Granted Patent B2

US 8,108,076 · App. 12/948,889 · Granted Jan 31, 2012

Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.

Abstract

Claims (110)

1. An energy management system comprising:

a database configured to store site data received from a residential site using a wireless home energy network, wherein the residential site includes a thermostat accessible to the wireless home energy network;

a processor operably coupled to the database and configured to access the site data and:

detect a current temperature set-point of the thermostat at the residential site;

detect a current operating mode of a HVAC system operably coupled to the thermostat;

detect a distance between a location reporting device and the residential site;

detect a current zone from a plurality of zones operably associated with the residential site using the distance;

detect a percentage value associated with the current zone for changing the current temperature set-point;

determine an updated thermostat set-point based on the current operating mode of the HVAC system and the current temperature set-point and the percentage value; and

initiate generation of a control action including the updated thermostat set-point to be communicated to the residential site.

2. The energy management system of claim 1 , wherein:

the processor is further configured to detect a first seasonal profile including at least a minimum seasonal setting and a second seasonal profile including at least a maximum seasonal setting;

the processor is further configured to initiate generation of the control action to communicate to the residential site, wherein the control action is generated using one or more of:

the updated temperature set-point having a value between the current temperature set-point and the minimum seasonal set-point in response to the current operating mode of the HVAC being in a heating mode;

the updated temperature set-point having a value between the current temperature set-point and the maximum seasonal set-point in response to the current operating mode of the HVAC being in a cooling mode;

an efficiency rating of the residential site;

an estimated time period to generate an updated temperature reading;

an updated temperature set-point;

a current energy price; and

a future energy price.

3. The energy management system of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect the location reporting device moving away from the residential site;

determine a difference between the current temperature set-point and the minimum seasonal set-point in response to the current operating mode of the HVAC being in a heating mode;

determine a difference between the current temperature set-point and a maximum seasonal set-point in response to the current operating mode of the HVAC being in a cooling mode;

determine the updated thermostat set-point based on the determined difference and the percentage value and the current operating mode of the HVAC; and

output the updated thermostat set-point to be used within the control action.

4. The energy management system of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect the location reporting device moving toward the residential site;

determine a difference between the current temperature set-point and the minimum seasonal set-point in response to the current operating mode of the HVAC being in a heating mode;

determine a difference between the current temperature set-point and a maximum seasonal set-point in response to the current operating mode of the HVAC being in a cooling mode; and

determine the updated thermostat set-point based on the difference and the percentage value and the current operating mode of the HVAC; and

output the updated thermostat set-point to be used within the control action.

5. The energy management system of claim 1 , further comprising the processor configured to:

detect an efficiency rating of the residential site;

detect an external temperature at the residential site;

determine a real-time travel time between the location reporting device and the residential site; and

modify a distance range of the plurality of zones using one or more of:

the efficiency rating;

the external temperature; and

the real-time travel time.

6. The energy management system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

identify a group of residential sites within a specified region;

access thermostat schedules of each of the residential sites within the group;

aggregate scheduling data using the thermostat schedules; and

initiate an outputting of the aggregated scheduling data.

7. The energy management system of claim 1 , further comprising a web services enabled scheduling tool configured to provide a user access to schedule energy use at a first residential site using a web based graphical user interface, wherein the scheduling tool includes:

a thermostat selector configurable to enable selection of one or more wireless thermostats located at the first residential site;

an event scheduler operably associated with the thermostat selector and configurable to enable the user to graphically select a utilization schedule of the one or more wireless thermostats;

wherein the utilization schedule includes a time of day and temperature setting capabilities to control the one or more wireless thermostats; and

an energy savings preference selector configured to graphically modify the utilization schedule and display a resulting energy savings.

8. The energy management system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect a user interaction with the wireless thermostat;

suggest a modification of the utilization schedule to the user during a user access to the scheduling tool; and

modify the utilization schedule to include the suggestion in response to the user validating the modification.

