Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Systems, Apparatus, and Methods for Remote Control of a Plurality of Heating
Devices
Field
[1] The described embodiments relate to systems, apparatus, and methods for
controlling a plurality of heating devices. In some example embodiments, the
system,
apparatus, and methods can relate to remote control of a fossil fuel-based
heating device
and an electrical heating device.
Background
[2] Electrical power systems are typically operated so that power is
generated
to meet the demand for power. The demand for power is met using a combination
of
different electrical power generating sources such as, but not limited to,
nuclear,
hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, biofuels, geothermal, wind, and solar. Such
electrical
power generation can variously be considered non-varying, dispatchable, or
intermittent
sources. For example, nuclear power plants may typically operated as non-
varying
sources as changes to their power output can compromise efficiency. In
contrast,
renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are typically intermittent
sources as
their output is limited by the availability of wind and sun. Meanwhile,
hydroelectric and
natural gas are typically dispatchable sources as their output can be
controllably varied
relatively quickly.
[3] Although supply can, to some extent, be dispatched to meet
demand, there
can still be an oversupply of electricity. Oversupply can often occur during
off-peak
periods such as at nighttime, when human activity is low. Oversupply can also
occur
seasonally, such as the winter when air conditioners are not operating and
instead
heating needs are met by fossil fuels. When there is an oversupply of
electricity, excess
electricity may be exported to neighboring electricity markets. Exportation of
electricity
can bear additional costs.
¨ 1 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
Summary
[4] The various embodiments described herein generally relate to methods
(and associated systems configured to implement the methods) for controlling a
plurality
of heating devices in one or more sites. The disclosed systems and methods can
relate
to sites having at least a fossil fuel furnace and an electrical heating
device.
[5] An example system can include a management communication component;
a management processor in communication with the management communication
component, and one or more local controllers of the one or more sites. The
management
processor can be operable to determine whether a current system supply is
greater than
a current system demand; in response to determining that the current system
supply is
greater than the current system demand, identify at least one site to receive
an
opportunity to use electrical heating; and transmit, via the management
communication
component, an opportunity signal to the local controller of each of the at
least one site.
Each local controller can include a local communication component and a local
processor
in communication with the local communication component. The local processor
can be
operable to receive, via the local communication component, the opportunity
signal from
the management processor; and generate one or more signals to control an
operation of
at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating
device of the
site based in part on the opportunity signal.
[6] In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable to
determine a current system oversupply; and, for at least one power generator
contributing
to the current system supply, select one or more sites within a grid proximity
to the at
least one power generator to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating
such that a
total power demand of the one or more sites corresponds at least a portion of
the current
system oversupply.
[7] In at least one embodiment, the total power demand of the one or more
sites corresponding to the current system oversupply can include the total
power demand
of the one or more sites matching the current system oversupply.
[8] In at least one embodiment, the total power demand of the one or more
sites can include a power load of each of the one or more sites and power
transmission
losses associated with delivering power to each of the one or more sites.
¨ 2 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
[9] In at least one embodiment, the system can further include a data
storage
component, and the management processor is further operable to maintain, in
the data
storage component, a log of opportunities provided to each of the sites.
[10] In at least one embodiment, the log of opportunities can further
include data
indicative of actual usage in response to the opportunities provided to each
of the sites.
[11] In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable
to
select one or more sites to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating
based on the
log of opportunities provided to each of the sites.
[12] In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable
.. to transmit, via the management communication component, an expiration
signal to one
or more of the local controllers of the at least one site; and the local
processors of the one
or more of the local controllers of the at least one site can be operable to
receive, via the
local communication component, the expiration signal from the management
processor;
and generate the one or more signals to control an operation of at least one
of the fossil
fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on
the expiration
signal.
[13] In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable
to: select a first site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating
for a first duration;
transmit, via the management communication component, an opportunity signal to
a local
controller of the first site for the first duration; select a second site to
receive the
opportunity to use electrical heating for a second duration after the first
duration; and
transmit, via the management communication component, an expiration signal to
the local
controller of the first site and an opportunity signal to a local controller
of the second site
for the second duration.
[14] In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable
to: receive, from a local controller of a first site of the one or more sites,
a heating status
of the first site; in response to receiving the heating status of the first
site, select a second
site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating; and transmit, via
the management
communication component, an opportunity signal to the local controller of the
second site.
¨ 3 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
[15] In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be operable to
generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device of the site based
in part on the
opportunity signal.
[16] In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be operable to
receive
a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the
site;
determine whether the current temperature is less than a local temperature
setting; and
in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the
current
temperature is less than the local temperature setting, generate a signal to
operate the
electrical heating device of the site.
[17] In at least one embodiment, each of the local controllers can
further include
a local data storage component, and the local processors are further operable
to store, in
the local data storage components, data indicative of usage of the electrical
heating
device of the site in response to the opportunity signal.
[18] In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be operable to,
in
response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a signal to discontinue
operating the
electrical heating device of the site.
[19] In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be operable to,
in
response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a signal to discontinue
operating
the fossil fuel-based heating device of the site.
[20] In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be further
operable
to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, transmit, to the
management
processor, a heating status of the site.
