Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for dispatching thermal energy and generating power in a solar power generating plant. The system includes a computer processor, computer readable medium, and control logic stored on the computer readable medium to direct the operation of the processor. The processor generates an optimized thermal energy dispatch schedule which controls operation of the generating plant by performing a combination of direct thermal energy and indirect thermal energy storage simulations to maximize operating revenues.

Abstract: The present invention provides computer-controlled payment systems for charging a fee for battery charging of an electric vehicle, the system including an electric vehicle including at least one battery, a master charger vehicle including a master battery module, a control system in communication with the at least one electric vehicle and the master charger vehicle to enable the master charger vehicle to reach the electric vehicle, wherein the master battery module is adapted to charge the at least one battery; and a payment system adapted to charge a fee to a user of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charging/discharging apparatus and charging/discharging method. According to the present disclosure, a user can suitably control a battery charging/discharging under a price changing system in which electricity price varies depending on time of day. To do this, after the user input a charging reference price and a discharging reference price, the battery is charged when electricity price supplied from a power company is equal to or less than the charging reference price and discharged when the electricity price is equal to or higher than the discharging reference price. A charging/discharging schedule of the battery can be determined using various charging/discharging conditions, other than the charging reference price and discharging reference price, and especially the charging/discharging schedule can be controlled such that the user can make the most profit.

Abstract: The present invention provides computer-controlled electric battery charging systems and methods for charging a battery of a roaming electric vehicle, the system comprising an electric vehicle comprising at least one battery, a master charger vehicle comprising a master battery module and a control system in communication with the at least one electric vehicle and the master charger vehicle to enable the master charger vehicles to reach the electric vehicle, wherein the master battery module is adapted to charge the at least one battery.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electric vehicle supply circuit, and a communication interface coupled to the electric vehicle supply circuit. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be adapted to function as a node for a mesh network. In other embodiments, the communication interface may be adapted to communicate with a utility collection point using substantially the same protocol as the utility collection point. In yet other embodiments, the apparatus may be adapted to control the wireless communication interface in response to the state of the electric vehicle supply circuit.

Abstract: A battery optimization system and method for regulating and discharging a battery so as to optimize the use of the battery in accordance with the user's preference is provided. The battery optimization system includes a power source, a charging/discharging station connecting the battery with the power source, and a controller in communication with the charging/discharging station. The battery optimization system further includes an input operable to provide the user's preferences. The controller is also in communication with the battery and is operable to process battery and power source information along with user input to calculate an optimal charging/discharging cycle. The charging/discharging cycle is configured to charge or discharge the battery so as to optimize the use of the battery based upon the end user's preference.

Abstract: A method of assembling a utility meter having a plurality of components on a subassembly is disclosed herein. The method comprises associating an identification code, such as a barcode, with the subassembly and then entering the barcode associated with the subassembly into a first memory. Next, a lot identification code for each of a plurality of components of the subassembly is associated with the barcode of the subassembly in the first memory. The subassembly is then placed in the utility meter having an associated utility meter identification code. The utility meter identification code is then entered in a second memory and the utility meter identification code is associated with the barcode of the subassembly in the second memory. The first and second memory may be searched to determine lot identification codes for each of the plurality of components in the utility meter.

Abstract: An electric metering system comprising a plurality of metering devices controlled by a metering controller. Each of the metering devices provides the controller with instantaneous measurements of electric current within an associated electric conductor. The metering controller is operative to collect the measurement information, compute consumption information, store the information and retrieve the information for each metering device independently.

Abstract: This invention involves additional details and uses for the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,192 Simultaneous Multi-User Real-Time Speech Recognition System file by Poirier. The patent granted to Poirier teaches a platform based on audio events on which can be built larger applications to solve problems of capturing and transcribing human conversations. U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,192 also explains and teaches that indexing, cataloging, editing, and searching audio is possible using a browser to find specific content within text which is then directly linked with the relative audio event. More specifically it describes how this patent can be used as a building block approach to provide functionality for real-time automatic speech recognition systems that a scalable from a single user to hundreds and potentially thousands of users having conversations.

Abstract: In order to be able to perform the transfer of electric energy between an electric energy storage device of an electric car and a connection point of an electrical power distribution grid using relatively less effort, particularly with regard to the technical construction of the connection point, the novel method controls the transfer of electric energy between the electric energy storage device of a vehicle and a connection point of an electrical power distribution grid.

