# US 10,372,188 B2 · Electrical power management

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- Number: US 10,372,188 B2
- Document ID: US10372188B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/165,884
- Filed: 2018-10-19
- Published: 2019-03-21
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-08-21
- Applicants: Robert F. Cruickshank, III
- Inventors: Robert F. Cruickshank, III
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10372188B2

## CPC

- H02J 3/003: {Load forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future load demand}
- G06F 1/3206: Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality
- G06F 1/3296: by lowering the supply or operating voltage
- G06F 11/3062: {where the monitored property is the power consumption (power management in a computing system G06F1/3203)}
- G06Q 30/0223: {based on inventory}
- G06Q 30/0611: {Request for offers or quotes}
- G06Q 50/06: Energy or water supply
- H02J 3/00: Circuit arrangements for AC mains or AC distribution networks
- H02J 3/14: by switching loads on to, or off from, the networks, e.g. progressively balanced loading
- G06F 1/26: Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof (for memories G11C)
- H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators}
- H02J 2101/20: Dispersed power generation using renewable energy sources
- H02J 2101/22: Solar energy
- H02J 2101/28: Wind energy
- H02J 2105/55: according to an economic condition, e.g. tariff-based load management
- Y02B 70/3225: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
- Y04S 10/50: Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
- Y04S 20/222: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
- Y04S 50/10: Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid
- Y04S 50/14: Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS

## Abstract

A method includes a power supply system receiving a first request for a first quantity of power for a first time period from a first unit. The system generates a first quote based on an available power generation capacity, environmental factors and a forecasted level of power consumption. The system transmits the first quote to the first unit. The system receives a second request for a second quantity of power for a second time period. The system generates a second quote based on the same factors as the first quote. The system transmits the second quote to the second unit. The value of the first quote and the value of the second quote are set to discourage demand in a first mode and to encourage demand in a second mode to maximize efficient operating levels of the power generation sources in both the first mode and the second mode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
receiving, by a system from a first unit of a facility, a first demand request for a first quantity of power for a first time period having a first starting time and a first duration;
generating, by the system, a first price quote in response to the first demand request, the first price quote based on an available power generation capacity of a power generation source of the facility or of a power generation source of an electrical power provider, environmental factors, and a forecasted level of power consumption, wherein the facility and the electrical power provider are separate;
transmitting, by the system to the first unit, the first price quote;
receiving, by the system from a second unit of the facility, a second demand request for a second quantity of power for a second time period having a second starting time and a second duration, the second starting time being different from the first starting time, and the second time period overlapping at least a portion of the first time period;
generating, by the system, a second price quote in response to the second demand request, the second price quote based on the available power generation capacity of the power generation source of the facility or of the power generation source of the electrical power provider, the environmental factors, and the forecasted level of power consumption; and
transmitting, by the system to the second unit, the second price quote;
wherein the value of the first price quote and the value of the second price quote are set to discourage demand of the power in a first mode and to encourage demand of the power in a second mode to maximize an efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility or the power generation source of the electrical power provider in both the first mode and the second mode;
wherein the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility in the first mode is lower than the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility in the second mode, or the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the electrical power provider in the first mode is lower than the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the electrical power provider in the second mode; and
wherein the first unit and the second unit are controlled automatically based on the first and second price quotes to maximize the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility or the power generation source of the electrical power provider in both the first mode and the second mode.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the power generated by the power generation source of the facility is stored in a distributed generation storage system.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein an overflow of power produced by the power generation source of the facility is sold or traded.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the power generation source of the facility and the power generation source of the electrical power provider are a solar panel, fuel cell, wind turbine, or other energy source.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first unit or the second unit includes:
(i) an appliance;
(ii) a controller for the appliance coupled to the appliance or located remotely from the appliance, the controller and appliance located in the facility;
(iii) an electricity meter configured to communicate with one or more appliances, the one or more appliances located in the facility; or
(iv) a master controller configured to communicate with one or more appliances, the one or more appliances located in a plurality of facilities.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental factors include outdoor air temperature, relative humidity, diffuse and direct solar insolation and wind speed.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first price quote and the second price quote are further based on an energy reserve; and
the first price quote and the second price quote are generated to reduce the energy reserve of at least one power generation source.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first price quote and the second price quote are further based on a level of curtailment of power produced by solar energy, wind energy, and other energy sources; and
the first price quote and the second price quote are generated to reduce the level of curtailment of power produced by solar energy, wind energy, and other energy sources, of at least one power generation source.

