Abstract: In the present invention, a power monitoring unit (330) estimates the integral power consumption on the basis of an obtained actual value or amount of change of power consumption. When the estimated value for the integral power consumption as estimated by the power monitoring unit (330) reaches a prescribed amount of power, a presentation unit (204) presents a warning, on the basis of the power values obtained by a load power meter (340), indicating a list of loads for which the power consumption should be controlled.

Abstract: The economical load distribution adjusting device 10 acquires an optimal hydroelectric output, optimal demand, and optimal power price from the supply-demand planning device 23, acquires the planned hydroelectric output planned by the water level planning devices 21, and acquires a planned demand planned by the hot water tank temperature control devices 22. The economical load distribution adjusting device 10 reduces the power price of the time at which the planned hydroelectric output exceeds the optimal output and makes the water level planning devices 21 replan the hydroelectric output, and raises the power price of the time at which the planned demand exceeds the optimal demand and makes the hot water tank temperature control devices 22 replan the amount of demand.

Abstract: Aspects in accordance with embodiments of the invention may include a method for remotely setting, controlling, or modifying settings on a programmable communicating thermostat (PCT) in order to customize settings to a specific house and user, including steps of: receiving at a remote processor information entered into the PCT by the user; receiving at the remote processor: non-electrical information associated with the specific house or user; and energy usage data of the specific house; performing by the remote processor energy disaggregation on the energy usage data; determining by the remote processor a custom schedule for the PCT based upon the information entered by the user, the non-electrical information associated with the specific house or user, and disaggregated energy usage data; revising by the remote processor, the custom schedule for the PCT based upon additional user input or seasonal changes; providing the custom schedule for the PCT to the PCT.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a system for controlling a microgrid includes a processor-based control system. The control system is configured to receive information via a communications pathway from at least one microgrid asset within a microgrid system and identify one or more errors associated with an operation of the microgrid system. In addition, the control system is configured to respond to the one or more identified errors with one or more actions. Each identified error from the one or more identified errors is associated with at least one action from the one or more actions. Further, control system is configured to generate an optimal dispatch schedule having one or more control signals configured to control the microgrid operation to reduce cost and to improve an operational efficiency of the microgrid. The optimal dispatch schedule is based at least in part on the response to the one or more identified errors.

Abstract: A new approach in contingency analysis is presented based on a modular method for power flow calculation. The proposed method exploits reuse of power flow data for modules not affected by an outage. The method minimizes the number of necessary computations and matrix inversions in contingency analysis; this is achieved by recalculating only the modules affected by the change and reusing data from the original system for all other modules.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of calculating power loss in an inductive power transfer system comprising a power transmitter (112) for transmitting power inductively to a power receiver (110) via transmitter coil (114) and receiver coil (104), the method comprising a step of obtaining, by power transmitter, time information for time alignment to enable the power transmitter to align the time of calculating the power loss with the power receiver; and a step of calculating power loss during power transfer according to the obtained time information and received power parameter communicated from the power receiver.

Abstract: A method for improving the usability of photovoltaic installations (PV installations) by taking account of shading information of adjacent PV installations for forecasting the power output by a relevant PV installation is provided. In particular, cloud movements and cloud shapes are taken into account. This improves the accuracy of the forecast. Here, it is advantageous that short-term forecasts in relation to e.g. the next 15 minutes are possible and a substitute energy source can be activated accordingly, in good time, prior to a dip in the power output by the PV installation. The invention can be used e.g. in the field of renewable energies, PV installations or smart grids.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing access to the use of computing resources. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, from a resource user, request data that specifies: a resource commitment rate for a particular computing resource and a burst tier related to the resource commitment rate. The resource commitment rate can specify a first number of units of the particular computing resource that the resource user has committed to leasing for a particular time period. The burst tier can specify an additional number of units of the particular computing resource that the resource user can use simultaneously with the first number of units of the particular computing resource at a discounted rate during the particular time period. The discounted rate for using the additional units is determined based on the first number of units and the additional number of units.

Abstract: Modular consumption management systems provide benefits of adaptability, customization, and progressive investment to electrical utility customers, particularly those with loads and electrical systems capable of curtailment and mitigation. Providing modules based on measurements made and consumption patterns detected in load profiles of individual loads and the site as a whole is described. Control and mitigation capabilities and methods are described in conjunction with identifying correlative modules that will best serve the needs of the site being monitored by a measurement module. Combined measurement and control modules or control and mitigation modules are also described, as well as interchangeable modules that can be put in place when excess consumption patterns at the site change over time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for performing actions based on a determined relative composition of light. In some implementations, data representing an amount of ambient light detected within the portion of the property by a light sensor located at the portion of the property is initially obtained. Data indicating (i) a shape of an optical spectra for a natural light source, and (ii) a shape of an optical spectra for a non-natural light source is then obtained. A relative composition of the ambient light detected within the portion of the property is determined. An estimated amount of natural light within the portion of the property is then determined. In response, the amount of light output by one or more light sources located at the portion of the property is adjusted.