[21] In another broad aspect, a method of remotely controlling a
plurality of
heating devices in one or more sites is disclosed herein. Each site of the one
or more
sites has at least a fossil fuel-based heating device and an electrical
heating device. The
method can involve operating a management processor to determine whether a
current
system supply is greater than a current system demand; in response to
determining that
the current system supply is greater than the current system demand, identify
at least one
site to receive an opportunity to use electrical heating; and transmit an
opportunity signal
to the local controller of each of the at least one site. The method can also
involve
operating one or more local controllers of the one or more sites to receive
the opportunity
¨ 4 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
signal from the management processor; and generate one or more signals to
control an
operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the
electrical heating
device of the site based in part on the opportunity signal.
[22] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating
the
management processor to determine a current system oversupply; and for at
least one
power generator contributing to the current system supply, select one or more
sites within
a grid proximity to the at least one power generator to receive the
opportunity to use
electrical heating such that a total power demand of the one or more sites
corresponds
at least a portion of the current system oversupply.
[23] In at least one embodiment, the total power demand of the one or more
sites corresponding to the current system oversupply can include the total
power demand
of the one or more sites matching the current system oversupply.
[24] In at least one embodiment, the total power demand of the one or more
sites can include a power load of each of the one or more sites and power
transmission
losses associated with delivering power to each of the one or more sites.
[25] In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve storing a
log of
opportunities provided to each of the sites.
[26] In at least one embodiment, the log of opportunities can further
include data
indicative of actual usage in response to the opportunities provided to each
of the sites.
[27] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the
management processor to select one or more sites to receive the opportunity to
use
electrical heating based on the log of opportunities provided to each of the
sites.
[28] In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve operating
the
management processor to transmit an expiration signal to one or more of the
local
controllers of the at least one sites; and operating the local controllers of
the at least one
site to receive the expiration signal from the management processor; and
generate the
one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-
based heating
device or the electrical heating device based in part on the expiration
signal.
[29] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the
management processor to select a first site to receive the opportunity to use
electrical
heating for a first duration; transmit an opportunity signal to a local
controller of the first
¨ 5 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
site for the first duration; select a second site to receive the opportunity
to use electrical
heating for a second duration after the first duration; and transmit an
expiration signal to
the local controller of the first site and an opportunity signal to a local
controller of the
second site for the second duration.
[30] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the
management processor to receive, from a local controller of a first site of
the one or more
sites, a heating status of the first site; in response to receiving the
heating status of the
first site, select a second site to receive the opportunity to use electrical
heating; and
transmit an opportunity signal to the local controller of the second site.
[31] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local
controllers to generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device of
the site based
in part on the opportunity signal.
[32] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local
controllers to receive a current temperature from one or more temperature
sensors
located within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less
than a local
temperature setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and
determining
that the current temperature is less than the local temperature setting,
generate a signal
to operate the electrical heating device of the site.
[33] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve storing data
indicative
of usage of the electrical heating device of the site in response to the
opportunity signal.
[34] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local
controllers to, in response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a
signal to
discontinue operating the electrical heating device of the site.
[35] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local
controllers to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a
signal to
discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device of the site.
[36] In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve operating
the
local controllers to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal,
transmit, to the
management processor, data indicative of a heating status of the site.
[37] In another broad aspect, an apparatus for controlling a plurality of
heating
devices at a site is disclosed herein. The site has at least a fossil fuel-
based heating
¨ 6 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
device and an electrical heating device. The apparatus can include a
communication
component; and a local processor in communication with the communication
component.
The local processor can be operable to receive, via the communication
component, an
opportunity signal from a management processor; and generate one or more
signals to
control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based furnace or the
electrical heater
based in part on the opportunity signal.
[38] In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to
generate
a signal to operate the electrical heating device based in part on the
opportunity signal.
[39] In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to
receive
a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the
site;
determine whether the current temperature is less than a temperature setting;
and in
response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current
temperature
is less than the temperature setting, generate the signal to operate the
electrical heating
device.
[40] In at least one embodiment, the apparatus can further include a data
storage component, and the local processor is further operable to store, in
the data
storage component, data indicative of usage of the electrical heating device
in response
to the opportunity signal.
[41] In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to, in
response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a signal to discontinue
operating
the fossil fuel-based heating device.
[42] In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be further
operable to,
in response to receiving the opportunity signal, transmit, to the management
processor,
data indicative of a heating status of the site.
[43] In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to
receive,
via the communication component, an expiration signal from the management
processor;
and generate the one or more signals to control an operation of at least one
of the fossil
fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on
the expiration
signal.
¨ 7 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
[44] In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to, in
response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a signal to discontinue
operating the
electrical heating device.
[45] In another broad aspect, a method of controlling a plurality of
heating
devices at a site is disclosed herein. The site has at least a fossil fuel-
based heating
device and an electrical heating device. The method can involve operating a
local
processor to receive an opportunity signal from a management processor; and
generate
one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-
based heating
device or the electrical heating device based in part on the opportunity
signal.
[46] In at least one embodiment, operating the local processor to generate
a
signal to operate the electrical heating device can be based in part on the
opportunity
signal.
[47] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local
processor to receive a current temperature from one or more temperature
sensors located
within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a
temperature
setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining
that the
current temperature is less than the temperature setting, generate the signal
to operate
the electrical heating device.
[48] In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve storing
data
indicative of usage of the electrical heating device in response to the
opportunity signal.
[49] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local
processor to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a
signal to
discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device.
[50] In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve operating
the
local processor to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, transmit,
to the
management processor, data indicative of a heating status of the site.
[51] In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve operating
the
local processor to receive an expiration signal from the management processor;
and
generate the one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of
the fossil fuel-
based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on the
expiration
signal.
¨ 8 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
[52] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local
processor to, in response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a
signal to
discontinue operating the electrical heating device.
