Method and apparatus for load management metering in an electric power system
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.
1 . An apparatus for load control in an electrical power system, comprising:
a relay configured to control electric power provided to a distribution panel;
a processing system configured to receive commands via a data interface device from a power authority, said processing system addressable using an identification code that identifies a maximum amount of current to be provided to said distribution panel, said processing system configured to receive at least a first command from said power authority to said data interfaced device to control said relay to allow said maximum amount of current.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first command comprises a shutdown command.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first command comprises a command to shutdown for a specified period of time.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said data interface device comprises a modem.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said data interface device comprises a broadband over power line modem.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said data interface device comprises a wireless modem.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said data interface device comprises a telephone modem.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said data interface device comprises a powerline modem.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a standard electric service meter.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said apparatus is configured to plug into a standard electric service meter box as a replacement for a standard electric service meter.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , said apparatus further comprising a socket for a standard electric service meter.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , said apparatus configured to plug into a standard electric meter box.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , said apparatus configured as a double-pole main circuit breaker.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said remote power authority is configured to monitor power through a power service transformer and to send said first command when power through said transformer exceeds a specified maximum.
15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said remote power authority is configured to monitor power through a power service transformer and to send said first command to shut down relatively low-priority devices when power through said power service transformer exceeds a first specified maximum.
16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said data interface device is configured as a modem that operates in a relatively low-bandwidth mode, a medium bandwidth-mode, and a relatively high-bandwidth mode.
17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said data interface device is configured as a modem that operates in a plurality of bandwidth modes.
18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , said apparatus configured to send a first message to a display system before transitioning to a lower-current mode, said message including information regarding said maximum current.
19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , said apparatus configured to wait a period of time after sending said first message before entering said lower-current mode.
20 . The apparatus of claim 1 , said apparatus configured to send a first message to at least one load-control device before transitioning to a lower-current mode.
21 . The apparatus of claim 1 , said apparatus configured to send a first message to at least one computer before transitioning to a lower-current mode.