U.S. patent application number 14/558316 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-23 for optimized energy management system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GRIDPOINT, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is GridPoint, Inc.. Invention is credited to Craig Howard Miller.
Application Number | 20150207319 14/558316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37495191 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150207319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Craig Howard |
July 23, 2015 |
OPTIMIZED ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for optimizing the control of
energy supply and demand. An energy control unit includes one or
more algorithms for scheduling the control of energy consumption
devices on the basis of variables relating to forecast energy
supply and demand. Devices for which energy consumption can be
scheduled or deferred are activated during periods of cheapest
energy usage. Battery storage and alternative energy sources (e.g.,
photovoltaic cells) are activated to sell energy to the power grid
during periods that are determined to correspond to favorable cost
conditions.
Inventors: |
Miller; Craig Howard;
(Alexandria, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GridPoint, Inc. |
Arlington |
VA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GRIDPOINT, INC.
Arlington
VA
|
Family ID: |
37495191 |
Appl. No.: |
14/558316 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12862070 |
Aug 24, 2010 |
8903560 |
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14558316 |
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11837888 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
7783390 |
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12862070 |
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11144834 |
Jun 6, 2005 |
7274975 |
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11837888 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/291 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 3/32 20130101; Y02B
70/3225 20130101; H02J 3/14 20130101; H02J 3/008 20130101; G06Q
50/06 20130101; Y02E 70/30 20130101; H02J 2310/64 20200101; Y04S
50/10 20130101; H02J 3/00 20130101; Y02E 10/56 20130101; Y02E
10/566 20130101; Y04S 20/222 20130101; G05B 15/02 20130101; H02J
7/34 20130101; Y04S 20/224 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02J 3/00 20060101
H02J003/00; G05B 15/02 20060101 G05B015/02 |
Claims
1. A method for deferring demand for electrical energy, comprising
the computer-implemented steps of: (1) automatically estimating a
cost over a forecasting period for electrical energy at a location,
wherein the forecasting period is divided into multiple zones, and
wherein the cost of electrical energy is estimated based on a
forecast of demand for electrical energy in each zone; (2)
determining a demand for electrical energy by one or more devices
at the location for which energy consumption can be deferred; (3)
identifying a zone of the multiple zones in which an available
marginal power supply capacity is greater that an electrical load
of at least one device of the one or more devices; (4) repeating
step (3) to identify contiguous zones having a total duration
exceeding a duration of time during which the at least one device
is to be operated; (5) selecting a plurality of the identified
contiguous zones as a lower-cost time period; and (6) automatically
deferring electrical consumption for the at least one device from a
higher-cost time period to the lower-cost time period, including
the computer-implemented step of issuing a command to the at least
one device to cause the deferral to occur.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the available marginal power
supply capacity represents a capacity of a non-grid-based power
source.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the available marginal power
supply capacity represents a capacity of a photovoltaic power
source.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (5) includes (5a)
identifying, from the multiple zones, a plurality of candidate
intervals for selection as the lower-cost time period, and (5b)
selecting as the lower-cost time period the candidate interval
resulting in the lowest cost.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (5) includes (5a)
determining that there is insufficient available marginal power
supply capacity to provide the electrical load of the at least one
device for an amount of time during which the at least one device
is to be operated, (5b) incrementing demand in each zone by an
amount sufficient to provide the electrical load of the at least
one device, (5c) re-estimating the cost over the forecasting period
for electrical energy based on the incremented demand in each zone,
and (5d) selecting the portion of the forecasting period having the
lowest re-estimated cost as the lower-cost time period.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the forecasting period is divided
into multiple zones, and wherein step (5) includes (5a)
determining, using a configuration specifying temporal limits on
deferral of operation of the at least one device, a candidate
interval comprising zones of the multiple zones during which the at
least one device may be operated, (5b) repeating step (5a) so as to
identify a plurality of candidate intervals for selection as the
lower-cost time period, and (5c) selecting as the lower-cost time
period the candidate interval resulting in the lowest cost.
7. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable
instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the steps
of: (1) determining a marginal cost for each of a plurality of
energy sources available at a location, at least one of which is a
non-grid source of electricity, wherein at least one of the
plurality of energy sources has a non-constant marginal cost that
varies based on the capacity drawn by a single location from that
energy source; (2) determining a capacity of electrical energy
available from each non-grid energy source; (3) determining a
demand for electrical energy at the single location; and (4)
dynamically allocating, in order of lowest marginal cost to highest
marginal cost, electrical energy capacity from each of the
plurality of energy sources to meet the demand.
8. The computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the plurality
of energy sources comprise a grid-based source of electrical energy
having a time-varying marginal cost, a photovoltaic source having a
time-varying capacity, a backup generator and a battery, step (1)
comprises the step of approximating a cost production curve for the
at least one energy source using piecewise linear segments, step
(2) comprises the steps of determining the capacity of electrical
energy available from the photovoltaic source, and step (4)
comprises the steps of allocating electrical energy from at least
two of the plurality of energy sources concurrently, treating at
least one of the plurality of sources as exceeding demand and
dynamically allocating electrical energy from a battery, and
further comprising the steps of (5) receiving at the location via
electronic means the time-varying marginal cost of the grid-based
source; (6) determining whether electrical energy in excess of the
demand can be economically sold back to the power grid, said
determination including an adjustment for loss of battery capacity
due to repeated charging cycles; (7) reducing demand at the
location by automatically deferring electrical consumption for a
device for which consumption can be deferred from a higher-cost
time period to a lower-cost time period, including the
computer-implemented step of issuing a command to the device to
cause the deferral to occur, and further including determining
projected marginal costs in each of a plurality of future time
frames and deferring electrical consumption for the device to one
of the plurality of future time frames while conforming to an
operational constraint for the device, the operational constraint
for the device comprising a maximum time duration for which the
device can be switched off, and wherein an operational constraint
for a second device comprises an end time during which the second
device must have completed its operating cycle; and (8) projecting
demand in each of a plurality of future periods based on historical
data and on weather forecast data and using the projected demand in
making deferral determinations.
9. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable
instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the steps
of: (1) defining a plurality of energy consumption patterns for a
forecasting period comprising a plurality of contiguous time
intervals; (2) forecasting, for each of the plurality of energy
consumption patterns, the electrical load for each of the plurality
of contiguous time intervals; (3) selecting one of the plurality of
energy consumption patterns, whereby the selected one of the energy
consumption patterns represents an estimate of demand for
electrical energy over the forecasting period; (4) for each of the
each of the plurality of contiguous time intervals, as each
interval elapses in real-time: (a.) receiving data relating to
actual energy consumption; (b.) comparing actual energy consumption
for a subset of the plurality of contiguous time intervals to each
of the plurality of energy consumption patterns to identify a
second one of the plurality of energy consumption patterns that is
the closest fit to the actual energy consumption of the subset of
the plurality of contiguous time intervals; (c.) scaling the second
one of the plurality of energy consumption patterns to reflect the
actual energy consumption for the subset of the plurality of
contiguous time intervals, whereby the scaled second one of the
energy consumption patterns represents an re-estimate of demand for
electrical energy over the forecasting period.
10. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable
instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the steps
of: (1) determining a marginal cost for each of a plurality of
energy sources available at a location, at least one of which is a
non-grid source of electricity, wherein at least one of the
plurality of energy sources has a non-constant marginal cost that
varies based on the capacity drawn by a single location from that
energy source, wherein a cost production curve for the at least one
energy source is approximated using piecewise linear segments, (2)
determining a capacity of electrical energy available from each
non-grid energy source; (3) determining a demand for electrical
energy at the single location; and (4) dynamically allocating, in
order of lowest marginal cost to highest marginal cost, electrical
energy capacity from each of the plurality of energy sources to
meet the demand.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/862,070, filed Aug. 24, 2010, now issued
U.S. Pat. No. 8,903,560, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/837,888, filed Aug. 13, 2007, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,783,390, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/144,834, filed Jun. 6, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,274,975. Said applications are incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of energy
management, and more particularly, to various systems and methods
for optimizing the control of energy supply and demand in
residences and businesses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As energy demand around the world has increased, pressure
from environmental concerns and energy price volatility has
heightened the need for energy conservation and alternative energy
sources. Programmable thermostats have permitted consumers to
program their heating and cooling systems to reduce consumption
during periods when they are not home or are asleep. Solar panels,
fuel cells, windmills, back-up generators and other energy sources
have become increasingly available for use in residential homes and
businesses. However, the use of such alternative sources and
technologies has been limited because of such factors as difficulty
in recovering costs; unpredictability of alternative energy
supplies (e.g., sun, wind), and difficulty in integrating such
sources and devices into conventional electrical systems.
[0004] Electric utilities have conventionally arranged to install
special devices in homes and businesses that, when remotely
activated by the utility, cut power to certain devices (e.g., air
conditioners or hot water heaters) during peak loading conditions.