[53] In another broad aspect, a kit for dual heating sources is disclosed
herein.
The kit includes an electrical heater and a controller. The controller can
include a
communication component and a local processor in communication with the
communication component. The controller can be operable to control an
operation of at
least one of a fossil fuel-based furnace or the electrical heater based in
part on data
received, via the communication component, from a management processor located
off-
site from the fossil fuel-based furnace.
[54] In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can be installable
on at
least one of a return duct, a return plenum, a supply duct, or a supply plenum
of the fossil
fuel-based furnace.
[55] In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can include a
resistive
heating coil.
[56] In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can include a heater
fan.
[57] In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can have a heating
capacity that is substantially similar to a heating capacity of the fossil
fuel-based furnace.
[58] In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can have a power
rating
of about 18 kilowatts to about 20 kilowatts.
[59] In at least one embodiment, the data can include an opportunity
signal; and
in response to receiving the opportunity signal, the local processor can be
operable to
generate a signal to operate the electrical heater based in part on the
opportunity signal.
[60] In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to
receive
a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the
site;
determine whether the current temperature is less than a temperature setting;
and in
response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current
temperature
is less than the temperature setting, generate the signal to operate the
electrical heater.
[61] In at least one embodiment, the controller can further include a data
storage
component, and the local processor can be further operable to store, in the
data storage
¨ 9 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
component, data indicative of usage of the electrical heater in response to
the opportunity
signal.
[62] In at least one embodiment, in response to receiving the opportunity
signal,
the local processor can be further operable to generate a signal to
discontinue operating
the fossil fuel-based furnace.
[63] In at least one embodiment, in response to receiving the opportunity
signal,
the local processor can be further operable to transmit, to the management
processor, a
heating status of the site.
[64] In at least one embodiment, the data can include an expiration signal;
and
in response to receiving the expiration signal, the local processor can be
operable to
generate a signal to discontinue operating the electrical heating device.
[65] In another broad aspect, a method of providing dual heating sources is
disclosed herein. The method includes providing an electrical heater; and
providing a
controller operable to control an operation of at least one of a fossil fuel-
based furnace or
the electrical heater based in part on data received from a management
processor located
off-site from the fossil fuel-based furnace.
[66] In at least one embodiment, the method can include installing the
electrical
heater on at least one of a return duct, a return plenum, a supply duct, or a
supply plenum
of the fossil fuel-based furnace.
[67] In at least one embodiment, the data can include an opportunity
signal; and
the method can further involve, in response to receiving the opportunity
signal, operating
the local controller to generate a signal to operate the electrical heater
based in part on
the opportunity signal.
[68] In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating
the local
processor to receive a current temperature from one or more temperature
sensors located
within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a
temperature
setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining
that the
current temperature is less than the temperature setting, generate the signal
to operate
the electrical heater.
[69] In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve storing
data
indicative of usage of the electrical heater in response to the opportunity
signal.
¨ 10 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
[70] In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve, in
response to
receiving the opportunity signal, operating the local processor to generate a
signal to
discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based furnace.
[71] In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve, in
response to
receiving the opportunity signal, operating the local processor to transmit,
to the
management processor, a heating status of the site.
[72] In at least one embodiment, the data can include an expiration signal;
and
the method can further involve, in response to receiving the expiration
signal, operating
the local processor to generate a signal to discontinue operating the
electrical heating
device.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[73] Several embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to
the
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components interacting with an example management
system in accordance with an example embodiment;
FIG. 2 a block diagram of components interacting with an example local
controller
in accordance with an example embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of components interacting with a fossil fuel-based
heating
device, in accordance with an example embodiment; and
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method of remotely controlling a plurality
of
heating devices in one or more sites, in accordance with an example
embodiment.
[74] The drawings, described below, are provided for purposes of
illustration,
and not of limitation, of the aspects and features of various examples of
embodiments
described herein. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown
in the drawings
have not necessarily been drawn to scale. The dimensions of some of the
elements may
be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. It will be appreciated
that for
simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate,
reference numerals
may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous
elements
or steps.
¨11 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
Description of Example Embodiments
[75] The various embodiments described herein generally relate to methods
(and associated systems configured to implement the methods) of remotely
controlling a
plurality of heating devices in one or more sites. The site can be any type of
facility,
including but not limited to residential, commercial, industrial, or
institutional, that has a
building and a plurality of heating devices to heat space within the building.
For example,
the site can be a house having a furnace and an electrical heater, both of
which can heat
the house.
[76] When there is an oversupply of electricity, existing practices of the
electrical
system operator can involve exporting excess electricity to neighboring
electricity markets
in order to balance the grid. However, while electricity is being exported,
many buildings
within the electricity grid are using fossil-fuel based heating devices for
heating.
[77] The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can be used to
balance the grid by diverting the excess electricity to heat buildings within
the electricity
grid. This can reduce the export of excess electricity and reduce the use of
fossil-fuels for
heating. This approach can be particularly desirable when electricity within
the grid is
generated from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, because the
use of
renewable energy sources can effectively displace the use of fossil-fuel for
heating.
[78] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a block diagram 100
of
components interacting with an example management system 110. As shown in FIG.
1,
the management system 110 is in communication with a computing device 120 and
an
external data storage 130 via a network 140.
[79] The management system 110 includes a management processor 112, a
management communication component 114, and a management data storage
component 116. The management system 110 can be provided on one or more
computer
servers that may be distributed over a wide geographic area and connected via
the
network 140.
