Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing battery discharge during critical peak pricing (CPP) intervals. The method provides an alternating current (AC) client with a fluctuating AC grid demand, and a direct current (DC)-to-AC inverter having an input connected to a battery and selectable inversion power output levels connected to the AC client. In response to receiving a CPP warning for a first time interval, a present battery capacity state of charge (SoC) is determined. Also determined is a target peak demand for the AC client over a second time interval that includes the first time interval. The target peak demand defines a desired maximum threshold AC grid demand. In response to determining the present battery capacity SoC and the target peak demand, excess battery capacity is determined, and the excess battery capacity is used to supply auxiliary energy to the AC client during the CPP first time interval.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing battery discharge during critical peak pricing (CPP) intervals. The method provides an alternating current (AC) client with a fluctuating AC grid demand, and a direct current (DC)-to-AC inverter having an input connected to a battery and selectable inversion power output levels connected to the AC client. In response to receiving a CPP warning for a first time interval, a present battery capacity state of charge (SoC) is determined. Also determined is a target peak demand for the AC client over a second time interval that includes the first time interval. The target peak demand defines a desired maximum threshold AC grid demand. In response to determining the present battery capacity SoC and the target peak demand, excess battery capacity is determined, and the excess battery capacity is used to supply auxiliary energy to the AC client during the CPP first time interval.

Abstract: A virtual thermostat system and method are provided. The method accepts commands via a virtual thermostat interface for establishing temperature set points for a plurality of zones. Energy consumption information is also accepted from a plurality of energy consumption units. Each unit consumes energy at an associated peak power to supply a controlled temperature medium to a corresponding zone. The method also accepts temperature measurements for each zone. Then, consumption commands are sent to each energy consumption unit in response to associated zone temperature set points, while insuring that a combined peak power of the energy consumption units is less than a maximum peak power threshold. In one aspect, the virtual thermostat accepts temperature measurements from a plurality of physical thermostats, each associated with an energy consumption unit. Then, consumption commands are relayed to the energy consumption units via associated physical thermostats.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for predictive peak load management via integrated load management comprising the steps of: determining a target peak load based on a capacity of an energy storage device and a value of a load management capacity of a set of one or more manageable load assets, determining for each period of a defined time period, an expected peak load based on the determined target peak load, engaging the energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device is engaged based on an energy supply level of the energy storage device and the expected peak load, and performing load management on the set of one or more manageable load assets based on the engaged energy storage device and the determined target peak load.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional energy control system is provided with an energy management software application that organizes the consumption of energy by a device as an n-dimensional energy space, where n is an integer greater than 2, and each axis in the energy space represents an energy consumption characteristic. The energy management application generates instructions for a device in response to calculating a compromise operating point in the energy space. A user interface (UI) connected to the energy management application has a display to receive a graphical representation of the energy space and compromise operating point, and an input to receive user commands for moving the represented compromise operating point in the represented energy space. The energy management application calculates the compromise operating point in the energy space to match the displayed compromise operating point.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional energy control system is provided with an energy management software application that organizes the consumption of energy by a device as an n-dimensional energy space, where n is an integer greater than 2, and each axis in the energy space represents an energy consumption characteristic. The energy management application generates instructions for a device in response to calculating a compromise operating point in the energy space. A user interface (UI) connected to the energy management application has a display to receive a graphical representation of the energy space and compromise operating point, and an input to receive user commands for moving the represented compromise operating point in the represented energy space. The energy management application calculates the compromise operating point in the energy space to match the displayed compromise operating point.

Abstract: A peak load management system and method take countermeasures to reduce the risk of a spike in grid power use above a target peak load due to battery exhaustion. The countermeasures replace or at least reduce the safety margins built into target peak load peak load management systems and increase the cost savings realized from peak load management.

Abstract: Method and system for mitigating the impact on peak load management of a malfunction in determining actual load at a site by substituting a predicted load for actual load while the malfunction persists. Using a predicted load as a substitute for actual load during the malfunction period avoids use of a grossly overestimated or underestimated actual load that if used could cause suboptimal use of battery power and decimate cost savings from peak load management.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional energy control system is provided with an energy management software application that organizes the consumption of energy by a device as an n-dimensional energy space, where n is an integer greater than 2, and each axis in the energy space represents an energy consumption characteristic. The energy management application generates instructions for a device in response to calculating a compromise operating point in the energy space. A user interface (UI) connected to the energy management application has a display to receive a graphical representation of the energy space and compromise operating point, and an input to receive user commands for moving the represented compromise operating point in the represented energy space. The energy management application calculates the compromise operating point in the energy space to match the displayed compromise operating point.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for predictive peak load management via integrated load management comprising the steps of: determining a target peak load based on a capacity of an energy storage device and a value of a load management capacity of a set of one or more manageable load assets, determining for each period of a defined time period, an expected peak load based on the determined target peak load, engaging the energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device is engaged based on an energy supply level of the energy storage device and the expected peak load, and performing load management on the set of one or more manageable load assets based on the engaged energy storage device and the determined target peak load.