Customers who agree to install such devices are given discounts or
other incentives for installing such devices, and in exchange the
utility is able to better manage energy demand remotely. However,
such arrangements are typically ad-hoc and require that customers
submit to the whims of the utility company.
[0005] Some electric utilities charge varying rates based on
demand. For example, during periods of peak demand, a higher rate
for electricity is charged. Conversely, during low-demand periods,
a lower rate can be charged. Regulators in recent years have also
forced utilities to purchase electricity back from consumers who
are able to generate more than they need. Such programs have met
with limited success for various reasons most particularly the
inability of some types of energy users to curtail energy use and
the lack of real-time information regarding the immediate cost of
energy usage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention includes various systems and methods for
increasing the efficiency with which energy can be managed. In one
variation, an integrated control device manages the supply of
energy from various sources (e.g., electric grid, battery,
photovoltaic cells, fuel cells) and the demand for energy from
consumption devices (e.g., hot-water heaters, HVAC systems, and
appliances). An optimization algorithm determines based on various
factors when to activate the energy sources and when to activate
the consumption devices.
[0007] In one variation, the algorithm takes into account such
factors as the supply of charge on batteries, the dynamic price of
electricity, weather forecasts, and others in order to schedule and
activate energy supplies and consumption devices. Devices that can
be scheduled for flexible turn-on times (e.g., a washing machine or
dishwasher) are scheduled for periods in which cheap energy supply
is projected to be available.
[0008] In another variation, when the algorithm determines that
electricity can be favorably sold to the electricity grid,
alternative energy sources and storage devices are activated and
electricity is sold to the grid. Customer preferences for
maintaining control over the allocation of power can be taken into
account in certain variations of the algorithm.
[0009] Other variations and embodiments are described in more
detail below, and the invention is not intended to be limited in
any way by this brief summary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a system employing various principles of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows one possible arrangement for controller 104 of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a process and data/control flow for controlling
energy production and usage in accordance with certain aspects of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a typical residential demand curve for
electrical energy consumption.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a production curve for electricity from
photovoltaic panels overlaid onto the demand curve of FIG. 4.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows how excess production may exceed the ability of
the system's electronics to deliver power to the grid, meaning that
a hardware constraint limits the rate of sale.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows the cost and availability of power from
multiple sources.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows a least-cost determination method according to
one variation of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 shows in flow chart form one variation of an
algorithm for least-cost determination according to various
principles of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 shows how a deferrable load can be shifted from a
high-cost period (zone 3) to a lower-cost period (zone 7).
[0020] FIG. 11 shows a process for least-cost dispatch
calculation.
[0021] FIG. 12 shows a process for determining whether a deferrable
load can be serviced in a zone.
[0022] FIG. 13 shows a process for estimating a daily profile.
[0023] FIG. 14 shows the piecewise constant approximation of a
monotonic cost of production curve.
[0024] FIG. 15 shows the piecewise constant approximation of a
non-monotonic cost of production curve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a system employing various principles of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, apparatus 101 includes a
unit 103 comprising a controller 104 and an internal storage device
105. Internal storage device 105 may comprise, for example, a
plurality of lead-acid or nickel-metal-hydride storage batteries
for storing electrical energy, and/or large capacitors. External
storage device 106 may be optionally included to store additional
electrical energy. As explained in more detail herein, storage
devices 105 and 106 may provide power to various devices during
times of electrical grid outages or during periods where electrical
grid costs exceed certain thresholds, and they may be used to sell
power back to the electrical utility during times that are
determined to be favorable. The storage capacities of devices 105
and 106 may be selected to suit a particular environment, such as
the needs of a typical home residence, business, or other
electrical consumer. The smallest storage capacity anticipated is
840 amp-hours (AH) at 12V, while currently planned units have
capacities ranging to 1600 AH at 48V. Larger storage capacity may
be obtained in the future using flywheels or very large
capacitors.
[0026] Storage in the form of compressed air is usually discounted
due to the poor thermodynamic efficiency, but the capital cost is
low and in some cases the marginal value of solar power is zero
(when supply exceeds demand the excess cannot be sold or stored by
other means), so compressed air storage may be practical in some
embodiments of the invention. Finally, in some specific locations
it may be possible to store power by pumping water to an elevated
water tower or reservoir (pumped storage) which could increase
storage capacity by another factor of 10. Power electronics,
including inverters for converting DC electrical energy into AC
energy, circuit breakers, phase converters and the like, may also
be included but are not separately shown in FIG. 1.
[0027] Controller 104 may comprise a computer and memory programmed
with computer software for controlling the operation of apparatus
101 in order to receive electrical power from power sources 109
through 115 and to distribute electrical power to devices 116
through 122. Further details of various steps that may be carried
out by such software are described in more detail herein.
[0028] Controller 104 and internal storage device 105 may be housed
in a unit 103 such as a metal rack having appropriate cabling and
support structures. One possible design for unit 103 is shown in a
pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/037,832 by Danley et
al. filed on Jan. 18, 2005, entitled "Fully Integrated Power
Storage and Supply Appliance with Power Uploading Capability"
(published as U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 20060158037).
[0029] Apparatus 101 also includes a user interface 102 for
controlling the operation of unit 103. The user interface may
comprise a keypad and CRT, LED or LCD display panel or vacuum
fluorescent type; a computer display and keyboard; or any other
similar interface. The user interface may be used to select various
modes of operation; to display information regarding the operation
of the apparatus; and for programming the apparatus.
[0030] An optional control center 108 may be provided to transmit
commands to apparatus 101 through a network, such as WAN 107 (e.g.,
the Internet). Control center 108 may be located at a remote
location, such as a central control facility, that transmits
commands to a plurality of units 101 located in different homes or
businesses. In addition to transmitting commands, control center
108 may transmit pricing information (e.g., current price of
electricity) so that controller 104 may make decisions regarding
the control and distribution of electricity according to various
principles of the invention.
[0031] Apparatus 101 is coupled to the electric utility grid 115
through a power interface (not shown), which may include circuit
breakers, surge suppressors and other electrical devices.
Electricity may be supplied in various forms, such as 110 volts or
240 volts commonly found in homes. A backup generator 114 may also
be provided and be controlled by apparatus 101 when needed. One or
more alternative energy sources 109 through 113 may also be
provided in order to provide electrical power to the apparatus.
Such sources may include photovoltaic (PV) cells 109, which may be
mounted on a roof of the home or business; micro-hydroelectric
power generators 110, which generate power based on the movement of
water; gas turbines 111; windmills or other wind-based devices 112;
and fuel cells 113. Other sources may of course be provided.
[0032] During normal operation, power from one or more of the power
sources can be used to charge storage units 105 and 106 and/or to
meet demand in addition to electric grid 115. During power outages
or brownouts from grid 115, these additional power sources (as well
as storage units 105 and 106) can be used to meet energy demand.
Additionally, surplus power can be sold back to the power grid
based on optimization of supply and demand calculations as
explained in more detail herein.
[0033] The bold lines shown in FIG. 1 indicate electrical
distribution paths. Control paths to and from the various devices
are not separately shown but are implied in FIG. 1.
[0034] One or more power-consuming devices 116 through 122 may also
be controlled by and receive power from apparatus 101. These
include one or more sensors 116 (e.g., thermostats, occupancy
sensors, humidity gauges and the like);
heating/ventilation/air-conditioning units 117; hot water heaters
118; window shades 119; windows 120 (e.g., open/close and/or tint
controls); and one or more appliances 121 (e.g., washing machines;
dryers; dishwashers; refrigerators; etc.). Some appliances may be
so-called "smart" appliances that can receive control signals
directly from apparatus 101. Other conventional appliances can be
controlled using one or more controllable relays 122. It is not
necessary in all embodiments that apparatus 101 directly provide
electricity to devices 116 through 112. For example, apparatus 101
could be tied into the electrical power system in a home or
business and electricity would be supplied through that path to the
devices. Appropriate cut-off devices and bypass switches would then
be used, for example, in the event of a power outage to disconnect
the home wiring system from the electrical grid and to connect
apparatus 101 to the wiring network. Such schemes are conventional
and no further details are necessary to understand their
operation.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows further details of controller 104 according to
one variation of the invention. A watchdog timer 209 continuously
monitors the operation of apparatus 101 in order to detect possible
malfunctions. In one variation, watchdog timer 209 periodically
polls devices in the system to ensure that they are functioning,
and that no error signals have been detected. Watchdog timer 209
may be coupled to a modem 210 to report failures or other events to
control center 108. A USB port 211 and pager interface 212 may also
be provided to receive inputs from or report data to various
devices. For example, the report of a malfunction can be
transmitted to a pager worn by the owner of the premises in which
the apparatus is located.
