Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes obtaining a plurality of water temperature measurements over a period of time, determining at least one heated water draw event for the water heater appliance, and establishing a future operating schedule for the water heater appliance. The water heater appliance is operated according to the future operating schedule.

Abstract: A system is provided for reducing temperature gradients within a building. For example, temperature gradients between the air temperature measured at a thermostat controlling an HVAC system and the air temperature in one or more rooms of the building can be reduced. A model of the building is created by measuring the temperature gradient between the thermostat and one or more rooms of the building. This model is used to determine the operation of the HVAC system so as to reduce one or more of such temperature gradients.

Abstract: A method for predicting energy consumption of an HVAC system is provided. The method includes providing a model for an indoor temperature of a building, a model for an operating state of the HVAC system, and predicted future outdoor temperatures. Utilizing at least the models for the indoor temperature and the operating state of the HVAC system and the predicted future outdoor temperatures, a predicted future energy consumption of the HVAC can be estimated.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power consuming device includes receiving a control signal from a power supplying utility. The control signal signals a beginning of a control period. A length of time to operate the power consuming device during the control period is determined and an offset time is identified. A start time for operation of the power consuming device is identified as a function of the beginning of the control period and the offset time. A stop time for operation of the power consuming device is identified as a function of the start time and the determined length of time to operate the power consuming device.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates energy management systems and methodologies wherein control over local appliances is implemented to control stress on a local transformer to which a plurality of user locations may be connected. Some of the user locations are provided with home energy management (HEM) devices that control operation of certain appliance at their location based in part on constraints associated with the local transformer. The HEMs may negotiate among themselves how to meet the constraints of the local transformer and, in certain circumstances, take into consideration estimates of usage at user locations connected to the local transformer but that do not have their own HEM.

Abstract: A system and method of remotely binding appliance information to a user's network is provided. At a point-of-purchase, a terminal can communicate with a remote server over a network, such as the Internet, to provide appliance identification information to the server. The server can associate the identified appliance with user data associated with the user purchasing the appliance. The server can also identify appliance data stored at the server based on the appliance identification information. The server can then bind the appliance data to the user's network. For instance, a target object, such as a local computing device (e.g. a home energy manager or local network device such as a network terminal), associated with the user can be identified based on the user data and a path to provide the appliance data to the target object can be specified.

Abstract: A method for aggregate load management includes determining whether a load capacity limit within a utility power network will be exceeded, selecting an aggregated demand reduction target to remain within capacity bounds if the load capacity limit is to be exceeded, selecting a demand reduction strategy, and sending a control signal that includes a randomized PWM level, based on the strategy, to a controller in a load component of the utility system based on the reduction target. A method for component load management includes receiving a control signal from a utility system based on a utility demand reduction strategy, converting the signal into randomized PWM control of the load component in accordance therewith, receiving an updated control signal based on utility system monitoring of an aggregate load of a component of the utility system, and converting the updated signal into randomized PWM control of the load component in accordance therewith.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an appliance are provided. An exemplary method includes providing a module with a meta-resource and associating the meta-resource of the module with a resource of the appliance. The exemplary method also includes utilizing the meta-resource of the module to operate the resource of the appliance. The meta-resource can supplement or enhance functionality of the appliance. An exemplary system includes an appliance having a resource and a module having a meta-resource. The meta-resource of the module is configured for utilizing the resource of the appliance in order to supplement functionality of the appliance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating resource consumption of a household device, e.g., an appliance. The method comprises determining a resource demand profile for a household device for a given time period, the resource demand profile associating, for the given time period, a device state of the household device with a total resource demand for the household. In one embodiment, the apparatus can be incorporated into an energy management system, where the apparatus collects data from each of the appliances in a household as well as from a resource meter.