Abstract: A power supply system for supplying a grid power to a building includes a power generator, a power storing device, and a power controller. The power generator generates off-grid power from a predetermined energy. The power storing device stores the grid power and the off-grid power and supplies the stored power to the building. The power controller controls consumptions of the grid power and the off-grid power. The power controller calculates predicted consumption data related to power consumed in the building and predicted generation data related to power generated by the power generator. The power controller calculates a charging-discharging schedule for the power storing device based on the predicted consumption data and the predicted generation data by formulating the charging-discharging schedule as a mixed integer programming problem.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating energy consumption of a utility population includes organizing the utility population comprising energy consumers into a plurality of groups. Next, a distribution of energy consumption against the plurality of groups may be calculated. Subsequently, statistically representative groups based on the energy distribution and the plurality of groups may be determined. Data is then collected from the statistically representative groups at predefined intervals from a communications network. Energy consumption of the utility population may then be estimated based on the data collected from the statistically representative groups. The communications network comprises an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for operating an energy-using device are disclosed. Current data related to operation of the energy-using device is received at a remote device. An operating specification for the energy-using device is received at the remote device from a database. A recommended setting of the energy-using device is determined from the current data and the operating specification. The remote device communicates the recommended setting to the energy-using device. A control unit at the energy-using device receives the recommended setting and implements the recommended setting at the energy-using device.

Abstract: A wireless thermostat may be associated with a user account of an external web service that may facilitate remote access and/or control of the wireless thermostat. A remote device may be used to access a user's account hosted by the external web service. The wireless thermostat may be identified to the external web service and associated with the user's account by one or more unique identifiers previously delivered to the remote device from the wireless thermostat.

Abstract: A predictive-control approach allows an electricity provider to monitor and proactively manage peak and off-peak residential intra-day electricity usage in an emerging smart energy grid using time-dependent dynamic pricing incentives. The daily load is modeled as time-shifted, but cost-differentiated and substitutable, copies of the continuously-consumed electricity resource, and a consumer-choice prediction model is constructed to forecast the corresponding intra-day shares of total daily load according to this model. This is embedded within an optimization framework for managing the daily electricity usage. A series of transformations are employed, including the reformulation-linearization technique (RLT) to obtain a Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP) model representation of the resulting nonlinear optimization problem. In addition, various regulatory and pricing constraints are incorporated in conjunction with the specified profit and capacity utilization objectives.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a configuration information acquiring unit, an operation information acquiring unit, an estimating unit, and a first power calculator. The configuration information acquiring unit acquires configuration information representing a configuration of a device. The operation information acquiring unit acquires operation information representing an operation state of the device. The estimating unit estimates a first device maximum power and a first device minimum power in accordance with the configuration information, the first device maximum power being a maximum power consumed by the device, the first device minimum power being a minimum power consumed by the device. The first power calculator calculates a first power consumed by the device, in accordance with the first device maximum power, the first device minimum power, and the operation information.

Abstract: An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device, wherein the automation controller includes a compiler configured to take high level rules and information about the peripheral devices and produce at least one program that will respond to data from the peripheral devices and to timer, calendar, clock, and preprogrammed events and a server component that provides the data as input to the at least one program and takes actions based on the output of the program.

Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments contemplate a computer-implemented method of energy consumption and energy demand management in a building. In accordance with some embodiments, interval energy data of a specific building may be collected with a fixed time interval and paired with local historical weather data and other forms of operational data, as well as financial data including historical utility bills, utility rate structures and billing cycle dates. Paired energy interval data and the local historical weather data may be analyzed according to one or more analytic algorithms.

Abstract: A method and information model for carrying out the method are used to control the energy circuits of an object using a generic information model that includes at least one generic unit or generic device that is connected to the energy circuits, the at least one device being assigned to a control unit for each energy circuit, and a device matrix being assigned to the at least one device, in which matrix an energy flow of at least one of the energy circuits is described as a function that includes as a parameter at least one energy flow of at least one of the other energy circuits.

