GB2461292A

GB2461292A - Energy management

Info

Publication number: GB2461292A
Application number: GB0811717A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Eric Jones
Original assignee: TANTALLON SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: TANTALLON SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-26
Filing date: 2008-06-26
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-26
Also published as: GB0811717D0; GB2461292B

Abstract

The application discloses systems and methods for managing the energy consumption of a building (or group of buildings). The system comprises means for monitoring the energy consumption of the building, means for varying the energy consumption of the building, and means for setting an upper limit on the energy consumption, or on a parameter related to the energy consumption, of the building, over a pre-determined time period. The system is operable to monitor the energy consumption of the building and, should the system forecast that the upper limit on the energy consumption will be exceeded in the time period, be further operable to cause a reduction in the energy consumption of the building, so as to attempt not to exceed the upper limit.

Description

Systems and Methods for Energy Management The present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and reducing energy consumption in an entity such as a company or building or any electronic equipment, and in particular, a system designed to manage electrical lighting circuits and their energy consumption within commercial, or domestic, premises.

Electronic controls are currently used to manage the electrical lighting systems of premises. These controls confer a number of benefits including the provision of new control options and enhanced flexibity for users and management of buildings over buildings with conventional passive controls. Also, if used appropriately, they can lead to significant savings of the energy used for electrical lighting. These systems save energy by minimizing the unnecessary use of electricity used for lighting.

With the use of computer systems as a control element within buildings and with a variety of controls and sensors which monitor ambient light levels, which determine occupancy, which provide user controlled dimming, and which determine the ON/OFF time schedule of lighting controls, there have been new opportunities to provide automatic systems which can deliver reductions in the level of energy used for lighting or other systems. These adopt a number of strategies for saving energy. These can be summarised as follows: Time of day scheduling: turning lighting ON and OFF automatically at specific times of day.

Dimming: reducing electric light levels using dimmers under the influence of user controls.

Daylighting control: adjusting electric light levels to compensate for natural daylight conditions within the ambient environment.

Occupancy control: turning lighting ON and OFF according to the occupancy of staff or persons in an area.

Studies have shown that use of systems adopting such control strategies along with good practice can typicay deliver up to 40% saving of the electrical energy expended for lighting.

The benefits of such systems are tangible, and lead to significant energy savings and a consequent savings in carbon emissions. A shortcoming of these systems is that whereas these systems can save energy, this has not been the primary focus of the design, and the energy controls and energy savings features have not been integrated so that energy usage levels and related savings are quantified or made clear to the users. In other words there is no feedback to the user or management to make it clear how much energy has been used or saved by a particular feature or by the system as a whole.

However, such systems along with good practice, do result in a reduction in the energy used for lighting. The currently described system has been designed with the specific intent of saving superior energy levels and so it has incorporated a number of energy savings features which represent best current practice. These have been integrated together with the described energy saving invention designed to achieve this goal. The system also provides feedback to indicate the level of energy savings made by use of the system features.

An object of the present invention is to enable energy and carbon dioxide (C02), savings for electrical systems (for example, lighting) over and above that possible by use of currently available controls and optionally within the context of providing sophisticated and useful lighting control.

A further object of the invention is to provide these energy savings as a matter of policy and rule which can be set by the administrator or management of the system.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for managing the energy consumption of an entity, said system comprising: means for monitoring the energy consumption of said entity, means for varying the energy consumption of said entity, means for setting an upper limit on the energy consumption, or on a parameter related to said energy consumption, of said entity, over a pre-determined time period, wherein said system is operable to monitor the energy consumption of said entity and, should said system forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption will be exceeded in said time period, be further operable to cause a reduction in said energy consumption of said entity, so as to attempt not to exceed said upper limit.

Such a system enables the setting of energy limits or targets which define a desired energy ceiling (for, for example, a whole company, building, output circuits therein etc.), over a specified time period, and which will provide a reference point which will be used by the energy policy to determine the energy behaviour of the system.

In genera' the system will attempt to operate within the target level.

The invented system can monitor the energy used in each circuit and group of the system and it can determine the rate at which energy is consumed for these circuits. Accordingly, reference to "energy consumption" of an entity may be taken to refer to the rate of energy consumption of that entity, where appropriate.

Said entity may be comprised of a plurality of sub-entities and said means for varying the energy consumption of said entity may be operable to do this by varying the energy consumption in one or more of said sub-entities, depending on predetermined factors, so as to attempt not to exceed said upper limit. Said system may further comprise means for monitoring the energy consumption of each of said sub-entities, and if so, may further provide means for setting an upper limit on the energy consumption of one or more of said sub entities, independent of said upper limit set for the entity as a whole.

