Adaptive load management: a system for incorporating customer electrical demand information for demand and supply side energy management

A method for distributing electricity among a plurality of end users, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

• determining electrical energy consumption characteristics of each of a plurality of electrical loads, each of the electrical loads being used by a corresponding one of the end users of the electricity;
• for each of the electrical loads, ascertaining a preference of the corresponding end user for an output of the electrical loads, the output varying with an amount of electrical energy consumed by the load;
• creating a mathematical model of an amount of electrical energy to be consumed by each of the electrical loads as a function of time and of monetary cost of the electrical energy, each of the models being dependent upon the electrical energy consumption characteristics of the electrical load and the preference of the end user for an output of the electrical load;
• aggregating together the mathematical models of electrical energy consumption;
• preparing a bid for an amount of electrical energy to be delivered during a specified period of time, the bid being prepared based on:
• the aggregation of the mathematical models of electrical energy consumption;
• and
• a known current market price and/or a future expected market price of the electrical energy;
• and
• submitting the bid to a supplier of electrical energy or electricity market.

An adaptive load management system, comprising:

• a plurality of local modules, each of the local modules being disposed in a respective building and configured to:
• determine electrical energy consumption characteristics of each of a plurality of electrical loads associated with the respective building;
• for each of the corresponding electrical loads, ascertain a preference of a corresponding end user of the load for an output of the electrical load, the output varying with an amount of electrical energy consumed by the load;
• and
• create a mathematical model of an amount of electrical energy to be consumed by each of the corresponding electrical loads as a function of time and of monetary cost of the electrical energy, each of the models being dependent upon the electrical energy consumption characteristics of the electrical load and the preference of the corresponding end user for an output of the electrical load;
• and
• an aggregator module communicatively coupled to each of the local modules and configured to:
• receive price data regarding a market for electricity;
• receive the mathematical models from each of the local modules;
• and
• purchase an amount of electrical energy to be delivered to the electrical loads during a specified period of time, the amount of energy being purchased being based on:
• the mathematical models of electrical energy consumption;
• and
• a known current market price and/or a future expected market price of the electrical energy.

A method for determining an amount of electricity to purchase, the method comprising:

• determining electrical power consumption characteristics of an electrical load, the electrical load being used by an end user of the electricity;
• ascertaining a preference of the end user for an output of the electrical load, the output varying with a rate of electrical power consumption by the load;
• creating a mathematical model of an amount of electrical power to be consumed by the load as a function of time and of monetary cost of the electricity, the model being dependent upon the electrical power consumption characteristics of the electrical load and the preference of the end user for an output of the electrical load;
• reserving an amount of electricity to be delivered by an electricity provider at a future point in time, the amount of electricity that is reserved being based on:
• the mathematical model of an amount of electrical power to be consumed by the load;
• and
• the monetary cost of the electricity;
• repeating the determining, ascertaining, creating and reserving steps a plurality of times before the future point in time;
• and
• receiving delivery of the most recently reserved amount of electricity at the future point in time.