Computer program and method for reducing HVAC demand for energy

US7249043B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• E.P.M., Inc. · CH

Inventors

• Benjamin H. Trout, II · Fulton, US
• James Johnson · Mission Viejo, US
• Christopher Adam · Columbia, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 10, 2000
• Grant date: Jul 24, 2007
• Expiry date: Mar 10, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y04S50/14
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method of providing a limited resource to a plurality of users that aggregates the plurality of users into a purchasing block, arranges for the availability of the resource and regulates the use of the resource by each of the users based on each of the user's need for the resource so that a particular user having a greater need for the resource receives a greater provision of the resource while controlling usage of the resource to maintain aggregated usage below a predetermined level. The method is implemented through the use of an aggregation controller and a plurality of consumer resource controllers located at consumers' facilities. Communication between the aggregation controller and the consumer resource controllers is achieved through the use of a communication network, such as the Internet.