Abstract: A predictive-control approach allows an electricity provider to monitor and proactively manage peak and off-peak residential intra-day electricity usage in an emerging smart energy grid using time-dependent dynamic pricing incentives. The daily load is modeled as time-shifted, but cost-differentiated and substitutable, copies of the continuously-consumed electricity resource, and a consumer-choice prediction model is constructed to forecast the corresponding intra-day shares of total daily load according to this model. This is embedded within an optimization framework for managing the daily electricity usage. A series of transformations are employed, including the reformulation-linearization technique (RLT) to obtain a Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP) model representation of the resulting nonlinear optimization problem. In addition, various regulatory and pricing constraints are incorporated in conjunction with the specified profit and capacity utilization objectives.

Abstract: A method is implemented in a computer infrastructure and includes receiving data defining a detected gas emission level of a power generation facility. The method also includes communicating the data defining the detected gas emission level to at least one subscriber device using one of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) based communication and Session Initial Protocol (SIP) based communication.

Abstract: Method for using renewable energy sources, comprising at least one remote energy generation plant, which is operated by a renewable energy source, a remote control unit at the location of the at least one remote energy generation plant, which controls the operation thereof, and a central control unit, the method comprising the following steps: a) Producing a proposed schedule, in which for a future time period presettings for the operation of the at least one remote energy generation plant are established, and transmitting the proposed schedule to the central control unit via a computer network, b) Producing a schedule based on the proposed schedule, c) Transmitting the schedule from the central control unit to the remote control unit via a computer network, d) Automatic control of the at least one remote energy generation plant by the remote control unit according to the schedule.

Abstract: A household appliance, in particular a water-conducting household appliance, which can be connected to a power supply network of an energy supplier, includes a communication and/or control facility. A bidirectional signal connection connects the communication and/or control facility to the energy supplier for exchange and/or request information, in particular network electricity information relating to electricity tariffs of the energy supplier.

Abstract: Data comprising a request specifying a desired change in electrical load for a defined period of time is received. The electrical load is associated with a plurality of resources under control of resource agents and on a utility grid. Available capacity of resources within the control of each resource agent over the defined period of time is determined. Each available capacity is determined at least using a resource load model. Using the determined available capacity of resources over the defined period of time, resource scheduling instructions are calculated for a subset of resources. The resource scheduling instructions satisfy the desired change in electrical load of the request. Data characterizing the resource scheduling instructions is provided. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A building management system is disclosed that is automatically configured using a wireless mesh network data and sensor data to create a virtual floor plan. The building management system comprising a control processor, a plurality of lighting devices, and a plurality of control devices comprising lighting control devices, each directly controlling one or more of the lighting devices. The control devices intercommunicate with each other over a wireless network, and each control device comprises a light sensor detecting light intensity. The control processor creates the mesh graph of relative positioning of the control devices to each other using received wireless signal strengths of the control devices relative to each other. The control processor determines relative positioning of the lighting devices to the control devices using the mesh graph and received light intensity readings obtained by the light sensors of the control devices when each lighting device was turned on and off.

Abstract: Methods for reducing solar inverter output volatility are provided. A method for reducing solar inverter output volatility may include determining whether an output fluctuation by a solar inverter is likely, using output data of the solar inverter. Moreover, the method may include curtailing an output of the solar inverter in response to determining that the output fluctuation by the solar inverter is likely. Related solar inverters and solar installation nodes are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing peak energy consumption of a power consumer comprise preprogramming an actual consumption line based on expected power usage, and determining the battery's connection time, required departure time, required departure energy and connection energy. A charge rate and a discharge rate are preselected, and a first charge energy level is calculated from the peak energy level less the discharge rate and the charge rate. A connection time of the battery when the battery is connected to the power consumer, a connection energy of the battery at the connection time, a required departure time of the battery, a required departure energy are determined. A power exchange curve is determined during a connection period between the connection time and the required departure time configured to minimize an expected peak energy level.

Abstract: In some aspects, a power supply system for a plasma application and/or an induction heating system includes at least two controllable power generators of different types. Each controllable power generator includes an associated identifier, and at least one operating unit for controlling at least one of the power generators, the operating unit includes an operating application to import the respective identifiers from the power generators that are connected to the operating application, and based on generator-specific configuration data that are stored for each power generator and the identifiers, the operating application constructs a graphic user interface on a display device of the operating unit.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises a control apparatus comprising: (a) a controller comprising a microprocessor; (b) a wireless transceiver in communication with said microprocessor and operable to communicate over a wireless network with an application on a mobile device; (c) a light switch controlled by the controller; (d) a sensor in communication with the controller; and (e) a front panel that allows a user to interface with the controller.

