U.S. patent application number 13/891185 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for systems, apparatus, and methods of a solar energy grid integrated system with energy storage appliance.
The applicant listed for this patent is DEAN SANDERS. Invention is credited to DEAN SANDERS.
Application Number | 20130245852 13/891185 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46578020 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130245852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SANDERS; DEAN |
September 19, 2013 |
SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS OF A SOLAR ENERGY GRID INTEGRATED
SYSTEM WITH ENERGY STORAGE APPLIANCE
Abstract
A system, method, and apparatus for integrating distributed
energy sources, energy storage, and balance of system components
into a single device with systems and control for monitoring,
measuring, and conserving power generated on the premise. A data
processing gateway, hybrid inverter/converter and charge controller
provide flexibility in the multi-voltages, output capacities, and
photovoltaic array sizes coupled to the apparatus and system. The
system and apparatus may be used in commercial and residential
applications. A user may store energy provided by one or more
alternate energy sources coupled to an energy storage module. The
system provides a compact enclosure that fits within a utility
workspace and enclosures that can be mechanically coupled together,
placed in parallel or in a series.
Inventors: |
SANDERS; DEAN; (LINDEN,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SANDERS; DEAN |
LINDEN |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46578020 |
Appl. No.: |
13/891185 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13016901 |
Jan 28, 2011 |
8463449 |
|
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13891185 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 10/14 20130101;
G05B 15/02 20130101; Y02B 10/10 20130101; G06F 1/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/295 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/26 20060101
G06F001/26 |
Claims
1. A solar integrated energy management apparatus, comprising: a
power storage supply apparatus enclosure; a power storage and
supply device coupled to an electromechanical isolation breaker,
said electromechanical isolation breaker integrated to one or more
alternate energy sources and one or more energy storage modules;
one or more inverters coupled to a charge controller; a charge
controller coupled to said one or more inverters and to one or more
energy storage modules; a local data processing gateway coupled to
said charge controller; and one or more energy storage modules
coupled to an energy storage module storage enclosure containing a
battery management system and electrical bus, said electrical bus
connecting one or more battery cable terminals to a main bus and
wherein said main bus is coupled to said charge controller.
2. The solar integrated apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: at
least one unique safety connector providing a unique safety
connector configuration, wherein said at least one unique safety
connector allows said charge controller, said local data processing
gateway, and said electromechanical isolation breaker to be
connected to said energy storage module, wherein said energy
storage module is coupled to said at least one unique safety
connector via said main bus.
3. An integrated energy management apparatus, comprising: a power
storage and supply device coupled to an electromechanical isolation
breaker, said electromechanical isolation breaker integrated to one
or more alternate energy sources and one or more energy storage
modules, said electromechanical isolation breaker further
communicating with one or more alternate energy sources; one or
more inverters coupled to a charge controller; a charge controller
coupled to said one or more inverters and to one or more energy
storage modules; a local data processing gateway coupled to said
charge controller; one or more energy storage modules coupled to an
energy storage module storage enclosure containing a battery
management system and electrical bus, said electrical bus
connecting one or more battery cable terminals to a main bus and
wherein said main bus is coupled to said charge controller; a
consumer web portal; an Internet user interface including an
application programming interface coupled to a database repository,
a display, and a utility enterprise database application; and an
energy area network that couples the Internet user interface and
utility enterprise database application to one or more user devices
and appliances.
4. The integrated energy management apparatus of claim 3, further
comprising: one or more CANBUS protocols to allow one or more
components to communicate with each other without one or more host
computers; one or more DNP3 platforms to facilitate communication
between one or more data processing gateways and one or more
components; at least one NIST approved CIM model; and at least one
SE2 compliant platform.
5. A solar integrated system enclosure, comprising: an upper
section housing one or more inverters; a center section comprising
one or more electromechanical isolation breakers, a charge
controller, and a computer-implemented local data processing
gateway device that includes one or more software modules for
implementing method steps to monitor, control, and store energy
from one or more alternate energy sources and to implement one or
more processes for providing consumer energy management; a lower
section housing one or more storage modules; a frame comprising a
width, a depth, and a height to form a single, vertical rectangular
cross section box of varying widths; one or more corrosion
resistant outer panels comprising a width, a depth, and a height to
form a rectangular cross section box of varying widths, said one or
more panels coupled to said frame to form a single vertical
freestanding outdoor utility grade enclosure, said enclosure being
open on a front side and coupled to a hinged door; an internal
upper section, center section and lower section backpan for
mounting one or more solar integrated system components; a compact
footprint equal to a depth not to exceed a utility workspace; a
sloped top panel wherein the rear edge height is greater than the
front edge height; a door jamb coupled to a top portion and one or
more sides of an open front side of said frame; a hinged front door
including a three point rod and latch system to engage a gasketed
internal rectangular circumference and a handle latch on the
external of the front door, said hinged front door coupled to said
door jamb; one or more hot swappable energy storage modules coupled
to a shunt switch for physically isolating the energy storage
modules and further coupled to an isolation switches panel assembly
via at least one unique safety connector mechanism and an
electrical bus connecting the energy storage module terminals to a
main bus which connects to the charge controller and the one or
more inverters through a unitized system; and one or more
horizontal perforations on a back panel and located a minimum
distance between exhaust ports on an inverter, a converter and a
charge controller.
6. The solar integrated system enclosure of claim 5 wherein said
utility workspace is no greater than 18 inches in depth.
7. The solar integrated system enclosure of claim 6 wherein one or
more solar integrated system enclosures are in series.
8. The solar integrated system enclosure of claim 6 wherein one or
more solar integrated system enclosures are in parallel.
9. The solar integrated system enclosure of claim 5 wherein said
utility workspace is no greater than 18 inches in depth and 24
inches in width.
10. The solar integrated system enclosure of claim 9, further
comprising multiple solar integrated system enclosures mechanically
coupled together.
11. The solar integrated system enclosure of claim 10 wherein the
solar integrated system enclosure produces between about 6 kW and 1
MW.
12. The solar integrated system enclosure of claim 5 wherein the
enclosure is a rainproof NEMA 3R enclosure.
13. The solar integrated system enclosure of claim 5, further
comprising: one or more door hinges coupled to said hinged door
wherein said one or more door hinges are encased by a front portion
and side portion of said hinged door such that said one or more
hinges are not visible when looking at said front portion or side
portion, wherein said one or more hinges being encased by said
front portion and side portion prevents unwanted tampering; an
isolation breaker panel coupled to the center section of the solar
integrated system enclosure, said isolation breaker panel further
having isolation circuitry coupled thereto, whereby placement of
said isolation circuitry on said isolation breaker panel provides
vertical airflow channels that provide additional exothermic
cooling of components coupled to said center section; and one or
more ambidextrous conductor termination points located on one or
more corrosion resistant outer panels that form the width of said
rectangular cross section box, wherein said one or more
ambidextrous conductor termination points are formed via watertight
escutcheon plates coupled to said one or more corrosion resistant
outer panels, said watertight escutcheon plates containing
electrical conduit access holes to facilitate connection of the
alternate energy source power and utility power grid.
14. The solar integrated system enclosure of claim 5, further
comprising: a rain gutter with a curved radius that extends around
the perimeter of an open front side of said enclosure, wherein the
rain gutter comprises a top and bottom rain gutter and a first and
second side rain gutter; wherein the top and bottom rain gutter
extend outward a first distance from said frame, said first
distance being a curved radius portion sloping away from a vertical
line that dissects an interior cavity of the enclosure and being
equal to one third of a total distance with the one third of a
total distance encompassing a portion of the total distance
farthest from said frame and wherein a door jamb extends a second
distance outward from said frame with said second distance being a
planar portion equal to two-thirds of a total distance extending
outward from said frame and the two-thirds of a total distance
encompassing a portion of the total distance closest to said frame;
wherein the first and second rain gutter extend outward a first
distance from said frame, said first distance being a curved radius
portion sloping away from a horizontal line that dissects an
interior cavity of the enclosure and being equal to one third of a
total distance with the one third of a total distance encompassing
a portion of the total distance farthest from said frame and
wherein a door jamb extends a second distance outward from said
frame with said second distance being a planar portion equal to
two-thirds of a total distance extending outward from said frame
and the two-thirds of a total distance encompassing a portion of
the total distance closest to said frame; one or more gaskets
coupled to an inner circumference of said hinged door; wherein when
said hinged door is closed the one or more gaskets abut with said
rain gutter to form an interface, wherein the interface comprises
the one or more gaskets being compressed on an end portion closest
to an end portion of the rain gutter such that the one or more
gaskets form a seal by form fitting around said end portion,
wherein the interface between the one or more gaskets and said end
portion prevent liquids and dust from entering said enclosure; and
wherein the placement of the one or more gaskets minimizes the
contact surface area between the one or more gaskets and said rain
gutter.
15. A system to provide a computer implemented method for
monitoring energy including computer-usable readable storage medium
having computer-readable program code embodied therein for causing
a computer system to perform a method of storing excess energy
generated in an energy management device in an application platform
comprising; one or more processors; a clock; memory; one or more
I/O interfaces; one or more analog to digital interfaces; operating
system software; a power storage supply apparatus enclosure; a
power storage and supply device coupled to an electromechanical
isolation breaker that is integrated to one or more alternate
energy sources; one or more hybrid inverter/converters; one or more
data processing gateways to implement monitoring of one or more
telemetry data; one or more charge controllers; and one or more
energy storage modules.
16. A solar integrated energy management system, comprising: a
power storage supply apparatus enclosure; one or more alternate
energy sources coupled to a user power system; the user power
system coupled to a utility power grid to distribute the required
consumer power needed; and a user power monitoring control
management console wherein the solar integrated energy management
system monitors user power consumption with the user power
monitoring control management console and stores excess alternate
energy source power created via communication and storing said
excess alternate energy source power into one or more energy
storage modules.
17. The solar integrated energy management system of claim 16
wherein said excess alternate energy source power is the difference
between power provided by said alternate energy source power and a
consumer's power needs.
18. The solar integrated energy management system of claim 16,
further comprising: a consumer web portal; an Internet user
interface including an application programming interface; an
advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) coupled to said internet user
interface and a utility power grid; an energy area network (EAN)
coupled to a local data processing gateway; a utility power grid;
one or more independent service operators; and a utility enterprise
database application.
19. An energy management system for governing energy management
resources, comprising: a power storage supply apparatus enclosure;
a power storage and supply device; one or more alternative energy
sources coupled to a user power system; the user power system
coupled to a utility power grid to distribute the required consumer
power needed; one or more sets of rules; one or more sets of
constraints; and wherein said one or more sets of rules and said
one or more sets of constraints allow a user to implement multiple
sets of rules and constraints which govern various resources
selected from the group consisting of power generation, power
storage, power use, and load control.
20. The energy management system for governing energy management
resources of claim 19, wherein said one or more sets of rules and
said one or more sets of constraints allow a user to implement one
or more sets of rules and constraints which dictate that if price
of power from a utility power grid reaches one or more price points
then a pre-defined percentage of a maximum capacity of stored
energy in one or more energy storage modules may be discharged in a
single cycle, said pre-defined percentage of a maximum capacity
corresponding to the one or more price points.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of
commonly-owned U.S. patent Nonprovisional application Ser. No.
13/016,901 submitted 38 January 2011 by Dean Sanders, from which
priority is hereby claimed, and which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates generally to distributed
energy storage and power management, and more particularly to a
fully integrated system, method, and device for the controlling,
monitoring, measuring, and conserving distributed power generated
on the premise, the resale of distributed power to a utility, and
power generated from distributed energy storage (e.g., batteries)
and distributed renewable energy sources (e.g., solar panels).
Moreover, the invention is minimally invasive, modular, and retains
power-generating capacity, which is combined with load management
and energy storage to provide energy at or near the point of
consumption.
[0003] The appliance described herein includes a lockable NEMA, or
3R contaminate or corrosion resistant enclosure which houses a
plurality of devices for accomplishing localized and remote control
electrical energy management for electrical loads sited at the
appliance location. Additionally, the devices may be controlled to
provide voltage support to the utility grid. The SEGIS-ES.TM.
appliance includes the following devices: DC/AC and AC/DC
intelligent controllable inverter/converter (also called a hybrid
inverter/converter), intelligent Battery charge controller with
Multi Point solar panel Power Tracking ability, electrical energy
storage means, Intelligent battery management system, isolation
switch panel board, Intelligent data processing communications
gateway and termination points for solar array electricity input
and electric utility interconnection
[0004] There exist several technologies that can produce
electricity on a premises, whether a residential or commercial
building. Among these are photovoltaic panels (e.g., solar panels),
small scale natural gas turbines (also known as niicro-turbines),
small-scale wind turbines (as contrasted to the large turbines used
in grid connected wind farms), low pressure water turbines,
high-pressure low flow water turbines, and fuel cells using
hydrogen, natural gas, and potentially other hydrocarbons. These
technologies are herein referred to as "distributed energy
sources." Distributed energy sources have been deployed only to a
very limited extent for reasons of cost, convenience, and a lack of
harmonized grid inter-connection standards. Historically, power
storage and supply devices typically involve the charging of
batteries that store energy in the event of a power failure of a
home or business' main source of electricity, which is normally
provided from a utility power grid connected to the home or
business and are designed to support the entire or selected
electrical load of the home or business. As a result, residential
and commercial power storage and supply devices are typically very
large and cumbersome. Some power storage and supply devices use
alternative energy sources, such as the ones listed above. The
power storage and supply devices store the electric power produced
by an alternative energy source and may even supply power to a
utility power grid, in essence operating as a small, distributed
power generation plant. Many local, state, and federal government
agencies, as well as private utility companies, are encouraging
this practice as evidence by the changing regulatory environment
and passage of such distributed power and energy storage policy as
AB970, SB412, SB14 and AB44. Further, rule makers such as FERC,
CASIO, and the CPUC are making priority changes (e.g., CEC
Integrated Energy Policy Report, CAISO implementation of FERC Order
719, etc.), which encourage or mandate the use of distributed
energy storage and power generation. Unfortunately, the use of
alternative energy sources in conjunction with such power storage
and supply device systems has been limited primarily because of
cost and convenience and communications standards.
[0005] In recent years, however, the costs associated with adopting
and using alternative energy sources has decreased substantially as
distributed energy power and storage technology have been refined,
sales have increased due to the creation of new markets (e.g.,
plug-in electric hybrid vehicles and the globalized adoption of
solar technologies), and more suppliers have entered the market
resulting in greater manufacturing capacity and market
competitiveness for both photovoltaic and battery manufacturers.
The cost barriers to distributed electrical technologies are also
eroding due to factors such as real and/or perceived increases in
the cost of electricity and other forms of energy, the widespread
adoption of time-of-use pricing (TOU) or real-time pricing (RTP) by
utilities, favorable terms for the utilities' purchase of power
from such distributed sources, and government financial incentives
(e.g., The federal business energy investment tax credit available
under 26 USC .sctn.48 was expanded significantly by the Energy
Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424), enacted in
October 2008, etc.) which encourage investment in distributed and
environmentally more benign electrical technologies.
[0006] Adoption of distributed energy power and storage
technologies is also increasing due to the widespread
implementation of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure; commonly
referred to as AMI. Advanced metering systems are comprised of
state-of-the-art electronic/digital hardware and software, which
combine interval data measurement with continuously available
remote communications. These systems enable measurement of
detailed, time-based information and frequent collection and
transmittal of such information to various parties. AMI typically
refers to the full measurement and collection system that includes
meters at the customer site, communication networks between the
customer and a service provider, such as an electric, gas, or water
utility, and data reception and management systems that make the
information available to the service provider. With AMI utilities
are now better able to manage installed devices within the homes of
participating consumers that, under utility control, selectively
disable energy-consuming devices (e.g., hot water heaters or air
conditioning units) in response to peak loading conditions.
Furthermore, utilities are now able in certain cases to remotely
activate and aggregate distributed power and energy supplies to
increase the supply of electricity to constrained parts of the
electricity grid.
[0007] There has been an increasing emphasis in recent years on
energy conservation. Electric utilities have also come under
increasing pressure to reduce the need to fire up polluting power
plants to serve peak demands, such as during hot summer days. With
the enactment of current legislation and rulemaking (e.g., AB970,
AB32, and FERC Order 719, etc.), electric utilities also have an
incentive to "smooth out" energy demand to minimize the need to
install new power transmission and distribution lines; further
negating environmental and land use issues. An example of just a
few of the ways which utilities can perform these tasks are
referred to as "demand side management" and "supply side
management." Demand side management refers to the selective
reduction of energy demand in response to peak loading conditions.
