SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention assist customers in managing the four types of energy assets, that is, generation, storage, usage, and controllable load assets. Embodiments of the present invention for the first time develop and predict a customer baseline (“CBL”) usage of electricity, using a predictive model based on simulation of energy assets, based on business as usual (“BAU”) of the customer's facility. The customer is provided with options for operating schedules based on algorithms, which allow the customer to maximize the economic return on its generation assets, its storage assets, and its load control assets. Embodiments of the invention enable the grid to verify that the customer has taken action to control load in response to price. This embodiment of the invention calculates the amount of energy that the customer would have consumed, absent any reduction of use made in response to price. Specifically, the embodiment models the usage of all the customer's electricity consuming devices, based on the customer's usual conditions. This model of the expected consumption can then be compared to actual actions taken by the customer, and the resulting consumption levels, to verify that the customer has reduced consumption and is entitled to payment for the energy that was not consumed.

主权项

1. A method for optimizing the use of electric energy by a facility comprising a plurality of energy assets, the method comprising:
(a) modeling, using a computer, the usage of electric energy by the facility, by creating a simulation model of the facility and calculating a customer baseline (“CBL”); (b) storing the model in the computer; (c) determining, using the computer, a plan for controlling the operation of at least one of the facility's energy assets to reduce the electricity provider's overall charge to the facility for electric energy, or to provide a revenue source to the facility, the determining being done on the basis of the model, and variations in the price of electric energy during a day; (d) generating, using the computer, control signals based on the plan from data derived from the computer; and (e) controlling, using the generated control signals, at least one of the facility's energy assets so that operation of the facility conforms to the plan.