[0036] Various software functions shown in FIG. 2 include an
administrative function 201, which may include such things as
interfacing with watchdog timer 209; operating the user interface
102; controlling the modes of the apparatus; and other
administrative operations. A safety function 202 monitors voltage
levels, temperatures, and other variables in order to ensure that
the apparatus is operating safely and to shut down the device if an
unsafe condition is detected. An optimization function 203, details
of which are provided below, makes decisions concerning whether and
when to activate various power sources and power-consuming devices.
A communication function 204 interfaces to a web server 207 in
order to provide external communications facilities. A logging
function 205 maintains records regarding the operation of the
device and stores them in a nonvolatile device such as compact
flash storage device 206. An input/output board 208 provides
communication and control signals to various devices in the system,
which may include pollable devices 213; voltage sources 214;
pulse-based devices 215; message-based devices 216; and other types
of devices 217. Various device drivers may also be provided but are
not separately shown in FIG. 2. Rather than controlling devices
directly, the apparatus can be configured to operate with a
third-part home-automation control system in order to control the
devices.
[0037] According to various principles of the invention, energy
usage can be optimized to deliver power in the most efficient way,
where efficiency is defined in terms of the amount of energy used,
cost, or a balance of the two. In conventional energy management
systems, emphasis has been on conservation--e.g., turning out
lights when a room is not occupied, or turning down the thermostat
at night. By integrating supply side options with energy
consumption choices, various algorithms can be used to increase the
energy and cost savings.
[0038] For example, a small business may pay for electricity on a
per-kilowatt hour basis with an additional charge for a peak number
of kilowatt-hours during a billing period. The so-called "demand
rate" is designed to discourage peaky consumption because of the
high cost of providing high amounts of power for a short period.
According to various principles of the invention, the instantaneous
energy usage can be monitored and, if demand exceeds a threshold,
power from batteries can be used to reduce demand from the grid, or
non-critical energy uses such as a large commercial freezer that
can easily be unplugged for an extended time period with little or
no impact can be temporarily shut off. This is made capable by
several features of the invention. For example, the sensors (116)
allow monitoring of individual loads. The direct controls (117,
118, 119, 120) allow for the interruption of certain appliances,
while the controllable relays (122) allow for control of appliances
without built-in control logic. Whether and to what extent an
appliance can be interrupted is defined in the energy source
configuration element (313), described with reference to FIG. 3
below. The method for addressing deferrable load which is described
subsequently allows an electrical service (cooling in this example)
to be optimally rescheduled for a later time to reduce cost.
[0039] As another example, suppose that residents of a house are
cooking, showering, watching TV, and starting laundry. They pay
time-of-use rates that are at a peak in the morning and evening, so
power from the grid is 14 cents per KWh. Given the high price,
according to various inventive principles, the system can control
the laundry devices so that they are not activated until later in
the day, when energy costs are cheaper. In one variation, the
system can determine based on the date (e.g., June 21) and the
weather forecast (e.g., sunny) that likely production from solar
panels will be high, and decide to sell power from the batteries to
the grid (when the rate is high) with the expectation that the
batteries can be recharged later in the day when the family is not
home and energy usage is minimal. The batteries could alternatively
be recharged later in the day from the power grid, when electrical
costs are lower.
[0040] Certain variations of the invention consider weather when
forecasting demand for electrical power and the supply from energy
sources whose production capacity is weather dependent, such as PV
panels.
[0041] As yet another example, suppose that a power outage occurs,
removing power from a home. Conventional back-up systems would
immediately provide battery back-up or engage a back-up generator
in order to supply power to pre-selected "critical" devices, such
as freezers, refrigerators, selected lights, etc. According to
certain principles of the invention, a controller programmed to
optimize energy supply and usage would defer turning on the freezer
or refrigerator during the first hour or two of the black-out,
because of its knowledge that such devices can be disconnected from
the power grid for an hour or two with little or no consequence,
thus preserving energy. However, if the outage persists, backup
power could be selectively applied to those devices, while
inhibiting others. Other examples and principles are explained in
more detail below.
[0042] There are at least two methods for managing loads during an
emergency. The simpler method, which is currently the common
approach for premises with backup energy systems, is to wire the
facility with two (or more) circuits, one designated "secure" and
the other "unsecure." When grid power is interrupted, services are
maintained for the secure circuit only. The weakness of this
approach is that the priorities for use of the limited backup
supply change over the duration of an outage. Refrigeration is not
immediately critical, but very important later. Upstairs lights may
not be important during the day but very important at night.
[0043] Certain embodiments of the invention allow for control of
individual appliances due to the connections to sensors (116),
controllable appliances (117, 118, 119, and 120) and controllable
relays (122). Appliance performance characteristics and criticality
are expressed in the energy source configuration elements (313,
discussed below). The system knows the amount of current storage
and supply from alternative sources and can provide an accurate
forecast of demand and alternative supply by methods described
subsequently. Together these can provide the user with information
to manage energy effectively in real time or to develop algorithms
to be executed in the absence of direct control.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a process and data/control flow for controlling
energy production and usage in accordance with certain aspects of
the present invention. A clock 301 acts as a control loop for the
process. In step 302, energy usage is monitored by circuit or
services, and in step 303, energy production is monitored by
source. In step 312, external information regarding such variables
as current grid prices; fuel prices; grid voltage;
current/forecasted weather; demand-side management (DSM) requests
(e.g., a request from a utility under an established demand
response program for subscribing customers to reduce demand or
supply power from a user controlled source at a specific hour), and
commands received from central control center 108 are monitored.
The current energy source configuration is determined (step 313),
including such things as what power sources are available and how
much energy is stored in storage devices. End use of technology
configuration is obtained (step 314), including the inventory of
technologies that consume energy in the home or business ranging
from small sources such as lights to major HVAC equipment. The
inventory may include the number of such appliances, the circuit on
which they are located, how and to what extent they can be
controlled, typical day-of-use patterns, and whether there is
flexibility in scheduling the use of the appliance. For example, it
may be possible to delay the hour at which the dishwasher is
activated from the time it is loaded until a later hour, if the
cost would be lower at that time. Block 314 can be provided through
a user interface during a configuration step. Information from
these blocks is input to a baseline demand forecast step 304 and a
baseline production capacity forecast 305.
[0045] The demand forecast step 304 can be performed in many
different ways. In one embodiment, energy demand is forecast based
on historical data (e.g., energy demand based on the time of day
and time of year for the particular facility in which the device is
located). In another embodiment, energy demand can take into
account ambient conditions such as temperature and sunshine. In yet
another embodiment, one of several preprogrammed energy demand
models can be selected by a user of the system. In one or more of
these embodiments, energy demand can be forecasted at particular
points in time (e.g., in five-minute increments) for a forecast
period (e.g., 24 hours).
[0046] The baseline production capacity forecast step 305 can also
be carried out in various ways. If solar cells are available, a
production forecast can be based on a weather forecast (e.g.,
sunny, partly sunny, partly cloudy, cloudy, showers, etc.) in
combination with time-of-year, in combination with historical data.
If a fuel cell is available, data concerning production
availability for the fuel cell can be obtained, and so forth. For
sources which are not weather dependent, the production capacity
(and efficiency as measured in terms of $/kWh) can be initially
estimated from engineering data. The engineering estimated can be
subsequently replaced with actual operating data which reflects the
characteristics of the specific unit rather the general model.
[0047] For solar, the production capacity can be estimated as a
function of solar insolation using the design efficiency data
characteristic of the panel. Of course, this too may vary with the
actual location and factors such as the amount of dust which has
built up on the units since the last rain. These factors can be
accounted for by two methods. Facility specific factors (facing,
degree of shading) are incorporated through the collection of
actual performance data over different seasons. Short-term factors
are incorporated by the method of re-estimating the model
parameters every 15 minutes, rather than simply executing the same
model. The best predictor of production in the next 15 minutes is
generally the previous 15 minutes.
[0048] The baseline demand forecast 304 and baseline production
capacity forecast 305 provide a detailed picture of the potential
supply of power by source and demand by use of energy. Essentially
these frame an optimization problem which can be solved.
Embodiments of the invention can determine how to modify demand by
turning off unneeded services and/or delaying others, how to deploy
various sources to meet demand, and how to distribute power to the
grid to achieve the lowest possible cost of service (which may be
negative if the home or business is able to produce more power than
it consumes in a time period).
[0049] Given the input demand and supply projections, this
optimization can be done in two basic steps--the calculations and
the implementation. The calculation of the optimal strategy can be
done in three parts. First, a least-cost dispatch model step 308
(details of which are provided below) determines the lowest cost
way of meeting the unmodified demand using the available sources.
This calculation provides an estimate of the expected value of
power during the forecast period. This estimate is then used to
determine which uses of energy should be deferred and until when.
The deferrable service schedule is element 309 in FIG. 3. Details
of 309 are provided below. The final step in the calculation is to
determine when energy should be bought and sold (arbitraged),
details of which are provided below.