9. The energy management system of claim 7 , wherein the scheduling tool further comprises:

a proximity control selector configured to enable and disable proximity control of the first residential site;

a demand response selector configured to enable and disable participation in demand response event; and

an auto update selector configured to enable an automatic update of the utilization schedule in response to a detection of a user interaction with the one or more wireless thermostats.

10. The energy management system of claim 7 , further comprising a demand response selector operable to be displayed with the scheduling tool, wherein the demand response selector includes:

an always participate selection configured to always enable a curtailment of the HVAC system at the first residential site in response to a demand response event;

a never participate selection configured to not allow a curtailment of the HVAC system at the first residential site in response to a demand response event; and

a request participation selection configured to initiate a communication to the user to request participation in a demand response event.

11. The energy management system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a plurality of energy templates accessible using the scheduling tool, wherein each template includes a predetermined utilization schedule selectable by the user based on a user's scheduling profile;

wherein the predetermined utilization schedule is modifiable by the user with the scheduling tool; and

an energy personality detection module configured to:

detect an interaction of the user with the wireless thermostat;

display of an energy personality indicia in response to the interaction; and enable the user to display the energy personality indicia within a social network.

12. The energy management system of claim 1 , further comprising the processor configured to:

determine a random sample size of residential sites in connection with estimating an energy consumption of a specific region;

accessing a plurality of thermostat schedules within the specified region based on the random sample size; and

output thermostat scheduling data of the plurality of thermostat schedules in connection with forecasting production.

13. The energy management system of claim 1 , further comprising the processor configured to:

detect an enabled demand response setting of the residential site;

detect a demand response event condition; and

enable a curtailment action of a corresponding HVAC system at the residential site.

14. The energy management system of claim 1 , further comprising the processor configured to:

initiate a demand response event request communication to users of plurality of residences;

detect a user response level to participate in a demand response event; and

enable a curtailment of a corresponding HVAC system at the residential sites of the users electing to participate in the demand response event.

15. The energy management system of claim 1 , further comprising the processor configured to:

identify a group of residences within plurality of residences;

determine an energy reduction capacity of each of the residences within the group using an efficiency rating of each of the residences within the group; and

estimate an aggregate energy reduction capacity based on the energy reduction capacity of each of the residences within the group.

16. The energy management system of claim 15 , further comprising the processor configured to:

initiate an auction process to sell the aggregate energy reduction capacity to a third party;

detect a sale of the aggregate energy reduction capacity in connection with the auction process; and

initiate a curtailment of the HVAC system at each of the residences within the group.

17. The energy management system of claim 1 , further comprising a mobile client module configured to be operably coupled to a mobile device associated with the residential site, wherein the mobile client module is configured to:

receive a site readings request of the residential site from the mobile device;

access the database to retrieve site data of the residential site;

format the accessed site data as mobile device data;

output the mobile device data to the mobile device using a mobile device network;

receive a request from the mobile device to modify the current temperature set-point of the HVAC system at the residential site;

initiate generation of a control action including an updated temperature set-point input using the mobile device; and

output a confirmation of the updated temperature set-point.

18. The energy management system of claim 17 , wherein the mobile client module is further configured to:

enable access to a proximity setting of the residential site;

detect multiple control zones at the residential site;

detect a corresponding wireless thermostat of each of the multiple control zones;

output mobile device data to the mobile device indicating a current reading within each zone;

wherein the current reading is acquired from the site data;

enable access to the corresponding wireless thermostat of each zone; and

enable the mobile device control of the corresponding wireless thermostat.

19. The energy management system of claim 17 , further comprising the processor further configured to:

detect a manual input condition to the wireless thermostat at the residential site;

identify a mobile device associated with the residential site;

initiate a message indicating the manual input condition; and

enable a user to alter the manual input condition using the mobile device.

20. The energy management system of claim 1 further comprising a cloud service operably associated with the database.

Assignments (4)

Continuity (8)