Abstract: The present invention provides an intelligent power unit, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the intelligent power unit includes a battery, a power switch, and a control unit. The control unit receives price information and operates the power switch based on the price information to charge the battery during periods of relatively low electrical energy prices. During periods of relatively high electrical energy prices, the control unit cause the energy stored in the battery to be used to power attached loads. The price information provided to the control unit can be actual price information regarding the cost to generate electrical power, estimated price information, or contract price information. It is a feature of the intelligent power unit of the present invention that it can be used to shift a utility's electrical power demand in time.