Abstract: A method of controlling energy supply in an energy distribution network is disclosed. The energy distribution network comprises an energy generation facility adapted to supply energy to the energy distribution network and an energy consumer adapted to consume energy from the energy distribution network. The method comprises, at the energy generation facility: detecting a curtailment condition, the curtailment condition indicating that the energy generation facility should curtail its supply of energy to the energy distribution network; in response to the curtailment condition, transmitting, via a communications link, a request to increase energy consumption to the energy consumer; receiving a reply message from the energy consumer via the communications link; and controlling energy output from the generation facility in dependence on the reply message.

Abstract: A data processing system which includes a data management system located in a first network, the data management system providing operations for modifying data stored by the first data management system, and a natural language processing system for processing natural language messages. The natural language processing system is located outside the first network. The system further comprises an interface application having access to the data management system adapted to: receive one or more natural language messages from a user; forward the natural language messages to the natural language processing system; receive an invocation message from the natural language processing system, the invocation message comprising operation data defining an operation to be performed at the data management system, the operation identified by the natural language processing system based on the natural language messages; and invoke the operation at the data management system based on the operation data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating predicted energy consumption data for a first energy consumer based on energy consumption data of a plurality of further energy consumers is disclosed. Prediction is based on a set of training samples, each training sample comprising predictor attribute data and energy consumption data for a respective one of the further energy consumers, as well as one or more predictor attribute values for the first energy consumer. A predictive model is generated based on the training samples, the predictive model defining a relationship between values of predictor attributes and energy consumption data of the training samples. Predicted energy consumption data for the first energy consumer is then determined using the predictive model and the predictor attribute values. A method of clustering energy consumption profiles is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving consumption data comprising readings from one or more utility meters associated with a property comprising one or more devices, the one or more devices comprising one or more devices of interest; determining, in the received consumption data, one or more positive consumption variations indicative of switching on of one or more of the devices and/or one or more negative consumption variations indicative of switching off of one or more of the devices; identifying one or more events associated with the one or more devices, based on the determined variations, by matching one or more positive variations with one or more negative variations; grouping the identified one or more events into one or more blocks, each block corresponding to an occurrence of usage of a device of the property; classifying the one or more blocks into one or more predetermined clusters, the one or more predetermined clusters comprising a respective predetermined cluster associa

Abstract: In one aspect, there is described a method having: receiving energy consumption data from one or more electricity and/or gas meters associated with a property having one or more devices having larger devices and/or smaller devices; receiving context information data about the property; retrospectively determining, in the received energy consumption data, one or more variations indicative of consumption of the devices; identifying one or more events associated with the devices, based on the determined variations; classifying the identified events into predetermined sub-categories associated with the devices, based on the energy consumption data and the context information data; and associating a proportion of the received energy consumption data to respective predetermined categories associated with the devices, based on the classification in the sub-categories.

Abstract: A method of controlling energy supply in an energy distribution network comprising a first energy generation facility located at a first site and a second energy generation facility located at a second site is disclosed, where the first and second energy generation facilities are adapted to supply energy to the energy distribution network.

Abstract: A method of controlling an environmental control system, where the environmental control system is configured to operate in accordance with a control schedule, in a scheduled mode of operation. At a control device that is associated with the environmental control system, a user can receive input indicative of a boost mode. In the boost mode, the environmental control system can disregard the control schedule and operate in accordance with a boost setting, with a target temperature. Responsive to the boost mode, further user input may be used to set the target temperature for boost mode. Boost mode can be activated based on the target temperature, and environmental control can be performed based on the target temperature.

Abstract: A method of generating a control signal for a temperature control system is disclosed. The control signal has one of an “on” state in which the temperature control system is to be activated and an “off” state in which the temperature control system is to be deactivated. The method comprises calculating a temperature error measure in dependence on a target temperature and a current temperature value. A rate of temperature change in the environment is determined and used to set a variable error threshold. The method switches between a continuous “on” signal mode and a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) mode, in which the output signal comprises alternating “off” and “on” periods in accordance with a PWM pattern. The switch occurs in dependence on the temperature error measure and the variable error threshold.

Abstract: A mobile communications device for controlling a thermal appliance is described. The device includes a first communications interface configured to communicate over a wireless local area network and a second communications interface configured to communicate over a wide area network. A processor is coupled to the communications interfaces and configured to send commands to control, and to receive information relating to, operation of the thermal appliance. A user interface for obtaining user input to control the thermal appliance and for providing information relating to operation of the thermal appliance is included. The processor is configured to: monitor connection of the first communication interface with the wireless local area network, determine whether to trigger an alert in response to loss of connection, and to send a command, based on user input provided in response to a triggered alert, to the thermal appliance via the second communications interface.

Abstract: A method of controlling an environmental control system, where the environmental control system is configured to operate in accordance with a control schedule, in a scheduled mode of operation. At a control device that is associated with the environmental control system, a user can receive input indicative of a boost mode. In the boost mode, the environmental control system can disregard the control schedule and operate in accordance with a boost setting, with a target temperature. Responsive to the boost mode, further user input may be used to set the target temperature for boost mode. Boost mode can be activated based on the target temperature, and environmental control can be performed based on the target temperature.

Abstract: A method of configuring a control schedule for an environmental control system using a control device is disclosed. The control device has a display and a directional input element such as a rotary dial. The method involves performing a time period configuration process for a sequence of time periods. A time period is added to the control schedule and a representation of the added time period is displayed. In response to directional activation of the directional input element, a duration of the added time period is adjusted, with the representation being updated to indicate the adjusted duration. The adjusted duration is stored in response to a confirmation input signal. The time period configuration process is repeated until it is determined that no more time periods are to be added to the control schedule.

Abstract: A battery-powered environmental control and/or sensor device is disclosed. The device includes a mounting plate arranged to be affixed to a support surface; and a main body including a battery compartment. The main body is adapted to be releasably secured to the mounting plate, with the battery compartment being substantially inaccessible when the main body is secured to the mounting plate. The mounting plate and main body comprise complementary securing elements arranged to secure the main body to the mounting plate. The mounting plate or the main body include a lever having a portion extending beyond a periphery of the device so as to be operable by a device user when the main body is secured to the mounting plate. The lever is operable when activated to disengage the complementary securing elements and separate the main body from the mounting plate to provide access to the battery compartment.

Abstract: Determination of a state of operation of a domestic appliance In one embodiment it is provided a method for determining a state of operation of a domestic appliance (2) in a plurality of domestic appliances (2), having: receiving (S10), from the domestic appliance (2), a time series (51, 52, 53, 54) of data (5) relating to the operation of the domestic appliance (2) over a cycle (4, 7) of operation; and determining (S20) the state of operation of the domestic appliance (2) based on comparing the received time series (51, 52, 53, 54) with a model of time series (151, 152, 153, 154; 251, 252, 253, 254, 255; 351, 352, 353, 354, 355) of data (50) corresponding to the operation of the plurality of domestic appliances (2) over a cycle (4, 7) of operation.

Abstract: A controller for a thermal appliance configured to heat or cool an area of a premises. The controller comprises: a communications interface, configured to communicate over a communications network; a data store comprising information regarding a transport infrastructure; and a processor coupled to the data store and to the first communications interface. The processor is configured to obtain an estimate of the time for a user carrying a mobile device to return to the premises via the transport infrastructure.