess consumption pattern; and

providing the correlative control module at the site such that the correlative control module is enabled to optimize the excess consumption pattern by managing consumption of electricity at the site.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an excess consumption pattern in the consumption data that is optimizable with a correlative mitigation module, the correlative mitigation module being correlated with the excess consumption pattern; and

providing the correlative mitigation module at the site such that the correlative mitigation module is enabled to optimize the excess consumption pattern by providing energy at the site, the correlative mitigation module being controllable by the correlative control module.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said correlative mitigation module is enabled to provide energy at the site to a load separated from the utility distribution grid.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said correlative control module and said correlative mitigation module are provided as parts of one module.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said excess consumption pattern is optimized in such a manner as to allow the site to accommodate an additional load without exceeding a threshold consumption value.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the threshold consumption value is a peak demand charge-inducing consumption value.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said excess consumption pattern is optimized in such a manner as to allow the site to operate an additional load without exceeding a threshold consumption value.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the threshold consumption value is a maximum consumption rating of an electrical system of the site.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the threshold consumption value is a peak demand charge-inducing consumption value.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said gathering consumption data over time using the measurement module comprises gathering consumption data of the site as a whole and gathering consumption data of at least one individual load at the site, and wherein consumption of the at least one individual load is managed by said correlative control module.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one individual load causes said excess consumption pattern.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the correlative control module is enabled to provide energy to the site by discharging an energy storage device of the site.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the excess consumption pattern is a peak or plateau in consumption.

14. A method for modular implementation of a utility consumption management system for a site, the method comprising:

providing a measurement-control module at the site, the measurement-control module being enabled to gather consumption data at the site and to manage consumption of electricity at the site;

gathering consumption data over time using the measurement-control module;

detecting an excess consumption pattern in the consumption data that is optimizable with a correlative mitigation module, the correlative mitigation module being correlated with the excess consumption pattern; and

providing the correlative mitigation module at the site such that the correlative mitigation module is enabled to optimize the excess consumption pattern by providing energy at the site, the correlative mitigation module being controllable by the measurement-control module.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said excess consumption pattern is optimized in such a manner as to allow the site to operate an additional load without exceeding a threshold consumption value.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the threshold consumption value is an electrical utility service limit of the site.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the threshold consumption value is a peak demand charge-inducing consumption value.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said gathering consumption data over time using the measurement-control module comprises gathering consumption data of the site as a whole and gathering consumption data of at least one individual load at the site, and wherein consumption of the at least one individual load is mitigated by said correlative mitigation module.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said at least one individual load causes said excess consumption pattern.

20. A method for modular implementation of a utility consumption management system for a site, the method comprising:

gathering consumption data of a site over time using a measurement module;

detecting an excess consumption pattern in the consumption data that is optimizable with a correlative module, the correlative module being correlated with the excess consumption pattern; and

replacing a module at the site with the correlative module such that the correlative module is enabled to optimize the excess consumption pattern by managing consumption of electricity at the site.