Abstract: A method for installation capacities of a hybrid energy generation system is disclosed. The hybrid energy generation system may include a plurality of power systems. According to the environment factors and practical requirements of the installation site, the mechanism of the present invention may find the golden ratio of the installation capacities among the different power systems. Furthermore, the present invention may obtain the combination of installation capacities associated with the minimum recovery period, thereby further decreasing the installation cost and the efficiency of the hybrid energy generation system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for charging or billing for access to wireless power. The device requiring power communicates with the power provider and the billing method is determined. A consumer may be required to provide billing information, or if the billing information is already associated with an existing account, the consumer account is automatically charged for the wireless power. The account may include prepaid charging minutes that are debited as wireless power is provided, or the account may be billed for the wireless power that is provided. The charging/billing for the wireless power may be used to receive value for the power that is provided, while remaining consumer friendly.

Abstract: An energy consumption display arrangement, which includes a database in which is stored incident energy consumption data of a number of energy consumption sites stored over a period of time, a graphical user interface operable to retrieve selected consumption data of at least one energy consumption site from the database and to present said selected consumption data to a user, the graphical user interface having a user definable dashboard for displaying any one or more of incident power consumption-, accumulated daily power consumption- and accumulated monthly power consumption of the at least one energy consumption site.

Abstract: An energy management system includes a control and uplink module adapted to selectively monitor and control at least one energy consuming device, the control and uplink module in communication with an electronic storage device and adapted to transmit data to the electronic storage device, a sensor in communication with the control and uplink module, wherein the sensor is adapted to execute a pre-configured measurement and transmit a signal to the control and uplink module representative of the measurement, and an interface adapted for the entry of at least one operational parameter to the control and uplink module, at least one of the signal from the sensor and the operational parameter employed by the control and uplink module to facilitate an operation of the energy consuming device, the interface employing the data transmitted to the storage device to provide an analysis of an operation of the energy consuming device.

Abstract: A method, via a processor, of forecasting energy usage including selecting a plurality of reference days with at least one feature matching a corresponding feature of a day to be forecasted and filtering the plurality of reference days with a humidity filter to identify at least one matching reference day. The at least one matching reference day is associated with a correlation coefficient greater than or equal to a minimum correlation coefficient, and a minimum number of humidity values within a range of corresponding humidity values of the day to be forecasted. The method also includes retrieving energy load values and corresponding temperature values corresponding to the at least one matching reference day, calculating a plurality of regression coefficients of a polynomial equation linking the temperature values to the energy load values, and calculating and storing a forecasted load value of the day to be forecasted according to the polynomial equation.

Abstract: A system for predicting, communicating, displaying and utilizing data that is relevant to the distributed power generation and usage of electricity service via means that are easy to obtain, easy to interpret, and inexpensive.

Abstract: A method for shifting energy in space and time includes charging an energy store from an energy source at a first location, transporting the energy store to a second location, and discharging the energy store at the second location to deliver energy to an energy consumer. A method for providing energy security to an energy consumer includes charging an energy store from an energy source at a first location, transporting the energy store to a second location, and when a primary energy source at the second location is unavailable, discharging the energy store at the second location to deliver energy to the energy consumer. A vehicle for wirelessly transmitting electric power from a first location to a second location includes a battery, at least one power converter, a controller, and power coupling electrically coupled to the at least one power converter.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for generating and presenting personalized recommendations of improving utility consumption efficiency of a dwelling based on an itemized utility consumption profile generated from historical utility consumption data. The computer-implemented method comprises obtaining data indicating historical utility consumption of a dwelling over a time period to produce an itemized utility consumption profile. A list of recommendations for improving utility consumption efficiency is generated based on the itemized utility consumption profile, and a reduction in utility consumption for each recommendation is estimated based on the historical consumption profile. The recommendations may be ranked, modified, or bundled to produce personalized recommendations, which may increase the likelihood of implementation.

Abstract: Methods and systems remotely monitor a current value of a meter display. A picture of the display is taken with a camera equipped portable communication device. The picture is sent through the portable communication device and associated infrastructure to a processing system. The processing system receives and stores the picture and, optionally, verification data, imaging location data, and other data, in a datastore. The processing system processes the picture to obtain a current value of the meter and authenticates the sender and/or the meter using the verification data and/or location data.

Abstract: Trigger-based application control may be provided. A work implement may receive an application trigger comprising a location-based condition. In response to determining that the work implement has entered the work area associated with the location-based condition, an application associated with the work implement may be received and initialized.

