Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a system comprising: a local supply of renewable power; a storage device with a discharge characteristic; a switch for electrically connecting the storage device to the local supply; and a system controller. The system controller may be configured to: receive from the local supply a signal indicative of available power; read from a memory a time history of past activations of the storage device; estimate a future demand of power based on the time history; estimate a charge of the storage device based on the future demand of power and the discharge characteristic; compare the charge to the future demand of power; and if the charge is larger than the future demand of power by a predetermined margin, electrically connect the local supply of renewable power to the storage device by closing the switch.

Abstract: A power system comprises: an energy conversion module; a power meter; a switch; a system controller; and a power transmission bus from the energy conversion module to the switch. The switch connects the bus to a load in response to a load connection signal. The power meter records amounts of power being transmitted along the power transmission bus. The system controller: reads a first and a second time series each having a plurality of power signals indicating power recorded by the meter; determines a maximum series by applying a maximum function to one of the first power signals and one of the second power signals; determines a forecast series from the maximum series; determines the load connection signal from the forecast series; and communicates the load connection signal to the switch.