Systems, apparatus and methods for managing demand-response programs and events

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017241663-A1
Application number	US-201715458646-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 14, 2017
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Aug 24, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for managing demand-response programs and events. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat controls an HVAC system to cool the structure using a demand response event implementation profile over the demand response event period. The thermostat can also receive a requested change to the setpoint temperatures defined by the demand response event implementation profile and access a determination of an impact on energy shifting that would result if the requested change is incorporated into the demand response event implementation profile. This determination can be communicated to the energy consumer.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . An intelligent, network-connected thermostat comprising:
a user interface for displaying information to an energy consumer associated with a structure and receiving user inputs from the energy consumer; a connector for coupling the thermostat to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system associated with the structure; a communications component for communicating with a remote server; a memory for storing a demand response event implementation profile that defines a plurality of setpoint temperatures distributed over a demand response event period of a demand response event, and a processor coupled to the user interface, the connector, the communications component, and the memory, the processor being operable to:
control the HVAC system to cool the structure in accordance with the setpoint temperatures defined by the demand response event implementation profile over the demand response event period,
receive a requested change to one or more of the setpoint temperatures defined by the demand response event implementation profile;
access a determination of an impact on energy shifting that would result if the requested change is incorporated into the demand response event implementation profile; and
communicate to the energy consumer information indicative of the impact on energy shifting that would result if the requested change is incorporated into the demand response event implementation profile.

3 . The thermostat of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further operable to:
access a determination of whether the requested change would increase or decrease the amount of energy shifting if the requested change is incorporated into the demand response event implementation profile.

4 . The thermostat of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further operable to:
in response to accessing a determination that the requested change would increase the amount of energy shifting, incorporate the requested change into the demand response event implementation profile without further input from the energy consumer.

5 . The thermostat of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further operable to:
in response to accessing a determination that the requested change would decrease the amount of energy shifting, cause the user interface to request confirmation of the requested change prior to incorporating the requested change into the demand response event implementation profile.

6 . The thermostat of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further operable to:
in response to accessing a determination that the requested change would decrease the amount of energy shifting, eliminate or suspend participation of the energy consumer from the demand response event.

7 . The thermostat of claim 2 , wherein the information indicative of an impact on energy shifting includes one or more of a monetary value and an amount of energy.

8 . The thermostat of claim 2 , wherein the requested change is received prior to the demand response event period and information indicative of the impact on energy shifting is communicated to the energy consumer prior to the demand response event period.

9 . The thermostat of claim 2 , wherein the requested change is received during the demand response event period and information indicative of the impact on energy shifting is communicated to the energy consumer during the demand response event period.

10 . The thermostat of claim 2 , wherein the determination of an impact on energy shifting accessed by the thermostat is computed at a remote server.

11 . The thermostat of claim 2 , wherein the determination of an impact on energy shifting accessed by the thermostat is computed by the thermostat.

12 . A method of operating an intelligent, network-connected thermostat, the method comprising:
displaying, on a user interface, information to an energy consumer associated with a structure and receiving user inputs from the energy consumer; storing, in a memory device, a demand response event implementation profile that defines a plurality of setpoint temperatures distributed over a demand response event period of a demand response event control an HVAC system to cool the structure in accordance with the setpoint temperatures defined by the demand response event implementation profile over the demand response event period, receive a requested change to one or more of the setpoint temperatures defined by the demand response event implementation profile; access a determination of an impact on energy shifting that would result if the requested change is incorporated into the demand response event implementation profile; and communicate to the energy consumer information indicative of the impact on energy shifting that would result if the requested change is incorporated into the demand response event implementation profile.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
accessing a determination of whether the requested change would increase or decrease the amount of energy shifting if the requested change is incorporated into the demand response event implementation profile.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
in response to accessing a determination that the requested change would increase the amount of energy shifting, incorporating the requested change into the demand response event implementation profile without further input from the energy consumer.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
in response to accessing a determination that the requested change would decrease the amount of energy shifting, causing the user interface to request confirmation of the requested change prior to incorporating the requested change into the demand response event implementation profile.

16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
in response to accessing a determination that the requested change would decrease the amount of energy shifting, eliminating or suspending participation of the energy consumer from the demand response event.

17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the information indicative of an impact on energy shifting includes one or more of a monetary value and an amount of energy.

18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the requested change is received prior to the demand response event period and information indicative of the impact on energy shifting is communicated to the energy consumer prior to the demand response event period.

19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the requested change is received during the demand response event period and information indicative of the impact on energy shifting is communicated to the energy consumer during the demand response event period.

20 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the determination of an impact on energy shifting accessed by the thermostat is computed at a thermostat management server.

21 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the determination of an impact on energy shifting accessed by the thermostat is computed by the thermostat.

Assignees

• Google Inc

Inventors

• Matsuoka Yoky
• Fadell Anthony Michael
• Rogers Matthew Lee
• Sloo David
• Mcgaraghan Scott A
• Kortz Samuel W

Classifications

• F24F11/58

  using Internet communication · CPC title

• F24F11/30

  for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring · CPC title

• H04L12/2818

  from a device located outside both the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007) · CPC title

• F24F2120/10

  Occupancy · CPC title

• H04L12/2827

  Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality · CPC title