Method and apparatus for storing and using energy to reduce the end-user cost of energy

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy storing method and apparatus for use by end-users of energy, such as commercial property owners and operators. The system differs from past systems, insofar as it is not intended to be used by and in connection with energy suppliers, such as large utility and power supply plants and grids. The system preferably relates to the manner in which an end-user of energy can implement energy and costs savings, by using energy storage and time-shifting methods, to control and regulate the consumption of energy in a manner that achieves a cost savings over a period of time. One aspect of the method relates to accurately forecasting and predicting the energy demands and peaks that might occur on a daily basis, by recording and analyzing the prior day's history, as well as the overall energy demand histories, using short and long term forecasts, and then setting up a variable energy storage/use plan or schedule that helps to reduce the peak demands by time-shifting the energy that is used, i.e., reducing consumption during high demand/high cost periods, and using the energy stored during low demand/low cost periods during the high demand/high cost periods.

1 . A method of reducing the end-user cost of energy at a predetermined location, comprising:
 providing an energy storage system comprising at least one tank and compressor capable of storing energy in the form of compressed air energy;   locating said system at an end-user site, wherein said end-user is a consumer of energy rather than a supplier;   determining how much energy will be used at said site during a second period of time, during which the energy cost is based on a second rate;   determining the nature and extent of the peak power surges and/or spikes that are expected to occur at said site during said second period of time;   storing in said tank a predetermined amount of compressed air energy from an energy source during a first period of time, during which the energy cost is based on a first rate, which is lower than said second rate, wherein said first period of time is prior to said second period of time; and   using the compressed air energy from said tank in a manner that helps reduce and/or offset 1) the amount of energy used at said site during said second period of time, and/or 2) the peak power surges and/or spikes occurring during said second period of time.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source is a power grid connected to the system that can be accessed to supply energy into storage. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises developing an energy usage schedule for the second period of time, to determine how the energy from storage should be used. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises determining the amount of a demand charge that may be applied based on the spikes and/or surges that may occur during said second period of time, and developing an energy usage schedule to reduce and/or offset the spikes and/or surges. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said site is a commercial property, and wherein the storage system is used to lower the overall cost of energy at said commercial property. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage system comprises at least one turbo-expander and generator to release the compressed air energy and generate electricity during said second period of time. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage system comprises at least one device taken from the group consisting of:
 a. a solar thermal collector;   b. thermal inertia mass;   c. thin walled tubing with anti-freeze distributed inside the tank;   d. fossil fuel burner;   e. circulation device for using hot air from the compressor.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the energy storage system is adapted to use cold air from the turbo-expander for cooling and/or refrigeration purposes at said site. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage system comprises an indicator for measuring the energy consumption rate at said site to determine how much energy in storage should be released at any given moment in time. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the indicator is a consumption meter. 
   
   
       11 . A method of reducing the end-user cost of energy at a predetermined location, comprising:
 providing an energy storage system comprising at least one tank and compressor capable of storing energy in the form of compressed air energy;   locating said system at an end-user site, wherein said end-user is a consumer of energy rather than a supplier;   forecasting how much energy will be used at said site during a second period of time, during which the energy cost is based on a second rate;   storing in said tank a predetermined amount of compressed air energy from an energy source during a first period of time, during which the energy cost is based on a first rate, which is lower than said second rate, wherein said first period of time is prior to said second period of time; and   using the compressed air energy from said tank in a manner that reduces and/or offsets the amount of energy used at said site during said second period of time, to substantially reduce the amount of energy cost used by said site.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the energy source is a power grid connected to the system that can be accessed to supply energy into storage. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method comprises determining the nature and extent of the peak power surges and/or spikes that are expected to occur at said site during said second period of time, during which demand charges are assessed based on the level of said peak power surges and/or spikes, and then using the stored energy to reduce and/or offset the peak power surges and/or spikes occurring at said site during said second period of time. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method comprises developing an energy usage schedule for the second period of time to determine how the energy from storage should be used. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method comprises determining the amount of the demand charge that may be applied based on the peak power spikes and/or surges that may occur at said site during said second period of time, and developing the energy usage schedule to reduce and/or offset the peak power spikes and/or surges. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said site is a commercial property, and wherein the storage system is used to lower the overall cost of energy at said commercial property. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the energy storage system comprises at least one turbo-expander and generator to release the compressed air energy and generate electricity during said second period of time. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the energy storage system comprises at least one device taken from the group consisting of:
 a. a solar thermal collector;   b. thermal inertia mass;   c. thin walled tubing with anti-freeze distributed inside the tank;   d. fossil fuel burner;   e. circulation device for using hot air from the compressor.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the energy storage system comprises an indicator for measuring the energy consumption rate at said site to determine how much energy in storage should be released at any given moment in time. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the indicator is a consumption meter.