### Claim 9

A method comprising:
sending, by a first processor of a facility, a first demand request for a first quantity of power for a first time period having a first starting time and a first time duration,
receiving, by a system, the first demand request;
generating, by the system, a first price quote in response to the first demand request, the first price quote based on an available power generation capacity of a power generation source of the facility or of a power generation source of an electrical power provider, environmental factors, and a forecasted level of power consumption, wherein the facility and the electrical power provider are separate;
transmitting, by the system to the first processor, the first price quote;
receiving, by the first processor, the first price quote;
sending, by a second processor of the facility, a second demand request for a second quantity of power for a second time period having a second starting time and a second time duration, the second starting time being different from the first starting time, and the second time period overlapping at least a portion of the first time period;
receiving, by the system, the second demand request;
generating, by the system, a second price quote in response to the second demand request, the second price quote based on the available power generation capacity of the power generation source of the facility or of the power generation source of the electrical power provider, the environmental factors, and the forecasted level of power consumption;
transmitting, by the system to the second processor, the second price quote; and
receiving, by the second processor, the second price quote;
wherein the value of the first price quote and the value of the second price quote are set to discourage demand of the power in a first mode and to encourage demand of the power in a second mode to maximize an efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility or the power generation source of the electrical power provider in both the first mode and the second mode;
wherein the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility in the first mode is lower than the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility in the second mode, or the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the electrical power provider in the first mode is lower than the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the electrical power provider in the second mode; and
wherein the first processor and the second processor are controlled automatically based on the first and second price quotes to maximize the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility or the power generation source of the electrical power provider in both the first mode and the second mode.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the power generated by the power generation source of the facility is stored in a distributed generation storage system.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein an overflow of power produced by the power generation source of the facility is sold or traded.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the power generation source of the facility and the power generation source of the electrical power provider are a solar panel, fuel cell, wind turbine, or other energy source.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the first processor or the second processor includes:
(i) an appliance;
(ii) a controller for the appliance coupled to the appliance or located remotely from the appliance, the controller and appliance located in the facility;
(iii) an electricity meter configured to communicate with one or more appliances, the one or more appliances located in the facility; or
(iv) a master controller configured to communicate with one or more appliances, the one or more appliances located in a plurality of facilities.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the environmental factors include outdoor air temperature, relative humidity, diffuse and direct solar insolation and wind speed.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein:
the first price quote and the second price quote are further based on an energy reserve; and
the first price quote and the second price quote are generated to reduce the energy reserve of at least one power generation source.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein:
the first price quote and the second price quote are further based on a level of curtailment of power produced by solar energy, wind energy, and other energy sources; and
the first price quote and the second price quote are generated to reduce the level of curtailment of power produced by solar energy, wind energy, and other energy sources of at least one power generation source.

### Claim 17

A system comprising:
a receiver, the receiver receiving (i) from a first unit of a facility, a first demand request for a first quantity of power for a first time period having a first starting time and a first time duration, and (ii) from a second unit of the facility, a second demand request for a second quantity of power for a second time period having a second starting time and a second time duration, the second starting time being different from the first starting time, and the second time period overlapping at least a portion of the first time period;
a processor, the processor generating (i) a first price quote in response to the first demand request, the first price quote based on an available power generation capacity of a power generation source of the facility or of a power generation source of an electrical power provider, environmental factors, and a forecasted level of power consumption, and (ii) a second price quote in response to the second demand request, the second price quote based on the available power generation capacity of the power generation source of the facility or of the power generation source of the electrical power provider, the environmental factors, and the forecasted level of power consumption; and
a transmitter, the transmitter transmitting to (i) the first unit, the first price quote, and (ii) the second unit, the second price quote;
wherein the facility and the electrical power provider are separate;
wherein the value of the first price quote and the value of the second price quote are set to discourage demand of the power in a first mode and to encourage demand of the power in a second mode to maximize an efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility or the power generation source of the electrical power provider in both the first mode and the second mode;
wherein the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility in the first mode is lower than the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility in the second mode, or the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the electrical power provider in the first mode is lower than the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the electrical power provider in the second mode; and
wherein the first unit and the second unit are controlled automatically based on the first and second price quotes to maximize the efficient operating level of the power generation source of the facility or the power generation source of the electrical power provider in both the first mode and the second mode.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the power generated by the power generation source of the facility is stored in a distributed generation storage system.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein an overflow of power produced by the power generation source of the facility is sold or traded.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the environmental factors include outdoor air temperature, relative humidity, diffuse and direct solar insolation and wind speed.