Automation devices, systems, architectures, and methods for energy management and other applications

An automation system comprising:

• a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility;
• an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device, wherein the automation controller includes a compiler configured to take high level rules and information about the peripheral devices and produce at least one program that will respond to data from the peripheral devices and to timer, calendar, clock, and preprogrammed events and a server component that provides the data as input to the at least one program and takes actions based on the output of the program, unless a demand/response client is attempting to control the peripheral device.