Abstract: A method includes obtaining a present value of a set point for at least one piece of equipment with a remote monitor in communication with a controller that controls the at least one piece of equipment according to the set point. The method also includes determining a first power consumption rate with the remote monitor. The first power consumption rate corresponds to power consumption of the at least one piece of equipment while operating at the present value of the set point. The method also includes determining a second power consumption rate with the remote monitor. The second power consumption rate corresponds to power consumption of the at least one piece of equipment while operating at a predetermined benchmark value of the set point.

Abstract: A method includes calculating an energy consumption model for at least one component of a building system, accessing actual weather data, applying the actual weather data to the energy consumption model, and determining an expected energy consumption value for the at least one component of the building system based on the applying.

Abstract: A method is provided and includes detecting a fault condition in a refrigeration system, determining a maintenance cost to correct the fault condition, and determining a monetary value associated with continued operation of the refrigeration system with the fault condition. The method also includes comparing the maintenance cost to the monetary value and determining a level of urgency for correcting the fault condition based on the comparison. The method also includes scheduling maintenance to correct the fault condition based on the level of urgency.

Abstract: A management center is configured to communicate with a controller for an energy consuming system at a remote location, to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the energy consuming system based on the ambient temperature data, to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the controller, to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value, and to generate an output based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method is provided and includes detecting a fault condition in a refrigeration system, determining a maintenance cost to correct the fault condition, and determining a monetary value associated with continued operation of the refrigeration system with the fault condition. The method also includes comparing the maintenance cost to the monetary value and determining a level of urgency for correcting the fault condition based on the comparison. The method also includes scheduling maintenance to correct the fault condition based on the level of urgency.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring a system for fault conditions, determining an estimated energy loss based on the fault condition, determining an estimated product loss and/or sales loss based on the fault condition, and scheduling maintenance to correct the fault condition. Maintenance is schedule to correct the fault condition prior to the energy loss and the product loss exceeding maintenance costs.

Abstract: A management center is configured to communicate with a controller for an energy consuming system at a remote location, to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the energy consuming system based on the ambient temperature data, to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the controller, to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value, and to generate an output based on the comparison.

Abstract: A management center is configured to communicate with a refrigeration system controller for a refrigeration system at a remote location. The management center is configured to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the refrigeration system based on the ambient temperature data, and to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the refrigeration system controller. The management center is also configured to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value and to generate an output based on the comparison.

Abstract: A controller comprises a first input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a compressor, a second input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a condenser fan, and an output that provides a control signal to the condenser fan. The controller also comprises a memory that stores a condenser set point, and a processor in communication with the input, output and memory and that modulates the condenser set-point to minimize energy consumption and controls the condenser fan based on the condenser set-point.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a present value of a set point for at least one piece of equipment with a remote monitor in communication with a controller that controls the at least one piece of equipment according to the set point. The method also includes determining a first power consumption rate with the remote monitor. The first power consumption rate corresponds to power consumption of the at least one piece of equipment while operating at the present value of the set point. The method also includes determining a second power consumption rate with the remote monitor. The second power consumption rate corresponds to power consumption of the at least one piece of equipment while operating at a predetermined benchmark value of the set point.

Abstract: A controller includes a first input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a compressor, a second input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a variable speed condenser fan, a third input that receives a signal indicating an ambient temperature, a fourth input that receives a signal indicating a condenser temperature, an output that provides a control signal to the variable speed condenser fan, a memory that stores a temperature difference set-point, and a processor in communication with the inputs, the output and the memory. The processor calculates a difference between the ambient temperature and the condenser temperature, compares the difference with the temperature difference set-point, controls the variable speed condenser fan based on the comparison, monitors the energy consumption values, and modulates the temperature difference set-point to minimize energy consumption.

Abstract: A system includes a compressor temperature sensor that generates a compressor discharge temperature signal corresponding to a compressor of a refrigeration system, a compressor pressure sensor that generates a compressor discharge pressure signal corresponding to the compressor, and a controller processing the signals over a predetermined time period. The processing includes calculating a discharge saturation temperature based on the compressor discharge pressure signal, calculating compressor superheat data based on the compressor discharge temperature signal and the discharge saturation temperature, accumulating the compressor superheat data over the predetermined time period, and comparing the accumulated compressor superheat data to a predetermined threshold. The controller generates an alarm indicating a compressor fault based on the comparing.

Abstract: A set-point monitoring system includes a controller for at least one piece of equipment operating at a set point and a monitor that communicates with the controller. At least one of the monitor and the controller receives a present value of the set point and compares the present value to a previous value or to a benchmark value. The monitor records the present value when the present value is different than the previous value. The monitor also determines a monetary cost based on the difference between the present value and the previous value or the difference between the present value and the benchmark value.

Abstract: A management center is configured to communicate with a refrigeration system controller for a refrigeration system at a remote location. The management center is configured to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the refrigeration system based on the ambient temperature data, and to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the refrigeration system controller. The management center is also configured to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value and to generate an output based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for monitoring refrigerant in a refrigeration system includes sensing, a refrigerant pressure of a refrigeration system, averaging the refrigerant pressure over a time period, determining an expected pressure based on said time period, comparing the average to the expected pressure, and determining a system condition based on said comparison. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a condenser in a refrigeration system includes calculating a thermal efficiency of the condenser based on operation of the condenser and averaging the thermal efficiency over a predetermined period. Further, the method comprises comparing the average to an efficiency threshold and generating a notification based on the comparison. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method of proofing a refrigeration system operating state includes monitoring a change in operating state of a refrigeration system component, determining an expected operating parameter of the refrigeration system component as a function of the change, and detecting an actual operating parameter of the refrigeration system component after the change. The method also comprises comparing the actual operating parameter to the expected operating parameter of the refrigeration component and detecting a malfunction of the refrigeration system component based on the comparison. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A system includes a scroll compressor having a first scroll member interleaved with a second scroll member to define at least two moving fluid pockets that decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position. A valve in fluid communication with the compression chamber is movable between an open state allowing fluid to the compression chamber and a closed state preventing fluid to the compression chamber. A controller continuously cycles the valve between the open state and the closed state at a rate that is faster than a thermal time constant of a load on the system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and managing a refrigeration system of a remote location includes a management center in communication with a refrigeration system through a communication network. The management center receives performance information of the refrigeration system. The management center employs software modules to analyze the performance information; diagnose system conditions; provide alarms for food safety issues, food quality issues and refrigeration system component failure; indicate maintenance conditions; and configure the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a controller adapted for coupling to a compressor or electronic stepper regulator valve. The controller produces a variable duty cycle control signal to adjust the capacity of the compressor or valve position of the electronic stepper regulator valve as a function of demand for cooling. The diagnostic system further includes a diagnostic module coupled to the controller for monitoring and comparing the duty cycle with at least one predetermined fault value indicative of a system fault condition and an alert module responsive to the diagnostic module for issuing an alert signal when the duty cycle bears a predetermined relationship to the fault value.