[0050] Once the use of end-use technologies, sources, and storage
have been determined in 308, 309, and 310, commands are issued to
the devices to effect their operation in 318. Some of the devices
can be under the direct control of the invention (e.g. the
batteries) but others can be controlled by means of a
communications interface. The means of communicating with
appliances is specified in the configuration specification 317, in
which the installer of the system specifies the physical means of
communicating to the device, the communications protocols, the
addressing protocols, and the structure and content of the
messages. The means of communications can include wireless means
(e.g. IEEE 802.11 networks of various generations, or IEEE 802.15.4
networks), radio frequency transmission over the power line (such
as with X10), or Ethernet. The communications protocols can include
Internet Protocols or methods designed for low cost, low bandwidth
control such as LonWorks. The addressing protocols can include any
method for distinguishing between multiple appliances connected to
the same network. IP addresses are an example as is the naming
scheme used by X10 (house code:unit code), but many home automation
controllers implement proprietary schemes. The message structure is
specific to the appliance design.
[0051] The following describes in more detail how the system can
determine which of multiple, alternative sources of power to draw
on to meet demand. These are methods of element 308 of FIG. 3. The
explanation necessarily begins with a discussion of supply and
demand management in the context of a grid connected system with
one or more alternative energy sources.
[0052] Energy demand at a premise varies over the time of day. In a
typical home there is a peak in the morning when the family gets
up, turns on lights, radios and televisions, cooks breakfast, and
heats hot water to make up for the amount used in showers. When the
family leaves for work and school it may leave the clothes washer
and dishwasher running, but when these are done, demand drops to a
lower level but not to zero as the air conditioners, refrigerators,
hot waters and the like continue to operate. Usage goes up as the
family returns, peaking around dinner when the entire family is
home. This creates the typical "double hump" demand curve as shown
in FIG. 4.
[0053] Businesses tend to follow different patterns depending on
the nature of the business. Usage is low when the office is closed,
and relatively constant when the office is open. In extreme
climates where air conditioning cannot be cut back overnight,
energy use over the course of the day is more constant. Businesses
like restaurants may start later in morning and their peak extends
farther into the evening. A factory with an energy intensive
process operating three shifts may show little or variation over
the course of the day.
[0054] As alternative energy sources become available, management
of electricity involves more than simply buying power from the
grid. The question becomes when and to what extent power can be
derived from the alternative sources, and when it is economically
optimal to do so.
[0055] Each alternative source of energy has its own profile of
capacity over the course of the day as well as fixed and marginal
costs. FIG. 5 shows a production curve for electricity from
photovoltaic panels (502) overlaid onto the demand curve (501).
Since PV panels have zero marginal cost, they are the preferred
source of power whenever available. PV panels, however, produce
power only when the sun shines. On a clear day, power production is
at its peak around the middle of the day (subject, of course to the
orientation of the panels and possible obstructions such as large
buildings or trees). When demand exceeds the power available from
the PV panels, the difference must be made up with power purchased
from the grid, as at 503 in FIG. 5. When solar power exceeds the
demand, as at 504, the excess can be sold to the grid. The distance
between the supply curve and the demand curve represents the amount
of power available for sale at any instance (in kW). The integral
of this power over a time interval is the energy sold (kWh).
[0056] In some cases the excess production (shown as the distance
between the supply and demand curves at any time) may exceed the
ability of the system's electronics to deliver power to the grid.
That is, there may be a hardware constraint that limits the rate of
sale (measured in kW). This is shown by line 601 in FIG. 6 as an
increment over the demand curve.
[0057] The example just presented assumes that there are two
sources of electrical supply to the premise. These are the grid and
the PV panels. Preference is generally given to the solar panels as
a source when they are available because the marginal cost is zero
while the marginal cost of the grid is the prevailing rate. There
may, however, be one or more alternative sources with non-zero
marginal cost. These may be used (deployed) when their marginal
cost is lower than the other alternatives.
[0058] This is shown in FIG. 7. The irregular curve in the bottom
graph plots the price of electricity (in cents/kWh) over the course
of a day. The area 704 represents the price of electricity from the
grid. As is common in many areas, this varies over the course of
the day. The time of day rates is designed to reflect the
marginally higher cost of power production at the peak demand
periods of morning and early evening. At these times utilities must
dispatch power from their least efficient units, while, when cost
is lower, they need power only from the most efficient units. In
this rate diagram, there is a broad morning peak, and a peak and
"shoulder" rate 706 in the early evening.
[0059] The line 705 shows the marginal cost of producing power from
an alternative source A. This may be a fuel cell, a small scale
hydroelectric turbine, a natural gas turbine, a wind generator, or
a gasoline or diesel backup generator. In this example, this is a
constant over the course of the day, but this is not necessarily
the case. Marginal cost is shown here rather than total cost (which
includes amortization of the capital cost and operating and
maintenance costs not related to actual use) as the immediate
decision on the relative merit of a potential source at any instant
is related only to the marginal cost. The marginal cost of solar
power is essentially zero. This is shown by line 707.
[0060] The upper graph shows the capacity of the solar panels 702
(which is a function of solar insolation, and hence, time of day)
and the capacity of the Alternative Source A 703, which is shown as
flat, but need not be. The capacity of the grid is not shown as is
it presumed to exceed demand and is, therefore, irrelevant. Line
701 represents the total production capacity of the PV panels and
Alternative Source A. The production capacity curves can be
initially derived from engineering data provided by the supplier of
the technology. These curves can then be updated based on data
collected during actual use. The sensor, data logging, and
computational capabilities of embodiments of the invention make it
possible to re-estimate a linear production model every 15 minutes
in one embodiment.
[0061] At any point in time, there is a particular order of
preference in deriving power from the different sources. This is in
increasing order of marginal cost beginning with the least
expensive.
[0062] FIG. 8 shows a day divided into 13 zones, labeled Z1 through
Z13 from morning until evening. These zones delineate different
modes of operation, stemming either from a change in the relative
prices of the different sources of energy or changes in demand
relative to the capacity of the different sources. The modes of
operation in this example are as follows:
[0063] Z1: There is no solar production and the marginal price of
the alternative source is greater than the price from the grid.
Demand is met entirely with purchases from the grid.
[0064] Z2: The price from the grid increases with the morning peak
period and now exceeds the marginal cost of the alternative source.
Production from the alternative source is immediately taken to its
maximum, but this is not sufficient to supply the full demand. The
difference is bought from the grid.
[0065] Z3: Solar production begins to ramp up. Production from the
solar panels and the alternative source is not sufficient to meet
demand. Solar and the alternative source are used at full capacity.
The balance is purchased from the grid.
[0066] Z4: Demand is met fully from the solar panels and the
alternative source. There are no longer purchases from the grid.
Sales to the grid begin.
[0067] Z5: The price from the grid drops so that it is no longer
economical to use the alternative power source. Production from the
solar panels is not sufficient to meet demand, so there are some
minor purchases from the grid.
[0068] Z6: Solar production now exceeds demands. The entire excess
can be sold to the grid as the total excess is less than the
capacity of the unit to return power to the grid.
[0069] Z7: All production is from solar. Sales to the grid are at
the maximum capacity of the unit.
[0070] Z8: All production is from solar, and there is excess
capacity to sell to the grid, but the excess is less than the
maximum capacity of the unit.
[0071] Z9: Solar demand is no longer sufficient to meet demand.
Full demand could be met without purchases from the grid as both
solar and the alternative sources are deployed. However, the
marginal cost of the alternative source is greater than the price
of electricity from the grid, so the difference between demand and
solar production is made up through purchases from the grid. There
are no sales to the grid even though there is sufficient onsite
capacity, as it is not cost effective.
[0072] Z10: It is not possible to meet demand solely from the solar
panels and the alternative power unit. Purchases from the grid are
necessary. Sales are not possible. Solar power is used to the
maximum possible extent, but the alternative power source is not
used as it is not cost effective.
[0073] Z11: The price of power from the grid increases to the point
where it is cost effective to deploy the alternative power source.
As demand exceeds solar production plus the maximum capacity of the
alternative source, the alternative source is run at full capacity.
The balance is purchased from the grid.
[0074] Z12: Solar production drops to zero. The alternative power
source is run at capacity. The balance of demand is met with
purchases from the grid.
[0075] Z13: The price of power from the grid is lower than the
marginal cost of production from alternative source A. All power is
purchased from the grid.
[0076] The following table summarizes the above modes and
decision-making points:
TABLE-US-00001 Grid Production from Production from Zone Purchases
Solar Panels Alternative Source Z1 Yes Z2 Yes Yes Z3 Yes Yes Yes Z4
Yes Yes Z5 Yes Yes Z6 Yes Z7 Yes Z8 Yes Z9 Yes Yes Z10 Yes Yes Z11
Yes Yes Yes Z12 Yes Yes Z13 Yes
[0077] At any point in time, according to one variation of the
invention, the controller performs an instantaneous calculation of
comparative cost and selects the optimal order of dispatch.
