Energy management apparatus, system and method

Abstract

A system and method for power generation and/or distribution and for providing air conditioning is disclosed, that is particularly suitable for localized consumption. Power generation includes a combined cooling, heating and power system (CCHP) containing a gas or liquid fueled internal combustion engine with a generator and heat recovery system for providing electrical power and heat for local consumption. The CCHP system includes an integrated cooling system for cooling a local environment, using either vapor compression and/or heat pump and/or evaporative cooling technology. The CCHP system also contains an energy management unit allowing CCHP system and local area electrical needs in whole or in part to be powered by either the CCHP generator and/or a communal electrical grid and/or renewable energy sources and/or a battery storage network.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of supplying air-conditioned air to a residence or other target space interior, said method comprising:
 positioning a heat and mass exchanger to discharge conditioned air into the residence or target space;   positioning a rotatable desiccant wheel dehumidifier in fluid communication with the heat and mass exchanger; and   receiving and treating supply air in the dehumidifier, thereby supplying dry air to the heat and mass exchanger and exhausting hot humid air;   wherein the heat and mass exchanger is positioned and configured to received dry air from the dehumidifier and supply cooler dry air to the residence or target space.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising communicating dry recycled air from the residence or target space as supply air received by the dehumidifier. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising receiving outdoor air into the heat and mass exchanger for treatment. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 positioning a second heat and mass exchanger upstream of the dehumidifier; and   operating the second heat and mass exchanger to deliver supply air to the dehumidifier and to receive return air from the residence or target space and outdoor air for treatment.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising positioning a vacuum chamber on a discharge side of the heat and mass exchanger and drawing said cool supply air through the vacuum chamber prior to discharge to the residence or target space. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A system for generating electric power and providing air conditioning in a localized installation, the system comprising:
 a hybrid power generator, the hybrid power generator including an internal combustion engine operatively coupled to an electric generator; and   an air conditioning system, the air conditioning system including at least one compressor;   wherein the at least one compressor is operatively coupled to the hybrid power generator, whereby the hybrid power generator is engageable with the compressor to compress a working refrigerant fluid.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one compressor is includes a single compressor that is operatively coupled to both the electric generator and the internal combustion engine, whereby the electric generator is selectively engageable with the compressor to electrically drive the compressor to compress the working refrigerant fluid, and whereby the internal combustion engine is selectively engageable with the compressor to mechanically drive the compressor to compress the working refrigerant fluid. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one compressor is includes:
 a mechanically driven compressor operatively to the internal combustion engine, whereby the internal combustion engine is selectively engageable with the mechanical compressor to mechanically drive the mechanical compressor to compress the working refrigerant fluid;   an electrically driven compressor operatively coupled to the electric generator, whereby the electric generator is selectively engageable with the electric compressor to electrically drive the compressor to compress the working refrigerant fluid; or   combinations thereof.   
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the electric generator is electrically coupled to an electrical energy convertor, and wherein the electrical energy convertor is electrically couple to battery storage, an electric grid, a renewable energy resource, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the air conditioning unit includes a vapor compression cooling subsystem disposed in a refrigeration cycle with the at least one compressor. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the air conditioning unit includes a heat pump disposed in a refrigeration cycle with the at least one compressor. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , further comprising a heat recovery unit in fluid communication with the refrigeration cycle of the heat pump, wherein the heat recovery unit includes a first heat exchanger thermally coupled with the internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the heat recovery unit further comprises a second heat exchanger thermally coupled with an exhaust of the internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the heat recovery unit further comprises a second heat exchanger downstream of the first heat exchanger and a heat engine fluidly coupled between the first and second heat exchangers. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein said heat engine is a adapted to generate an electromotive force via heat conduction through dissimilar metals, or wherein said heat engine is a thermoacoustic heat engine adapted to produce a resonant or regenerative acoustic wave in a medium in response to a temperature differential across said medium. 
     
     
         57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 52 , further comprising a pump fluidly coupled with, and downstream of, the first heat exchanger, wherein the pump is in fluid communication with at least one water condenser. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the at least one water condenser includes:
 a first water condenser thermally coupled with a desiccant dehumidifier;   a second water condenser thermally coupled with a boiler;   a third water condenser thermally coupled with a radiant space heater; or   combinations thereof.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the at least one water condenser includes a first water condenser thermally coupled with a desiccant dehumidifier, the desiccant dehumidifier in fluid communication with a heat and mass exchanger. 
     
     
         61 . A method of generating electric power and providing air conditioning in a localized installation, the method comprising:
 providing a hybrid power generator, the hybrid power generator including an internal combustion engine operatively coupled to an electric generator;   operating the hybrid power generator to generate mechanical energy via the internal combustion engine and electrical energy via the electric generator;   driving at least one compressor of an air conditioning system with the mechanical energy generated via the internal combustion engine, with the electrical energy generated via the electric generator, or combinations thereof, wherein the compressor compresses a working refrigerant fluid of the air conditioning system.   
     
     
         62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising selectively driving the at least one compressor with electrical energy from the electric generator, a battery, an electric grid, or a renewable energy resource. 
     
     
         65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . (canceled) 
     
     
         67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . (canceled) 
     
     
         69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . (canceled) 
     
     
         72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . (canceled)