Abstract: A heat pump operation method includes: obtaining, on a per time unit basis, an amount of the power generated by the power generation device, an amount of the power consumed by the electric load, and surplus power which is a difference between the generated power and the load power; and controlling operation of the heat pump to cause the heat pump to generate heat using power adjusted to follow a per time unit increase or decrease in the surplus power. In the controlling, when an amount of change in the surplus power remains greater than a predetermined threshold value for a given period of time extending back from a present time, an extent to which the power consumed by the heat pump follows the surplus power is reduced.

Abstract: A method for saving energy in operating first and second mobile communication networks by invoking an energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks includes: operating a first radio access network in a first operational mode for peak time usage of the first mobile communication network, and in a second operational mode for off-peak time usage of the first mobile communication network; and invoking, at least partly during off-peak time usage of the first and second mobile communication networks, the energy saving operational mode of the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks such that the first radio access network is operated in the second operational mode while the second radio access network is operated such that coverage and capacity requirements in a geographic area are ensured by the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for providing appliance power management. A connector arrangement is provided for interconnecting an appliance with a power supply. There is identified, with respect to the appliance connected to the power supply, at least one of: an appliance category, a current operating state of the appliance, and a current standby state of the appliance. In response to the identifying of the at least one of: an appliance category, an appliance operating state and an appliance standby state, there is detected at least one of: anomalous appliance behavior and deficient power quality. Also, a control action is undertaken relative to the detection of the at least one of: anomalous appliance behavior and deficient power quality. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a renewable energy system based on actual reactive power capability of the renewable energy system are provided. The reactive power output of the renewable energy system can be controlled based at least in part on an initial reactive power limit. The initial reactive power limit can be determined based on rated reactive power for the power generation units in the renewable energy system. When a difference between a reactive power demand and the actual reactive power production of the renewable energy system fall outside a threshold, the initial reactive power limit can be adjusted to a corrected reactive power limit that is closer to the actual reactive power capability of the renewable energy system.

Abstract: A building manager includes a communications interface configured to receive information from a smart energy grid. The building manager further includes an integrated control layer configured to receive inputs from and to provide outputs to a plurality of building subsystems. The integrated control layer includes a plurality of control algorithm modules configured to process the inputs and to determine the outputs. The building manager further includes a fault detection and diagnostics layer configured to use statistical analysis on the inputs received from the integrated control layer to detect and diagnose faults. The building manager yet further includes a demand response layer configured to process the information received from the smart energy grid to determine adjustments to the plurality of control algorithms of the integrated control layer.

Abstract: A system and method whereby a device may operate on two IEEE802.15.4 networks is disclosed. In one embodiment, the multi-network device comprises exactly one radio portion, a processing unit and a computer readable medium, in communication with the processing unit The computer read medium comprises instructions which, when executed, allow the device to share the radio portion among a plurality of IEEE802.15.4 networks. In a further embodiment, the multi-network device acts as a sleepy end device on one of the IEEE802.15.4 networks in which it participates. In another embodiment, it may operate as a coordinator node on one of the plurality of IEEE802.15.4 networks.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting power from distributed power supply resources are provided. The method includes transmitting a signal for inquiring whether supply of demand-side power supply resources is possible to a providing side that provides demand-side power supply resources, selecting demand-side power supply resources to be utilized, based on power supply resource-related information for each of available demand-side power supply resources, which is received from the providing side, and notifying the selection results to the selected demand-side power supply resources.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying at a remote location provide at least one condition associated with an energy system (102) and control the energy system (102) The energy system (102) includes an energy storage system (ESS) (104) capable of storing electric energy, an energy consumption system (ECS) (106) capable of consuming electric energy from the ESS (104) and an energy management system (EMS) (108) capable of interacting with the ESS (104) and the ECS (106) A parameter associated with the ESS (104) is measured, and the measured parameter is compared with reference data to determine the deviation of the measured parameter from the reference data, and the deviation indicates the condition of the energy system (102) The deviation is determined by the EMS (108) or at the remote location, and the deviation is sent to the remote location while the deviation is determined by the EMS (108).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for improved building energy usage reduction by computer automation of optimized plant operation times and sub-hourly building energy forecasting to determine plant faults. The invention provides a computer system to derive the NTL, mechanical heat-up (MHL) and mechanical cool-down (MCL) lags and in conjunction with a readily available interval weather forecast, the system can output various signals to indicate optimized start and stop times for heating and cooling equipment. The algorithm to calculate the 15-minute energy forecast is used to indicate out-of-control conditions in the operation of the plant.