Essentially, the objective of the algorithm is to define the
production from each source. One variation of this algorithm is
described in the following pseudo code:
TABLE-US-00002 j,k,m = arbitrary counters t = current time
(arbitrary serial time measure) ns = number of sources of power
(unitless) MCs(t) = marginal cost of source s at time t (cents per
kWh) CAPs(t) = capacity of source s at time t (kW) Let s = 0
represent the grid MCo(t) = rate per kWh prevailing at time t
(cents per kWh) CAPo(t) >> demand at time t (kW) Let s = 1
represent solar MC1(t) = 0 (i.e. the marginal cost of the solar
system is zero (cents per kWh) D(t) = aggregate demand at time t
(kW) SELLCAP = maximum rate at which power can be sold to the grid
(kW) UNSAT = demand not satisfied by currently committed capacity
(kW) ORDER = vector of index number (s) of sources in ascending
order of cost at time t PRODk = optimal production from source k
(kW) // initialize unsatisfied demand to total demand UNSAT = D(t)
// initialize production from all sources to zero FOR k = 1 TO ns
PROD(k) = 0 NEXT k // sort sources in ascending order of prices
(using a simple sort algorithm) ORDER(1) = SOURCE NUMBER (s) OF
LOWEST COST ORDER(2) = SOURCE NUMBER OF SECOND LOWEST COST Etc. //
allocate production from lowest cost to highest until demand is met
// loop through sources in ascending order while the amount of
allocated power is not // sufficient to meet demand (i.e. UNSAT
> 0) j = 0 DO WHILE UNSAT > 0 j = j + 1 k = ORDER(j) //
determine if this is the marginal source // (i.e. the most
expensive one necessary to meet demand) IF (UNSAT>CAPk(t)) THEN
// not the marginal producer PROD(k) = CAPk(t)) UNSAT = UNSAT -
PRODUCTION(k) ELSE // this is the marginal producer // determine if
it is cost effective to sell or not by comparing to the cost of the
grid IF MCk(t) < MCo(t) THEN // You can sell from this unit.
There are two cases: IF CAPk(t) > UNSAT + SELLCAP THEN // Case
1: the maximum capacity of the marginal unit (k) is // sufficient
to meet demand and sell the power at the maximum capacity of the
unit PROD(k) = UNSAT + SELLCAP UNSAT = 0 SELLCAP = 0 ELSE // Case
2: you can sell the full capacity of this unit. PROD(k) = CAPk(t)
SELLCAP = SELLCAP - (CAPk(t) - UNSAT) UNSAT = 0 // Determine if
there is an unallocated source that is not needed // to meet
demand, but which can sell power effectively IF j < ns THEN FOR
m = j + 1 to ns k = ORDER(m) IF MCk(t) < MCo(t) Then //marginal
cost of this source is less than the grid price, so // power can be
sold PROD(k) = MAXIMUM(CAPk(t),SELLCAP) SELLCAP = SELLCAP - PROD(k)
ENDIF END FOR END IF END WHILE
[0078] FIG. 9 shows this process graphically in flow chart
form.
[0079] The case discussed to this point pertains where the marginal
cost of production from a source is not a function of the capacity
drawn from that source. This is the case, for example, with the
grid (in the absence of demand charges) and photovoltaic panels
(where the marginal cost is approximately zero) and so will pertain
in many situations.
[0080] In some cases, however, the controller may be used to
control sources where the cost does vary with capacity. In diesel
generators, for example efficiency (and, hence, cost per kWh)
varies with speed of operation. This is generally true of
mechanical devices. This section describes a family of approaches
to the determination of the least cost dispatch in the cases where
cost per kWh is a function of kWh from a source. This general
solution will work in the case where price is constant, but the
calculation may be substantially more difficult and time consuming.
Given the limited computational power that may exist in the
controller and the need to keep that capacity available for safety
monitoring, communications, and other functions, it may be useful
to implement both the general and simpler (special case) algorithm
and to use the simpler one when appropriate.
[0081] The general problem to be solved in least cost dispatch is
to minimize the cost of production necessary to meet demand. In the
case where marginal cost is a function of production from a unit,
this objective is stated as follows:
Minimize i = 1 n s ( .intg. O prod i ( t ) MC i ( x , t ) x )
##EQU00001##
where x=amount of power drawn from a source
[0082] Such that:
.SIGMA..sub.i=1.sup.nsprod.sub.i(t)=D(t).
[0083] This is the same problem as stated for the basic case,
except that marginal cost (MC) is now a function of production from
the technology.
[0084] Within the general problem of dispatch with
production-variant marginal cost, there is one special case which
can also be solved by a simple means. This is the case where cost
is non-decreasing over any interval from zero to the capacity of
the unit for each dispatchable unit.
[0085] FIG. 14 shows a common exponential production cost curve
(1401). This curve can be approximated by a series of ranges within
each of which cost is assumed to be constant. (1402). These ranges
can be defined by several means. The simplest is to define the
regions with a fixed width--spanning, say, 100-watt intervals
(0-100 watts, 100-200 watts, etc.). An alternative is to create
irregular intervals to reflect that there is greater change in some
areas of the curve than others. Narrower zones are used where the
production curve is steepest. This latter approach may be preferred
in that it yields greater accuracy in cost estimation for the same
number of ranges. Equivalent or better accuracy can, of course, be
achieved by using more (narrower) ranges, but at a penalty in the
speed of calculation.
[0086] For use in the least cost dispatch calculation, the correct
constant value to use for an interval is the one which gives the
same total cost as the accurate curve. This is given by:
AVGCOSTi = ( 1 / ( PMax i - PMax i - 1 ) ) .intg. PMax i - 1 PMax i
MCi ( x , t ) x ##EQU00002## [0087] Where: [0088] AVGCOSTi=the
average marginal cost to be used for interval i [0089] PMaxi=the
upper bound of the interval [0090] PMaxo=0 [0091] MCi(x,t)=marginal
cost of source
[0092] Note that this average cost pertains only at time t, since
the least cost dispatch problem is solved for a specific time.
Different solutions pertain at different times. The subscript t is
not included in this notation as it is implicit.
[0093] In the special case (as illustrated in FIG. 14) where cost
is increasing, the least cost dispatch solution can be obtained
using precisely the same algorithm as for the constant price case
previously presented by treating each range as a virtual
alternative source. The increasing price ensures that the ranges
will be dispatched in order. In the event that the curve is not
continually increasing, but simply non-decreasing (i.e. there is a
range over which the marginal cost is constant), it is logical to
include this entirely within a range, to avoid the risk that there
would be two ranges (or virtual sources) with the same prices that
might be dispatched in the incorrect order.
[0094] The most general case involves a non-monotonic marginal cost
curve--that is, a curve in which the first derivative of the curve
is neither always non-increasing or always non-decreasing. This is
illustrated in FIG. 15, which shows the actual production curve
(1501) and a piecewise constant approximation (1502). In this
figure the zones are numbered to support the discussion which
follows. In this case, the algorithm specified for the fixed-cost
case would choose to dispatch zone 4 first, followed by 3, 5, 13,
6, 2, etc. in that order. Clearly this is not possible from a
physical perspective. One cannot commit the power from a zone (i.e.
dispatch the zone) until the prior zone has been committed. Simply,
this technology is most efficient when producing at the level
comprising zone 4. One does not have the option of producing a very
small amount (i.e. zone 1 or zone 2) at the cost of zone 4. To
solve the problem one variation of the model which follows treats
each zone as a logical separate source, which can only be
dispatched in ascending order.
[0095] Though the fixed-cost case cannot be used, the problem can
be formulated into a binary integer program of modest scale. The
starting assumption is that the production (marginal cost) curve
can be decomposed into a number of zones. This is done for both the
constant cost sources (e.g. the grid and solar at a point in time
t) as for the sources for which the marginal cost is not constant
with level of production, whether these are monotonic or not.
[0096] The second of the three stages of the optimization
(following the least-cost dispatch) is to manage the electrical
loads in the home or business. The concept of using computers or
microprocessors to manage electrical loads is not new, but the
invention offers innovation in several areas, described below.
[0097] Conventional load management is done in two ways--at the
point of use and by means of a central controller. Point-of-use
technologies most commonly address lights and HVAC equipment.
Lighting controls couple the lights to occupancy sensors which turn
on the light when the room is occupied and off after a user
specified time period when the room is not occupied. In some
installations a switch is installed in series between the sensor
and the lamp so that the light turns on only when occupancy is
detected and the switch is in the on position. This prevents the
light from being used when the occupant feels that there is
sufficient light from other sources. This is simple, reliable, and
commonly deployed technology. Use of the invention does not
preclude this sort of controlled light.