Abstract: Method and system for mitigating the impact on peak load management of a malfunction in determining actual load at a site by substituting a predicted load for actual load while the malfunction persists. Using a predicted load as a substitute for actual load during the malfunction period avoids use of a grossly overestimated or underestimated actual load that if used could cause suboptimal use of battery power and decimate cost savings from peak load management.

Abstract: A peak load management system and method take countermeasures to reduce the risk of a spike in grid power use above a target peak load due to battery exhaustion. The countermeasures replace or at least reduce the safety margins built into target peak load peak load management systems and increase the cost savings realized from peak load management.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, systems, and devices adapted to configure a dual-mode device to the appropriate mode(s). The dual-mode device is adapted to provide analog/POTS service, digital/VoIP service, and multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) service, typically based on the enabled mode(s). A device is also provided providing MTA service to an analog or legacy phone connected to an on-premises phone wiring system via an inactive POTS line.

Abstract: A virtual thermostat system and method are provided. The method accepts commands via a virtual thermostat interface for establishing temperature set points for a plurality of zones. Energy consumption information is also accepted from a plurality of energy consumption units. Each unit consumes energy at an associated peak power to supply a controlled temperature medium to a corresponding zone. The method also accepts temperature measurements for each zone. Then, consumption commands are sent to each energy consumption unit in response to associated zone temperature set points, while insuring that a combined peak power of the energy consumption units is less than a maximum peak power threshold. In one aspect, the virtual thermostat accepts temperature measurements from a plurality of physical thermostats, each associated with an energy consumption unit. Then, consumption commands are relayed to the energy consumption units via associated physical thermostats.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional energy control system is provided with an energy management software application that organizes the consumption of energy by a device as an n-dimensional energy space, where n is an integer greater than 2, and each axis in the energy space represents an energy consumption characteristic. The energy management application generates instructions for a device in response to calculating a compromise operating point in the energy space. A user interface (UI) connected to the energy management application has a display to receive a graphical representation of the energy space and compromise operating point, and an input to receive user commands for moving the represented compromise operating point in the represented energy space. The energy management application calculates the compromise operating point in the energy space to match the displayed compromise operating point.

Abstract: Methods and systems for powering auxiliary devices in photovoltaic (PV) systems address shortcomings of conventional PV systems by harvesting unused electricity generated by the PV system to power the auxiliary devices. The methods and systems use PV panel power that is below the PV system inverter's harvesting threshold to charge rechargeable batteries in the auxiliary devices. The invention offers significant advantages over conventional PV systems, including full-time operability of auxiliary devices by virtue of rechargeable batteries that are charged using below threshold PV panel power, reduced field maintenance requirements for auxiliary devices (e.g., battery pack replacement), and elimination of bias in PV system performance data caused by parasitic load of auxiliary devices.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, systems, and devices adapted to configure a dual-mode device to the appropriate mode(s). The dual-mode device is adapted to provide analog/POTS service, digital/VoIP service, and multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) service, typically based on the enabled mode(s). A device is also provided providing MTA service to an analog or legacy phone connected to an on-premises phone wiring system via an inactive POTS line.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide methods, devices, and systems wherein a network may be configured by using a telephonic relay device to transmit a set of configuration data to one or more nodes to be configured to operably communicate with each other within a network. In other embodiments, a configuration service provider, adapted to receive configuration data requests and transmit configuration data, is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for maintaining a universal call-log in a Home Network telephone system. The method comprises: transceiving calls on at least one external telephone line; bridging calls to a plurality Home Network endpoints; and, logging the bridged calls. Bridging calls to a plurality Home Network endpoints includes initiating an outgoing call from an endpoint. Then, the outgoing calls initiated from endpoints are logged. Likewise, incoming calls received on an external telephone line addressed to an endpoint and bridged, and logged. Logging the bridged calls includes cross-referencing entries such as call time, the call duration, the type of call, the external telephone involved, the external line telephone number from which an incoming call is received, the external telephone line telephone number to which an outgoing call is addressed, the endpoint to which an incoming call is addressed, and the endpoint initiating an outgoing call.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a consumer electronic (CE) device that has an infrared (IR) receiver uses a portable configuration-file transfer device. The CE device may be part of a local area network (LAN) and the configuration file may include network setup parameters, including a network security key, and user personalization data representing user preferences. The configuration file is initially stored in a network hub or configuration controller, such as a PC, or may be downloaded into the hub or PC from a remote internet site. The transfer device has an interface compatible with an interface on the hub or PC to permit transfer of the configuration file, memory for storing the configuration file, and an IR transmitter for transmitting the configuration file to the IR receiver of the CE device. The transfer device may be a compact universal serial bus (USB) “flash drive” modified to include an IR transmitter and a battery for powering the IR transmitter.