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.

1 . A method for deferring demand for electrical energy, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
 (1) estimating, with a computer, a cost over a forecasting period for electrical energy at a location, wherein the forecasting period is divided into multiple zones, the cost of electrical energy is estimated based on a forecast of demand for electrical energy in each zone, and the forecast of demand is based on factors including historical data of electrical energy at the location and an ambient condition at the location;   (2) determining, with the computer, a demand for electrical energy by one or more devices at the location;   (3) identifying, with the computer, a zone of the multiple zones in which a 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 one or more zones of the multiple zones having a total duration exceeding an operational time of the at least one device;   (5) selecting, with the computer, a zone of the one or more zones identified in step (4) as a lower-cost time period; and   (6) deferring, with the computer, electrical consumption for the at least one device from a higher-cost time period to the lower-cost time period.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply capacity is generated by a non-grid-based power source. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the non-grid-based power source is a photovoltaic power source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (5) includes
 (5a) identifying, from the one or more 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 power supply capacity to provide the electrical load of the at least one device for the operational time,   (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 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 one or more 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 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply capacity is generated by a non-grid-based power source, and step (4) includes identifying the lower-cost time period based on a characteristic of the non-grid-based power source. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the characteristic of the non-grid based power source includes a fixed marginal cost of the non-grid-based power source, and step (2) includes determining, with the computer, said fixed marginal cost. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (1) includes estimating the forecast of demand at pre-determined time intervals of the forecasting period, and each of the pre-determined time intervals is less than one hour.