[0098] HVAC equipment is controlled by a thermostat. A thermostat
consists of three components--a temperature sensor, a mechanism for
turning the connected HVAC component on when temperature is out of
range, and a user interface of some kind In simple, older
thermostats, the temperature was a bimetallic strip that curved
increasingly as the temperature rose. This bimetallic switch
composed on contact of a simple contact switch that comprised the
on/off control mechanism. The user interface was a simple rotating
knob that moved the location of the bimetallic strip so that a
greater or lesser curve was necessary to close the contact. This
generation of technology was simple to use and cheap and effective
in regulating temperature, but required manual intervention to
adjust the set-point to reflect different user preferences for
factors such as time of day or vacation.
[0099] Common thermostats of more recent design incorporate a
processor so that users can program the preferred temperature by
time of day and day of week. These offer improved performance but
have several basic flaws: (1) the classification of daily patterns
into weekend and weekday is too simplistic; (2) the system does not
automatically compensate for deviations from the patterns, such as
on holidays, vacations, or days when a person must stay home from
work; (3) in installations where there are multiple zones with
individual thermostats, there is unnecessary duplication of the
processor, since a single processor could easily manage multiple
zones; (4) when there are multiple thermostats they are unconnected
to the others and operates independently, the user interface on the
thermostat is very poor in comparison to the web-based application
interfaces; (5) thermostats cannot be controlled remotely.
[0100] A more advanced generation of control systems has emerged to
address these problems and to provide more advanced control. These
are home automation controllers (HACs) such as those offered by
Smarthome.TM. and Control4.TM.. HACs are typically multi-function
devices, providing functionality in one or more of four areas:
entertainment, premises security, communications and networking,
and environmental control which includes lighting and HVAC. This
generation of controller provides a superior user interface
typically using a CRT or LCD monitor (sometimes compact) and
keyboard or custom keypad, and a single controller which can manage
multiple zones and end-use functions. The more powerful processor
and better interface allows for more complex configuration of usage
patterns.
[0101] To date, however, environmental control has been the least
developed of the HAC control functions. HAC development has focused
first on management of entertainment systems including whole-home
audio and video and home theatre. Variants of the invention, by
means of integrated supply side and storage technology and advanced
algorithms, provide superior energy management.
[0102] Least-cost dispatching is the first step in advanced
control. The second step is management of deferrable loads. The
total demand is made up of multiple small components. Some of these
can be deferred or accelerated. That is, the service they supply
can be rescheduled to reduce energy costs. In some cases this
simply changes the time at which the energy is used. In other cases
it can reduce the total amount of energy used. Some examples
include:
[0103] Dishwashing: Dishes can be loaded for washing at a future
time, up to the time when the dishes are needed less the cycle
time. Energy use is roughly the same whether dishes are washed
immediately or later.
[0104] Clothes washing: Clothes washers and dryers, like
dishwashers, are similarly deferrable. In the case of dryers it is
sometimes advantageous from a quality of service perspective to
delay the start so that the cycle finishes when someone is there to
empty the dryer.
[0105] Hot Water Heaters: Hot water heaters are typically designed
to maintain water at a constant high temperature. Energy is lost
from the system in two basic ways--through the use of hot water and
standing losses, which are losses that occur when water is not
being used. Standing losses occur though the shell of the hot water
heater itself and from the hot water in the pipes throughout the
premise. Since the ramp up in energy prices in the 1970s the
insulation of the hot water heaters has been improved
substantially, until the losses are much smaller than was
previously the norm.
[0106] Hot water pipes, however, are not typically insulated. In a
model household, the demand for hot water drops off when everyone
is done with their morning showers, except for some latent
dishwashing or clothes washing. Thus, demand is essentially zero
during the day. Shutting off hot water heating when there is no
demand is useful for reducing instantaneous demand, but can also
reduce total energy consumption. The energy savings are due to the
nonlinear nature of heat loss. Roughly, the rate of heat loss from
a warm body is a function of the third power of the
temperature--the standing losses are higher when the temperature is
higher. Allowing the water to cool reduces the rate of heat loss.
Hence, less energy is used to heat water later when it is needed
than to heat it immediately and then keep it warm for hours. The
method for optimally scheduling loads that need not be executed at
a specific time is described below.
[0107] Refrigerators: Refrigerators are not typically useful from
the perspective of energy demand management. A more or less
constant low temperature is essential for preserving food safely
and maintaining its quality. As in the dishwasher, there are losses
when the refrigerator is used (i.e. the door is opened) as well as
standing losses even when the refrigerator is not being used. In
the case of refrigerators, it is imperative that the temperature be
returned to the set point as quickly as possible when heat is
allowed to enter the cabinet. Thus, it is not possible to save
energy by deferring the cooling. A refrigerator's total energy will
be essentially the same regardless of the energy management
system.
[0108] That said, however, the high quality insulation of a modern
refrigerator makes it possible to defer load for modest periods (on
the order of 15 minutes) while in temperature maintenance mode
without adversely affecting the interior temperature. This is
useful for load management if not for energy management.
[0109] FIG. 10 shows the energy and load impact of deferring energy
use from these controllable loads. FIG. 10 shows an energy process
(e.g. dish washing) which is initiated in the morning. Here
"initiated" refers to setting up for execution during a specified
time interval. The energy required to execute the process is the
integral of the load (power) shown on the vertical access over the
time interval of the process.
[0110] In FIG. 10, element 1001 is the originally scheduled time
for a service (e.g., washing the breakfast dishes). This is a
relatively expensive time, as utility rates are high and solar
production is low. Element 1002 is a better time--solar production
exceeds the ability to sell to the grid, so the marginal value of
the power is zero. Performing the service in zone 7 gets it done at
no cost, but still in time for the family's arrival home after
work.
[0111] During the configuration process, parameters can be
established for various daily profiles and for the end-use
technologies. The end-use technology profile specifies what can be
controlled and how, as previously described. The daily profile
describes the preferred set-point for each technology over the
course of the day, such as the temperature. For deferrable loads,
the configuration specifies when the service must be available. For
example, the specification for the hot water heater may require
that hot water be available at 0730 for the morning wakeup and at
1800, while the dishwasher must have finished running by 0730 or
1700. Given these parameters, according to the invention the
optimal time to execute the process can be determined.
[0112] This determination rests on the least cost dispatch
calculation and, hence, is outside the capability of the HAC
systems other than the invention. The method of this variation of
the invention is shown in FIG. 11. The least cost dispatch
calculation determines the marginal value of electric power as a
function of the time of day as described previously. The management
of deferrable loads begins with the configuration of deferrable
loads (1101). In this step, the user of the system or the installer
defines which loads (e.g. dishwashing, refrigeration) can be
deferred and under what circumstances. For example, the rule can be
established that there should be no pending dishwashing at 0700 and
1700, meaning that the dishes must be clean before breakfast and
before dinner. The rule for refrigeration could be that it must
operate at least three hours out of every four. The rule for
freezers could be that it can be shut down for two hours at a time.
The actual management process is initiated when a deferrable load
is initiated (i.e. scheduled for service) (step 1102). The least
cost dispatch model is rerun (step 1103). This, as described
previously, divides the forecast period into zones (1 to n) and
calculates the marginal value of electricity in each.
[0113] The calculation then determines which zones are candidates
for the deferrable service (1104). This is a two step process.
First, there is a simple calculation to determine which zones occur
before the deferrable load must be completed. Then, it is
determined whether there is sufficient power in that zone to
complete the service. There are two elements to this
determination--the power determination and the energy
determination. Power is the instantaneous difference between the
baseline demand (i.e. without the deferred load) and the power
available in the zone without exceeding the capacity of the
marginal supply (termed "available marginal supply capacity").
Exceeding the capacity of the marginal supply would increase the
marginal cost of supply and potentially the marginal value. The
second part is to determine where there is sufficient energy to
deliver the service. Energy is the integral of power over time, so
this determination involves integrating the available marginal
supply capacity over a contiguous interval when this capacity
exceeds the demand of the deferrable load. This method is shown in
FIG. 12.
[0114] The determination of whether a deferrable load can be
serviced in a zone is essentially a determination of whether there
is an interval in that zone during which there is sufficient
marginal supply capacity to meet the deferrable load. The actual
load may vary by instant, but for this calculation it is sufficient
to approximate it by a piecewise constant function comprised of
short intervals. Five minutes is sufficient. The process for
determining whether there is sufficient marginal power in a zone to
supply a deferrable demand begins with dividing the zone into these
short intervals (step 1201). The available marginal supply capacity
(AMCS) in each interval is calculated (step 1202). The system then
steps through the intervals in order to find a contiguous period
during which the AMCS is, at all instances, greater than the
approximated load of the deferred services.
[0115] This determination begins by setting the hypothesis that
there is enough energy to "not enough energy" and the length of the
contiguous set of intervals under test to 0 (steps 1202, 1203).
Then, for the intervals in order, the system tests whether the AMC
S is greater than or equal to the load of the deferred service
(step 1205). If not, the length of the interval under test is set
to zero (step 1206) and the search continues though the remainder
of the zone. If there is sufficient capacity (AMCS>deferrable
load), the length of the interval set is increased by 1 (step
1207). At this point the method determines whether the entire
deferrable load requirement has been met (i.e. the length of the
interval set is greater than or equal to the duration of the
deferrable load) (step 1208). If not, the next interval is tested.