[80] The management system 110 can perform various functions related to
monitoring and control of the electrical power system. Such functions can
depend on
which entity the management system 110 is associated with in the electrical
power
system. For example, the management system 110 can be a market operator, a
¨ 12 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
transmission and distribution service provider, a local distributor, another
utility, or any
combination thereof. For example, in Ontario, the market operator is an entity
called
Independent Electricity System Operator (the "IESO"), a transmission and
distribution
service provider is an entity called Hydro One, and there are multiple local
distributors. In
some embodiments, the management system 110 can be a Supervisory Control and
Data
Acquisition (SCADA) system.
[81] The management processor 112, the management communication
component 114, and the management data storage component 116 can be combined
into a fewer number of components or can be separated into further components.
The
management processor 112, the management communication component 114, and the
management data storage component 116 may be implemented in software or
hardware,
or a combination of software and hardware.
[82] The management processor 112 can operate to control the operation of
the
management system 110. The management processor 112 can initiate and manage
the
operations of each of the other components within the management system 110.
The
management processor 112 may be any suitable processors, controllers or
digital signal
processors that can provide sufficient processing power depending on the
configuration,
purposes and requirements of the management system 110. In some embodiments,
the
management processor 112 can include more than one processor with each
processor
being configured to perform different dedicated tasks.
[83] The management communication component 114 may include any
interface that enables the management system 110 to communicate with other
devices
and systems. In some embodiments, the management communication component 114
can include at least one of a serial port, a parallel port or a USB port. The
management
communication component 114 may also include at least one of an Internet,
Local Area
Network (LAN), Ethernet, Firewire, modem or digital subscriber line
connection. Various
combinations of these elements may be incorporated within the management
communication component 114.
[84] For example, the management communication component 114 may receive
input from various input devices, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen,
a
¨ 13 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
thumbwheel, a track-pad, a track-ball, a card-reader, voice recognition
software and the
like depending on the requirements and implementation of the management system
110.
[85] The management data storage component 116 can include RAM, ROM,
one or more hard drives, one or more flash drives or some other suitable data
storage
elements such as disk drives, etc. Similar to the management data storage
component
116, the external data storage 130 can also include RAM, ROM, one or more hard
drives,
one or more flash drives or some other suitable data storage elements such as
disk
drives, etc.
[86] The management data storage component 116 and the external data
storage 130 can also include one or more databases for storing information
relating to the
electrical system, power generation facilities, transmission and distribution
lines,
distribution facilities, opportunity data for each load, and/or actual usage
data associated
with the opportunity data for each load.
[87] The computing device 120 can include any networked device operable to
connect to the network 140. A networked device is a device capable of
communicating
with other devices through a network such as the network 140. A networked
device may
couple to the network 140 through a wired or wireless connection. Although
only one
computing device 120 is shown in FIG. 1, it will be understood that more
computing
devices 120 can connect to the network 140.
[88] The computing device 120 may include at least a processor and memory,
and may be an electronic tablet device, a personal computer, workstation,
server,
portable computer, mobile device, personal digital assistant, laptop, smart
phone, WAP
phone, an interactive television, video display terminals, gaming consoles,
and portable
electronic devices or any combination of these.
[89] The local controller 150 can include any networked device operable to
connect to the network 140. A networked device is a device capable of
communicating
with other devices through a network such as the network 140. A networked
device may
couple to the network 140 through a wired or wireless connection. Although
only one
local controller 150 is shown in FIG. 1, it will be understood that more local
controllers
150 can connect to the network 140.
¨ 14 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
[90] The local controller 150 may include at least a processor and memory,
and
may be a thermostat, such as a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat or a smart thermostat.
The
local controller 150 is located remotely from the management system 110. The
local
controller 150 is located at a site having a plurality of heating devices. The
local controller
150 can control the operation of the heating devices at the site.
[91] The network 140 may be any network capable of carrying data, including
the Internet, Ethernet, plain old telephone service (POTS) line, public switch
telephone
network (PSTN), integrated services digital network (ISDN), digital subscriber
line (DSL),
coaxial cable, fiber optics, satellite, mobile, wireless (e.g. Wi-Fi, WiMA)(),
SS7 signaling
network, fixed line, local area network, wide area network, and others,
including any
combination of these, capable of interfacing with, and enabling communication
between,
the management system 110, the computing device 120, the external data storage
130,
and the local controller 150.
[92] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a block diagram 200
of
components interacting with local controller 150. To assist with the
description of block
diagram 200, reference will be made simultaneously to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG.
2, the
local controller 150 is in communication with the management system 110 via
the network
140. The local controller 150 is also in communication with a fossil fuel-
based heating
device 210, an electrical heating device 220, and an electrical heating meter
230.
[93] The local controller 150 includes a local processor 152, a local
communication component 154, and a local data storage component 156. The local
processor 152, the local communication component 154, and the local data
storage
component 156 can be combined into a fewer number of components or can be
separated
into further components. The local processor 152, the local communication
component
154, and the local data storage component 156 may be implemented in software
or
hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.
[94] The local processor 152 can operate to control the operation
of the local
controller 150. The local processor 152 can initiate and manage the operations
of each
of the other components within the local controller 150. The local processor
152 may be
any suitable processors, controllers or digital signal processors that can
provide sufficient
processing power depending on the configuration, purposes and requirements of
the local
¨ 15 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
controller 150. In some embodiments, the local processor 152 can include more
than one
processor with each processor being configured to perform different dedicated
tasks.
