Abstract: An approach where a utility/ISO may dispatch demand response (DR) resources in real time without notification of a DR event. DR dispatches may involve sending specific load level commands to power generators that can respond to such commands in a predictable fashion. DR resources do not necessarily have the same level of control or predictability in their load responses. Accuracy of predicting a DR resource's response to a DR signal may be improved by restricting the DR signal to predefined finite values and, for each predefined finite value, have the DR resource continuously report back what its load response will be if one of those signal values is sent as a DR signal. A DR performed against a home may result in discomfort. But there may be a sufficient recovery rate for regaining the setpoint of a thermostat to attain comfort of the home within a reasonable period of time.

Abstract: A demand response management system having a participation predictor. There may be a storage device having information collected about past behavior, related to participation in a demand response program, about a customer. The information may incorporate determining a period of time since the customer last participated in a demand response program, a frequency of participation in demand response events by the customer, and a size of energy loads of the customer. A model of the customer may be developed from this and other information. A processor may be used to collect and process the information, develop a model, and to make a prediction of a customer's being selected to participate in an event based on the various operator selectable criteria.

Abstract: An approach where a utility/ISO may dispatch demand response (DR) resources in real time without notification of a DR event. DR dispatches may involve sending specific load level commands to power generators that can respond to such commands in a predictable fashion. DR resources do not necessarily have the same level of control or predictability in their load responses. Accuracy of predicting a DR resource's response to a DR signal may be improved by restricting the DR signal to predefined finite values and, for each predefined finite value, have the DR resource continuously report back what its load response will be if one of those signal values is sent as a DR signal. A DR performed against a home may result in discomfort. But there may be a sufficient recovery rate for regaining the setpoint of a thermostat to attain comfort of the home within a reasonable period of time.

Abstract: An approach where a utility/ISO may dispatch demand response (DR) resources in real time without notification of a DR event. DR dispatches may involve sending specific load level commands to power generators that can respond to such commands in a predictable fashion. DR resources do not necessarily have the same level of control or predictability in their load responses. Accuracy of predicting a DR resource's response to a DR signal may be improved by restricting the DR signal to predefined finite values and, for each predefined finite value, have the DR resource continuously report back what its load response will be if one of those signal values is sent as a DR signal. A DR performed against a home may result in discomfort. But there may be a sufficient recovery rate for regaining the setpoint of a thermostat to attain comfort of the home within a reasonable period of time.

Abstract: A local thermostat for controlling an HVAC unit may include a controller programmed to execute a remote access function for remotely accessing and communicating with at least one remote thermostat over a communication channel. The remote access application may be configured to display at least one thermostat setting of at least one of the remote thermostats on the display of the user interface of the local thermostat. In some cases, the remote access application may allow a user to change one or more thermostat settings of at least one remote thermostat using the user interface of the local thermostat.

Abstract: A demand response management system having a participation predictor. There may be a storage device having information collected about past behavior, related to participation in a demand response program, about a customer. The information may incorporate determining a period of time since the customer last participated in a demand response program, a frequency of participation in demand response events by the customer, and a size of energy loads of the customer. A model of the customer may be developed from this and other information. A processor may be used to collect and process the information, develop a model, and to make a prediction of a customer's being selected to participate in an event based on the various operator selectable criteria.

Abstract: A demand response management system having a participation predictor. There may be a storage device having information collected about past behavior, related to participation in a demand response program, about a customer. The information may incorporate determining a period of time since the customer last participated in a demand response program, a frequency of participation in demand response events by the customer, and a size of energy loads of the customer. A model of the customer may be developed from this and other information. A processor may be used to collect and process the information, develop a model, and to make a prediction of a customer's being selected to participate in an event based on the various operator selectable criteria.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically changing between heating and cooling in an HVAC system. In one example, an HVAC controller may monitor the temperature of an inside space of a building, and may switch the HVAC system to cooling when the temperature of the inside space rises above a high switch-point temperature, and may cool the inside space to at least below the high switch-point temperature. The HVAC controller may also switch the HVAC system to heating when the temperature of the inside space falls below a low switch-point temperature and may heat the inside space to at least above the low switch-point temperature. In some cases, after switching to heating or cooling, the HVAC controller may cause the HVAC system to heat or cool the inside space, respectively, to substantially the set-point temperature.

Abstract: A demand response management system having a participation predictor. There may be a storage device having information collected about past behavior, related to participation in a demand response program, about a customer. The information may incorporate determining a period of time since the customer last participated in a demand response program, a frequency of participation in demand response events by the customer, and a size of energy loads of the customer. A model of the customer may be developed from this and other information. A processor may be used to collect and process the information, develop a model, and to make a prediction of a customer's being selected to participate in an event based on the various operator selectable criteria.

Abstract: An approach where a utility/ISO may dispatch demand response (DR) resources in real time without notification of a DR event. DR dispatches may involve sending specific load level commands to power generators that can respond to such commands in a predictable fashion. DR resources do not necessarily have the same level of control or predictability in their load responses. Accuracy of predicting a DR resource's response to a DR signal may be improved by restricting the DR signal to predefined finite values and, for each predefined finite value, have the DR resource continuously report back what its load response will be if one of those signal values is sent as a DR signal. A DR performed against a home may result in discomfort. But there may be a sufficient recovery rate for regaining the setpoint of a thermostat to attain comfort of the home within a reasonable period of time.

Abstract: A local thermostat for controlling an HVAC unit may include a controller programmed to execute a remote access function for remotely accessing and communicating with at least one remote thermostat over a communication channel. The remote access application may be configured to display at least one thermostat setting of at least one of the remote thermostats on the display of the user interface of the local thermostat. In some cases, the remote access application may allow a user to change one or more thermostat settings of at least one remote thermostat using the user interface of the local thermostat.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for automatically changing between heating and cooling modes of an HVAC system, sometimes using a single or common set point in both modes. In an illustrative but not limiting example, an HVAC controller may monitor the temperature of an inside space of a building, and may switch the HVAC system to a cooling mode when the temperature of the inside space rises above a high switch-point temperature, and may cool the inside space to at least below the high switch-point temperature. The HVAC controller may also switch the HVAC system to the heating mode when the temperature of the inside space falls below a low switch-point temperature and may heat the inside space to at least above the low switch-point temperature. In some cases, after switching to the heating mode, the HVAC controller may cause the HVAC system to heat the inside space to substantially the set-point temperature.