For example, utilities have for years installed devices in the
homes of participating consumers that, under utility control,
selectively disable energy-consuming devices (e.g., hot water
heaters or air conditioning units) in response to peak loading
conditions. As another example, utilities are able in certain cases
to remotely activate energy supplies to increase the supply of
electricity to parts of the electricity grid. It would be
advantageous to provide more sophisticated control mechanisms to
permit electric utilities and others to effectively monitor and
control distributed energy resources, such as storage units capable
of storing electricity and reselling it to the grid on command. It
would also be advantageous to provide more sophisticated demand
side management tasks using aggregated resources to manage
localized constraints on the utility grid (e.g., substation,
feeder-line, residence, etc.).
[0008] The remaining barriers to market adoption of distributed
power storage and supply devices are convenience. At present there
are significant challenges to an individual's or building owner's
installation of renewable energy technologies. In typical
installations the component parts must be purchased from multiple
vendors and integrated in a custom installation. Moreover, buying
the component parts requires knowledge of the market for and the
technical aspects of the different energy technologies, the
construction required to install the technologies in accord with
local codes, regulatory requirements, and guidelines imposed by
homeowner's association and insurance companies. In addition, if
the power generated in excess of requirements on the premise is to
be resold, utilities impose additional requirements for connection
of such systems to the utility's power grid. Another hindrance to
implementing the use of distributed power storage and supply
devices is that many local electricians do not yet know how to
install the disparate components and frequently make errors in
doing so, as much of this technology is new or not widely used. As
a result of such errors and/or lack of know-how by the installer,
the attendant wiring can be unattractive and intimidating to the
buyer and lead to concerns and possibly actual issues regarding
safety and reliability in addition to aesthetics. Further, the
typical homeowner or business owner is not qualified or certified,
and the associated expense too high, to provide adequate battery
maintenance or battery replacement. This adds cost to the upkeep of
any distributed power storage and supply devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The embodiment of the SEGIS-ES.TM. is designed in such a way
as to be located outside of a residence or commercial structure and
to be of a form factor that coincides with electric and gas utility
working space (siting) requirements of being less than 42 inches in
depth when the SEGIS-ES.TM. enclosure door is open, and less than
18 inches in depth when the door is closed. Furthermore, in some
embodiments the enclosure is no wider than 24 inches. Additionally,
in some embodiments, multiple enclosures being 18 inches deep and
24 inches wide can be mechanically coupled together. The enclosure
door, when in the open position, is made to be removable without
the necessity of any tools. A three point padlockable latching
mechanism equipped with a security pentahead bolt is additionally
provided to restrict non-authorized personnel from opening the
enclosure. The enclosure door hinges are designed as to be encased
by the door shell in such a manner to prevent tampering with the
hinges in order to gain entry to the enclosure. The SEGIS-ES.TM.
enclosure provides means of convection and forced cooling via the
strategic placement of covered/louvered vents on the rear of the
enclosure. The vent locations are designed to coincide with the
forced air exhaust ports on the inverter/converter and charge
controller. The inverter/converter (or hybrid inverter/converter)
has the capability of converting DC to AC and AC to DC). The
strategic placement and air tunneling/channeling provided by the
isolation breaker panel, inverter mounting offset from the back of
the enclosure and the enclosure/inverter/converter vertical airflow
channels provide additional exothermic cooling of the electronic
and energy storage equipment.
[0010] The enclosure is epoxy powder coated for corrosion
resistance to salt spray and airborne contaminants and chemicals.
The SEGIS-ES.TM. enclosure is intended to be placed on a rigid
pedestal via recesses bolting lugs internal to the enclosure
bottom, the rigid pedestal (2''-4'' concrete or other material) is
to be additionally fastened to the premise concrete walkway,
foundation or other provided rigid footing via one or more
adjusting, leveling means. The SEGIS-ES.TM. enclosure is not
required to be fastened to the side (vertical plane) of the
residential or commercial structure. The enclosure additionally
provides a connection ambidextrous conductor termination point
which can be located on either side of the enclosure via watertight
escutcheon plates containing electrical conduit access holes to
facilitate connection of the photovoltaic power and utility
electricity. The SEGIS-ES.TM. enclosure top is uniquely sloped to
prevent the accumulation of water or other liquids thereby
extending the enclosure life. The door jamb of the enclosure
includes a novel rain gutter and weather stripping system with
prevents liquids and dust of entering the enclosure. The unique
enclosure rain gutter interface with the weather-stripping material
is designed such that the contact surface area between the weather
strip material and the rain gutter is minimal. The minimal
interface surface area between the weather strip and the rain
gutter helps to prevent weather strip failure caused by adhesion to
the mating surface.
[0011] The SEGIS-ES.TM. includes a separate battery enclosure
housed within the SEGIS-ES.TM. enclosure which utilizes security
fastening means to prevent removal of the battery enclosure from
non-authorized personnel. The metal battery enclosure is designed
so that most battery chemistry/energy storage means can be
accommodated. Energy storage means such as flooded lead-acid, AGM
lead-acid, Lithium ion chemistries, pure proton, and nickel cadmium
chemistry batteries and storage means can be accommodated and
additionally contained in the fire resistant explosion protective
energy storage enclosure. The SEGIS-ES.TM. energy storage enclosure
provides means for connecting the battery to the inverter via a
solid copper bus bulkhead means which provides an electrically
insulated escutcheon means and cover to isolate the high current
bus from personnel. The battery enclosure further provides a means
to house the battery management intelligent electronics and
telemetry equipment while providing a means to isolate battery
disconnecting switches and associated conductors. The battery
enclosure additionally provides a communications connection
bulkhead means providing the battery management system to
communicate to the data processing gateway, inverter and charge
controller. The battery enclosure also provides a means for cross
ventilation and convection cooling of the battery via venting grid
ports or louvers. The battery enclosure may be removed via a
removal dolly tool. The removal dolly tool interacts with louvers
integrated into the battery enclosure that allows the removal dolly
tool to install or remove the battery enclosure as needed.
[0012] The SEGIS-ES.TM. isolation switch panel board is uniquely
designed to provide a common integration point for the inverter,
utility grid, photovoltaic power, battery isolation switches and
electric overload breaker conductors, charge controller and
communications data processing gateway as a single subassembly
which facilitates ease of assembly while utilizing solid copper bus
to reduce space requirements need for flexible, insulated
conductors. The isolation switch panel board additionally protects
and inhibits authorized personnel from contacting electrically
energized components.
[0013] The SEGIS-ES.TM. appliance provides a multiprotocol data
processing communication gateway device which receives and logs a
plurality of telemetry data from the intelligent battery management
system, intelligent charge controller, intelligent
inverter/converter, and Home Are Network (HAN) appliances and
electrical loads and corresponds locally stored control algorithms
and remotely received control parameters to the individual or
aggregated SEGIS-ES.TM. devices.
[0014] The inverter/converter is installed into the SEGIS-ES.TM.
enclosure by means of pre-inserted studs and a specially design
mounting rail attached to the SEGIS-ES.TM. enclosure which allows
the inverter to be easily assembled or removed as may be required
for repairs. The SEGIS-ES.TM. appliance is designed to allow
additional battery modules and or SEGIS-ES.TM. devices to be
connected in series or in parallel.
[0015] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed towards
a system, method, and device for integrating distributed energy
sources, energy storage, and balance of system components into a
single device with systems and control for monitoring, measuring,
and conserving power generated on the premise, the resale of power
to a utility, power generated from distributed energy storage
(e.g., batteries such as flooded lead-acid, AGM lead-acid, Lithium
ion chemistries, sodium-sulfur, sodium/nickel-chloride, pure
proton, nickel metal hydride, and nickel cadmium chemistry
batteries, capacitors and flywheels) and distributed energy sources
(e.g., solar panels or wind or water-based systems). Moreover, the
device is minimally invasive, modular, and retains power-generating
capacity, which is combined with load management and energy storage
to provide energy at or near the point of consumption.
[0016] In another embodiment, a local data processing gateway
device is located inside the cabinet and is configured to monitor
and control the processes and measurements conducted by the power
storage and supply device in either a local or remote mode
configuration and can be aggregated by a third party (e.g.,
independent service operator, etc.) or utility for purposes of
dispatching and controlling distributed power or stored energy.
Further, the local data processing gateway uses open standard
communication methods at the transport, application, and object
levels (e.g., Internet, GPRS, AMI Network, Web Services, XML-Based,
DNP3, IEC 61850) for a utility, aggregator, or independent service
operator to broadcast to a residence or commercial building site
the processes and measurements relating to the control, management,
and conservation of power generated on the premise, the resale of
power to a utility, power generated from energy storage (e.g.,
batteries such as flooded lead-acid, AGM lead-acid, Lithium ion
chemistries, sodium-sulfur, sodium/nickel-chloride, pure proton,
nickel metal hydride, and nickel cadmium chemistry batteries,
capacitors and flywheels), and distributed energy sources (e.g.,
solar panels or wind or water-based systems). For the
communications within a residence or commercial site, the local
data processing gateway can further aggregate, monitor and control
the processes and measurements associated with devices within the
home using open standard communication methods at the transport,
application and object levels (e.g., ZigBee, HomePlug, Intranet,
Web Services, XML-Based, SEP, MMS, and IEC 61850) for user process,
measurement, control, and conservation of on premise power
generated, the resale of power to a utility, power generated from
energy storage (e.g., batteries such as flooded lead-acid, AGM
lead-acid, Lithium ion chemistries, sodium-sulfur,
sodium/nickel-chloride, pure proton, nickel metal hydride, and
nickel cadmium chemistry batteries, capacitors and flywheels),
distributed energy sources (e.g., solar panels or wind or
water-based systems), and devices capable of energy management
(HVAC Thermostats, water heaters, pool pumps, etc.).
[0017] In another embodiment, a solar integrated energy management
apparatus is made of a power storage supply apparatus enclosure, a
power storage and supply device coupled to an electromechanical
isolation breaker that is integrated to one or more alternate
energy sources and one or more energy storage modules, one or more
inverters coupled to a charge controller, a charge controller
coupled to one or more inverters and to one or more energy storage
modules, a local data processing gateway coupled to the charge
controller, and one or more energy storage modules coupled to an
energy storage module storage enclosure containing a battery
management system and electrical bus that is connected to one or
more battery cable terminals to a main bus and in which the main
bus is coupled to the charge controller.
[0018] In another embodiment, an integrated energy management
apparatus includes a power storage and supply device coupled to an
electromechanical isolation breaker that is integrated to one or
more alternate energy sources and one or more energy storage
modules and that the electromechanical isolation breaker is capable
of communicating with one or more alternate energy sources; one or
more inverters coupled to a charge controller; a charge controller
coupled to the one or more inverters and to one or more energy
storage modules; a local data processing gateway coupled to the
charge controller; one or more energy storage modules coupled to an
energy storage module storage enclosure containing a battery
management system and electrical bus where the electrical bus is
connected to one or more battery cable terminals to a main bus
coupled to the charge controller; a consumer web portal; an
Internet user interface including an application programming
interface coupled to a database repository, a display, and a
utility enterprise database application; and an energy area network
that couples the Internet user interface and utility enterprise
database application to one or more user devices and appliances
[0019] In another embodiment, a solar integrated system enclosure
includes: an upper section that houses one or more inverters; a
center section that includes one or more electromechanical
isolation breakers, a charge controller, and a computer-implemented
local data processing gateway device that includes one or more
software modules for implementing method steps to monitor, control,
and store energy from one or more alternate energy sources and to
implement one or more processes for providing consumer energy
management; a lower section that houses one or more storage
modules; a frame that includes a width, a depth, and a height to
form a single, vertical rectangular cross section box of varying
widths; one or more corrosion resistant outer panels that includes
a width, a depth, and a height that forms a rectangular cross
section box of varying widths, wherein the panels are coupled to
the frame to form a single vertical freestanding outdoor utility
grade enclosure, which enclosure is open on a front side and
coupled to a hinged door; an internal upper section, center section
and lower section backpan for mounting one or more solar integrated
system components; a compact footprint equal to a depth not to
exceed a utility workspace; a sloped top panel wherein the rear
edge height is greater than the front edge height; a door jamb
coupled to a top portion and one or more sides of an open front
side of said frame; the hinged front door including a three point
rod and latch system to engage a gasketed internal rectangular
circumference and a handle latch on the external of the front door
where the hinged front door is coupled to the door jamb; one or
more hot swappable energy storage modules coupled to a shunt switch
for physically isolating the energy storage modules and further
coupled to an isolation switches panel assembly via at least one
unique safety connector mechanism and an electrical bus connecting
the energy storage module terminals to a main bus which connects to
the charge controller and the one or more inverters through a
unitized system; and one or more horizontal perforations on a back
panel and located at a minimum distance between exhaust ports on an
inverter, a converter and a charge controller.
[0020] Another embodiment is a system that provides a computer
implemented method for monitoring energy including computer-usable
readable storage medium having computer-readable program code
embodied therein for causing a computer system to perform a method
of storing excess energy generated in an energy management device
in an application platform. The system includes: one or more
processors; a clock; memory; one or more I/O interfaces; one or
more analog to digital interfaces; operating system software; a
power storage supply apparatus enclosure; a power storage and
supply device coupled to an electromechanical isolation breaker
that is integrated to one or more alternate energy sources; one or
more hybrid inverter/converters; one or more data processing
gateways to implement monitoring of one or more telemetry data; one
or more charge controllers; and one or more energy storage modules.
In another embodiment, a solar integrated energy management system
is made of a power storage supply apparatus enclosure; one or more
alternative energy sources coupled to a user power system; the user
power system coupled to a utility power grid to distribute the
required consumer power needed; and a user power monitoring control
management console in which the solar integrated energy management
system monitors user power consumption with the user power
monitoring control management console and stores excess alternate
energy source power created via communication and storing said
excess alternate energy source power into one or more energy
storage modules.
[0021] In another embodiment, an energy management system for
governing energy management resources includes a power storage
supply apparatus enclosure; a power storage and supply device; one
or more alternative energy sources coupled to a user power system;
the user power system coupled to a utility power grid to distribute
the required consumer power needed; one or more sets of rules; one
or more sets of constraints; and in which the one or more sets of
rules and the one or more sets of constraints allow a user to
implement multiple sets of rules and constraints that govern
various resources selected from power generation, power storage,
power use, and load control.
[0022] In another embodiment, an Intelligent Energy Storage Module
Management System includes a tamper resistant energy storage
enclosure housed within an intelligent energy storage module
management enclosure with security fastening means, in which the
tamper resistant energy storage enclosure includes means for
connecting one or more energy storage devices to a hybrid
inverter/converter via a solid copper bus bulkhead apparatus which
further includes an electrically insulated escutcheon means and
associated cover to isolate a high current bus conductor from
service personnel; a means to house one or more energy storage
module management intelligent electronics and telemetry equipment
within the intelligent energy storage module management enclosure
while simultaneously isolating one or more energy storage
disconnecting switches and associated conductors; a communications
connection bulkhead means housed within the intelligent energy
storage module management enclosure that allows the Intelligent
Energy Storage Module Management System to communicate to a data
processing gateway, hybrid inverter/converter and charge
controller; one or more venting grid ports located on the
intelligent energy storage module management enclosure adjacent to
one or more energy storage modules, in which the one or more
venting grid ports cross ventilate and convection cool one or more
of the one or more energy storage modules; one or more components
of the energy storage module management intelligent electronics and
telemetry equipment communicably coupled to a multiprotocol data
processing communication gateway device to provide telemetry data
to implement one or more processes to integrate with an Energy Area
Network (EAN); and the Energy Area Network (EAN) communicably
coupled to one or more appliances and electrical loads to aggregate
locally stored control algorithms and remotely received control
parameters.
[0023] In another embodiment, a method for monitoring energy
consumption, comprises steps for providing one or more hybrid
inverter/converters, wherein the one or more hybrid
inverter/converters are communicably coupled to one or more charge
controllers and wherein the one or more hybrid inverter/converters
are further electronically coupled to an electrical bus; providing
one or more data processing gateways, wherein the one or more data
processing gateways are communicably coupled to one or more charge
controllers and to one or more intelligent battery management
systems; providing one or more charge controllers; providing one or
more intelligent battery management systems coupled to one or more
energy management devices; providing one or more energy management
devices in a compact footprint; associating an energy management
device with a consumer unit, said energy management device having a
local data processing gateway device communicably coupled to the
energy management device; configuring said local data processing
gateway to monitor and control processes and measurements conducted
by said energy management device; receiving and logging a plurality
of telemetry data from one or more intelligent battery management
systems; receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry data from
one or more intelligent inverter/converters; receiving and logging
a plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy storage
modules; receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry data from a
charge controller; and viewing the plurality of telemetry data by
accessing a consumer web portal.
[0024] In another embodiment, a method for selling energy back to a
utility power grid, comprises steps for providing one or more
hybrid inverter/converters; providing one or more data processing
gateways; providing one or more charge controllers; providing one
or more intelligent battery management systems; providing one or
more energy management devices in a compact footprint; defining
price points of power obtained from a utility power grid at which a
user will discharge energy stored in an energy storage module;
defining a percentage of maximum capacity of stored energy in one
or more energy storage modules that may be discharged in a single
cycle; correlating said price points of power with said percentage
of maximum capacity; configuring said price points and said
percentage of maximum capacity into one or more sets of rules;
calculating the amount of available energy storage capacity based
upon the current or expected price of power; and implementing the
one or more set of rules.