Said entity may be a building. Said sub-entities may be electric circuits within said building. In one embodiment, said circuits are lighting circuits. Alternatively said sub-entities may comprise the energy consuming devices of separate rooms or areas of said building, or separate devices or groups of devices, or any combination of these. In each case a single sub-entity may comprise a single one of said circuits/devices or a pkirality of them, and if a plurality, may be separated by type of circuit/device, location or be a mixture thereof. For example, said sub entities may each include one or more lighting circuits, one or more groups of office devices and one or more air conditioning units. Essentially, therefore, how an entity is divided into sub -entities is not important.

Said entity may be a plurality of buildings or locations, for example, the buildings owned by a company. In such case, said sub-entities may be the buildings of a single nation or area, or single buildings, or part of buildings, or comprise any of the options of the previous paragraph, or any combination of these. Said system may even be hierarchal, such that said sub-entities are further divided into smaller units (and possibly further divided again into a plurality of hierarchal levels), wherein both the entity, sub entities and, possibly, said smaller units all have upper energy consumption limits. In such a case the importance of each upper limit depends on its position in the hierarchy. In one example, said entity may be a company, said sub-entities may be the buildings of which the company is comprised of, and said smaller units may be electrical circuits, (e.g. lighting circuits) inside the buildings.

Said sub-entities may be grouped together on hubs, said hubs being able to operate according to the same rules as said system, but each independently of the system. Each of said hubs may have it own controller for controlling its sub-entities according to the system rules, said system rules being updatable from the system when said hub is connected to said system.

Said entity or each of said sub-entities is/are preferably arranged such that each can be attributed an preferable energy consumption setting to operate at. This setting may be fixed or variable, in real time, depending on sensed conditions and end user requirements. Said sensed conditions may include the ambient ight levels, time of day, room or area occupancy, ambient temperature levels etc. Alternatively, or in combination, said energy consumption setting may be settable, manuay or otherwise, by a user, for examp'e by operation of a dimmer control on a lighting circuit. The system may be arranged to control said entity and or sub-entities so as to operate at said preferable energy consumption setting, or higher, unless said system forecasts any upper limit on energy consumption will be exceeded. Said entity! sub entities may also be operab'e to aow to be attributed to them hmits defining a range of acceptable energy consumption settings, said limits possibly being determined as a percentage of said preferable setting, said system being operable to control said entity and or sub-entities so that they all operate within the acceptable range, if possible, while ensuring said upper limit(s) is/are not exceeded. Said system may allow each or all sub-entities to be set a priority level, such that, should said system forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption will be exceeded, those sub-entities with the lowest priority settings will have their energy consumption level varied first, or by a greater amount or both.

Equally, other sub-entities may be settable to never have their energy consumption varied. As an alternative strategy the system may be arranged such that the sub-entities which have their energy consumption varied first might be those sub-entities whose energy consumption is nearest or furthest from their limits (and therefore offer the greatest/'east leeway for making a change).

Said system may be arranged such that, should said system forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption will not be exceeded, said system will allow said entity, or a particular sub-entity to increase its rate of energy consumption if requested or desirable, provided that this increase in the rate of energy consumption is not forecasted to cause said upper limit to be exceeded. Said system may even be operable to al'ow this even if it will result in an individual sub-entity's upper limit being exceeded.

Said system may be arranged such that, should it be forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption will be exceeded, the increments by which the energy consumption of said entity, or at least one of said sub-entities, is varied, is dependent on the margin that said upper limit is forecast to be exceeded by.

Said system may comprise a system management module, from which some or a limits, settings and rules can be set or changed. Said system may provide for system management to be controlled over the internet, or any other network.

Said upper limit(s) on said energy consumption may be settable, for example, in terms of energy consumed, cost of energy consumed or resultant carbon emissions. Said system may be arranged to forecast whether any of said upper limits will be breached or not from the rate of energy being consumed, the amount of energy already consumed, the predetermined time period and said upper limit(s).

From this said system may be arranged to forecast the expected time to reach said limit. This forecast may be performed repetitively at a fixed sample period so that the actual consumption of energy is tracked. This time to reach target may be calculated for a sample time period which is short in comparison to said predetermined time period. In calculating said time to reach target, said system may be arranged to assume a constant rate of change of energy usage over the sample period. Said system may use a rolling average of said time to reach target values.

Said system may be arranged to use this time to reach target figure such that, should it be later than the end of said predetermined time period, then no action need be taken but should it be earlier than the end of the time period, then action is required to reduce the energy consumption rate so as to attempt not to breach the target level. Said system may also be arranged to forecast the expected amount of energy consumed by the end of said predetermined time period. Said system may also be arranged to record various other energy consumption metrics, with regard to all entities and sub-entities (and divisions thereof), to enable detailed analysis of energy consumption.

In one embodiment the upper mit(s) on the energy consumption may be determined by the system itself. This determination may be based upon previous energy consumption levels. The system may be arranged to monitor energy levels for a predetermined period before setting any upper limits, so as to obtain information from which to determine the upper limit(s). ARernatively the determination may be made from the entering of relevant parameters by a user.

These may include the preferable operaUng level and the average time of use.