If so, then the hypothesis that there is sufficient energy is set
to "enough energy" (step 1209) and the method ends with the
determination that the deferrable load can be scheduled for the
zone under test.
[0116] If it is determined that there is more than one zone when
the services can be performed, the system calculates when the
services can be performed at the lowest cost. This is done by
looping through the candidate zones (1105) and (1106). At the
completion of the process, the deferrable load is scheduled for
execution. That is, the current on the deferrable load's circuit is
shut off until the start of the zone determined to be the lowest
cost (step 1107).
[0117] If there is no zone which has sufficient energy available to
perform the deferred service without impacting the dispatch
calculation, it is necessary to accept that the service must be
performed at a higher cost. In this case, the new cost is
calculated by incrementing demand in each zone before the scheduled
time of delivery by an amount necessary to meet the deferrable
demand, and then repeating the least cost dispatch calculation. The
preferred zone to perform the service is the one where the marginal
cost is lowest.
[0118] The third aspect of the optimization is the determination of
when to buy or sell power from the grid. Sales to the grid can be
made in three different ways--(1) the meter can be run in reverse,
essentially selling power back at the prevailing retail price, (2)
when utilities declare an emergency, power can be sold under an
established demand response program, and (3) power can be sold in
the wholesale power market.
[0119] Effective management of the buy/sell decision can be based
on the arbitrage algorithm discussed below. This calculation builds
on the least cost dispatch algorithm, and should be executed after
the deferrable loads have been scheduled.
[0120] Variants of the invention include three capabilities for
optimal energy management--(1) optimal (least-cost) dispatching of
multiple supplies, (2) management of demand side resources, and (3)
use of storage. This section addresses how storage can be deployed
optimally. Storage can take multiple forms, including batteries
(including but not limited to lead acid and nickel metal hydride),
large capacitors (sometimes called supercap), mechanical storage in
the form of a flywheel, and compressed air. The invention is
designed to work with any form of storage or multiple forms of
storage in a single installation. The specific form of storage is
not critical, nor is storage technology an aspect of the
invention.
[0121] The value of storage technology is manifest: (1) storage
provides emergency backup when supply from the grid is interrupted;
(2) storage buffers the difference between demand at an instant in
the supply from variant sources like photovoltaics and wind,
allowing them to be used when there is no grid connection; (3)
storage extends the period of usefulness of technologies like solar
and wind which show large variation in production over the course
of the day; (4) where the cost of a supply varies over the course
of the day (as in the case of time of day rates) storage provides
for shifting demand from time of high cost to low cost; (5) storage
can provide for the mitigation of "demand charges" which are based
on peak consumption, possibly to the extent necessary to move to a
lower cost contract; and (6) in sufficient quantity (as from
multiple units (100's or 1000's) energy for and from storage can be
traded on the wholesale market allowing for arbitraging.
[0122] For simplicity of notation, "buying" storage refers to
putting energy into storage from any source, and "selling" storage
as discharging from storage to meet demand, sell to the grid, sell
on the wholesale market, or transfer to another form or
storage.
[0123] As the invention specifically addresses management of
electricity, the logical unit for measuring storage is Amp hours
(Ah) at the voltage of service, which can be 120V, 220V split
phase, 208 3 phase, or 240 2-wire for foreign installations. The
capacity and current storage of mechanical technologies are not
naturally measured in Amp hours, but in units such as Newton meters
for flywheels or liters at a pressure given in kilopascals for
compressed air. These, however, can be converted to the equivalent
Amp hours by a simple engineering calculation accounting for the
efficiency of the generator. The following pseudocode provides one
example of the method of calculation: [0124] Nt=number of
technologies [0125] Nz=number of "zones" of uniform value as shown
in FIG. 10 [0126] Vk=the value of power in zone k. The value of
power is the marginal cost of power in a zone from the least-cost
dispatch calculation except in two cases--(1) where power is being
sold, at which point the value is the sales price, and (2) where
there is excess power from an alternative source than can neither
be sold or stored, in which case the value is zero. [0127]
SCi=Storage capacity of technology i [0128] SSi,j=storage sold from
technology i in time interval j [0129] SBi,j=storage bought for
technology i in time interval j [0130] Cij=energy stored in
technology i at end of time interval j [0131] Cio=energy stored in
technology I at start of planning period
[0132] Revenue in any time interval i is given by:
R=.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.nt.SIGMA..sub.k=1.sup.nz(SSkj-SBkj)Vk (eq.
1)
[0133] The objective is to maximize revenue as given above, subject
to the standard non-negativity constraint necessary to solution of
a linear program:
SSij.gtoreq.0.A-inverted.i,j
SBij.gtoreq.0.A-inverted.i,j (eq. 2)
[0134] Additionally, there are the obvious physical constraints
that one cannot "buy" more storage than there is unused capacity or
sell more storage than there is currently stored. As defined, the
storage at the start of period 1 for technology i is Cio. The
charge at the end of the period is given by:
C.sub.i1=C.sub.i0+SB.sub.i1-SS.sub.i1
C.sub.12=C.sub.i1+SB.sub.i2-SS.sub.i2=C.sub.i0+SB.sub.i1-SS.sub.i1+SB.su-
b.i2-SS.sub.i2
C.sub.i3=C.sub.i3+SB.sub.i3-SS.sub.i3=C.sub.i0+SB.sub.i1+SB.sub.i2-SS.su-
b.i2+SB.sub.i3-SS.sub.i3
[0135] Generally,
Cin=Ci.sub.0.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1(SBij-SSij) (eq. 3)
[0136] The constraint on not buying more than the capacity allows
is given by:
SB.sub.in.ltoreq.SC.sub.i-C.sub.in-1.A-inverted.i,n
SB.sub.i1.ltoreq.SC.sub.i-C.sub.i0 (eq. 4)
SB.sub.in.ltoreq.SC.sub.i-(C.sub.i0+.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1(SBij-SSij).A-
-inverted.n.gtoreq.2 (eq. 5)
[0137] Equation 4 is in standard form for a linear program.
Equation 5 is put in standard form simply by rearranging terms:
SB.sub.in-.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1SBij.ltoreq.SC.sub.i-C.sub.i0 (eq.
5a)
[0138] The constraints on not selling more than is stored are
stated as follows:
SS.sub.i,m.ltoreq.C.sub.i,m-1.A-inverted.i,m
SS.sub.i,1.ltoreq.C.sub.i0 (eq. 6)
SSim.ltoreq.(C.sub.i0+.SIGMA..sub.j-1.sup.m-1(SBij-SSij).A-inverted.n.gt-
oreq.2 (eq. 7)
[0139] As for the earlier constraints, equation 6 is in standard
form and equation 7 is readily transformed:
SSin-.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1SBij+.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1SSij.ltoreq.C.su-
b.i0 (eq. 7a)
[0140] Solution of this LP by standard means (e.g. the Simplex
Algorithm) is not difficult, but, as had been emphasized
previously, this calculation must be repeated frequently on a small
processor. Hence, there may be an advantage in simplifying the
calculation to the maximum possible extent. These observations
assist in simplifying the calculation: [0141] Principle 1: Since
the value of energy is constant in any period, if it makes sense to
buy storage, the system will buy the maximum amount possible.
[0142] Principle 2: Similarly, if it makes sense to sell storage,
the system will sell the maximum amount possible. [0143] Principle
3: It will never make sense to both buy and sell in one period.
[0144] Together, the first two observations transform the problem
from a general linear programming problem into the special form of
a binary integer program.
[0145] Let: [0146] XSi,j=1 if capacity is sold from technology i in
period j and 0 otherwise [0147] XBi,j=1 if capacity is bought for
technology i in period j and 0 otherwise
[0148] The objective function now becomes
Maximize
R=.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.nt.SIGMA..sub.i=1.sup.nz(XS.sub.ijSS.sub.-
ij-XB.sub.ijSB.sub.ij)V.sub.i (eq. 8)
Where SSij and SBij are constants calculated as follows:
SS.sub.in=Ci,n-1
SB.sub.in=SCi-C.sub.i,n-1 (eq. 9)
[0149] Where Ci,n are still calculated as in equation 3.
[0150] The constraints are rewritten as follows:
SB.sub.in-.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1SBij+.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1SSij.ltoreq-
.SC.sub.i-C.sub.i0 (eq. 5a)
becomes
XBinSB.sub.in-.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1XBijSBij+.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1XSi-
jSSij.ltoreq.SC.sub.i-C.sub.i0 (eq. 5b)
SSin-.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1SBij+.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1SSij.ltoreq.C.su-
b.i0 (eq. 7a)
becomes
XBinSSin-.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1XBijSBij+.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.n-1XSijSSij-
.ltoreq.C.sub.i0 (eq. 7b)
[0151] This formulation is the simplest one. It assumes a perfect
storage in which energy can be stored and retrieved without loss or
any cost other than the cost of the energy. This is not a realistic
case, but the explanation is clearer without these additional
complications and the formulation is precisely the same. There are
two factors to consider. The first is that not all of the power
purchased can be stored with perfect efficiency.