[0025] In another embodiment, A method for providing wholesale
energy services, comprises steps for providing one or more solar
integrated energy management apparatus; retrieving telemetry data
from one or more energy storage modules to calculate an amount of
available stored energy; applying the amount of available stored
energy to offset a need to purchase and install one or more new
electricity generating means; using the amount of available stored
energy to reduce generation marginal cost, wherein said generation
marginal cost comprises a cost of fuel and a cost for variable
maintenance; using the amount of available stored energy to reduce
generation capacity cost, wherein said generation capacity cost
comprises one or more costs incurred in increasing generation
capacity; using the amount of available stored energy to provide
one or more rapid response energy storage modules; wherein the
rapid response energy storage modules can provide regulation of the
amount of available stored energy while charging and while
discharging; using the amount of available stored energy to provide
one or more electric supply reserve capacities, wherein the one or
more electric supply reserve capacities reduce the need and cost
for one or more other electric reserves; using the amount of
available stored energy to reduce one or more users' electricity
time-of-use (TOU) costs; using the amount of available stored
energy to reduce one or more users' electricity real-time-price
(RTP) energy costs; using the amount of available stored energy to
reduce one or more end users' power draw on one or more utilities
during times when electricity use is high; and reducing one or more
demand charges from one or more utilities by storing energy in one
or more energy storage modules at one or more times when low or no
demand charges apply.
[0026] In another embodiment, a method for providing renewables
integration, comprises steps for providing one or more solar
integrated energy management apparatus; using a plurality of
telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules to calculate
an amount of available stored energy; making one or more electric
energy buy-low/sell-high transactions, wherein energy from a
utility is purchased at a low price and stored in said one or more
energy storage modules and wherein the available stored energy is
sold back to the utility at a price higher than the low price;
using the amount of available stored energy to reduce generation
marginal cost, wherein said generation marginal cost comprises a
cost of fuel and a cost for variable maintenance; using the amount
of available stored energy to reduce generation capacity cost,
wherein said generation capacity cost comprises one or more costs
incurred in increasing generation capacity; using the amount of
available stored energy to provide one or more rapid response
energy storage modules; wherein the rapid response energy storage
modules can provide regulation of the amount of available stored
energy while charging and while discharging; using the amount of
available stored energy to provide one or more electric supply
reserve capacities, wherein the one or more electric supply reserve
capacities reduce the need and cost for one or more other electric
reserves; using the amount of available stored energy to reduce one
or more users' electricity time-of-use (TOU) costs; using the
amount of available stored energy to reduce one or more users'
electricity real-time-price (RTP) energy costs; using the amount of
available stored energy to reduce one or more end users' power draw
on one or more utilities during times when electricity use is high;
reducing one or more demand charges from one or more utilities by
storing energy in one or more energy storage modules at one or more
times when low or no demand charges apply; increasing the amount of
available stored energy via one or more renewable energy sources;
using an amount of available stored energy provided by one or more
renewable energy sources at a later time when the cost of energy
sold by one or more utilities is more expensive than the cost of
said available stored energy provided by one or more renewable
energy sources; and using the amount of available stored energy to
firm output from renewable energy generation.
[0027] In another embodiment, a method for providing stationary
storage for transmission and distribution (T&D) support,
comprises steps for providing one or more solar integrated energy
management apparatus; using a plurality of telemetry data from one
or more energy storage modules to calculate an amount of available
stored energy; using the amount of available stored energy to
provide one or more electric supply reserve capacities, wherein the
one or more electric supply reserve capacities reduce the need and
cost for one or more other electric reserves; using the amount of
available stored energy to offset one or more needs to use one or
more large generation means of reactive power to the grid, wherein
the amount of available stored energy provides reactive power to a
grid when one or more region-wide voltage emergencies occurs; using
the amount of available stored energy to increase a load carrying
capacity of one or more transmission systems; using the amount of
available stored energy to increase a generation capacity of one or
more utilities; using the amount of available stored energy to
supply an amount of energy upstream from one or more sources of
energy congestion; and using the amount of available stored energy
to defer one or more transmission and distribution costs associated
with one or more utilities.
[0028] In another embodiment, a method for providing distributed
energy storage systems, comprises steps for providing one or more
solar integrated energy management apparatus; retrieving telemetry
data from one or more energy storage modules to calculate an amount
of available stored energy; applying the amount of available stored
energy to offset a need to purchase and install one or more new
electricity generating means; using the amount of available stored
energy to reduce generation marginal cost, wherein said generation
marginal cost comprises a cost of fuel and a cost for variable
maintenance; using the amount of available stored energy to reduce
generation capacity cost, wherein said generation capacity cost
comprises one or more costs incurred in increasing generation
capacity; using the amount of available stored energy to provide
one or more rapid response energy storage modules; wherein the
rapid response energy storage modules can provide regulation of the
amount of available stored energy while charging and while
discharging; using the amount of available stored energy to provide
one or more electric supply reserve capacities, wherein the one or
more electric supply reserve capacities reduce the need and cost
for one or more other electric reserves; using the amount of
available stored energy to reduce one or more users' electricity
time-of-use (TOU) costs; using the amount of available stored
energy to reduce one or more users' electricity real-time-price
(RTP) energy costs; using the amount of available stored energy to
reduce one or more end users' power draw on one or more utilities
during times when electricity use is high; reducing one or more
demand charges from one or more utilities by storing energy in one
or more energy storage modules at one or more times when low or no
demand charges apply; using the amount of available stored energy
to improve electric service reliability associated with oile or
more power outages such that one or more end users have reduced
losses associated with the one or more power outages; using the
amount of available stored energy to reduce financial losses
associated with one or more power anomalies; increasing the amount
of available stored energy via one or more renewable energy
sources; using an amount of available stored energy provided by one
or more renewable energy sources at a later time when the cost of
energy sold by one or more utilities is more expensive than the
cost of said available stored energy provided by one or more
renewable energy sources; and using the amount of available stored
energy to firm output from renewable energy generation.
[0029] In another embodiment, a method for providing energy saving
companies (ESO), comprises steps for providing one or more solar
integrated energy management apparatus; retrieving telemetry data
from one or more energy storage modules to calculate an amount of
available stored energy; applying the amount of available stored
energy to offset a need to purchase and install one or more new
electricity generating means; using the amount of available stored
energy to reduce generation marginal cost, wherein said generation
marginal cost comprises a cost of fuel and a cost for variable
maintenance; using the amount of available stored energy to reduce
generation capacity cost, wherein said generation capacity cost
comprises one or more costs incurred in increasing generation
capacity; using the amount of available stored energy to provide
one or more rapid response energy storage modules; wherein the
rapid response energy storage modules can provide regulation of the
amount of available stored energy while charging and while
discharging; using the amount of available stored energy to provide
one or more electric supply reserve capacities, wherein the one or
more electric supply reserve capacities reduce the need and cost
for one or more other electric reserves; using the amount of
available stored energy to reduce one or more users' electricity
time-of-use (TOU) costs; using the amount of available stored
energy to reduce one or more users' electricity real-time-price
(RTP) energy costs; using the amount of available stored energy to
reduce one or more end users' power draw on one or more utilities
during times when electricity use is high; reducing one or more
demand charges from one or more utilities by storing energy in one
or more energy storage modules at one or more times when low or no
demand charges apply; using the amount of available stored energy
to improve electric service reliability associated with one or more
power outages such that one or more end users have reduced losses
associated with the one or more power outages; using the amount of
available stored energy to reduce financial losses associated with
one or more power anomalies; increasing the amount of available
stored energy via one or more renewable energy sources; using an
amount of available stored energy provided by one or more renewable
energy sources at a later time when the cost of energy sold by one
or more utilities is more expensive than the cost of said available
stored energy provided by one or more renewable energy sources; and
using the amount of available stored energy to firm output from
renewable energy generation.
[0030] In another embodiment, a method for providing energy
management, comprises steps for providing one or more solar
integrated energy management apparatus; using a plurality of
telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules to calculate
an amount of available stored energy; making one or more electric
energy buy-low/sell-high transactions, wherein energy from a
utility is purchased at a low price and stored in said one or more
energy storage modules and wherein the available stored energy is
sold back to the utility at a price higher than the low price;
increasing the amount of available stored energy via one or more
renewable energy sources; and using an amount of available stored
energy provided by one or more renewable energy sources at a later
time when the cost of energy sold by one or more utilities is more
expensive than the cost of said available stored energy provided by
one or more renewable energy sources.
[0031] In another embodiment, a method for providing home energy
management, comprises steps for providing one or more solar
integrated energy management apparatus; using a plurality of
telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules to calculate
an amount of available stored energy; making one or more electric
energy buy-low/sell-high transactions, wherein energy from a
utility is purchased at a low price and stored in said one or more
energy storage modules and wherein the available stored energy is
sold back to the utility at a price higher than the low price;
increasing the amount of available stored energy via one or more
renewable energy sources; using an amount of available stored
energy provided by one or more renewable energy sources at a later
time when the cost of energy sold by one or more utilities is more
expensive than the cost of said available stored energy provided by
one or more renewable energy sources; using the amount of available
stored energy to improve electric service reliability associated
with one or more power outages such that one or more end users have
reduced losses associated with the one or more power outages; and
using the amount of available stored energy to reduce financial
losses associated with one or more power anomalies.
[0032] In another embodiment, a method for providing home backup,
comprising steps for providing one or more solar integrated energy
management apparatus; using a plurality of telemetry data from one
or more energy storage modules to calculate an amount of available
stored energy; making one or more electric energy buy-low/sell-high
transactions, wherein energy from a utility is purchased at a low
price and stored in said one or more energy storage modules and
wherein the available stored energy is sold back to the utility at
a price higher than the low price; using the amount of available
stored energy to improve electric service reliability associated
with one or more power outages such that one or more end users have
reduced losses associated with the one or more power outages; and
using the amount of available stored energy to reduce financial
losses associated with one or more power anomalies.
[0033] In another embodiment, a system for monitoring energy
consumption, comprises one or more hybrid inverter/converters; one
or more data processing gateways; one or more charge controllers;
one or more intelligent battery management systems; one or more
energy management devices in a compact footprint; one or more
memories for storing data; one or more processors capable of
executing processor readable code; one or more communications
means; one or more databases; one or more query processing modules;
one or more aggregation engines; one or more execution engines; one
or more reference generating modules; one or more user interfaces;
and one or more algorithm rules.
[0034] In another embodiment, a computer implemented method
including computer usable readable storage medium having computer
readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer
system to perform a method of monitoring energy consumption,
comprises steps for interfacing, by the computer system, with one
or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage,
the one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy
Storage comprising one or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or
more data processing gateways, one or more charge controllers, one
or more intelligent battery management systems, and one or more
energy management devices in a compact footprint; associating an
energy management device with a consumer unit, said energy
management device having a local data processing gateway device
communicably coupled thereto; configuring said local data
processing gateway to monitor and control processes and
measurements conducted by said energy management device; receiving
and logging a plurality of telemetry data from one or more
intelligent battery management systems; receiving and logging a
plurality of telemetry data from one or more intelligent
inverter/converters; receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry
data from one or more energy storage modules; receiving and logging
a plurality of telemetry data from a charge controller; and viewing
the plurality of telemetry data by accessing a consumer web
portal.
[0035] In another embodiment, a computer implemented apparatus for
providing a method for monitoring energy consumption, is an
apparatus that comprises a processor; an input device coupled to
said processor; a memory coupled to said processor; an output
device; and an execution engine including a method for monitoring
energy consumption to perform steps for interfacing with one or
more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage, the
one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy
Storage comprising one or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or
more data processing gateways, one or more charge controllers, one
or more intelligent battery management systems, and one or more
energy management devices in a compact footprint; associating an
energy management device with a consumer unit, said energy
management device having a local data processing gateway device
communicably coupled thereto; configuring said local data
processing gateway to monitor and control processes and
measurements conducted by said energy management device; receiving
and logging a plurality of telemetry data from one or more
intelligent battery management systems; receiving and logging a
plurality of telemetry data from one or more intelligent
inverter/converters; receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry
data from one or more energy storage modules; receiving and logging
a plurality of telemetry data from a charge controller; and viewing
the plurality of telemetry data by accessing a consumer web
portal.
[0036] In another embodiment, a computer readable medium for
monitoring energy consumption, comprises program code for
interfacing with one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems
with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated
Systems with Energy Storage comprising one or more hybrid
inverter/converters, one or more data processing gateways, one or
more charge controllers, one or more intelligent battery management
systems, and one or more energy management devices in a compact
footprint; program code for associating an energy management device
with a consumer unit, said energy management device having a local
data processing gateway device communicably coupled thereto;
program code for configuring said local data processing gateway to
monitor and control processes and measurements conducted by said
energy management device; program code for receiving and logging a
plurality of telemetry data from one or more intelligent battery
management systems; program code for receiving and logging a
plurality of telemetry data from one or more intelligent
inverter/converters; program code for receiving and logging a
plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy storage
modules; program code for receiving and logging a plurality of
telemetry data from a charge controller; and program code for
viewing the plurality of telemetry data by accessing a consumer web
portal.
[0037] In another embodiment, a computer implemented method
including computer-usable readable storage medium having
computer-readable program code embodied therein for causing a
computer system to perform a method of storing excess energy
generated in an energy management device in an application platform
for performing steps for securing one or more energy storage
modules in an energy storage module enclosure, said energy storage
module enclosure coupled to the inside of a Solar Energy Grid
Integrated System with Energy Storage (SEGIS-ES.TM.) Appliance,
wherein said Solar Energy Grid Integrated System with Energy
Storage comprises one or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or
more data processing gateways, one or more charge controllers, one
or more intelligent battery management systems, and one or more
energy management devices in a compact footprint; connecting said
one or more energy storage modules to a SEGIS-ES.TM. isolation
switch panel board, wherein said SEGIS-ES.TM. isolation switch
panel board provides a common integration point for components
coupled to said SEGIS-ES.TM. appliance; configuring, by the
computer system, a local data processing gateway to monitor and
control processes and measurements conducted by said energy
management device; monitoring, by the computer system, the amount
of power generated by one or more distributed energy sources;
monitoring, by the computer system, the rate of power generated by
the one or more distributed energy sources; controlling, by the
computer system, the rate of power stored in said one or more
energy storage modules; controlling, by the computer system, the
amount of power stored in said one or more energy storage modules;
monitoring, by the computer system, the health of one or more
energy storage modules; and operating, by the computer system, one
or more devices capable of energy management.
[0038] In another embodiment, a method for selling energy back to a
utility power grid, comprises steps for providing one or more
hybrid inverter/converters; providing one or more data processing
gateways; providing one or more charge controllers; providing one
or more intelligent battery management systems; providing one or
more energy management devices in a compact footprint; defining
price points of power obtained from a utility power grid at which a
user will discharge energy stored in an energy storage module;
defining a percentage of maximum capacity of stored energy in one
or more energy storage modules that may be discharged in a single
cycle; correlating said price points of power with said percentage
of maximum capacity; configuring said price points and said
percentage of maximum capacity into one or more sets of rules;
calculating the amount of available energy storage capacity based
upon the current or expected price of power; and implementing the
one or more set of rules.
[0039] In another embodiment, a computer readable medium for
selling energy back to a utility power grid, comprises program code
for interfacing with one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated
Systems with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar Energy Grid
Integrated Systems with Energy Storage comprising one or more
hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data processing gateways,
one or more charge controllers, one or more intelligent battery
management systems, and one or more energy management devices in a
compact footprint; program code for processing the one or more set
of rules on an Intelligent Energy Storage Module Management System;
program code for managing the one or more set of rules via a
multiprotocol data processing communication gateway device
communicably coupled to the Energy Storage Module Management
System; program code for monitoring the one or more set of rules
via a multiprotocol data processing communication gateway device
communicably coupled to the Energy Storage Module Management
System; and program code for modifying the one or more set of rules
via a multiprotocol data processing communication gateway device
communicably coupled to the Energy Storage Module Management
System, said multiprotocol data processing communication gateway
device further communicably coupled to a consumer web portal.
[0040] In another embodiment, a system for selling energy back to a
utility power grid, comprises one or more hybrid
inverter/converters coupled to an energy storage management system
and charge controller module via a data processing gateway such
that the data processing gateway implements one or more rule sets
for selling energy back to a utility power grid to maximize the
selling price of said energy; one or more data processing gateways
receiving signals from the energy storage management system and
charge controller and sending instructions via processor readable
code to implement one or more algorithms; one or more charge
controllers electrically coupled to the energy management storage
management system to determine requirements for charging and
discharging; one or more intelligent battery management systems;
one or more energy management devices in a compact footprint not to
exceed 18'' in depth; one or more memories for storing data; one or
more processors capable of executing processor readable code; one
or more communications means; one or more databases; one or more
query processing modules; one or more aggregation engines; one or
more execution engines; one or more reference generating modules;
one or more user interfaces; and one or more algorithm rules.