[95] The local communication component 154 may include any
interface that
enables the local controller 150 to communicate with other devices and
systems. In some
embodiments, the local communication component 154 can include at least one of
a serial
port, a parallel port or a USB port. The local communication component 154 may
also
include at least one of an Internet, Local Area Network (LAN), Ethernet,
Firewire, modem
or digital subscriber line connection. Various combinations of these elements
may be
incorporated within the local communication component 154.
[96] For example, the local communication component 154 may receive input
from various input devices, such as a touch screen, a keypad, a thumbwheel, a
track-ball,
a card-reader, voice recognition software and the like depending on the
requirements and
implementation of the local controller 150.
[97] The local data storage component 156 can include RAM, ROM, one or more
hard drives, one or more flash drives or some other suitable data storage
elements such
as disk drives, etc. Similar to the local data storage component 156, the
external data
storage 130 can also include RAM, ROM, one or more hard drives, one or more
flash
drives or some other suitable data storage elements such as disk drives, etc.
[98] The local data storage component 156 can include one or more databases
for storing information relating to the temperature settings, opportunity
data, and actual
usage data associated with the opportunity data, etc.
[99] The fossil fuel-based heating device 210 may be a furnace or a
heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. For example, the fossil fuel-
based heating
device 210 can use natural gas or propane as fuel. The fossil fuel-based
heating device
210 can provide heating to a building, or a portion of the building, at the
site. For example,
a furnace can provide heating to a detached house. An HVAC unit can provide
heating to
an individual unit or the common elements within a multi-residential building.
[100] The electrical heating device 220 can use electricity from the
electric power
system. The electrical heating device 220 can be an electric heater, such as
an electric
resistive heating coil, a heat pump (e.g., air or ground source), or other
electrical heating
device.
¨ 16 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
[101] The electrical heating meter 230 can monitor actual usage data
of the
electrical heating device 220. The electrical heating meter 230 can measure
the energy
use of the electrical heating device 220. The data collected by the electrical
heating meter
230 can be transmitted to the local controller 150. In at least one
embodiment, the
electrical heating meter 230 can be omitted. In at least one embodiment, the
electrical
heating meter 230 may be included but it may not be in communication with the
local
controller 150. In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating meter 230
can be
provided because use of the electrical heating device 220 can be subject to
lower
electricity prices.
[102] In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating device 220 can be
installed on a fossil fuel-based heating device 210. Furthermore, the fossil
fuel-based
heating device 210 can be pre-existing and retrofitted with the electrical
heating device
220. With the electrical heating device 220 installed on the fossil fuel-based
heating
device 210, the blower fan 214 and existing ductwork can be used to circulate
air warmed
by the electrical heating device 220, similar to air warmed by the fossil fuel-
based heating
device 210.
[103] Referring now to FIG. 3, shown therein is a block diagram 300
of an
example electrical heating device, such as electrical heating device 220,
interacting with
a fossil fuel-based heating device, such as fossil fuel-based heating device
210. Typically,
the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 includes a blower fan 214 to draw in
cool air from
a return duct 302. The cool air enters a return plenum 304. The blower fan 214
pushes
the cool air into a heat exchanger 212 of the fossil fuel-based heating
device, where it is
warmed. The warm air is pushed into a supply plenum 306 and guided to a supply
duct
308 to be distributed in the space being heated.
[104] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the electrical heating device 220 is
shown
as being installed at the intake of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210.
That is, the
electrical heating device 220 can be located at the return duct 302 or the
return plenum
304. The blower fan 214 can draw cool air into the electrical heating device
220 from the
return duct 302. After being warmed by the electrical heating device 220, the
blower fan
214 draws the air through the return plenum 304 and pushes the air through the
heat
¨ 17 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
exchanger 212, the supply plenum 306, and the supply duct 308 to be
distributed in the
space being heated.
[105] In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating device 220
can be located
at the outlet of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210, such as the supply
plenum 306
or the supply duct 308. The blower fan 214 can draw cool air in from the
return duct 302
and the return plenum 304. The blower fan 214 can push the cool air through
the heat
exchanger 212 and the supply plenum 306 to be warmed by the electrical heating
device
220. After being warmed by the electrical heating device 220, the warm air can
be guided
to the supply duct 308 to be distributed in the space being heated.
[106] The fossil fuel-based heating device 210 can be considered the
primary
heat source. Typically, the primary heat source has the capacity to heat the
space alone.
For example, a house of approximately 2200 ft2 may have a furnace providing
approximately 60,000 BTU/h, or approximately 18 kW (kilowatts). Typically, the
blower
fan 214 can provide a minimum air flow of approximately 500 CFM to
approximately 1000
CFM.
[107] The electrical heating device 220 can be considered the secondary
heat
source for the site. The secondary heat source can be sized to have a similar
capacity to
heat the space alone. In this manner, the secondary heat source can be an
alternative to
the primary heat source. For example, the electrical heating device 220 can
have a power
rating of about 18 kW to about 20 kW. With the blower fan 214 providing
approximately
1000 CFM, an electrical heating device 220 having a power rating of 18 kW can
heat a
2200 ft2 space by 10 C in approximately an hour.
[108] In at least one embodiment, the secondary heat source may not be
sized to
have the capacity to heat the space alone. That is, the secondary heat source
can be
used to supplement the primary heat source. Both the primary and secondary
heat
sources can be operated simultaneously to provide a desired level of heating.
For
example, the electrical heating device 220 can have a power rating of about
1.5 kW to
about 3.5 kW. In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating device 220
can have a
power rating of about 2.5 kW, or approximately 8500 BTU/h.