Abstract: A smart server and smart device are disclosed, by which a new power unit price (hereinafter named a combined power unit price) can be calculated in consideration of an internally generated electricity quantity instead of using an external power unit price as it is. The present invention includes a power demand obtaining unit obtaining a home power demand for at least one electronic appliance including a smart device, a generated quantity detecting unit detecting an internally generated power quantity for at least one home generator, a price information receiving unit receiving power information including external power price information on an external power via a network, and a combined unit price output unit outputting a combined power unit price using an external power demand and the internally generated power quantity and the external power price information, wherein the external power demand is calculated based on the power demand.

Abstract: A communication part of a purchased power management device transmits, in response to an instruction from a user, rate information indicating a rate of power that the user wants to purchase to a sales management device. A charging part of the purchased power management device charges the battery at a date and time designated by the sales management device. A power output part of the purchased power management device outputs power stored in the battery during a time period of high electric power demand. A sale destination decision part of the sales management device decides a sale destination of the power generated during a time period of low electric power demand on a basis of the rate indicated by the rate information. A sales date and time information transmission part of the sales management device transmits sales date and time information designating a date and time when power is sold to the sale destination decided by the sale destination decision part.

Abstract: A method of load dispatch generates a load dispatch curve in response to both the opportunity cost of dispatching resources with a contractually limited number of dispatches in a given time period and estimated rebound effect data. The method identifies a best time period for dispatch based on the load dispatch curve and also supply curve data and generates a resultant load dispatch schedule. The resultant load dispatch schedule is transmitted to one or more smart home meters to dispatch loads in a manner that provides the greatest economic benefit.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing energy. The method comprises collecting information relating to amounts of energy stored by a plurality of members of a group, and relating to energy requirements of the members. The method further comprises determining a price for distributing energy to a non-member of the group, determining whether to supply energy stored by the members to the non-member at the determined price, and issuing instructions to distribute energy upon determining that energy stored by the plurality of members should be supplied to the non-member.

Abstract: A system for tracking a billing cycle in a billing system includes a data tracking engine and a rule-based engine. The rule-based engine retrieves information from the billing system during the billing cycle based on a set of rules, and provides the data to the data tracking engine. The data tracking engine generates status information and reports based on the data. The status information and reports can be accessed via a web client to monitor the billing cycle. Additionally, the rule-based engine identifies events in the billing cycle and generates a notification to alert a person if the event is not successfully completed according to a billing schedule. The notification can be accessed via a web client or a wireless communications device. The rule-based engine can subsequently issue an escalated notification to alert another user if the event has not successfully completed at a later time.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating, coordinating and managing the operation of a competitive marketplace via the Internet. The system and method collect bids for market services from a plurality of customers, calculators a clearing piece for the market service and calculates settlement information based on the clearing piece calculated and the bids collected.

Abstract: A device for aiding in planning electricity usage in areas that use time of day electricity rates is provided. The device consists of a compact digital electricity cost indicator that displays the current time, day, date, applicable cost structure such as season, weekend, or holiday, and current cost of electricity, and a retractable electricity rate card for quick visualization of electricity rates throughout the day.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and computer program product for implementing a smart transformer, comprising a processor, and a balancing algorithm residing on the processor, wherein the balancing algorithm is stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer executable program code embodied thereon, the computer executable program code configured to cause the system to monitor and control an electric customer load and generation in order to optimize the performance of a distribution transform wherein the processor receives a plurality of system inputs and uses the balancing algorithm to determine a rating of the transformer and an amount of customer load.

Abstract: One or more embodiments may include a trip planning system for planning a trip based on the charge of an electric vehicle battery. The trip planning system may include one or more computers located remotely from an electric vehicle which may have one or more battery packs for powering the electric vehicle. The computer(s) may be configured to receive geographic parameters defining a trip and a battery charge status of the one or more electric vehicle battery packs. The computer(s) may be further configured to determine that the trip cannot be completed based on the battery charge status. The computer(s) may additionally be configured to present a battery charge requirement for completing the trip.

Abstract: Implementation of resource management services is provided. A method includes setting a price, per unit of a resource, for a defined time period and based upon a collective projected resource demand corresponding to resource consumption entities (RCEs). For the duration of the time period, the method includes iteratively performing: monitoring actual usage of the resource for each of the RCEs. If, in response to the monitoring, it is determined that a projected shortage exists for an RCE and a projected surplus exists for another RCE, the method includes re-allocating a number of projected surplus units of the resource from the RCE having the projected surplus to the other RCE having the projected shortage. If, in response to the monitoring, it is determined that a projected shortage exists for an RCE and no projected surplus exists for any of the other RCEs, the method includes acquiring additional units of the resource.