[0041] In yet a further embodiment, a computer implemented method
including computer usable readable storage medium having computer
readable program code for causing a computer system to perform a
method of selling energy back to a utility power grid by sending
instructions to implement steps including interfacing, by the
computer system, with one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated
Systems with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar Energy Grid
Integrated Systems with Energy Storage comprising one or more
hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data processing gateways,
one or more charge controllers, one or more intelligent battery
management systems, and one or more energy management devices in a
compact footprint; defining, by the computer system, price points
of power obtained from a utility power grid at which a user will
discharge energy stored in an energy storage module; defining, by
the computer system, a percentage of maximum capacity of stored
energy in one or more energy storage modules that may be discharged
in a single cycle; correlating, by the computer system, said price
points of power with said percentage of maximum capacity;
configuring, by the computer system, said price points and said
percentage of maximum capacity into one or more sets of rules; and
implementing, by the computer system, the one or more set of
rules.
[0042] In a further embodiment, a computer implemented apparatus
for selling energy back to a utility power grid, is an apparatus
that comprises a processor; an input device coupled to said
processor; a memory coupled to said processor; an output device;
and an execution engine including a method for peak shaving to
implement steps for interfacing with one or more Solar Energy Grid
Integrated Systems with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar
Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage comprising one
or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data processing
gateways, one or more charge controllers, one or more intelligent
battery management systems, and one or more energy management
devices in a compact footprint; defining price points of power
obtained from a utility power grid at which a user will discharge
energy stored in an energy storage module; defining a percentage of
maximum capacity of stored energy in one or more energy storage
modules that may be discharged in a single cycle; correlating said
price points of power with said percentage of maximum capacity;
configuring said price points and said percentage of maximum
capacity into one or more sets of rules; and implementing the one
or more set of rules.
[0043] In another embodiment, a method of peak shaving, comprises
providing one or more hybrid inverter/converters; providing one or
more data processing gateways; providing one or more charge
controllers; providing one or more intelligent battery management
systems; providing one or more energy management devices in a
compact footprint; connecting an energy management system with one
or more integrated alternate energy sources and one or more energy
modules storage to a utility grid; monitoring energy demand on said
utility grid; calculating an amount of maximum energy that said
energy grid can deliver; determining a threshold energy demand on
the grid, wherein said threshold energy demand begins to stress one
or more components of said utility grid; identifying one or more
time periods when the threshold energy demand is met, whereupon
identification said energy management system with integrated
alternate energy source and energy module storage sends power
generated by one or more alternate energy sources to the utility
grid; and sending energy to the utility grid until said energy
demand falls below said threshold energy demand.
[0044] In another embodiment, a system for peak shaving, comprises
one or more hybrid inverter/converters; one or more data processing
gateways; one or more charge controllers; one or more intelligent
battery management systems; one or more energy management devices
in a compact footprint; one or more memories for storing data; one
or more processors capable of executing processor readable code;
one or more communications means; one or more databases; one or
more query processing modules; one or more aggregation engines; one
or more execution engines; one or more reference generating
modules; one or more user interfaces; and one or more algorithm
rules.
[0045] In another embodiment, a computer implemented method
including computer usable readable storage medium having computer
readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer
system to perform a method of peak shaving, comprises interfacing,
by the computer system, with one or more Solar Energy Grid
Integrated Systems with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar
Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage comprising one
or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data processing
gateways, one or more charge controllers, one or more intelligent
battery management systems, and one or more energy management
devices in a compact footprint; defining, by the computer system,
price points of power obtained from a utility power grid at which a
user will discharge energy stored in an energy storage module;
defining, by the computer system, a percentage of maximum capacity
of stored energy in one or more energy storage modules that may be
discharged in a single cycle; correlating, by the computer system,
said price points of power with said percentage of maximum
capacity; configuring, by the computer system, said price points
and said percentage of maximum capacity into one or more sets of
rules; and implementing, by the computer system, the one or more
sets of rules or algorithms.
[0046] In another embodiment, a computer implemented apparatus for
providing a method for peak shaving, comprises a processor; an
input device coupled to said processor; a memory coupled to said
processor; an output device; and an execution engine including
steps for implementing a method for peak shaving including
interfacing with one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems
with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated
Systems with Energy Storage comprising one or more hybrid
inverter/converters, one or more data processing gateways, one or
more charge controllers, one or more intelligent battery management
systems, and one or more energy management devices in a compact
footprint; defining price points of power obtained from a utility
power grid at which a user will discharge energy stored in an
energy storage module; defining a percentage of maximum capacity of
stored energy in one or more energy storage modules that may be
discharged in a single cycle; correlating said price points of
power with said percentage of maximum capacity; configuring said
price points and said percentage of maximum capacity into one or
more sets of rules; and implementing the one or more set of
rules.
[0047] In another embodiment, a computer readable medium for peak
shaving, comprises program code for interfacing with one or more
Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage, the one
or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage
comprising one or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data
processing gateways, one or more charge controllers, one or more
intelligent battery management systems, and one or more energy
management devices in a compact footprint; program code for
connecting an energy management system with integrated alternate
energy source and energy module storage to a utility grid; program
code for monitoring energy demand on said utility grid; program
code for calculating an amount of maximum energy that said energy
grid can deliver; program code for determining a threshold energy
demand on the grid, wherein said threshold energy demand begins to
stress one or more components of said utility grid; program code
for identifying one or more time periods when the threshold energy
demand is met, whereupon identification said energy management
system with integrated alternate energy source and energy module
storage sends power generated by one or more alternate energy
sources to the utility grid; and program code for sending energy to
the utility grid until said energy demand falls below said
threshold energy demand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] Having thus described the invention in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0049] FIG. 1A is a front view of a solar integrated energy
management apparatus.
[0050] FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram showing various
components of a solar integrated energy management apparatus.
[0051] FIG. 2A is a front/side view of an integrated energy
management apparatus.
[0052] FIG. 2B is a back view of an integrated energy management
apparatus
[0053] FIG. 3A is a front view of a solar integrated system
enclosure.
[0054] FIG. 3B is a side view of a solar integrated system
enclosure.
[0055] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a solar integrated system
enclosure.
[0056] FIG. 3D is a front/side view of a solar integrated system
enclosure.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an energy monitoring
system.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a solar integrated
energy management system.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an energy management
system for governing energy management resources.
[0060] FIG. 7A is a front/side view of an intelligent energy
storage module management system
[0061] FIG. 7B is face-on view of an intelligent energy storage
module management system.
[0062] FIG. 8 is a flow chart for a method for monitoring energy
consumption.
[0063] FIG. 9 is a flow chart for a method for providing wholesale
energy services.
[0064] FIG. 10 is a flow chart for a method for providing renewable
integration.
[0065] FIG. 11 is a flow chart for a method for providing
stationary storage for transmission and distribution support.
[0066] FIG. 12 is a flow chart for a method for providing
distributed energy storage systems.
[0067] FIG. 13 is a flow chart for a method for providing energy
saving companies.
[0068] FIG. 14 is a flow chart for a method for providing power
quality and reliability.
[0069] FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the energy
management system with integrated solar and storage.
[0070] FIG. 16 is a flow chart for a method for providing energy
management.
[0071] FIG. 17 is a flow chart for a method for providing home
energy management.
[0072] FIG. 18 is a flow chart for a method for providing home
backup.
[0073] FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing a system for
monitoring energy consumption.
[0074] FIG. 20 is a flow chart for a computer implemented method
for causing a computer system to perform a method of monitoring
energy consumption.
[0075] FIG. 21A is a functional block diagram showing a computer
implemented apparatus for providing a method for monitoring energy
consumption.
[0076] FIG. 21B is a flow chart for a computer implemented
apparatus for providing a method for monitoring energy
consumption.
[0077] FIG. 22 is a flow chart for a computer readable medium for
monitoring energy consumption.
[0078] FIG. 23 is a flow chart for a computer implemented method
for causing a computer system to perform a method of storing excess
energy generated in an energy management device in an application
platform.
[0079] FIG. 24 is a flow chart for a method for selling energy back
to a utility power grid.
[0080] FIG. 25 is a flow chart for a computer readable medium for
selling energy back to a utility power grid.
[0081] FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram showing a system for
selling energy back to a utility power grid.
[0082] FIG. 27 is a flow chart for a computer implemented method
for causing a computer system to perform a method of selling energy
back to a utility power grid.
[0083] FIG. 28A is a functional block diagram showing a computer
implemented apparatus for selling energy back to a utility power
grid.
[0084] FIG. 28B is a flow chart for a computer implemented
apparatus for providing a method of selling energy back to a
utility power grid.
[0085] FIG. 29 is a flow chart for a method of peak shaving.
[0086] FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram showing a system for
peak shaving.
[0087] FIG. 31 is a flow chart for a computer implemented method
for causing a computer system to perform a method of peak
shaving.
[0088] FIG. 32A is a functional block diagram showing a computer
implemented apparatus for providing a method for peak shaving.
[0089] FIG. 32B is a flow chart for a computer implemented
apparatus for providing a method for peak shaving.
[0090] FIG. 33 is a flow chart for a computer readable medium for
peak shaving.
[0091] FIG. 34 is an illustration depicting an exemplary operating
environment including one or more user computers, computing
devices, or processing devices, which can be used to operate a
client, such as a dedicated application, web browser is shown.
[0092] FIG. 35 is another illustration depicting an exemplary
operating environment including a computer system with various
elements as shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0093] The present invention is directed to a device the present
invention is directed towards a system, method, and device for
integrating distributed energy sources, energy storage, and balance
of system components into a single device with systems and control
for monitoring, measuring, and conserving power generated on the
premise, the resale of power to a utility, power generated from
distributed energy storage (e.g., batteries) and distributed energy
sources (e.g., solar panels). Moreover, the device is minimally
invasive, modular, and retains power-generating capacity, which is
combined with load management and energy storage to provide energy
at or near the point of consumption.
[0094] The present invention can be further illustrated as a device
that integrates the necessary components into a tamper resistant,
utility grade, minimally invasive enclosure designed for outdoor
applications, keeping unauthorized personnel from accessing the
necessary components, and placed within the utility's service
easement and set aside area of a residence or commercial building.
The energy management cabinet contains essentially all necessary
electrical components including charge controllers, inverters,
relay circuitry, circuit breakers, energy storage modules (e.g.,
batteries), and balance of system circuitry for operating
distributed energy sources (e.g., solar panels).
[0095] The present invention is described below with reference to
block diagrams of systems, methods, apparatuses and computer
program products according to an embodiment of the invention. It
will be understood that each block of the block diagrams and
combinations of blocks in the block diagrams, respectively, can be
implemented by means of analog or digital hardware and computer
instructions. These computer instructions may be loaded onto a
general purpose computer, special purpose computer, ASIC, or other
programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such
that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus create means for
implementing the functions/acts specified in the block or
blocks.
[0096] The computer program instruction can be provided to a
processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,
ASIC, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that
the instruction, which execute via the process of the computer or
other programmable data processing apparatus, implements the
function/acts specified in the block diagrams or operational block
or blocks.
[0097] In some alternate implementation, the functions/acts noted
in the blocks can occur out of the order noted in the operational
illustration. For example, tow blocks shown in succession can in
fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks can
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality/acts involved.
[0098] For the purpose of this disclosure the term "utility" should
be referred to as an entity that provides or manages the supply of
electrical power to one or more energy consumers. The term as used
in the disclosure encompasses, without limitation, regional utility
companies, regional transmission organizations, and any other load
servicing entity or entities, which manage the power grid within a
geographical area. Energy consumers may be an entity that uses
electrical power for any purpose such as, without limitation,
individual homeowners, commercial office buildings, or
manufacturing operations.
[0099] For the purpose of this disclosure, the term "energy
management system with integrated solar and energy storage
(EMSIS-ES)" should be understood to refer to a device which
measures and controls the operation of power generating, power
consuming, or power storage devices, or which measures and controls
power supplied to one or more electrical circuits. Power generating
devices may include, without limitation, renewable energy resources
such as solar panels; household appliances such as refrigerators
and stoves; climate control systems such as heating and air
conditioning, and commercial or manufacturing devices, such as an
automated assembly line. Power storage devices may include, without
limitation, battery systems and capacitors which store and dispatch
power.
[0100] The EMSIS-ES may be capable of being connected to one or
more networks, such as the Internet, a private WAN, AMI Network,
GPRS, or a cellular communications network. Such network-connected
EMSIS-ES may be capable of transmitting measurements made by the
EMSIS-ES to remote locations (e.g., utility's). Network connected
EMSIS-ES devices may be further capable of receiving commands from
remote locations, which control or modify the operation of the
EMSIS-ES.
[0101] For the purpose of this disclosure, and without limitation,
the term "power storage and supply device" should be understood to
refer to an EMSIS-ES which is capable of managing substantially all
electrical power generation, consumption, and storage by power
generating, power consuming, and power storage devices within an
area of control or individual site. The EMSIS-ES may include a
processor with associated communications, data storage and database
facilities, one or more display device which may support a
graphical user interface, as well as operating software and one or
more database systems and applications software which support the
services provided by the appliance. Area control of an EMSIS-ES may
be, without limitation a single home, or a group of homes,
commercial building, or group of commercial buildings.
[0102] For the purpose of this disclosure, and without limitation,
"module" is a software, hardware, or firmware (or combination
thereof) system, process or functionality, or component thereof,
that performs or facilitates the processes, feature, and/or
functions described herein the EMSIS-ES (with or without human
interaction or augmentation). A module can include sub-modules.
[0103] For the purpose of this disclosure, and without limitation,
"utility grade enclosure" is designated as a cabinet hardware, or
component thereof, which performs or facilitates the feature,
and/or functions described herein the EMSIS-ES (with or without
human interaction or augmentation) meeting NEMA 3R; IEEE C57.12.52
Section 6, C57.28 Section 4 made from a minimum of 12 gauge steel
or a suitable composite material.
[0104] For the purpose of this disclosure, and without limitation,
"certifications" are software, hardware, or firmware (or
combination thereof) system, process or functionality, or component
thereof, that performs or facilitates the processes, features,
and/or functions described herein the EMSIS-ES (with or without
human interaction or augmentation) meeting UL 1742-2005; IEEE 1547;
ETL Listed UL 1741; CSA C22.2 No. 107.1; FCC Class B; FCC Part 15
Class B; ANSI C37.90; CANBUS; DNP3; NIST approved; SE2 complaint.
It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill that this is an
exemplary list of standards that is current at the time of filing
this application.
[0105] Reference will now be made in detail to illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are/may be
shown in the accompanying drawings. These inventions may be
embodied in different forms and should not be construed as
limitations to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these
embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will satisfy
applicable legal requirements, be thorough and complete, and will
fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the
art.
[0106] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a solar
integrated energy management apparatus 100 may include a power
storage supply apparatus enclosure 101. A power storage and supply
device 102 is coupled to one or more electromechanical isolation
breakers 103. The one or more electromechanical isolation breakers
103 and one or more energy storage modules 107 are adapted to
connect to one or more alternate energy sources 104. One or more
inverters 105 are coupled to a charge controller 106. The charge
controller 106 is coupled to the one or more inverters 105 and to
the one or more energy storage modules 107. A local data processing
gateway 108 is coupled to the charge controller 106. The one or
more energy storage modules 107 are coupled to an energy storage
module storage enclosure 109 containing a battery management system
110 and an electrical bus 111. The electrical bus connects one or
more battery cable terminals 112 to a main bus 113 that is coupled
to the charge controller 106. Further, the local data processing
gateway 108 uses open standard communication methods at the
transport, application, and object levels (e.g., Internet, GPRS,
AMI Network, Web Services, XML-Based, DNP3, IEC 61850). As shown in
FIG. 1, solar integrated energy management apparatus 100 is
generally divided into a upper section, center section, and an
lower section; however, is unitized by a singular circuitry design
and interface.
[0107] Further, the lower section of the solar integrated energy
management apparatus 100 contains the energy storage modules 107
and a tamper proof separate battery storage enclosure that contains
the battery management system and electrical bus connecting the
battery cable terminals to a main bus, which connects to the charge
controller 106 in the middle section and the inverters 105 located
in the upper section through a unitized assembly. The battery
enclosure is connected to the balance of system located in the
middle section via at least one connector for providing a unique
safety connector configuration for the energy storage modules
107.