[109] In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating device 220 can be
a
stand-alone electrical heater. That is, the electrical heating device 220 may
not be
¨ 18 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
installed within the ducting of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210. A
stand-alone
electrical heater can include a heater fan to move the air warmed by the
electrical heater.
In at least one embodiment, the stand-alone electrical heater can be
positioned to push
the warm air into return duct 302 or supply duct 308 of the fossil fuel-based
heating device
210. The warm air can be distributed by the forced air circulation of the
fossil fuel-based
heating device 210, that is, blower fan 214.
[110] In at least one embodiment, air warmed by the stand-alone electrical
heater
may not directly enter the warm air into return duct 302 or supply duct 308 of
the fossil
fuel-based heating device 210. Instead, the stand-alone electrical heater can
be
positioned in a location that aligns with natural air ventilation. For
example, the electrical
heating device 220 can be in a lower level of the site. Warm air from the
electrical heating
device 220 can move to an upper level of the site with natural air ventilation
through
convection and diffusion. Furthermore, warm air from the electrical heating
device 220
may enter the return duct 302 through air inlets. The blower fan 214 of the
fossil fuel-
based heating device 210 may operate to mix air across parts of the site,
effectively
distributing heat from the stand-alone electrical heater and equalizing the
temperature
through the site.
[111] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows an example method 400 of
remotely controlling a plurality of heating devices in a flowchart diagram. To
assist with
the description of the method 400, reference will be made simultaneously to
FIG. 1 to
FIG. 3. A system, such as the system in block diagram 100 having a management
system
110 and a local controller 150, can be configured to implement the method 400.
[112] In at least one embodiment, the management system 110 can be
dedicated
to implementing method 400. In other embodiments, the management system 110
can
perform other functions related to monitoring and control of the electrical
power system,
in addition to implementing method 400.
[113] Method 400 can begin at 410. One or more sites within an electrical
power
system can have a plurality of heating devices, including at least a fossil
fuel-based
heating device, such as the fossil fuel-based heating device 210, and an
electrical heating
device, such as the electrical heating device 220, to heat the same space
within the site.
¨ 19 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
A management processor 112 associated with the electrical power system can
determine
whether a current system supply is greater than a current system demand.
[114] At 420, in response to determining that the current system supply is
greater
than the current system demand, the management processor 112 can identify at
least
one site to receive an opportunity to use electrical heating.
[115] In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can identify
at
least one site to receive an opportunity to use electrical heating by
determining a current
system oversupply. For at least one power generator contributing to the
current system
supply, the management processor 112 can select one or more sites within a
grid
proximity to the at least one power generator to receive the opportunity to
use electrical
heating such that a total power demand of the one or more sites corresponds at
least a
portion of the current system oversupply. That is, the management processor
112 can
select one or more sites that are within the grid proximity to a power
generator that is
operating.
[116] Grid proximity can be a measure of connectivity and geographical
proximity.
For example, a first site may be located geographically near a power generator
but be
connected through a large series of switches, disconnects, and/or
interconnects. A
second site may be located geographically further from the power generator but
not
connected through as many switches, disconnects, and/or interconnects. The
second site
.. can be considered to have a greater grid proximity to the power generator
and the first
site can be considered to have a lesser grid proximity to the power generator.
Furthermore, a third site may be located closer to the power generator than
the second
site and be connected through a similar number of switches, disconnects,
and/or
interconnects. The third site can be considered to have greater grid proximity
to the power
generator than the second site.
[117] In at least one embodiment, the grid proximity of a site to
each power
generator can be pre-determined. Furthermore, a pre-determined grid proximity
threshold
can be used to select one or more sites that have a grid proximity that is
within the pre-
determined grid proximity threshold of a power generator. In at least one
embodiment,
the pre-determined grid proximity threshold is dependent on the power
generator. For
¨ 20 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
example, a first power generator can have a greater pre-determined grid
proximity
threshold than a second power generator.
[118] In at least one embodiment, a site can be within the pre-determined
grid
proximity threshold of a plurality of power generators. In at least one
embodiment, a site
may not be within the pre-determined grid proximity threshold of any power
generators.
[119] In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can allocate
substantially all of the current system oversupply to electrical heating. That
is, the total
power demand for electrical heating of the one or more sites can substantially
match the
current system supply. In at least one embodiment, the management processor
112 can
allocate only a portion of the current system oversupply to electrical
heating.
[120] In selecting potential sites to use electrical heating, the
management
processor 112 can also account for the power transmission losses to each site.
That is,
the total power demand of the sites that will receive an opportunity includes
the size of
the load of the site itself as well as the power transmission losses
associated with
delivering power to the site.
[121] In at least one embodiment, the size of the load is an approximation
that is
based on the type of site. For example, all single residential homes can be
assumed to
have an approximate load size while a multi-residential building can be
assumed to have
another approximate load size. Furthermore, each type of size can have a
plurality of load
sizes (e.g., large commercial building, small commercial building etc....).
[122] In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can select
one
or more sites to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating based
previous
opportunity assignments and/or actual usage. Considering previous opportunity
assignments and/or actual usage can ensure that the benefits using electrical
heating is
shared amongst participants.
[123] For example, if a site receives an opportunity signal in a first
instance of
system oversupply, the site may not receive an opportunity signal in
subsequent
instances of system oversupply until all other participating sites have also
received
opportunity signals.