Abstract: An energy distribution may include a server and one or more databases. The system may communicate with an energy provider to receive energy provider data, at least one information collector to receive information collector data such as individualized energy usage data, customer preferences, and customer or location characteristics, and the one or more databases for receiving data for optimization. The system may calculate a cost of service or avoided cost using at least one of the individualized energy usage data and a system generation cost at a nearest bus. The system may also forecast individualized demand by end-use, individualized demand by location, energy prices, or energy costs. The system may optimize energy distribution, energy use, cost of service, or avoided cost using the forecasted individualized demand by end-use, the forecasted individualized demand by location, the forecasted energy prices, and the forecasted energy costs.

Abstract: A variable taxation/variable goods control system includes a consumer database populated with a plurality of consumers, a goods database populated with one or more goods limits for a predetermined time period, and a tax rate database populated with at least a first tax rate and a second tax rate. Each of the plurality of consumers in the consumer database is affiliated with at least a first goods limit in the energy database. Each consumer in the consumer database is affiliated with at least the first tax rate in the tax rate database, the first tax rate corresponding to the first goods limit. Each consumer is taxed at the first tax rate for goods purchases up to the consumer's first goods limit, and each consumer is taxed at the second or higher tax rate for goods purchases beyond the first goods limit.

Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle in a recharging station of a network of geographically distributed recharging stations. The method includes: communicating availability of a recharging station to a control centre of the network; transmitting a recharge request from an onboard unit of the electric vehicle via communication devices of a road toll system to the control centre; assigning the onboard unit to an available recharging station in the control centre; notifying the onboard unit of the assigned recharging station via the communication devices of the road toll system and notifying the recharging station of the onboard unit; and activating the recharging station to recharge the electric vehicle, when the assigned onboard unit is detected therein. The recharging in the recharging station is monitored and an image of the vehicle is recorded in the recharging station in an event of an interruption, interference or deviation in the recharging process from a given course.

Abstract: Power utilized in a local power network may be managed. The local power network may include a power management system. The power management system may communicate with one or more of a circuit controller, a switch controller, and/or an outlet controller in order to manage power utilization.

Abstract: A method for use in the design of a water distribution by determining whether to locate a pressure reducing valve (PRV) in a given location.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a driving motor, a battery for the driving motor, a solar cell, and a control device for controlling charge of the battery using the solar cell and an external charge facility. A search unit searches a parking area near a present position of the vehicle or a destination. An information acquisition unit acquires charge-related information related to each parking area being searched. The charge-related information includes a capability of an external charge facility of each parking area, data of a usage fee of each parking area, and sunshine condition data of each parking area during a scheduled parking. A calculation unit calculates a charge cost for each parking area according to a remaining quantity of the battery, the charge-related information, and a time period of scheduled parking. A display unit indicates the calculated charge cost of each parking area.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging station network includes multiple electric vehicle charging stations belonging to multiple charging station hosts. Each host controls one or more charging stations. A charging station network server provides an interface that allows each of the hosts to define one or more pricing specifications for charging electric vehicles on one or more of their electric vehicle charging stations belonging to that host. The pricing specifications are applied to the charging stations such that a cost of charging electric vehicles using those charging stations is calculated according to the pricing specifications.

Abstract: A system and method for datacenter power management is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the method includes receiving, with a processor, a request for execution of an application. The method also includes for each of a plurality of datacenters, determining an amount of electricity required to execute the application at the respective datacenter. The method also includes, for each of the plurality of datacenters, determining a cost associated with executing the application at the respective datacenter based, at least in part, on the amount of electricity required to execute the application at the respective datacenter. The method further includes selecting one of the plurality of datacenters to execute the application based, at least in part, on the cost associated with executing the application at the respective datacenter and executing the application at the selected datacenter.

Abstract: A method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle with an external power source. In an exemplary embodiment, the method receives one or more utility rate preferences from a user, determines the utility rates of a local utility company, determines the total charging time needed to charge the plug-in electric vehicle, uses the utility rate preferences, the utility rates and the total charging time to develop several charging options that are presented to a user, and charges the plug-in electric vehicle according to the charging option selection made by the user.

Abstract: A system that can save energy and reduce electric utility costs is disclosed. The system may include one or more current measurement devices communicating with a processor as well as one or more switching devices for controlling power consumption in response to utility rate pricing systems.