[0108] In other aspects, the embodiment of the solar integrated
energy management apparatus 100 may further include at least one
unique safety connector 114 providing a unique safety connector
configuration. At least one unique safety connector 114 allows the
charge controller 106, the local data processing gateway 108, and
the electromechanical isolation breaker 103 to be connected to the
energy storage module 107. The energy storage module 107 is coupled
to at least one unique safety connector 114 via the main bus
113.
[0109] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, an
integrated energy management apparatus 200 may include a power
storage and supply device 201 coupled to an electromechanical
isolation breaker 202. The electromechanical isolation breaker 202
is integrated to one or more alternate energy sources 203 and one
or more energy storage modules 204. The electromechanical isolation
breaker 202 may communicate with one or more alternate energy
sources 203. One or more inverters 205 are coupled to a charge
controller 206. The charge controller 206 is coupled to the one or
more inverters 205 and to one or more energy storage modules 204. A
local data processing gateway 207 is coupled to the charge
controller 206. The one or more energy storage modules 204 are
coupled to an energy storage module storage enclosure 208
containing a battery management system 209 and a electrical bus
210. The electrical bus connects one or more battery cable
terminals 211 to a main bus 212 that is coupled to the charge
controller 206. The integrated energy management apparatus 200 may
include a consumer web portal 213; an internet user interface 214
including an application programming interface coupled to a
database repository, a display, and a utility enterprise database
application; and an energy area network 215 that couples the
Internet user interface and utility enterprise database application
to one or more user devices and appliances 216. The internet user
interface 214 may be a personal computer, a smart phone, or other
smart devices capable of internet access.
[0110] In other aspects of the integrated energy management
apparatus 200, the embodiment may further include: one or more
CANBUS protocols to allow one or more components to communicate
with each other without one or more host computers; one or more
DNP3 platforms to facilitate communication between the one or more
data processing gateways and one or more components; at least one
NIST approved CIM model; and at least one SE2 compliant
platform.
[0111] In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, a solar
integrated system enclosure 300 may include an upper section 301
housing one or more inverters 302; a center section 303 housing one
or more electromechanical isolation breakers 304, a charge
controller 305, and a computer-implemented local data processing
gateway device 306 that includes one or more software modules for
implementing method steps to monitor, control, and store energy
from one or more alternate energy sources and to implement one or
more processes for providing consumer energy management; and a
lower section 308 housing one or more storage modules 309. The
frame 310 of the enclosure comprises a width, a depth, and a height
to form a single, vertical rectangular cross section box of equal
or varying widths. One or more corrosion resistant outer panels 311
comprising a height, a width, and a depth form a rectangular cross
section box of varying widths. The panels 311 are coupled to the
frame 310 to form a single vertical freestanding outdoor utility
grade enclosure 300. The enclosure 300 is open on a front side and
coupled to a hinged door 316. The enclosure 300 may include an
internal upper section, center section and lower section backpan
312 for mounting one or more solar integrated system components.
Preferably, the enclosure 300 has a compact footprint 313 equal to
a depth not to exceed a utility workspace. Preferably, the
enclosure 300 has a sloped top panel 314 wherein the rear edge
height is greater than the front edge height. A door jamb 315 is
coupled to a top portion and one or more sides of an open front
side of the frame 310. The hinged front door 316 includes a three
point rod and latch system 317 to engage a gasketed internal
rectangular circumference (not shown) and a handle latch on the
external of the front door (not shown). The hinged front door 316
is coupled to the door jamb 315. One or more hot swappable energy
storage modules 318 are coupled to a shunt switch 319 for
physically isolating the energy storage modules 320 and are further
coupled to an isolation switches panel assembly 321 via at least
one unique safety connector mechanism 322 and an electrical bus
(not shown) connecting the energy storage module terminals (not
shown) to a main bus (not shown) that connects to the charge
controller 305 and the one or more inverters 302 through a unitized
system (not shown). One or more horizontal perforations 323 on a
back panel 312 are located at a minimum distance between exhaust
ports on the inverter 302, a converter (not shown), and the charge
controller 305. The shunt switch 319 may be provided for physically
isolating (via disconnection) the energy storage modules 309 from
the charge controller 305, data processing gateway 3060, and
inverter 302. This configuration allows for physical and electric
isolation of the energy storage modules 309 by switching the
modules off, effectively unplugging that specific modules from the
system. This functionality allows for safe maintenance and upkeep
of the energy storage modules 309. This also lets the data
processing gateway 306 avoid damage to the entire system by
isolating a non-properly functioning energy storage module 309
until such module can be repaired or replaced by the appropriate
maintenance worker.
[0112] In an embodiment of the present invention, the a solar
integrated system enclosure 300 is a utility grade, NEMA 3R
Stainless Steel enclosure measuring 72'' H.times.24'' W.times.14''
D. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other
casing materials may be used (such as Aluminum, Composite Steel, or
other Composite Materials) and cabinet dimensions may be utilized
in order to accommodate different operating environments and/or
different space constraints.
[0113] In other aspects of the embodiment, the utility workspace
recited in the preceding paragraph may be no greater than 18 inches
in depth. Further, the utility workspace recited in the preceding
paragraph may be no greater than 18 inches in depth and 24 inches
in width.
[0114] In other aspects of the embodiment, one of more of the solar
integrated system enclosure 300 may be in series, in parallel, and
may be mechanically coupled together. Combined, the systems of the
enclosures 300 may produce between 6 kW and 1 MW.
[0115] In other aspects of the embodiment, the solar integrated
system enclosure 300 may be a rainproof NEMA 3R enclosure. The
embodiment may further include one or more door hinges 324 coupled
to the hinged door 316 wherein the one or more door hinges are
encased by a front portion and side portion of the hinged door such
that the one or more hinges are not visible when looking from front
or sides. Encasing the one or more hinges 324 by the front portion
and side portion of the door 316 prevents unwanted tampering. An
isolation breaker panel 321 may be coupled to the center section of
the solar integrated system enclosure 303. The isolation breaker
panel may further have isolation circuitry (not shown) coupled
thereto, whereby placement of the isolation circuitry on the
isolation switch panel assembly 321 provides vertical airflow
channels that provide additional exothermic cooling of components
coupled to the center section 303. One or more ambidextrous
conductor termination points (not shown) may be located on one or
more corrosion resistant outer panels 311 that form the width of
the rectangular cross section box. The one or more ambidextrous
conductor termination points may be formed via watertight
escutcheon plates coupled to the one or more corrosion resistant
outer panels. The watertight escutcheon plates may contain
electrical conduit access holes to facilitate connection of the
alternate energy source power and utility power grid.
[0116] In other aspects of the embodiment, the solar integrated
system enclosure 300 may further include a rain gutter 325 with a
curved radius 326 that extends around the perimeter of an open
front side of the enclosure. The rain gutter may include a top and
bottom rain gutter 327 and a first and second side rain gutter
328.
[0117] The top and bottom rain gutters 327 may extend outward a
first distance from the frame 310. The first distance may be a
curved radius 326 portion sloping away from a vertical line that
dissects an interior cavity of the enclosure and being equal to one
third of a total distance with the one third of a total distance
encompassing a portion of the total distance farthest from the
frame 310 and wherein a door jamb 315 extends a second distance
outward from the frame 310 with the second distance being a planar
portion equal to two-thirds of a total distance extending outward
from the frame 310 and the two-thirds of a total distance
encompassing a portion of the total distance closest to the frame
310.
[0118] The first and second rain gutter 328 may extend outward a
first distance from the frame 310. The first distance may be a
curved radius 326 portion sloping away from a horizontal line that
dissects an interior cavity of the enclosure and being equal to one
third of a total distance with the one third of a total distance
encompassing a portion of the total distance farthest from the
frame 310 and wherein a door jamb 315 extends a second distance
outward from the frame 310 with the second distance being a planar
portion equal to two-thirds of a total distance extending outward
from the frame 310 and the two-thirds of a total distance
encompassing a portion of the total distance closest to the frame
310. There may be one or more gaskets (not shown) coupled to an
inner circumference of the hinged door 316. When the hinged door is
closed the one or more gaskets abut with the rain gutter 325 to
form an interface, wherein the interface comprises the one or more
gaskets being compressed on an end portion closest to an end
portion of the rain gutter such that the one or more gaskets form a
seal by form fitting around the end portion, wherein the interface
between the one or more gaskets and the end portion prevent liquids
and dust from entering the enclosure; and wherein the placement of
the one or more gaskets minimizes the contact surface area between
the one or more gaskets and the rain gutter 325.
[0119] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, a system 400 to
provide a computer implemented method for monitoring energy
including computer-usable readable storage medium having
computer-readable program code embodied therein for causing a
computer system to perform a method of storing excess energy
generated in an energy management device in an application platform
may include: one or more processors 401; a clock 402; memory 403;
one or more I/O interfaces 404; one or more analog to digital
interfaces 405; operating system software 406; a power storage
supply apparatus enclosure 407; a power storage and supply device
408 coupled to an electromechanical isolation breaker 409 that is
integrated to one or more alternate energy sources 410; one or more
hybrid inverter/converters 411; one or more data processing
gateways 412 to implement monitoring of one or more telemetry data;
one or more charge controllers 413; and one or more energy storage
modules 414.
[0120] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, a solar energy
management system 500 comprises a power storage supply apparatus
enclosure 501 and one or more alternative energy sources 502
coupled to a user power system 503. The user power system may be
coupled to a utility power grid 504 to distribute the required
consumer power need. The solar integrated energy management system
500 may monitor user power consumption with a user power monitoring
control management console 505 and store excess alternate energy
source power created via communication and storing the excess
alternate energy source power into one or more energy storage
modules 506.
[0121] In another aspect of the embodiment, the excess alternate
energy source power may be the difference between power provided by
the alternate energy source power and a consumer's power needs.
[0122] In yet other aspects of the embodiment, the solar integrated
energy management system may further include a consumer web portal;
an internet user interface including an application programming
interface; an advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) coupled to the
internet user interface and a utility power grid; an energy area
network (EAN) coupled to the local data processing gateway; and a
utility enterprise database application.
[0123] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, an energy
management system 600 for governing energy management resources
comprises a power storage supply apparatus enclosure 601; a power
storage and supply device 602; one or more alternate energy sources
603 coupled to a user power system 604; the user power system 604
coupled to a utility power grid 605 to distribute the required
consumer power needed; one or more sets of rules; 606; one or more
sets of constraints 607; and wherein the one or more sets of rules
and the one or more sets of constraints allow a user to implement
multiple sets of rules and constraints that govern various
resources selected from the group consisting of power generation,
power storage, power use, and load control. In other aspects of the
embodiment, the one or more sets of rules and the one or more sets
of constraints may allow a user to implement one or more sets of
rules and constraints that dictate that if price of power from a
utility power grid reaches one or more price points then a
pre-defined percentage of a maximum capacity of stored energy in
one or more energy storage modules may be discharged in a single
cycle. The pre-defined percentage of a maximum capacity may
correspond to the one or more price points.
[0124] In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an
Intelligent Energy Storage Module Management System 700 comprises a
tamper resistant energy storage enclosure 701 housed within an
intelligent energy storage module management enclosure 702 with
security fastening members (not shown). The tamper resistant energy
storage enclosure 701 includes connectors (not shown) for
connecting one or more energy storage devices 703 to a hybrid
inverter/converter 704 via a solid copper bus bulkhead apparatus
705 which further includes an electrically insulated escutcheon 706
and associated cover 707 to isolate a high current bus conductor
708 from service personnel. An enclosure 709 for one or more energy
storage module management intelligent electronics 710 and telemetry
equipment 711 within the intelligent energy storage module
management enclosure 702 simultaneously isolates one or more energy
storage disconnecting switches 712 and associated conductors (not
shown). A communications connection bulkhead 713 housed within the
intelligent energy storage module management enclosure 702 allows
the Intelligent Energy Storage Module Management System 700 to
communicate to a multi-protocol data processing communication
gateway device 714, hybrid inverter/converter 704 and charge
controller 715. One or more venting grid ports 716 may be placed on
the intelligent energy storage module management enclosure 702
adjacent to one or more energy storage modules 717, where the one
or more venting grid ports 716 cross ventilate and convection cool
one or more of the one or more energy storage modules 717. One or
more components of the energy storage module management intelligent
electronics 710 and telemetry equipment 711 are communicably
coupled to the multi-protocol data processing communication gateway
device 714 to provide telemetry data to implement one or more
processes to integrate with an Energy Area Network (EAN) 718. The
Energy Area Network (EAN) 718 may be communicably coupled to one or
more appliances 719 and electrical loads 720 to aggregate locally
stored control algorithms and remotely received control
parameters.
[0125] In other aspects of the embodiment, the Intelligent Energy
Storage Module Management System 700 may further include one or
more CANBUS protocols to allow one or more components to
communicate with each other without one or more host computers; one
or more DNP3 platforms to facilitate communication between the one
or more data processing gateways and one or more components; at
least one NIST approved CIM model; and at least one SE2 compliant
platform. The Energy Storage Module Management System may be
designed to prevent access by unauthorized personnel. In yet other
aspects of the embodiment, the Energy Area Network (EAN) may be a
Home Area Network (HAN) 721 comprising residential appliances 719
and electrical loads 720. The one or more components of the energy
storage module management intelligent electronics 710 and telemetry
equipment 711 communicably coupled to the multiprotocol data
processing communication gateway device 714 may further integrate
the intelligent charge controller 715 and the intelligent
inverter/converter 704 to the Energy Area Network (EAN) 718. The
tamper resistant energy storage enclosure 701 may house one or more
energy storage components of the energy storage module management
intelligent electronics 710 and telemetry equipment 711. The one or
more energy storage modules 717 may be electrically connected in
series. The one or more energy storage devices 703 each may contain
at least one energy storage module 717, wherein one or more modules
717 are connected to the tamper resistant energy storage enclosure
701 and wherein the one or more modules 717 comprise a string (not
shown).
[0126] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, a method for
monitoring energy consumption 800 comprises steps for providing one
or more hybrid inverter/converters, wherein the one or more hybrid
inverter/converters are communicably coupled to one or more charge
controllers and wherein the one or more hybrid inverter/converters
are further electronically coupled to an electrical bus 801;
providing one or more data processing gateways, wherein the one or
more data processing gateways are communicably coupled to one or
more charge controllers and to one or more intelligent battery
management systems 802; providing one or more charge controllers
803; providing one or more intelligent battery management systems
coupled to one or more energy management devices 804; providing one
or more energy management devices in a compact footprint not to
exceed 18 inches in depth 805; associating an energy management
device with a consumer unit, said energy' management device having
a local data processing gateway device communicably coupled to the
energy management device 806; configuring said local data
processing gateway to monitor and control processes and
measurements conducted by said energy management device 807;
receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry data from one or
more intelligent battery management systems 808; receiving and
logging a plurality of telemetry data from one or more intelligent
inverter/converters 809; receiving and logging a plurality of
telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules 810;
receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry data from a charge
controller 811; and viewing the plurality of telemetry data by
accessing a consumer web portal 812.
[0127] In other aspects of a method for monitoring energy
consumption 800, the embodiment further comprises steps for
retrieving telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
to calculate an amount of available stored energy 813; and
conducting one or more electric energy buy-low/sell-high
transaction, wherein energy from a utility is purchased at a low
price and stored in said one or more energy storage modules and
wherein the available stored energy is sold back to the utility at
a price higher than the low price 814. In other aspects the
embodiment may variously further comprise steps for retrieving
telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules to calculate
an amount of available stored energy 815; and applying the amount
of available stored energy to offset a need to purchase and install
one or more new electricity generating means 816. In other aspects,
the embodiment may further comprise steps for retrieving the
plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
to calculate an amount of available stored energy 817; utilizing
the amount of available stored energy to reduce generation marginal
cost, where said generation marginal cost comprises a cost of fuel
and a cost for variable maintenance 818; and applying the amount of
available stored energy to reduce generation capacity cost, wherein
said generation capacity cost comprises one or more costs incurred
in increasing generation capacity 819. In yet other aspects of the
embodiment, the method may variously include steps for using the
plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
to calculate an amount of available stored energy 820; using the
amount of available stored energy to provide one or more rapid
response energy storage modules 821; and wherein the rapid response
energy storage modules can provide regulation of the amount of
available stored energy while charging and while discharging 822.