[124] However, although a site may receive an opportunity signal to use
electrical
heating, the site may not have used electrical heating in response to
receiving the
¨ 21 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
opportunity signal. In at least one embodiment, if a site receives an
opportunity signal and
uses electrical heating in a first instance of system supply, the site may not
receive an
opportunity signal in subsequent instances of system oversupply until all
other
participating sites have also used electrical heating in response to receiving
opportunity
signals or have received a pre-determined number of opportunity signals.
[125] At 430, the management processor 112 can transmit an opportunity
signal
to the local controller 150 of each of the at least one site.
[126] The opportunity signal can be transmitted from the management
processor
112 to the local controller 150 via the network. In at least one embodiment,
the opportunity
signal can be transmitted via one or more intermediaries, such as a local
distributor, a
substation, or a neighborhood node.
[127] In at least one embodiment, the method 400 can be multi-resolutional.
That
is, the management processor 112 can be associated with a market operator that
allocates a portion of the current system oversupply to a local distributor.
In turn, a
management processor 112 of the local distributor can identify one or more
sites to
receive an opportunity electrical heating and transmit the opportunity signal
to the local
controller 150.
[128] In at least one embodiment, the method 400 can be iterative. For
example,
the management processor 112 can identify and transmit the opportunity signal
to one or
more local controllers 150. The management processor 112 can determine whether
the
current system demand increases in response to the opportunity signal
transmitted. If the
current system oversupply still exists or has not been sufficiently reduced,
the
management processor 112 can identify and transmit opportunity signals to
other local
controllers 150. The management processor 112 can continue to identify and
transmit
opportunity signals to additional local controllers 150 until the current
system oversupply
has been sufficiently reduced.
[129] In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can receive
data from a local controller 150 of a first site indicating a heating status
at the first site.
The heating status may indicate that electrical heating would not be used. For
example,
the heating status may include data indicative that the fossil fuel-based
heating device
210 is not in use.
¨ 22 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
[130] Given data indicating that heating is not in use at a first site, the
management processor 112 can in turn select a different site to receive the
opportunity
to use electrical heating. In at least one embodiment, local controllers 150
can transmit
the heating status in response to receiving an opportunity signal. In at least
one
embodiment, local controllers 150 can periodically transmit the heating status
to the
management processor 112 and the management processor 112 would not transmit
an
opportunity signal to the respective local controllers 150 in the first place.
[131] At 440, the local controller 150 of each of the at least one site can
receive
the opportunity signal from the management processor 112.
[132] In at least one embodiment, the local controller 150 receives the
opportunity
signal via network 140. As such, a loss of connectivity to network 140 results
in the site
not using the electrical heating device 220 and only using the fossil fuel-
based heating
device 210.
[133] At 450, the local controller 150 can generate one or more signals to
control
an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 or
the electrical
heating device 220 of the site based in part on the opportunity signal. For
example, the
local controller 150 can turn on the electrical heating device 220.
Furthermore, if the fossil
fuel-based heating device 210 is operating, the local controller 150 can turn
off the fossil
fuel-based heating device 210 to discontinue operating, or at least
discontinue use of the
primary heat source. That is, the heat exchanger 212 of the fossil fuel-based
heating
device 210 may discontinue operating but the blower fan 214 of the fossil fuel-
based
heating device 210 may continue operating to circulate warm air heated by the
electrical
heating device 220.
[134] In at least one embodiment, the local controllers 150 can determine
the
heating status of the site prior to operating the electrical heating device
220. The heating
status can indicate whether any heating should be provided. That is, the local
controllers
150 can determine the heating status of the site. For example, the local
controllers 150
can receive a current temperature from a temperature sensor located within the
site. The
local controller 150 can compare the current temperature with a local
temperature setting.
The local controller 150 can determine whether the current temperature is less
than a
local temperature setting; and in response to determining that the current
temperature is
¨ 23 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
less than the local temperature setting, the local controller 150 can
determine that heating
should be provided. In turn, the local controller 150 can generate a signal to
operate the
electrical heating device 220.
[135] In at least one embodiment, the local controller 150 can store data
indicative
of actual usage of the electrical heating device 220 of the site in response
to the
opportunity signal. For example, the local controller 150 can log when the
electrical
heating device 220 is signaled to operate. The local controller 150 can also
obtain the
actual usage of the electrical heating device 220 from the electrical heating
meter 230
and associate the actual usage data with opportunity data received from the
management
processor 112.
[136] In at least one embodiment, the local controllers 150 may not
discontinue
use of the primary heat source. The fossil fuel-based heating device 210 and
the electrical
heating device 220 can be operated simultaneously. For example, the secondary
heat
source may not be sized to provide the full heating capacity of the fossil
fuel-based
heating device 210 and as such, the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 can
continue to
supplement the heating provided by the electrical heating device 220.
[137] In at least one embodiment, the local controllers 150 may continue
use of
the primary heat source only. That is, the local controllers 150 may not
generate a signal
to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device 210, nor
generate a signal
to operate the electrical heating device 220. The local controller 150 can
estimate a
current operating time for the fossil fuel-based heating device 210. If the
current operating
time for the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 is short (i.e., the fossil-
fuel based heating
device 210 recently turned on), the local controller 150 may determine that
the fossil-fuel
based heating device 210 should continue to operate in order to avoid
excessive wear on
the fossil-fuel based heating device 210 from switching on and off.