Abstract: A method for operating an HVAC system is provided. The method includes providing a model for an indoor temperature, y, of a building, providing predicted future outdoor temperatures, and calculating an activation time or an adjustment time interval for the HVAC system utilizing at least the model for y and the predicted future outdoor temperatures. Operation of the HVAC system can be improved with the activation time or the adjustment time interval.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance is provided. The method includes obtaining a plurality of water temperature measurements over a period of time, determining at least one heated water draw event for the water heater appliance, and establishing a future operating schedule for the water heater appliance. The method can assist with improving energy efficiency of the water heater appliance by reducing a set temperature of the water heater appliance during time periods of limited heated water demand.

Abstract: A method for predicting energy consumption of an HVAC system is provided. The method includes providing a model for an indoor temperature of a building, a model for an operating state of the HVAC system, and predicted future outdoor temperatures. Utilizing at least the models for the indoor temperature and the operating state of the HVAC system and the predicted future outdoor temperatures, a predicted future energy consumption of the HVAC can be estimated.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to energy management. Home energy management (HEM) devices are directed from a central control system to modify energy usage among appliances/loads within individual homes to meet energy source demand limitations. The HEM devices may work in cooperation with a group of such devices as a unit to negotiate with the central control system and then individually to control energy usage for their separately controlled home appliances/loads to meet group negotiated aggregate energy usage modification, for example, usage reductions so as to minimized peak usage demands on the energy source.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates energy management systems and methodologies wherein control over local appliances is implemented to control stress on a local transformer to which a plurality of user locations may be connected. Some of the user locations are provided with home energy management (HEM) devices that control operation of certain appliance at their location based in part on constraints associated with the local transformer. The HEMs may negotiate among themselves how to meet the constraints of the local transformer and, in certain circumstances, take into consideration estimates of usage at user locations connected to the local transformer but that do not have their own HEM.

Abstract: A system and method of remotely binding appliance information to a user's network is provided. At a point-of-purchase, a terminal can communicate with a remote server over a network, such as the Internet, to provide appliance identification information to the server. The server can associate the identified appliance with user data associated with the user purchasing the appliance. The server can also identify appliance data stored at the server based on the appliance identification information. The server can then bind the appliance data to the user's network. For instance, a target object, such as a local computing device (e.g. a home energy manager or local network device such as a network terminal), associated with the user can be identified based on the user data and a path to provide the appliance data to the target object can be specified.

Abstract: A system is provided for reducing temperature gradients within a building. For example, temperature gradients between the air temperature measured at a thermostat controlling an HVAC system and the air temperature in one or more rooms of the building can be reduced. A model of the building is created by measuring the temperature gradient between the thermostat and one or more rooms of the building. This model is used to determine the operation of the HVAC system so as to reduce one or more of such temperature gradients.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying an operational state change in an appliance is provided. Power consumption can be measured using a power consumption measuring device such as a utility meter. The power consumption signal can be filtered by applying a filter to the power consumption signal. An initiation of a change in an operational state of the appliance can be detected. When an initiation of a change in the operational state is detected, at least one derivative of the filtered power consumption signal can be determined and compared to a predetermined threshold. When the derivative of the filtered power consumption signal exceeds the predetermined threshold, an achievement of the operational state change can be identified. An achievement of an operational state change can alternatively be identified when a counter increment exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneously restoring power to loads in a distribution network that experienced an outage. The pickup load on the feeder in the distribution network is estimated and the load limit on the feeder is determined. The load on the feeder is divided into groups based on the load limit. A restoration load control process is determined, and power is restored to each of the groups simultaneously based on the power restoration control process.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power consuming device includes receiving a control signal from a power supplying utility. The control signal signals a beginning of a control period. A length of time to operate the power consuming device during the control period is determined and an offset time is identified. A start time for operation of the power consuming device is identified as a function of the beginning of the control period and the offset time. A stop time for operation of the power consuming device is identified as a function of the start time and the determined length of time to operate the power consuming device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating resource consumption of a household device, e.g., an appliance. The method comprises determining a resource demand profile for a household device for a given time period, the resource demand profile associating, for the given time period, a device state of the household device with a total resource demand for the household. In one embodiment, the apparatus can be incorporated into an energy management system, where the apparatus collects data from each of the appliances in a household as well as from a resource meter.