In other configurations of the method embodiment, steps for using
the plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy storage
modules to calculate an amount of available stored energy 823; and
itsing the amount of available stored energy to provide one or more
electric supply reserve capacities, wherein the one or more
electric supply reserve capacities reduce the need and cost for one
or more other electric reserves 824 may be further provided. In
another configuration, the embodiment may variously further include
steps for using the plurality of telemetry data from one or more
energy storage modules to calculate an amount of available stored
energy 825; and using the amount of available stored energy to
offset one or more needs to use one or more large generation means
of reactive power to the grid, wherein the amount of available
stored energy provides reactive power to a grid when one or more
region-wide voltage emergencies occurs 826. In other configurations
of the method embodiment, steps for monitoring energy consumption
may be directed to transmission systems including using the
plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
to calculate an amount of available stored energy 827; and using
the amount of available stored energy to increase a load carrying
capacity of one or more transmission systems 828. Other
applications of the method embodiment may further comprise steps
for using the plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy
storage modules to calculate an amount of available stored energy
829; using the amount of available stored energy to increase a
generation capacity of one or more utilities 830; and using the
amount of available stored energy to supply an amount of energy
upstream from one or more sources of energy congestion 831. In
other aspects, the embodiment may variously include steps for using
the plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy storage
modules to calculate an amount of available stored energy 832; and
using the amount of available stored energy to defer one or more
transmission and distribution costs associated with one or more
utilities 833. In yet another aspect of the embodiment, electricity
time-of-use (TOU) costs and real-time-price (RTP) energy costs may
be analyzed by providing steps for using the plurality of telemetry
data from one or more energy storage modules to calculate an amount
of available stored energy 834; using the amount of available
stored energy to reduce one or more users' electricity time-of-use
(TOU) costs 835; and using the amount of available stored energy to
reduce one or more users' electricity real-time-price (RTP) energy
costs 836. Another configuration of the method embodiment further
includes steps for using the plurality of telemetry data from one
or more energy storage modules to calculate an amount of available
stored energy 837; using the amount of available stored energy to
reduce one or more end users' power draw on one or more utilities
during times when electricity use is high 838; and reducing one or
more demand charges from one or more utilities by storing energy in
one or more energy storage modules at one or more times when low or
no demand charges apply 839. In yet another aspect of the
embodiment, the method further includes steps for using the
plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
to calculate an amount of available stored energy 840; and using
the amount of available stored energy to improve electric service
reliability associated with one or more power outages such that one
or more end users have reduced losses associated with the one or
more power outages 841. In other certain aspects, the method may
further include steps for using the plurality of telemetry data
from one or more energy storage modules to calculate an amount of
available stored energy 842; and using the amount of available
stored energy to reduce financial losses associated with one or
more power anomalies 843. In another aspect of the embodiment, the
method further includes steps for using the plurality of telemetry
data from one or more energy storage modules to calculate an amount
of available stored energy 844; increasing the amount of available
stored energy via one or more renewable energy sources 845; and
using an amount of available stored energy provided by one or more
renewable energy sources at a later time when the cost of energy
sold by one or more utilities is more expensive than the cost of
said available stored energy provided by one or more renewable
energy sources 846. In another configuration of the embodiment, the
method may further include steps for using the plurality of
telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules to calculate
an amount of available stored energy 847; and using the amount of
available stored energy to firm output from renewable energy
generation 848.
[0128] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, a method for
providing wholesale energy services 900, comprises steps for
providing one or more solar integrated energy management apparatus
for mounting in a compact workspace not to exceed eighteen inches
in depth 901; retrieving telemetry data from one or more energy
storage modules physically coupled to one or more
inverter/converters and one or more data processing gateway devices
in a single assembly to calculate an amount of available stored
energy in an energy area network 902; applying the amount of
available stored energy to one or more utility grids 903; reducing
generation marginal cost by associating the amount of available
stored energy with corresponding telemetry data, wherein said
generation marginal cost comprises a cost of fuel and a cost for
variable maintenance 904; reducing generation capacity cost by
associating the amount of available stored energy with
corresponding telemetry data, wherein said generation capacity cost
comprises one or more costs incurred in increasing generation
capacity 905; providing one or more rapid response energy storage
modules by associating the amount of available stored energy,
wherein the rapid response energy storage modules can provide
regulation of the amount of available stored energy while charging
and while discharging 906; providing one or more electric supply
reserve capacities by associating the amount of available stored
energy, wherein the one or more electric supply reserve capacities
reduce the need and cost for one or more other electric reserves
907; reducing one or more users' electricity time-of-use (TOU)
energy costs by associating the amount of available stored energy
with one or more energy storage modules 908; reducing one or more
users' electricity real-time-price (RTP) energy costs by
associating the amount of available stored energy with one or more
energy storage modules 909; minimizing one or more end users' power
draw on one or more utilities during times when electricity use is
high by associating the amount of available stored energy with one
or more energy storage modules 910; and reducing one or more demand
charges from one or more utilities by storing energy in one or more
energy storage modules at one or more times when low or no demand
charges apply 911.
[0129] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, a method for
providing renewables integration 1000, comprises steps for
providing one or more solar integrated energy management apparatus
for mounting in a compact workspace not to exceed eighteen inches
in depth 1001; retrieving telemetry data from one or more energy
storage modules physically coupled to one or more
inverter/converters and one or more data processing gateway devices
in a single assembly to calculate an amount of available stored
energy in an energy area network 1002; making one or more electric
energy buy-low/sell-high transactions, wherein energy from a
utility is purchased at a low price and stored in said one or more
energy storage modules and wherein the available stored energy is
sold back to the utility at a price higher than the low price 1003;
reducing generation marginal cost by associating the amount of
available stored energy with corresponding telemetry data, wherein
said generation marginal cost comprises a cost of fuel and a cost
for variable maintenance 1004; reducing generation capacity cost by
associating the amount of available stored energy with
corresponding telemetry data, wherein said generation capacity cost
comprises one or more costs incurred in increasing generation
capacity 1005; providing one or more rapid response energy storage
modules by associating the amount of available stored energy,
wherein the rapid response energy storage modules can provide
regulation of the amount of available stored energy while charging
and while discharging 1006; providing one or more electric supply
reserve capacities by associating the amount of available stored
energy, wherein the one or more electric supply reserve capacities
reduce the need and cost for one or more other electric i reserves
1007; reducing one or more users' electricity time-of-use (TOU)
energy costs by associating the amount of available stored energy
with one or more energy storage modules 1008; reducing one or more
users' electricity real-time-price (RTP) energy costs by
associating the amount of available stored energy with one or more
energy storage modules 1009; minimizing one or more end users'
power draw on one or more utilities during times when electricity
use is high by associating the amount of available stored energy
with one or more energy storage modules 1010; reducing one or more
demand charges from one or more utilities by storing energy in one
or more energy storage modules at one or more times when low or no
demand charges apply 1011; increasing the amount of available
stored energy via one or more renewable energy sources 1012; using
an amount of available stored energy provided by one or more
renewable energy sources at a later time when the cost of energy
sold by one or more utilities is more expensive than the cost of
said available stored energy provided by one or more renewable
energy sources 1013; and using the amount of available stored
energy to firm output from renewable energy generation 1014.
[0130] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, a method for
providing stationary storage for transmission and distribution
(T&D) support 1100, comprises steps for providing one or more
solar integrated energy management apparatus for mounting in a
compact workspace not to exceed eighteen inches in depth 1101;
retrieving telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
physically coupled to one or more inverter/converters and one or
more data processing gateway devices in a single assembly to
calculate an amount of available stored energy in an energy area
network 1102; using the amount of available stored energy to
provide one or more electric supply reserve capacities, wherein the
one or more electric supply reserve capacities reduce the need and
cost for one or more other electric reserves 1103; using the amount
of available stored energy to offset one or more needs to use one
or more large generation means of reactive power to the grid,
wherein the amount of available stored energy provides reactive
power to a grid when one or more region-wide voltage emergencies
occurs 1104; using the amount of available stored energy to
increase a load carrying capacity of one or more transmission
systems 1105; using the amount of available stored energy to
increase a generation capacity of one or more utilities 1106; using
the amount of available stored energy to supply an amount of energy
upstream from one or more sources of energy congestion 1107; and
using the amount of available stored energy to defer one or more
transmission and distribution costs associated with one or more
utilities 1108.
[0131] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, a method for
providing distributed energy storage systems 1200, comprises steps
for providing one or more solar integrated energy management
apparatus for mounting in a compact workspace not to exceed
eighteen inches in depth 1201; retrieving telemetry data from one
or more energy storage modules physically coupled to one or more
inverter/converters and one or more data processing gateway devices
in a single assembly to calculate an amount of available stored
energy in an energy area network 1202; applying the amount of
available stored energy to one or more utility grids 1203; reducing
generation marginal cost by associating the amount of available
stored energy with corresponding telemetry data, wherein said
generation marginal cost comprises a cost of fuel and a cost for
variable maintenance 1204; reducing generation capacity cost by
associating the amount of available stored energy with
corresponding telemetry data, wherein said generation capacity cost
comprises one or more costs incurred in increasing generation
capacity 1205; providing one or more rapid response energy storage
modules by associating the amount of available stored energy,
wherein the rapid response energy storage modules can provide
regulation of the amount of available stored energy while charging
and while discharging 1206; providing one or more electric supply
reserve capacities by associating the amount of available stored
energy, wherein the one or more electric supply reserve capacities
reduce the need and cost for one or more other electric reserves
1207; reducing one or more users' electricity time-of-use (TOU)
energy costs by associating the amount of available stored energy
with one or more energy storage modules 1208; reducing one or more
users' electricity real-time-price (RTP) energy costs by
associating the amount of available stored energy with one or more
energy storage modules 1209; minimizing one or more end users'
power draw on one or more utilities during times when electricity
use is high by associating the amount of available stored energy
with one or more energy storage modules 1210; reducing one or more
demand charges from one or more utilities by storing energy in one
or more energy storage modules at one or more times when low or no
demand charges apply 1211; using the amount of available stored
energy to improve electric service reliability associated with one
or more power outages such that one or more end users have reduced
losses associated with the one or more power outages 1212; using
the amount of available stored energy to reduce financial losses
associated with one or more power anomalies 1213; increasing the
amount of available stored energy via one or more renewable energy
sources 1214; using an amount of available stored energy provided
by one or more renewable energy sources at a later time when the
cost of energy sold by one or more utilities is more expensive than
the cost of said available stored energy provided by one or more
renewable energy sources 1215; and using the amount of available
stored energy to firm output from renewable energy generation
1216.
[0132] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 13, a method for
providing distributed energy storage systems 1300, comprises steps
for providing one or more solar integrated energy management
apparatus for mounting in a compact workspace not to exceed
eighteen inches in depth 1301; retrieving telemetry data from one
or more energy storage modules physically coupled to one or more
inverter/converters and one or more data processing gateway devices
in a single assembly to calculate an amount of available stored
energy in an energy area network 1302; applying the amount of
available stored energy to one or more utility grids 1303; reducing
generation marginal cost by associating the amount of available
stored energy with corresponding telemetry data, wherein said
generation marginal cost comprises a cost of fuel and a cost for
variable maintenance 1304; reducing generation capacity cost by
associating the amount of available stored energy with
corresponding telemetry data, wherein said generation capacity cost
comprises one or more costs incurred in increasing generation
capacity 1305; providing one or more rapid response energy storage
modules by associating the amount of available stored energy,
wherein the rapid response energy storage modules can provide
regulation of the amount of available stored energy while charging
and while discharging 1306; providing one or more electric supply
reserve capacities by associating the amount of available stored
energy, wherein the one or more electric supply reserve capacities
reduce the need and cost for one of more other electric reserves
1307; reducing one or more users' electricity time-of-use (TOU)
energy costs by associating the amount of available stored energy
with one or more energy storage modules 1308; reducing one or more
users' electricity real-time-price (RTP) energy costs by
associating the amount of available stored energy with one or more
energy storage modules 1309; minimizing one or more end users'
power draw on one or more utilities during times when electricity
use is high by associating the amount of available stored energy
with one or more energy storage modules 1310; reducing one or more
demand charges from one or more utilities by storing energy in one
or more energy storage modules at one or more times when low or no
demand charges apply 1311; using the amount of available stored
energy to improve electric service reliability associated with one
or more power outages such that one or more end users have reduced
losses associated with the one or more power outages 1312; using
the amount of available stored energy to reduce financial losses
associated with one or more power anomalies 1313; increasing the
amount of available stored energy via one or more renewable energy
sources 1314; using an amount of available stored energy provided
by one or more renewable energy sources at a later time when the
cost of energy sold by one or more utilities is more expensive than
the cost of said available stored energy provided by one or more
renewable energy sources 1215; and using the amount of available
stored energy to firm output from renewable energy generation
1316.
[0133] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 14, a method for
providing power quality and reliability 1400, comprises providing
one or more solar integrated energy management apparatus 1401;
retrieving telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
physically coupled to one or more inverter/converters and one or
more data processing gateway devices iri a single assembly to
calculate an amount of available stored energy in an energy area
network 1402; using the amount of available stored energy to
improve electric service reliability associated with one or more
power outages such that one or more end users have reduced losses
associated with the one or more power outages 1403; using the
amount of available stored energy to reduce financial losses
associated with one or more power anomalies 1404; increasing the
amount of available stored energy via one or more renewable energy
sources 1405; using an amount of available stored energy provided
by one or more renewable energy sources at a later time when the
cost of energy sold by one or more utilities is more expensive than
the cost of said available stored energy provided by one or more
renewable energy sources 1406; and using the amount of available
stored energy to firm output from renewable energy generation
1407.
[0134] FIG. 15. is a function block diagram showing the energy
management system with integrated solar and storage in accordance
with the embodiment of the present invention. While the exemplary
embodiment discussed herein is in the context of a home, it will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present
invention is equally applicable to office buildings and other
structures such as warehouses, manufacturing facilities, factories,
small-businesses, storefronts, department stores, shopping centers,
restaurants, malls, single family or one or more multi-family
dwellings and the like. As shown in FIG. 15, one or more alternate
energy sources 1502 is connected to a power storage and supply
device 1501 which is integrated into the pre-existing residential
power system 1515. The pre-existing residential power system 1515
is connected to a utility power grid 1516, as is common with most
residential homes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the
alternate energy sources 1502 are arrays of photovoltaic cells,
which convert sunlight into electricity, which is then sent as DC
(direct current) voltage to the power storage and supply device
1501; more specifically, the charge controller 1504.
[0135] The photovoltaic cells may be an array manufactured by
exemplary manufactures such as BP Solar (a subsidiary of British
Petroleum, p.l.c.), Kyocera, Corp., Shell Transport and Trading
Company, p.l.c., or SolarWorld USA, and operating normally at 90
VDC with a maximum output capacity at 2.5 kWp. Those skilled in the
art will recognize that other multi-voltages, output capacities,
and photovoltaic array sizes are contemplated. Other photovoltaic
cells produced by other manufacturers and operating at various
currents, voltages, and power output capacities may also be used as
alternate energy sources. Suitable forms of photovoltaic cells as
well as other alternate energy sources (e.g., wind or water-based
systems) may also be used. The power storage and supply device also
includes energy storage modules 1505 such as batteries, fuel cells,
or any other suitable type of independent energy storage medium as
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0136] Further, the power storage and supply device 1501 includes a
charge controller 1501; one or more energy storage modules 1550;
one or more inverters 1504; a electromechanical isolation breaker
1507; a local data processing gateway with data logging
capabilities 1506; a home area network (HAN) 1510; is Internet
compatible 1509; contains a web portal 1508 and optionally
communicates through an advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) 1512,
all of which are preferably connected to or contained therein with
a single enclosed cabinet, such as the one discussed in more detail
below. Furthermore, an Independent service operator 1511 and/or
Utility Enterprise System 1514 may communicate with the energy
storage and supply device 1501 via the internet user interface
1509. In an embodiment of the present invention each array of
photovoltaic cells (acting as the alternate energy source 1502) has
a dedicated charge controller 1504, though it is recognized that
the charge controllers 1504 can be configured in a number of ways
appreciable by one of ordinary skill in the art. The charge
controller 1504 routes the electricity generated by the alternate
energy source 1502 to one or any number/size of the energy storage
modules 1505 and the inverters 1503. Alternatively, the charge
controller 1504 may be controlled by another device, such as the
local data processing gateway 1506, which makes this determination.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the inverter 1503 is a
grid tied hybrid PV Schneider Electric XW4548-12/240-60, the charge
controller 1504 is & Schneider Electric charge controller
XW-MPPT60-150, but other suitable charge controllers and inverters
may also be used.
[0137] Each energy storage model 1505 preferably contain a number
of batteries, which in turn each contain a number of cells for
storing the DC voltage being generated by the alternate energy
sources 1502 and power from the utility power grid 1516. In an
embodiment of the present invention, each energy storage module
1505 includes one or more modules and make up what is referred to
as a string. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate various amounts of cells may be included in a module,
various amounts of modules may be included in a string and other
allocations and configurations of energy storage devices may be
utilized in accordance with the present invention. The batteries
may be nickel metal hydride (NiMh), nickel cadmium (NiCd), lithium
(Li), lead, pure proton or any other suitable type of battery
appreciable by one of ordinary skill in the art. However, other
forms of energy storage other than batteries, such as capacitors
and flywheels may also be used as energy storage modules 1505.