[138] In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can
determine
that the current system oversupply no longer exists and transmit an expiration
signal to
one or more of the local controllers 150 that began using electrical heating
in response to
an opportunity signal. Upon receipt of the expiration signal from the
management
processor 112, the local controller 150 can generate one or more signals to
control the
operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 or the
electrical
¨24 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
heating device 220 of the site based in part on the expiration signal. For
example, the
local controller 150 can turn off the electrical heating device 220 and turn
on the fossil
fuel-based heating device 210.
[139] In at least one embodiment, the local controller 150 may not turn off
the
electrical heating device 220 and turn on the fossil fuel-based heating device
210 upon
receipt of an expiration signal. The local controller 150 can estimate
remaining duration
of the current heating status of the site. If the remaining duration of the
current heating
status is short (i.e., heating will only be provided for a short period of
time), the local
controller 150 may determine that the electrical heating device 220 should
continue to
operate in order to avoid excessive wear on the fossil-fuel based heating
device 210 from
switching on and off.
[140] In at least one embodiment, the opportunity to use electrical heating
can be
distributed on a rotating or rolling basis. For example, the management
processor 112
can select a first site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating
for a first duration
and select a second site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating
for a second
duration after the first duration. The management processor 112 can transmit
an
opportunity signal to a local controller 150 of the first site for the first
duration. Following
the first duration, the management processor 112 can transmit an expiration
signal to the
local controller 150 of the first site and an opportunity signal to a local
controller 150 of
the second site for the second duration. In at least one embodiment, the
management
processor 112 can select the second site before the first duration or towards
the end of
the first duration (and prior to the second duration).
[141] In at least one embodiment, the expiration signal can be the same
signal,
or transmitted on the same channel as the opportunity signal. For example, the
opportunity signal can be indicated by a leading edge of a pulse while the
expiration signal
can be indicated by the trailing edge of a pulse. That is, the
opportunity/expiration signal
can relate to a single bit.
[142] In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can select
the
first site and second site to share a rotation based on the grid proximity to
one another.
For example, the first site and the second site can be two sites on the same
street and
connected to the same disconnect or substation. Selecting sites that share
grid proximity
¨ 25 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
can help maintain a balanced grid and avoid the large voltage/current spikes
within the
transmission system as loads are disconnected and connected.
[143] In at least one embodiment, instead of determining determine
whether a
current system supply is greater than a current system demand, the management
processor 112 can determine that a renewable energy source, such as wind or
solar, is
available and contributing electricity to the current system supply. The
management
processor 112 can proceed to identify one or more sites to receive an
opportunity signal
to use electrical heating. In this case, the use of electrical heating from a
renewable
energy source can displace the use of fossil fuel-based heating.
[144] It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth
in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein.
However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
embodiments
described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-
known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so
as not
to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description and
the
drawings are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments
described
herein in any way, but rather as merely describing the implementation of the
various
embodiments described herein.
[145] It should be noted that terms of degree such as "substantially",
"about" and
"approximately" when used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the
modified
term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of
degree should
be construed as including a deviation of the modified term if this deviation
would not
negate the meaning of the term it modifies.
[146] In addition, as used herein, the wording "and/or" is intended to
represent an
inclusive-or. That is, "X and/or Y" is intended to mean X or Y or both, for
example. As a
further example, "X, Y, and/or Z" is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any
combination
thereof.
[147] It should be noted that the term "coupled" used herein indicates that
two
elements can be directly coupled to one another or coupled to one another
through one
or more intermediate elements.
¨ 26 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
[148] The embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may be
implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of both. These
embodiments may
be implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers, each
computer including at least one processor, a data storage system (including
volatile
memory or non-volatile memory or other data storage elements or a combination
thereof),
and at least one communication interface. For example and without limitation,
the
programmable computers (referred to below as computing devices) may be a
server,
network appliance, embedded device, computer expansion module, a personal
computer,
laptop, personal data assistant, cellular telephone, smart-phone device,
tablet computer,
a wireless device or any other computing device capable of being configured to
carry out
the methods described herein.
[149] In some embodiments, the communication interface may be a network
communication interface. In embodiments in which elements are combined, the
communication interface may be a software communication interface, such as
those for
inter-process communication (IPC). In still other embodiments, there may be a
combination of communication interfaces implemented as hardware, software, and
combination thereof.
[150] Program code may be applied to input data to perform the functions
described herein and to generate output information. The output information is
applied to
one or more output devices, in known fashion.
[151] Each program may be implemented in a high level procedural or object
oriented programming and/or scripting language, or both, to communicate with a
computer system. However, the programs may be implemented in assembly or
machine
language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or
interpreted
language. Each such computer program may be stored on a storage media or a
device
(e.g., ROM, magnetic disk, optical disc) readable by a general or special
purpose
programmable computer, for configuring and operating the computer when the
storage
media or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described
herein.
Embodiments of the system may also be considered to be implemented as a non-
transitory computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer
program,
¨ 27 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a
specific and
predefined manner to perform the functions described herein.
[152] Furthermore, the system, processes and methods of the described
embodiments are capable of being distributed in a computer program product
comprising
a computer readable medium that bears computer usable instructions for one or
more
processors. The medium may be provided in various forms, including one or more
diskettes, compact disks, tapes, chips, wireline transmissions, satellite
transmissions,
internet transmission or downloadings, magnetic and electronic storage media,
digital and
analog signals, and the like. The computer useable instructions may also be in
various
forms, including compiled and non-compiled code.
[153] Various embodiments have been described herein by way of example
only.
Various modification and variations may be made to these example embodiments
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by
the appended
claims.
¨ 28 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-23
