Abstract: Implementations of a method of calculating a county-level consumption of natural gas may include providing county-level natural gas production data for a plurality of counties to a database from a data repository; removing from an analysis, using a processor, all areas of a first county of the plurality of counties that do not include a natural gas utility; and using the processor, the database, and the county-level natural gas production data, executing a regression with at least two geographical characteristics of the first county to determine a natural gas consumption within the first county. The method may also include using the processor, repeating for each county of the plurality of counties to determine the natural gas consumption for each of the plurality of counties.

Abstract: Various systems, methods and apparatuses for a rotary valve are disclosed. A rotary valve apparatus may have a case, a fluid conducting apparatus inside the case, and an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator may align the fluid conducting apparatus with various ports in the case. In this manner, fluid may be conducted through the ports. The electromagnetic actuator may rotate the fluid conducting apparatus to align with different ports in the case. Thus, the apparatus may operate as a valve, connecting and disconnecting various ports in response to the electromagnetic actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal energy storage are disclosed. A thermal energy storage unit and an evaporator coil may form a thermosyphon. In an energy consumption mode, refrigerant may be directed from a compressor, through a condenser coil, to an evaporator coil via a first 3-way valve, and back to the compressor via a second 3-way valve. In an energy storage mode, refrigerant may be directed from the compressor, through the condenser coil, to a thermal energy storage unit via the first 3-way valve, and back to the compressor via the second 3-way valve. In an energy discharge mode, refrigerant may be directed from the thermal energy storage unit to the evaporator coil via the second 3-way valve, and back to the thermal energy storage unit via a vapor line.

Abstract: Various systems, methods and apparatuses for a rotary valve are disclosed. A rotary valve apparatus may have a case, a fluid conducting apparatus inside the case, and an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator may align the fluid conducting apparatus with various ports in the case. In this manner, fluid may be conducted through the ports. The electromagnetic actuator may rotate the fluid conducting apparatus to align with different ports in the case. Thus, the apparatus may operate as a valve, connecting and disconnecting various ports in response to the electromagnetic actuator.