[0138] The inverters 1503 separate the DC output voltage into time
varying segments to produce an AC (alternating current) power
signal, such as a 120/240 split-phase load current, which is
typically the current supplied to a house. In an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, one inverter is used hybrid PV
Schneider Electric XW4548-12/240-60, but other suitable inverters
can also be used.
[0139] The electromechanical isolation breaker 1507 preferably
includes one or more automated switches for dynamically directing
the AC power signal from the inverters 1503 to a desired load. For
example, in the embodiment, the power storage and supply device
1501 may be configured to send and receive power from the alternate
energy sources 1502 or to/from the utility power grid 1516
only.
[0140] The local data processing gateway 1506 monitors and controls
most of the processes conducted by the power storage and supply
device 1501. The local data processing gateway 1506 is a
computer-implemented device that may include, for example, one or
more processors, a clock, memory, I/O interfaces, analog to digital
converters, digital to analog converters, and operating system
software. In addition, the local data processing gateway 1506
includes a number of software modules for implementing the
functionality discussed below with reference to FIG. 15. The local
data processing gateway 1506 can be configured to monitor and
control the processes and measurements conducted by the power
storage and supply device 1500 in either a local or remote mode
configuration and can be aggregated by a third party (e.g.,
independent service operator, etc.) or utility for purposes of
dispatching and controlling distributed power or stored energy.
[0141] For the communications within a residence or commercial
site, the local data processing gateway 1506 can further aggregate,
monitor and control the processes and measurements via the home
area network 1510 associated with devices 1513 within the home
using open standard communication methods at the transport,
transport, application and object levels (e.g., ZigBee, HomePlug,
Intranet, Web Services, XML-Based, SEP, MMS, and IEC 61850) for
user process, measurement, control, and conservation of on premise
power generated, the resale of power to a utility via the utility
power grid 1516 or advanced meter infrastructure 1512, power
generated from energy storage modules 1505, alternate energy
sources 1502 and devices capable of energy management (HVAC
Thermostats, water heaters, pool pumps, etc.) via the home are
network 1510 or consumer web portal 1508. Further, the local data
processing gateway 1506 uses open standard communication methods at
the transport, application, and object levels (e.g., Internet,
GPRS, AMI Network, Web Services, XML-Based, DNP3, IEC 61850) for a
utility, aggregator, or independent service operator 1511 to
broadcast to a residence or commercial building site the processes
and measurements relating to the control, management, and
conservation of power generated on the premise, the resale of power
to a utility, power generated from the energy storage modules 1506
and alternate energy sources 1503.
[0142] The data collected by the utility console may be used to
provide customers with on demand information regarding the
consumer's energy usage. Via the EMSIS-ES consumer web-portal 1508
utilities may enable individual customer to monitor electrical
consumption, alternate energy sources and power storage devices,
their estimated savings, and associated environmental impact.
Access to the website can be limited to customer having power
storage and supply devices. Statistics can be compiled and
presented using a web-accessible local data processing gateway
controller 1506 and Internet 1509 to the consumer or utility,
visa-a-versus.
[0143] For example, a homeowner who wants to ensure that his or her
batteries are fully charged before offering any excess capacity to
the grid can select a mode via the consumer web portal 1508 that
prevents diversion by a utility until such charging has been
completed. The consumer web portal 1508 may reflect this fact by
not showing capacity for such units until a future time--for
example, an estimated time after which the batteries would be fully
charged. If the consumer changes a mode setting, that potential
capacity can be promptly reflected back to the utility enterprise
system 1514. A homeowner may also prevent the utility from reducing
the thermostat beyond a certain point if a certain mode on the
consumer web portal 1508 has been selected.
[0144] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 16, a method for
providing energy management 1600, comprises steps for providing one
or more solar integrated energy management apparatus 1601;
retrieving telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
physically coupled to one or more inverter/converters and one or
more data processing gateway devices in a single assembly to
calculate an amount of available stored energy in an energy area
network 1602; making one or more electric energy buy-low/sell-high
transactions, wherein energy from a utility is purchased at a low
price and stored in said one or more energy storage modules and
wherein the available stored energy is sold back to the utility at
a price higher than the low price 1603; increasing the amount of
available stored energy via one or more renewable energy sources
1604; and using an amount of available stored energy provided by
one or more renewable energy sources at a later time when the cost
of energy sold by one or more utilities is more expensive than the
cost of said available stored energy provided by one or more
renewable energy sources 1605.
[0145] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 17, a method for
providing home energy management 1700, comprises steps for
providing one or more solar integrated energy management apparatus
1701; retrieving telemetry data from one or more energy storage
modules physically coupled to one or more inverter/converters and
one or more data processing gateway devices in a single assembly to
calculate an amount of available stored energy in an energy area
network 1702; making one or more electric energy buy-low/sell-high
transactions, wherein energy from a utility is purchased at a low
price and stored in said one or more energy storage modules and
wherein the available stored energy is sold back to the utility at
a price higher than the low price 1703; increasing the amount of
available stored energy via one or more renewable energy sources
1704; using an amount of available stored energy provided by one or
more renewable energy sources at a later time when the cost of
energy sold by one or more utilities is more expensive than the
cost of said available stored energy provided by one or more
renewable energy sources 1705; using the amount of available stored
energy to improve electric service reliability associated with one
or more power outages such that one or more end users have reduced
losses associated with the one or more power outages 1706; and
using the amount of available stored energy to reduce financial
losses associated with one or more power anomalies 1707.
[0146] In another embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 18, a method
for providing home backup 1800, comprises steps for providing one
or more solar integrated energy management apparatus 1801;
retrieving telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
physically coupled to one or more inverter/converters and one or
more data processing gateway devices in a single assembly to
calculate an amount of available stored energy in an energy area
network 1802; making one or more electric energy buy-low/sell-high
transactions, wherein energy from a utility is purchased at a low
price and stored in said one or more energy storage modules and
wherein the available stored energy is sold back to the utility at
a price higher than the low price 1803; using the amount of
available stored energy to improve electric service reliability
associated with one or more power outages such that one or more end
users have reduced losses associated with the one or more power
outages 1804; and using the amount of available stored energy to
reduce financial losses associated with one or more power anomalies
1805.
[0147] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 19, a system for
monitoring energy consumption 1900, comprises one or more hybrid
inverter/converters 1901; one or more data processing gateways
1902; one or more charge controllers 1903; one or more intelligent
battery management systems 1904; one or more energy management
devices in a compact footprint 1905; one or more memories for
storing data 1906; one or more processors capable of executing
processor readable code 1907; one or more communications means
1908; one or more databases 1909; one or more query processing
modules 1910; one or more aggregation engines 1911; one or more
execution engines 1912; one or more reference generating modules
1913; one or more user interfaces 1914; and one or more algorithm
rules 1915.
[0148] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 20, a computer
implemented method including computer usable readable storage
medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for
causing a computer system to perform a method of monitoring energy
consumption 2000, comprises steps for interfacing, by the computer
system, with one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with
Energy Storage, the one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated
Systems with Energy Storage comprising one or more hybrid
inverter/converters, one or more data processing gateways, one or
more charge controllers, one or more intelligent battery management
systems, and one or more energy management devices in a compact
footprint 2001; associating an energy management device with a
consumer unit, said energy management device having a local data
processing gateway device communicably coupled thereto 2002;
configuring said local data processing gateway to monitor and
control processes and measurements conducted by said energy
management device; receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry
data from one or more intelligent battery management systems 2003;
receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry data from one or
more intelligent inverter/converters 2004; receiving and logging a
plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy storage modules
2005; receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry data from a
charge controller 2006; and viewing the plurality of telemetry data
by accessing a consumer web portal 2007.
[0149] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 21, a computer
implemented apparatus for providing a method for monitoring energy
consumption 2100, is an apparatus that comprises a processor 2101;
an input device coupled to said processor 2102; a memory coupled to
said processor 2103; an output device 2104; and an execution engine
2105 including a method for monitoring energy consumption to
perform steps for interfacing with one or more Solar Energy Grid
Integrated Systems with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar
Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage comprising one
or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data processing
gateways, one or more charge controllers, one or more intelligent
battery management systems, and one or more energy management
devices in a compact footprint 2106; associating an energy
management device with a consumer unit, said energy management
device having a local data processing gateway device communicably
coupled thereto; configuring said local data processing gateway to
monitor and control processes and measurements conducted by said
energy management device 2107; receiving and logging a plurality of
telemetry data from one or more intelligent battery management
systems 2108; receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry data
from one or more intelligent inverter/converters 2109; receiving
and logging a plurality of telemetry data from one or more energy
storage modules 2110; receiving and logging a plurality of
telemetry data from a charge controller 2111; and viewing the
plurality of telemetry data by accessing a consumer web portal
2112.
[0150] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 22, a computer
readable medium for monitoring energy consumption 2200, comprises
program code for interfacing with one or more Solar Energy Grid
Integrated Systems with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar
Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage comprising one
or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data processing
gateways, one or more charge controllers, one or more intelligent
battery management systems, and one or more energy management
devices in a compact footprint 2201; program code for associating
an energy management device with a consumer unit, said energy
management device having a local data processing gateway device
communicably coupled thereto 2202; program code for configuring
said local data processing gateway to monitor and control processes
and measurements conducted by said energy management device 2203;
program code for receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry
data from one or more intelligent battery management systems 2204;
program code for receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry
data from one or more intelligent inverter/converters 2205; program
code for receiving and logging a plurality of telemetry data from
one or more energy storage modules 2206; program code for receiving
and logging a plurality of telemetry data from a charge controller
2207; and program code for viewing the plurality of telemetry data
by accessing a consumer web portal 2208.
[0151] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 23, a computer
implemented method including computer-usable readable storage
medium having computer-readable program code embodied therein for
causing a computer system to perform a method of storing excess
energy generated in an energy management device in an application
platform 2300 for performing steps for securing one or more energy
storage modules in an energy storage module enclosure, said energy
storage module enclosure coupled to the inside of a Solar Energy
Grid Integrated System with Energy Storage (SEGIS-ES.TM.)
Appliance, wherein said Solar Energy Grid Integrated System with
Energy Storage comprises one or more hybrid inverter/converters,
one or more data processing gateways, one or more charge
controllers, one or more intelligent battery management systems,
and one or more energy management devices in a compact footprint
2301; connecting said one or more energy storage modules to a
SEGIS-ES.TM. isolation switch panel board, wherein said
SEGIS-ES.TM. isolation switch panel board provides a common
integration point for components coupled to said SEGIS-ES.TM.
appliance 2302; configuring, by the computer system, a local data
processing gateway to monitor and control processes and
measurements conducted by said energy management device 2303;
monitoring, by the computer system, the amount of power generated
by one or more distributed energy sources 2304; monitoring, by the
computer system, the rate of power generated by the one or more
distributed energy sources 2305; controlling, by the computer
system, the rate of power stored in said one or more energy storage
modules 2306; controlling, by the computer system, the amount of
power stored in said one or more energy storage modules 2307;
monitoring, by the computer system, the health of one or more
energy storage modules 2308; and operating, by the computer system,
one or more devices capable of energy management 2309.
[0152] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 24, a method for
selling energy back to a utility power grid 2400, comprises steps
for providing one or more hybrid inverter/converters 2401;
providing one or more data processing gateways 2402; providing one
or more charge controllers 2403; providing one or more intelligent
battery management systems 2404; providing one or more energy
management devices in a compact footprint 2405; defining price
points of power obtained from a utility power grid at which a user
will discharge energy stored in an energy storage module 2406;
defining a percentage of maximum capacity of stored energy in one
or more energy storage modules that may be discharged in a single
cycle; correlating said price points of power with said percentage
of maximum capacity 2407; configuring said price points and said
percentage of maximum capacity into one or more sets of rules 2408;
calculating the amount of available energy storage capacity based
upon the current or expected price of power 2409; and implementing
the one or more set of rules 2410.
[0153] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 25, a computer
readable medium for selling energy back to a utility power grid
2500, comprises program code for interfacing with one or more Solar
Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage, the one or more
Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage comprising
one or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data processing
gateways, one or more charge controllers, one or more intelligent
battery management systems, and one or more energy management
devices in a compact footprint 2501; program code for processing
the one or more set of rules on an Intelligent Energy Storage
Module Management System 2502; program code for managing the one or
more set of rules via a multiprotocol data processing communication
gateway device communicably coupled to the Energy Storage Module
Management System 2503; program code for monitoring the one or more
set of rules via a multiprotocol data processing communication
gateway device communicably coupled to the Energy Storage Module
Management System 2504; and program code for modifying the one or
more set of rules via a multiprotocol data processing communication
gateway device communicably coupled to the Energy Storage Module
Management System, said multiprotocol data processing communication
gateway device further communicably coupled to a consumer web
portal 2505.
[0154] In another embodiment a shown in FIG. 26, a system for
selling energy back to a utility power grid 2600, comprises one or
more hybrid inverter/converters coupled to an energy storage
management system and charge controller module via a data
processing gateway such that the data processing gateway implements
one or more rule sets for selling energy back to a utility power
grid to maximize the selling price of said energy 2601; one or more
data processing gateways receiving signals from the energy storage
management system and charge controller and sending instructions
via processor readable code to implement one or more algorithms
2602; one or more charge controllers electrically coupled to the
energy management storage management system to determine
requirements for charging and discharging; one or more intelligent
battery management systems 2603; one or more energy management
devices in a compact footprint not to exceed 18'' in depth 2604;
one or more memories for storing data 2605; one or more processors
capable of executing processor readable code 2606; one or more
communications means to send and receive instructions from the data
processing gateway, one or more hybrid inverter/converters, charge
controllers, energy storage management system, and intelligent
battery management system 2607; one or more operating system
software systems and related databases 2608; one or more query
processing modules 2609; one or more aggregation engines 2610; one
or more execution engines 2611; one or more reference generating
modules 2612; one or more user interfaces 2613; and one or more
algorithm rules 2614.
[0155] In yet a further embodiment as shown in FIG. 27, a computer
implemented method including computer usable readable storage
medium having computer readable program code for causing a computer
system to perform a method of selling energy back to a utility
power grid 2700 by sending instructions to implement steps
including interfacing, by the computer system, with one or more
Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage, the one
or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage
comprising one or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data
processing gateways, one or more charge controllers, one or more
intelligent battery management systems, and one or more energy
management devices in a compact footprint 2701; defining, by the
computer system, price points of power obtained from a utility
power grid at which a user will discharge energy stored in an
energy storage module 2702; defining, by the computer system, a
percentage of maximum capacity of stored energy in one or more
energy storage modules that may be discharged in a single cycle
2703; correlating, by the computer system, said price points of
power with said percentage of maximum capacity 2704; configuring,
by the computer system, said price points and said percentage of
maximum capacity into one or more sets of rules 2705; and
implementing, by the computer system, the one or more set of rules
2706.
[0156] In a further embodiment as shown in FIG. 28, a computer
implemented apparatus for selling energy back to a utility power
grid 2800, is an apparatus that comprises a processor 2801; an
input device coupled to said processor 2802; a memory coupled to
said processor 2803; an output device 2804; and an execution engine
2805 including a method for peak shaving to implement steps for
interfacing with one or more Solar Energy Grid integrated Systems
with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated
Systems with Energy Storage comprising one or more hybrid
inverter/converters, one or more data processing gateways, one or
more charge controllers, one or more intelligent battery management
systems, and one or more energy management devices in a compact
footprint 2806; defining price points of power obtained from a
utility power grid at which a user will discharge energy stored in
an energy storage module 2807; defining a percentage of maximum
capacity of stored energy in one or more energy storage modules
that may be discharged in a single cycle 2808; correlating said
price points of power with said percentage of maximum capacity
2809; configuring said price points and said percentage of maximum
capacity into one or more sets of rules 2810; and implementing the
one or more set of rules 2811.
[0157] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 29, a method of peak
shaving 2900, comprises providing one or more hybrid
inverter/converters 2901; providing one or more data processing
gateways 2902; providing one or more charge controllers 2903;
providing one or more intelligent battery management systems 2904;
providing one or more energy management devices in a compact
footprint 2905; connecting an energy management system with one or
more integrated alternate energy sources and one or more energy
modules storage to a utility grid 2906; monitoring energy demand on
said utility grid 2907; calculating an amount of maximum energy
that said energy grid can deliver 2908; determining a threshold
energy demand on the grid, wherein said threshold energy demand
begins to stress onb or more components of said utility grid 2909;
identifying one or more time periods when the threshold energy
demand is met, whereupon identification said energy management
system with integrated alternate energy source and energy module
storage sends power generated by one or more alternate energy
sources to the utility grid 2910; and sending energy to the utility
grid until said energy demand falls below said threshold energy
demand 2911.