[0152] The simplest method to address this is to add an efficiency
term to the objective function, which provides for less revenue
when power is sold. This term (eff) is less than 1 and is a linear
approximation of average energy lost in a buy/sell
(charge/discharge) cycle. The objective function with an efficiency
term is as follows:
Maximize
R=.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.nt.SIGMA..sub.i=1.sup.nz(eff.times.XS.sub-
.ijSS.sub.ij-XB.sub.ijSB.sub.ij)V.sub.i (eq. 10)
[0153] The other factor to consider is that some forms of storage
(notably batteries) lose capacity with repeated cycles and are
limited in the number of cycles they can execute. These can be
addressed by adjusting the objective function to include a cost of
cycling as follows:
Maximize
.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.nt.SIGMA..sub.i=1.sup.nzXS.sub.ij(eff.times-
.SS.sub.ijV.sub.i)-.SIGMA..sub.j=1.sup.nt.SIGMA..sub.i=1.sup.nzXB.sub.ij(S-
B.sub.ijV.sub.i+CycleCost (Eq. 11)
[0154] The constraints remain the same. CycleCost is the estimated
cost of executing a cycle. Cio in equation 3 is replaced with Cio',
which is a function (determined, e.g., via experimentation and/or
engineering data for a specific device) of the starting capacity,
the number of cycles, and the total amount of energy stored. This
is stated as follows:
Cio'=F(Cio,.SIGMA..sub.t=0.sup..infin..SIGMA..sub.j=0.sup.nz(t)(XSij),.S-
IGMA..sub.t=0.sup..infin..SIGMA..sub.j=0.sup.nz(t)(SBij)) (Eq.
12)
[0155] In equation 12 there are two summations over time from
time=0 to time=infinity. These sums represent the history of the
storage device. The sum of Xij represents the number of times the
technology was used, as XSij=1 whenever power is added to the
technology. The second double sum (of SBij) equals the amount of
energy added to the device over its life since startup. Nz(t) is
the number of zone used in a cycle. This function is characteristic
of a specific storage technology. It should be estimated from
engineering principles and the design data for the specific
device.
[0156] At this point the problem has been formulated as a
relatively simple binary integer program with linear constraints.
For the most common case where there is a single storage medium
(e.g. batteries) and the forecasting period is limited to ten zones
(1 to 1.5 days under most utility rate schedules), the problems is
then limited to 20 zero/one variables (10 sell options and 10 buy
options). Assuming that the optimum solution would not likely
involve selling in the 3 zones with the lowest rates nor buying in
the zones with the three highest rates, the problem size is reduced
to 7 buy options and 7 sell options. Thus, in six of the 10
periods, there are only two options (do nothing and either buy or
sell depending on whether it is a high value period or a low value
period), while in the other four period there are, in theory, four
options do nothing, buy only, sell only, and buy and sell. The last
of these makes no sense, of course, so 1/4 of the options need not
evaluated, leaving only three. Thus, the total number of
combinations is given by
[0157] Number of combinations=26.times.34=5184.
[0158] As the evaluation of an option involves only a few simple
additions, the options can be quickly evaluated through simple
enumeration. This case, while special, is in fact the most common
as there are very few if any current installations with more than
one form of storage.
[0159] For larger cases it may be necessary to solve the problem by
the standard means of solving binary integer programming problems,
as addressed in the section on least cost dispatch.
[0160] Referring again to FIG. 3, step 311 will now be explained in
more detail (estimating the daily service profile). The daily
service profile is an estimate of load over the course of the
forecasting period. The forecasting period at a minimum should span
the next 24 hours, but 48 hours may be better. The only barrier to
the longer period is the processor time required to perform the
longer forecast without impacting the basic safety monitoring
function of the controller's processor. The size of the problem
that must be solved at any installation for any period is
determined by the number of load zones reflecting changes in the
grid rate schedule or the relative rank of costs of the grid and
alternative sources. More zones imply a larger optimization problem
and exponentially longer solution time, potentially reducing the
forecast period from 48 hours to the acceptable 24 hours.
[0161] In preparing the daily service profile, demand (measured in
kW) can be estimated at 15 minute intervals for the forecast
period. There are two preferred methods for doing this. The first
method is based on past usage patterns. This is shown in FIG. 13.
The process begins with the specification of categories of patterns
(1301). In a typical home or business, there are distinct
differences between different kinds of days, such as weekdays or
weekends, workdays or non-work days, vacation days, holidays, or
other. In addition, patterns will be defined for sunny days, cloudy
days, partly cloudy days, and rainy days. Using engineering
principles, (e.g. a building energy model like DOE-2) an estimate
can be made of the load for 15 minute intervals for the next 24
hours (step 1302). While this estimate should be as accurate as can
readily be obtained, it is not critical that it be highly accurate,
as the remainder of the process is directed at correcting this
error.
[0162] The next step is to select a pattern for use for the next 24
hours (step 1303). If the day is a weekday and sunny, for example,
a sunny weekday pattern should be elected. Again, however, the
consequences of choosing a bad pattern at this point are not
serious. At this point the routine re-estimation begins. This is
shown by the loop (step 1308) which executes every 15 minutes or
more frequently if new data are received from the network
indicating a change in ambient conditions, utility rates, or other
factors or there is a substantial change in the load at the
house.
[0163] Every cycle, actual load for the past four hours is compared
to the load from each available pattern. A correlation coefficient
(r-squared) is calculated, (1304) and the best match is identified
(1305). This pattern is then scaled up or down linearly to reflect
the absolute level of energy use (1306) as described below. The
final step is to update the pattern to reflect actual energy use
(1307). A simple method for accomplishing this is described below.
An alternative method is to use a Bayesian approximation.
[0164] The objective of this final step is to improve the fidelity
of the patterns after the initial crude estimate, to accommodate
changes in the premises, to incorporate longer term patterns in
energy use (such as from climate or the degradation of HVAC
equipment). Short-term changes as in the case of weather are
integrated by re-estimation every 15 minutes or more frequently in
response to changing conditions. Historically, one of the best
predictions of a day's weather is to assume that it will be like
yesterday, and the best prediction of the upcoming hour is the past
hour. Obviously, however, weather does change. When forecast
information is available, this can be transmitted from the control
center (101) to the facility in the form of direction to use a
specific pattern. In this way the forecast can accommodate
predictions for rain, snow, clearing, or other weather patterns.
One method for doing this is described below.
TABLE-US-00003 Define Np Number of patterns (e.g. weekday, weekend,
vacation) T Time period in 15 minute intervals t = (-16 . . . -1)
for the four hours prior to the current time t = 0 for the current
time t = (1 . . . 96) for the next 24 hours Lij Load (kW) at time j
using pattern i ALj Actual load (kW) at time j, j = (-16 . . . -1)
(prior four hours) PLj Predicted load (kW) at time j, j = 1.96
(next 24 hours) SF Scale factor, which is the ratio of the energy
actually used in the last four hours over the energy that would
have been used had the selected pattern actually pertained
[0165] Step 1: Identify the most accurate pattern. Calculate r2 for
ALj vs. Lij for all patterns i, for the past four hours (j=-16 . .
. -1). r2 is the standard goodness of fit measure, where r is given
by =[Cov(AL,Li)]/[StdDev(AL).times.StdDev(Li)]. Use pattern i which
has the highest r2.
[0166] Step 2: Scale the selected pattern to reflect actual use.
Use pattern i which has the highest r2. Estimate demand for the
next 24 hours by scaling the selected pattern by the ratio of the
actual absolute use of energy over the past four hours vs. the
energy use as expressed in the selected pattern.
SF=.SIGMA..sub.j=-16.sup.-1ALj/.SIGMA..sub.j=-16.sup.-1Lij
PLj=SF.times.Lij for j=(1 . . . 96)
[0167] Use this PLj as the forecasted for the next 24 hours.
[0168] Step 3: Update the Pattern. Adjust the pattern to reflect
the difference between measured and projected for the last hour and
the scale factor used for the forecast. [0169] Lij=0.5* (Lij+ALj)
for j=(-16 . . . -1)--past is average of actual and estimated
[0170] Lij=Lij*((SF+1)/2) for j=(1 . . . 96)--future is adjusted by
having the scale factor estimate demand for the next 24 hours by
scaling the selected pattern by the ratio of the actual absolute
use of energy over the past four hours vs. the energy use as
expressed in the selected pattern.
[0171] Any of the steps or modules described above may be provided
in software and stored as computer-executable instructions on one
or more computer-readable media. Numerals used in the appended
claims are provided for clarity only and should not be interpreted
to limit the order of any steps or elements recited in the
claims.
* * * * *