Method and apparatus for delivering power using external data

Abstract

A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to control fluctuations in the energy use at an electric load location, by performing the steps of:
 monitoring power fluctuations in an electric line that is coupled to an electric load location; and   controlling a transfer of energy from or to the electric line from an energy source by controlling the transfer of energy to a first set-point, and controlling the transfer of energy to a second set-point, wherein the second set-point is selected based on a change in an electrical tariff.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the selection of the second set-point is based on a simulation that includes electrical power tariff information. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the selection of the second set-point is based on state-of-charge data received from the energy source. 
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the selection of the second set-point comprises receiving forecast information that is derived from forecasted coefficient data or historical coefficient data. 
     
     
         5 . A method for controlling fluctuations in the energy use at an electric load location, comprising:
 monitoring power fluctuations in an electric line that is coupled to an electric load location; and   controlling a transfer of energy from or to the electric line from an energy source by controlling the transfer of energy to a first set-point, and controlling the transfer of energy to a second set-point, wherein the second set-point is selected based on a change in an electrical tariff.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the selection of the second set-point is based on a simulation that includes electrical power tariff information. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the selection of the second set-point is based on state-of-charge data received from the energy source. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the selection of the second set-point comprises receiving forecast information that is derived from forecasted coefficient data or historical coefficient data. 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 a memory storing a set of instructions; and   a processor coupled to the memory and, when executing the set of instructions, is configured to:
 monitor power fluctuations in an electric line that is coupled to an electric load location; and 
 control a transfer of energy from or to the electric line from an energy source by controlling the transfer of energy to a first set-point, and controlling the transfer of energy to a second set-point, wherein the second set-point is selected based on a change in an electrical tariff. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the selection of the second set-point is based on a simulation that includes electrical power tariff information. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the selection of the second set-point is based on state-of-charge data received from the energy source. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the selection of the second set-point comprises receiving forecast information that is derived from forecasted coefficient data or historical coefficient data.