Abstract: A system to transmit and receive wireless power, a terminal device, a management server, and a wireless power transmission apparatus may use non-radial wireless energy transmission technology to generate a resonant frequency in resonators and charge a device. The terminal device may receive the wireless power to perform charging by non-contact energy transmission.

Abstract: A utility management system associated with at least one multiple unit residential facility comprises an onsite metering system configured to monitor at least one metering sensor. A property management system is configured to communicate occupancy data for at least one residential unit. A utility management server comprises a usage database capable of receiving usage data from the onsite metering system, along with an occupancy database capable of receiving occupancy data from the property management system. The utility management server also includes usage analysis software configured to compare the usage data with the occupancy data for at least one residential unit to determine whether one or more exceptions exist. A notice generation system is configured to receive exception data from the utility usage analysis system. The notice generation system is capable of running notice generation software configured to generate a notice when an exception has been identified in the exception data.

Abstract: A charge and discharge control device for controlling a battery in an electric vehicle to be charged and discharged with electricity, the electricity being transmitted and received through a power line, and being bought and sold, includes a switching unit, a communication unit, a determination unit and a controller. The switching unit switches charge and discharge. The communication unit receives current electricity price. The determination unit determines first and second electricity price thresholds. The first electricity price threshold is determined using difference between current and start times, and difference between current and target amounts of charge. The second electricity price threshold is equal to or larger than the first electricity price threshold.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus that determine a benchmark of energy consumption for an energy system and utilize the determined benchmark in a variety of ways. Once determined, the determined benchmark may be compared to current energy consumption and current outdoor temperature to verify proper operation of the system and identify deviations in system operation. The benchmark may be used to determine the impact of an implemented change in the operation of the system. The determined benchmark may also be used to contract for a term in an agreement and to verify the satisfaction of a term in an agreement.

Abstract: An energy tracking and reporting system can receive data inputs from multiple sources regarding one or more properties. A central database receives the information and correlates the information for numerous outputs. Information received by the central database can include, for example, property location, property size, property type and property use. Also, occupancy information, energy sources, utilities servicing the property, weather, ISO, environmental guidelines, and the traded or other standard price for the utilities can be stored. The system can calculate a number of factors from the data and return values to the central database. The system can track data trends and store additional information for budgeting, user reporting and certification compliance reporting. Modules can analyze the market rates, calculate efficiency benchmarks, analyze the data stored on the central database and provide the user with multiple tables and charts analyzing all of the factors that tie into energy usage.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for monitoring at least one distributed energy generator, comprising: receiving utility bill information related to an existing utility of a customer, and measured energy information from the distributed energy generator of the customer; and generating a bill for measured energy from the distributed energy generator, the bill taking into account the utility bill information related to the existing utility.

Abstract: A charge calculation apparatus, system and method allow for a controller to administer an electric power charging operation to one or more client devices, such as an electric vehicle. The vehicle provides its ID to the controller, which in turn calculates a tax according to the vehicle making the request, and other factors such as taxing jurisdiction, amount of electricity used, timing, etc. By controlling the charging operation in this way, the taxing authorities are able to collect tax revenue for use in maintaining roads from the users of those roads by monitoring which vehicles are using electricity to operate the vehicles on the roads. By keeping track of the vehicle's movement within different tax jurisdictions, the tax may be apportioned amongst the different taxing authorities.

Abstract: An electronic system for maintaining and controlling the use of water includes a control valve, an electronic water counter and a central computer connected to the water counter by wire, internet or wireless for opening and closing a control valve during pre-selected periods or in the event of excess usage. The system is also capable of providing water at an increased charge and subject to modification by a Smart Card.

Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption comprising defining a boundary region surrounding a power-consuming structure and obtaining geolocations for one or more mobile terminals over a telecommunications network. The method also comprises determining whether or not the one or more mobile terminals are located inside or outside of said boundary region and changing a power mode of the power-consuming structure. The power mode is changed to a low-power consumption mode when the geolocations of each of the mobile terminals are outside of the boundary region. Or, the power mode is changed to a high-power consumption mode when the geolocation of at least one of the mobile terminals is inside the boundary region.

Abstract: Electric vehicle charging stations include a time of use meter that can be programmed with different time periods so that different tariffs can be applied to energy readings of those different time periods. The time periods may be specific to electric vehicle operators. The tariffs may also be specific to electric vehicle operators and apply to charging stations that are supplied with electricity from different electric utilities.