[0158] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 30, a system for peak
shaving 3000, comprises one or more hybrid inverter/converters
3001; one or more data processing gateways 3002; one or more charge
controllers 3003; one or more intelligent battery management
systems 3004; one or more energy management devices in a compact
footprint not to exceed eighteen inches 3005; one or more memories
for storing data 3006; one or more processors capable of executing
processor readable code 3007; one or more communications means
3008; one or more databases 3009; one or more query processing
modules 3010; one or more aggregation engines 3011; one or more
execution engines 3012; one or more reference generating modules
3013; one or more user interfaces 3014; and one or more algorithm
rules 3015.
[0159] In another embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 31, a computer
implemented method including computer usable readable storage
medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for
causing a computer system to perform a method of peak shaving 3100,
comprises interfacing, by the computer system, with one or more
Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage, the one
or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy Storage
comprising one or more hybrid inverter/converters, one or more data
processing gateways, one or more charge controllers, one or more
intelligent battery management systems, and one or more energy
management devices in a compact footprint 3101; defining, by the
computer system, price points of power obtained from a utility
power grid at which a user will discharge energy stored in an
energy storage module 3102; defining, by the computer system, a
percentage of maximum capacity of stored energy in one or more
energy storage modules that may be discharged in a single cycle
3103; correlating, by the computer system, said price points of
power with said percentage of maximum capacity 3104; configuring,
by the computer system, said price points and said percentage of
maximum capacity into one or more sets of rules 3105; and
implementing, by the computer system, the one or more sets of rules
or algorithms 3106.
[0160] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 32A and FIG. 32B, a
computer implemented apparatus for providing a method for peak
shaving 3200, comprises a processor 3201; an input device coupled
to said processor 3202; a memory coupled to said processor 3203; an
output device 3204; and an execution engine 3205 including steps
for implementing a method for peak shaving including interfacing
with one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with Energy
Storage, the one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems with
Energy Storage comprising one or more hybrid inverter/converters,
one or more data processing gateways, one or more charge
controllers, one or more intelligent battery management systems,
and one or more energy management devices in a compact footprint
3206; defining price points of power obtained from a utility power
grid at which a user will discharge energy stored in an energy
storage module 3207; defining a percentage of maximum capacity of
stored energy in one or more energy storage modules that may be
discharged in a single cycle 3208; correlating said price points of
power with said percentage of maximum capacity 3209; configuring
said price points and said percentage of maximum capacity into one
or more sets of rules 3210; and implementing the one or more set of
rules 3211.
[0161] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 33, a computer
readable medium for peak shaving 3300 comprises program code for
interfacing with one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated Systems
with Energy Storage, the one or more Solar Energy Grid Integrated
Systems with Energy Storage comprising one or more hybrid
inverter/converters, one or more data processing gateways, one or
more charge controllers, one or more intelligent battery management
systems, and one or more energy management devices in a compact
footprint 3301; program code for connecting an energy management
system with integrated alternate energy source and energy module
storage to a utility grid 3302; program code for monitoring energy
demand on said utility grid 3303; program code for calculating an
amount of maximum energy that said energy grid can deliver 3304;
program code for determining a threshold energy demand on the grid,
wherein said threshold energy demand begins to stress one or more
components of said utility grid 3305; program code for identifying
one or more time periods when the threshold energy demand is met,
whereupon identification said energy management system with
integrated alternate energy source and energy module storage sends
power generated by one or more alternate energy sources to the
utility grid 3306; and program code for sending energy to the
utility grid until said energy demand falls below said threshold
energy demand 3307.
[0162] In another embodiment, the EMSIS-ES may further implement
multiple sets of rules and constraints, which govern how the
combination of various resources, e.g., energy storage plus load
control, may be used. For example, if a utility desires to reduce
its aggregated or individual load by 50 megawatts, the EMSIS-ES may
process rules, which indicate an optimal solution can be achieved
via 30 MW of power through dispatching energy and 20 MW through
load curtailment.
[0163] In another embodiment, a rule set may dictate that if the
price of power is less than $200 per megawatt-day, batteries may
discharge up to 50% of their capacity in a single cycle; if the
price of power is greater than $200 per megawatt-day but less than
$400 per megawatt-day, batteries may discharge up to 65% of their
available capacity in a single cycle; and if the price of power is
greater than $400 per megawatt-day, batteries may discharge up to
80% of their available capacity in a single cycle. They EMSIS-ES
may then calculate and display the amount of available energy
storage capacity based upon the current or expected price of
power.
[0164] In another embodiment, by implementing peak load reduction
and energy shaving, the EMSIS-ES may reduce incremental
transmission and distribution investments for utility or
independent service operator. For example, the EMSIS-ES may help
relieve localized distribution issues by identifying an
overstressed substation or feeder line. Deploying units to 5% of
the affected areas may substantially increase reliability of the
network. By controlling which loads reconnect to the grid, the
utility can stagger the reconnecting loads after brief and extended
outages to assist with outage recovery management. In addition,
units with energy storage capacity can be instructed to discharge
immediately after reconnecting the grid to less the impact of loads
reconnecting.
[0165] The entire power storage and supply device 100 is designed
as a minimally invasive NEMA 3R Stainless Steel utility grade
enclosure measuring 72''H.times.24''W.times.14''D designed as for
outdoor application to be placed within the utility service area
and easement of a residence or commercial building.
[0166] While the invention has been described in detail and with
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can
be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Exemplary Operating Environments, Components, and Technology
[0167] FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating components of an
exemplary operating environment in which embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented. The system 3400 can include one or
more user computers, computing devices, or processing devices 3412,
3414, 3416, 3418, which can be used to operate a client, such as a
dedicated application, web browser, etc. The user computers 3412,
3414, 3416, 3418 can be general purpose personal computers
(including, merely by way of example, personal computers and/or
laptop computers running a standard operating system), cell phones
or PDAs (running mobile software and being Internet, e-mail, SMS,
Blackberry, or other communication protocol enabled), and/or
workstation computers running any of a variety of
commercially-available UNIX or UNIX-like operating systems
(including without limitation, the variety of GNU/Linux operating
systems). These user computers 3412, 3414, 3416, 3418 may also have
any of a variety of applications, including one or more development
systems, database client and/or server applications, and Web
browser applications. Alternatively, the user computers 3412, 3414,
3416, 3418 may be any other electronic device, such as a
thin-client computer, Internet-enabled gaming system, and/or
personal messaging device, capable of communicating via a network
(e.g., the network 3410 described below) and/or displaying and
navigating Web pages or other types of electronic documents.
Although the exemplary system 3400 is shown with four user
computers, any number of user computers may be supported.
[0168] In most embodiments, the system 3400 includes some type of
network 3410. The network can be any type of network familiar to
those skilled in the art that can support data communications using
any of a variety of commercially-available protocols, including
without limitation TCP/IP, SNA, IPX, AppleTalk, and the like.
Merely by way of example, the network 3410 can be a local area
network ("LAN"), such as an Ethernet network, a Token-Ring network
and/or the like; a wide-area network; a virtual network, including
without limitation a virtual private network ("VPN"); the Internet;
an intranet; an extranet; a public switched telephone network
("PSTN"); an infra-red network; a wireless network (e.g., a network
operating under any of the IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, GRPS,
GSM, UMTS, EDGE, 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G, Wimax, WiFi, CDMA 2000, WCDMA,
the Bluetooth protocol known in the art, und/or any other wireless
protocol); and/or any combination of these and/or other
networks.
[0169] The system may also include one or more server computers
3402, 3404, 3406 which can be general purpose computers,
specialized server computers (including, merely by way of example,
PC servers, UNIX servers, mid-range servers, mainframe computers
rack-mounted servers, etc.), server farms, server clusters, or any
other appropriate arrangement and/or combination. One or more of
the servers (e.g., 3406) may be dedicated to running applications,
such as a business application, a Web server, application server,
etc. Such servers may be used to process requests from user
computers 3412, 3414, 3416, 3418. The applications can also include
any number of applications for controlling access to resources of
the servers 3402, 3404, 3406.
[0170] The Web server can be running an operating system including
any of those discussed above, as well as any commercially-available
server operating systems. The Web server can also run any of a
variety of server applications and/or mid-tier applications,
including HTTP servers, FTP servers, CGI servers, database servers,
Java servers, business applications, and the like. The server(s)
also may be one or more computers which can be capable of executing
programs or scripts in response to the user computers 3412, 3414,
3416, 3418. As one example, a server may execute one or more Web
applications. The Web application may be implemented as one or more
scripts or programs written in any programming language, such as
Java.RTM., C, C# or C++, and/or any scripting language, such as
Perl, Python, or TCL, as well as combinations of any
programming/scripting languages. The server(s) may also include
database servers, including without limitation those commercially
available from Oracle.RTM., Microsoft.RTM., Sybase.RTM., IBM.RTM.
and the like, which can process requests from database clients
running on a user computer 3412, 3414, 3416, 3418.
[0171] The system 3400 may also include one or more databases 3420.
The database(s) 3420 may reside in a variety of locations. By way
of example, a database 3420 may reside on a storage medium local to
(and/or resident in) one or more of the computers 3402, 3404, 3406,
3412, 3414, 3416, 3418. Alternatively, it may be remote from any or
all of the computers 3402, 3404, 3406, 3412, 3414, 3416, 3418,
and/or in communication (e.g., via the network 3410) with one or
more of these. In a particular set of embodiments, the database
3420 may reside in a storage-area network ("SAN") familiar to those
skilled in the art. Similarly, any necessary files for performing
the functions attributed to the computers 3402, 3404, 3406, 3412,
3414, 3416, 3418 may be stored locally on the respective computer
and/or remotely, as appropriate. In one set of embodiments, the
database 3420 may be a relational database, such as Oracle 10g,
that is adapted to store, update, and retrieve data in response to
SQL-formatted commands.
[0172] FIG. 35 illustrates an exemplary computer system 3500, in
which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. The
system 3500 may be used to implement any of the computer systems
described above. The computer system 3500 is shown comprising
hardware elements that may be electrically coupled via a bus 3524.
The hardware elements may include one or more central processing
units (CPUs) 3502, one or more input devices 3504 (e.g., a mouse, a
keyboard, etc.), and one or more output devices 3506 (e.g., a
display device, a printer, etc.). The computer system 3500 may also
include one or more storage devices 3508. By way of example, the
storage device(s) 3508 can include devices such as disk drives,
optical storage devices, solid-state storage device such as a
random access memory ("RAM") and/or a read-only memory ("ROM"),
which can be programmable, flash-updateable and/or the like.
[0173] The computer system 3500 may additionally include a
computer-readable storage media reader 3512, a communications
system 3514 (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an
infra-red communication device, etc.), and working memory 3518,
which may include RAM and ROM devices as described above. In some
embodiments, the computer system 3500 may also include a processing
acceleration unit 3516, which can include a digital signal
processor DSP, a special-purpose processor, and/or the like.
[0174] The computer-readable storage media reader 3512 can further
be connected to a computer-readable storage medium 3510, together
(and, optionally, in combination with storage device(s) 3508)
comprehensively representing remote, local, fixed, and/or removable
storage devices plus storage media for temporarily and/or more
permanently containing, storing, transmitting, and retrieving
computer-readable information. The communications system 3514 may
permit data to be exchanged with the network and/or any other
computer described above with respect to the system 3500.
[0175] The computer system 3500 may also comprise software
elements, shown as being currently located within a working memory
3518, including an operating system 3520 and/or other code 3522,
such as an application program (which may be a client application;
Web browser, mid-tier application, RDBMS, etc.). It should be
appreciated that alternate embodiments of a computer system 3500
may have numerous variations from that described above. For
example, customized hardware might also be used and/or particular
elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including
portable software, such as applets), or both. Further, connection
to other computing devices such as network input/output devices may
be employed.
[0176] Storage media and computer readable media for containing
code, or portions of code, can include any appropriate media known
or used in the art, including storage media and communication
media, such as but not limited to volatile and non-volatile,
removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or
technology for storage and/or transmission of information such as
computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules,
or other data, including RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other
memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other
optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk
storage or other magnetic storage devices, data signals, data
transmissions, or any other medium which can be used to store or
transmit the desired information and which can be accessed by the
computer. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a
person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways
and/or methods to implement the various embodiments.
[0177] As discussed above, embodiments are suitable for use with
the Internet, which refers to a specific global internetwork of
networks. However, it should be understood that other networks can
be used instead of the Internet, such as an intranet, an extranet,
a virtual private network (VPN), a non-TCP/IP based network, any
LAN or WAN or the like.
[0178] FIG. 35 further illustrates an environment where an
on-demand distributed database service might be used. As
illustrated in FIG. 35 user systems might interact via a network
with an on-demand database. Some on-demand databases may store
information from one or more records stored into tables of one or
more distributed database images to form a database management
system (DBMS). Accordingly, on-demand database and system will be
used interchangeably herein. A database image may include one or
more database objects. A relational database management system
(RDMS) or the equivalent may execute storage and retrieval of
information against the database object(s). Some on-demand database
services may include an application platform that enables creation,
managing and executing one or more applications developed by the
provider of the on-demand database service, wherein users accesses
the on-demand database service via user systems, or third party
application developers access the on-demand database service via
user systems.
[0179] The security of a particular user system might be entirely
determined by permissions (permission levels) for the current user.
For example, where a user account identification transaction may
involve a portable identification alpha-numeric data field
physically or digitally linked to a personal primary identification
device to request services from a provider account and wherein the
user is using a particular user system to interact with System,
that user system has the permissions allotted to that user account.
However, while an administrator is using that user system to
interact with System, that user system has the permissions allotted
to that administrator. In systems with a hierarchical role model,
users at one permission level may have access to applications,
data, and database information accessible by a lower permission
level user, but may not have access to certain applications,
database information, and data accessible by a user at a higher
permission level. Thus, different users will have different
permissions with regard to accessing and modifying application and
database information, depending on a user's security or permission
level.
[0180] A network can be a LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area
network), wireless network, point-to-point network, star network,
token ring network, hub network, or other appropriate
configuration. As the most common type of network in current use is
a TCP/IP (Transfer Control Protocol and Internet Protocol) network
such as the global internetwork of networks often referred to as
the "Internet" with a capital "I," that will be used in many of the
examples herein. However, it should be understood that the networks
that the present invention might use are not so limited, although
TCP/IP is a frequently implemented protocol.
[0181] User systems might communicate with a system using TCP/IP
and, at a higher network level, use other common Internet protocols
to communicate, such as HTTP, FTP, AFS, WAP, etc. In an example
where HTTP is used, a user system might include an HTTP client
commonly referred to as a "browser" for sending and receiving HTTP
messages to and from an HTTP server at System. Such HTTP server
might be implemented as the sole network interface between a system
and network, but other techniques might be used as well or instead.
In some implementations, the interface between a system and network
includes load sharing functionality, such as round-robin HTTP
request distributors to balance loads and distribute incoming HTTP
requests evenly over a plurality of servers. At least as for the
users that are accessing that server, each of the plurality of
servers has access to at least one third party entity system data
schema; however, other alternative configurations are
contemplated.
[0182] According to one arrangement, each user system and all of
its components are operator configurable using applications, such
as a browser, including computer code run using a central
processing unit such as an Intel Pentium.RTM. processor or the
like. Similarly, a computer system (and additional instances of an
enterprise database, where more than one is present) and all of
their components might be operator configurable using
application(s) including computer code run using a central
processing unit such as an Intel Pentium.RTM. processor or the
like, or multiple processor units. A computer program product
aspect includes a machine-readable storage medium (media) having
instructions stored thereon/in which can be used to program a
computer to perform any of the processes of the embodiments
described herein. Computer code for operating and configuring
systems to intercommunicate and to process web pages, applications
and other data and media content as described herein is preferably
downloaded and stored on a hard disk, but the entire program code,
or portions thereof, may also be locally stored in any other
volatile or non-volatile memory medium or device as is well known,
such as a ROM or RAM, or provided on any media capable of storing
program code, such as any type of rotating media including floppy
disks, optical dises, digital versatile disk (DVD), compact disk
(CD), microdrive, and magneto-optical disks, and magnetic or
optical cards, nanosystems (including molecular memory ICs), or any
type of media or device suitable for storing instructions and/or
data. Additionally, the entire program code, or portions thereof,
may be transmitted and downloaded from a software source over a
transmission medium, e.g., over the Internet, or from another
server, as is well known, or transmitted over any other
conventional network connection as is well known (e.g., extranet,
VPN, LAN, etc.) using any communication medium and protocols (e.g.,
TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, Ethernet, etc.) as are well known. It will
also be appreciated that computer code for implementing aspects of
the present invention can be implemented in any programming
language that can be executed on a client system and/or server or
server system such as, for example, in C, C++, HTML, any other
markup language, Java.TM., JavaScript, ActiveX, any other scripting
language such as VBScript, and many other programming languages as
are well known. (Java.TM. is a trademark of Sun Microsystems,
Inc.).
[0183] The above illustrations provide many different embodiments
for implementing different features of the invention. Specific
embodiments of components and processes are described to help
clarify the invention. These are, of course, merely embodiments and
are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the
claims.
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