Patent · US Active

Utility managed virtual power plant utilizing aggregated thermal energy storage

US8234876B2 · kind B2 · utility

54Cited by
59References
61Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 16, 2008
Grant dateAug 7, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 3, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/14
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.