Water heater demand side management system

摘要

A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater upper and/or lower temperature and controls upper and/or lower water heater heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use patterns and/or measured capacity. One embodiment is adapted for use with existing water heaters without disrupting safety features of the existing water heater.

主权项

1. A method for controlling a plurality of water heaters to reduce peak loading on a power grid comprising the steps of:
receiving temperature data at a water heater control server from a plurality of water heaters connected to said power grid at separate customer locations, generating usage pattern information for each said water heater of said plurality of water heaters based on said temperature data, said usage pattern information specific to each said water heater; receiving present load demand information at said water heater control server from a power grid monitoring system monitoring said power grid; said water heater control server commanding a control strategy comprising a temperature limit over time for each said water heater of said plurality of water heaters based on said temperature data, said present load demand information, and predicted load demand information; wherein each said water heater of said plurality of water heaters is controlled in accordance with a hot water delivery quality criteria applied to said usage pattern information specific to each said water heater.