Abstract: The appliance control system includes electrical appliances and an appliance control device. The appliance control device includes a control unit configured to, upon receiving an energy conservation instruction indicative of a total reduction amount, send a control signal including common control order indicative of an individual reduction amount of the power consumption of the electrical appliance to at least one of the electrical appliances based on the total reduction amount. Each electrical appliance includes a functional unit having plural operation states with different power consumption, a control instruction storage unit storing plural control instructions for changing the operation state, an individual storage unit storing individual control information indicative of a correspondence relation between the individual reduction amount and the control instruction, and an operation control unit.

Abstract: A charger configured to charge a battery, is provided with a controller configured to control charging of the battery and a communication interface interposed between the controller and an accounting system. The controller waits for an input of a signal from the accounting system via the communication interface. The controller starts to control the charging of the battery under the condition that a signal is inputted from the accounting system via the communication interface.

Abstract: A system for managing home appliances can provide a push service with respect to status information of a home appliance. Further, push service can be stably implemented using a response message to a push message. This can allow home appliances to be managed efficiently.

Abstract: A method for managing demand or load includes, upon receipt of a demand response signal or a load management request from a utility to change the price of electricity, determining the cost of energy from a local battery, and if the cost of energy from battery is higher than the cost of electricity from the utility, shedding power from one or more devices based on the utility price, and otherwise discharging power from the battery to reduce a net load on the grid without any actual load reduction.

Abstract: Methods and control apparatus are presented for controlling supply of electrical power to a micro-grid power system, in which a master controller automatically rebalances the micro-grid by activating and deactivating individual power supplies to preferentially activate non-fuel consuming power supplies and deactivate fuel consuming power supplies so as to minimize fuel consumption for the micro-grid power system.

Abstract: Systems, computer readable media, and program code for systematically providing enhanced energy efficiency of mega industrial sites and synergy with the adjacent community through advanced hybrid inter-systems energy integration targeting and solutions generation to achieve desired best levels of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, are provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of an energy planning process (EPP) system which can be used to plan a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system applied to an electrical distribution connection system (EEDCS). The EPP system plans modifications to the EEDCS as a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state, in order to maximize the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system control of the EEDCS. The EPP system may also identify potential problems in the EEDCS for correction.

Abstract: Customers in a multi-tenant environment can obtain power consumption information for a set of resources or other computing components used by those customers, including time-accurate accounting for various components of those resources utilized on behalf of the customer. A customer can also have the ability to specify how the resources are to be operated when used for the customer, in order to manage the amount of power consumption. The accounting can be performed even when the resources are shared among multiple users or entities. Various hardware components or agents can be used to provide detailed power consumption information for those components that is associated with a particular customer. The information can be used not only for accounting and monitoring purposes, but also to make dynamic adjustments based on various changes in usage, power consumption, or other such factors.

Abstract: Provided is a network system including: a utility network including an energy generating unit; a home network consuming energy generated from the energy generating unit and including an energy consuming unit operating based on energy information including at least one energy price information; and a power adjusting device through which a current or a voltage supplied for an operation of the energy consuming unit is passed, wherein the power adjusting device reduces energy cost or an energy amount used by adjusting a voltage or current amount applied to the energy consuming unit based on the energy information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing collaborative energy benchmarking are described. Information including background data, energy consumption data, temporal data, and/or other information is gathered from multiple sources and stored in a central database. Based on the stored information, energy benchmarks are created for measuring residential energy usage. Energy usage data is displayed to consumers in multiple formats, and permits consumers to directly compare their energy usage data to other consumers or groups of consumers, in addition to their own energy usage. In some embodiments, energy challenge programs encourage reduction of energy usage. Through such programs, consumers create and present challenges for themselves and/or other consumers, such as to reduce energy usage during a given timeframe. The progress of the group and individual consumers is displayed during the course of a challenge.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for determining the natural thermal lag (NTL) of a building, where the improvement includes using the 15 minute interval energy usage data for the building, and data the external temperature to determine the NTL. This improved method has the advantage of being independent of any need to acquire data regarding internal temperature of the building in question.

Abstract: A building energy analysis system includes a building component library configured to store a plurality of building components, a modeling tool configured to access the building component library and create a building model of a building under analysis using building spatial data and using selected building components of the plurality of building components stored in the building component library, a building analysis engine configured to operate the building model and generate a baseline energy model of the building under analysis and further configured to apply one or more energy conservation measures to the baseline energy model in order to generate one or more corresponding optimized energy models, and a recommendation tool configured to assess the one or more optimized energy models against the baseline energy model and generate recommendations for substitute building components or modifications.