Method and apparatus for load management metering in an electric power system

Abstract

A system for load control in an electrical power system is described, wherein one or more load-monitoring devices are provided to control power service delivered to a home or building. A remote power authority, such as a power company, government agency, or power transmission company sends one or more commands to the load-monitoring device to adjust loading on the electrical power system. In one embodiment, the power authority sends shutdown commands. In one embodiment, the power authority sends commands to tell the load-monitoring device to provide reduced power service. In one embodiment, the commands are time-limited, thereby allowing the electric power device system to resume normal operation after a specified period of time. In one embodiment, the commands include query commands to cause the control device to report operating characteristics (e.g., efficiency, time of operation, etc.) back to the power authority.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.