System and method for managing energy

1. A method of managing energy utilized in an enclosed space, the method comprising the steps of:

counting a number of occupants within the enclosed space using an image capturing device and providing the number of occupants to a plan generator;

providing forecast and real-time temperature data to the plan generator;

providing forecast and real-time foot traffic data to the plan generator;

generating an energy plan based on the number of occupants and the forecast and real-time temperature and foot traffic data;

transmitting the energy plan to a control device; and

controlling the air temperature and air flow of one or more heating, cooling, and air conditioning units based on the energy plan.

2. The method of claim 1 , further including the steps of transmitting temperature data to the control device and generating the energy plan based on the temperature data.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forecast and real-time temperature data provided to the plan generator is generated by a weather forecast module and the forecast and real-time foot traffic data is generated by a foot traffic forecast module that pulls historical traffic data from a database and utilizes an algorithm to generate a foot traffic forecast.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the real-time foot traffic data is determined using a video counting device.

5. The method of claim 1 , further including the step of controlling the activation of one or more energy consuming devices based on the energy plan.

6. An energy management system, comprising:

a plan generator that receives a number of occupants within an enclosed space, forecast and real-time temperature data, and forecast and real-time foot traffic data and generates an energy plan based on the number of occupants and the forecast and real-time temperature or foot traffic data;

at least one energy consuming device;

a control device that operates the at least one energy consuming device based on the energy plan;

wherein the plan generator receives forecast and real-time foot traffic data from a foot traffic forecast module including a video counting device; and

wherein the control device receives the energy plan from a communication device and sends control signals based on the energy plan to a programmable device.

7. The energy management system of claim 6 , wherein the plan generator receives forecast and real-time temperature data from a weather forecast module.

8. The energy management system of claim 6 , wherein the programmable device may be selected from the group consisting of: a thermostat and a lighting control unit.

9. The energy management system of claim 6 , wherein the programmable device is a thermostat that sends operating instructions to one or more rooftop Ethernet-enabled heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.