Grain aeration systems and techniques

Abstract

In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a networked grain aeration control system. For example, the system can provide centralized monitoring of the aeration of a number of grain storage facilities, thereby improving the management of stored grain. The networked grain aeration control system can allow the custodian of the system to offer an aeration service. Farmers, or other individuals, cooperatives, or companies can purchase the aeration service at a cost proportionate to the amount of stored grain to be aerated and the duration of storage. In this manner, the purchaser of the aeration service can avoid relatively high fixed costs that can be associated with various aeration hardware.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A computer-implemented method for implementing a power load criteria for a crop storage facility, the computer-implemented method comprising:
 obtaining a crop objective on a central computer;   obtaining, on the central computer, power load criteria, wherein the power load criteria indicates criteria for regulating power demand of the crop storage facility;   causing a processor of the central computer to determine a control policy configured to manage the storage of a crop in the crop storage facility, wherein the determined control policy is at least partially dependent on the power load criteria and the crop objective; and   causing the processor of the central computer to send the control policy to the crop storage facility.   
     
     
         43 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the power load criteria includes power load demands from a power supply company. 
     
     
         44 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 43 , wherein the power load demands are received from the power supply company in real time. 
     
     
         45 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 43 , wherein the control policy is configured to modify management of the storage of the crop in the crop storage facility upon the power load demand from the power supply company indicating a high demand period. 
     
     
         46 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the control policy is configured to modify management of the storage of the crop in the crop storage facility upon the power load criteria indicating a shutdown request from a power supply company. 
     
     
         47 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the power load criteria includes a power load scheme, wherein the power load scheme indicates actuation time intervals for the control policy. 
     
     
         48 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the power load criteria includes a power load scheme, wherein the power load scheme indicates an actuation time budget for the control policy. 
     
     
         49 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 48 , wherein the actuation time budget includes a backlog of unused time. 
     
     
         50 . A computer-readable storage medium having computer executable instructions for implementing a power load criteria for a crop storage facility, the computer executable instructions comprising:
 obtaining a crop objective;   obtaining power load criteria, wherein the power load criteria indicates criteria for regulating power demand of the crop storage facility;   determining a control policy configured to manage the storage of a crop in the crop storage facility, wherein the determined control policy is at least partially dependent on the power load criteria and the crop objective; and   sending the control policy to the crop storage facility.   
     
     
         51 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 50 , wherein the power load criteria includes power load demands from a power supply company. 
     
     
         52 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 51 , wherein the control policy is configured to modify management of the storage of the crop in the crop storage facility upon the power load demand from the power supply company indicating a high demand period. 
     
     
         53 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 50 , wherein the control policy is configured to modify management of the storage of the crop in the crop storage facility upon the power load criteria indicating a shutdown request from a power supply company. 
     
     
         54 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 50 , wherein the power load criteria includes a power load scheme, wherein the power load scheme indicates actuation time intervals for the control policy. 
     
     
         55 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 50 , wherein the power load criteria includes a power load scheme, wherein the power load scheme indicates an actuation time budget for the control policy. 
     
     
         56 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 55 , wherein the actuation time budget includes a backlog of unused time. 
     
     
         57 . A system for implementing a power load criteria for a crop storage facility, the system comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured for:
 obtaining a crop objective; 
 obtaining power load criteria, wherein the power load criteria indicates criteria for regulating power demand of the crop storage facility; 
 determining a control policy configured to manage the storage of a crop in the crop storage facility, wherein the determined control policy is at least partially dependent on the power load criteria and the crop objective; and 
 sending the control policy to the crop storage facility. 
   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the power load criteria includes power load demands from a power supply company. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the control policy is configured to modify management of the storage of the crop in the crop storage facility upon the power load demand from the power supply company indicating a high demand period. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the power load criteria includes a power load scheme, wherein the power load scheme indicates an actuation time budget for the control policy. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein the actuation time budget includes a backlog of unused time.