Said system may be arranged to warn of any forecast of said energy consumption upper limit being exceeded, particularly where any settings or rules mean that said system is not able to lower energy consumption sufficiently to prevent said upper limit being exceeded.

The system may enable the provision of clear information on a range of energy related metrics which characterise the energy performance of the system. These may include the energy used, the energy savings made, the costs of energy used, and the associated costs savings achieved by the system, the equivalent carbon dioxide levels associated with this energy used and the carbon savings. The system may also be arranged to calculate the cost or energy benefits of the different modes of operation. The system may break these ftgures down in relation to administrative areas and zones or sub-entities used by the system and, moreover, may be arranged to provide this information on a dynamic basis in real time while the system s being used. Said system may further comprise a memory and display in order to do this.

The system may also be operable to provide the system adminstraUon with a graphical representation of the system and its energy performance in relation to set energy performance targets, and or said upper limits. This may enable different energy usage rates to be highlighted graphically on the management screen and so give a visual indication of the energy performance as it relates to the various system components.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for managing energy consumption of an entRy, said method comprising: * setting an upper limit on the energy consumption, or on a parameter related to said energy consumption, of said entity, over a pre-determined time period; * monitoring the energy consumption of said entity; and * should said system forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption will be exceeded in said time period, varying the energy consumption of said entity to cause a reduction in said energy consumption of said entity, so as to attempt not to exceed said upper limit.

Said entity may be comprised of a plurality of sub-entities and said varying of the energy consumption of said entity may be done by varying the energy consumption in one or more of said sub-entities, depending on predetermined factors, so as to attempt not to exceed said upper limit. Said method may monitor the energy consumption of each of said sub-entities, and if so, may further allow the setting of an upper limit on the energy consumption of one or more of said sub entities, independent of said upper limit set for the entity as a whole.

Said entity may be a building. Said sub-entities may be e'ectric circuits within said bui'ding. n one embodiment, said circuits are lighting circuits. Alternatively said sub-entities may comprise the energy consuming devices of separate rooms or areas of said building, or separate devices or groups of devices, or any combination of these. In each case a single sub-entity may comprise a single one of said circuits/devices or a plurality of them, and if a plurality, may be separated by type of circuit/device, ocation or be a mixture thereof. For example, said sub entities may each include one or more lighting circuits, one or more groups of office devices and one or more air conditioning units. Essentially, therefore, how an entity is divided into sub -entities is not important.

Said entity may be a plurality of buildings or locations, for example, the buildings owned by a company. In such case, said sub-entities may be the buildings of a single nation or area, or single buildings, or part of buildings, or comprise any of the options of the previous paragraph, or any combination of these. Said method may even aow for said entities to be divided in a hierarchal fashion, such that said sub-entities are further divided into smaer units (and possibly further divided again into a plurality of hierarchal levels), wherein both the entity, sub entities and, possibly, said smaer units all have upper energy consumption limits. In such a case the importance of each upper limit depends on its position in the hierarchy. In one example, said entity may be a company, said sub-entities may be the buildings of which the company is comprised of, and said smaller units may be electrical circuits, (e.g. lighting circuits) inside the buildings.

Said sub-entities may be grouped together on hubs, said hubs being able to operate according to the same rules as the entity as a whole, but each independently of the entity as a whole. Each of said hubs may have it own controller for controlling its sub-entities according to the rules of the entity as a whole, said method rules being updatable from the entity as a whole when said hub is connected to said entity.

Said entity or each of said sub-entities is/are preferably each attributed a preferable energy consumption setting to operate at, (a preferable energy consumption setting is used to denote an energy level which is deemed to be appropriate to the process at hand, for instance a lighting system would set a preferable lighting level in relation to the task being performed). This setting may be fixed or variable, in real time, depending on sensed conditions and end user requirements. Said sensed conditions may include the ambient light levels, time of day, room or area occupancy, ambient temperature levels etc. Alternatively, or in combination, said energy consumption setting may be set, manually or otherwise, by a user, for example by operation of a dimmer control on a lighting circuit. Said entity and or sub-entities may normally operate at said preferable energy consumption setting, or higher, unless it is forecasted that any upper limit on energy consumption will be exceeded. Said entity! sub entities may a'so have attributed to them limits defining a range of acceptab'e energy consumption settings, said imits possib'y being determined as a percentage of said preferab'e setting, said entity and or sub-entities being controed so that they a operate within the acceptab'e range, if possib'e, white ensuring said upper imit(s) is/are not exceeded. Each or a sub-entities may be set a priority evel, such that, shou'd it be forecast that said upper imit on the energy consumption wifi be exceeded, those sub-entities with the owest priority settings wi'l have their energy consumption eve varied first, or by a greater amount or both. Equay, other sub-entities may be set to never have their energy consumption varied. As an aRernative method, the sub-entities which have their energy consumption varied first might be those sub-entities whose energy consumption is nearest or furthest from their imits.

Shou'd it be forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption wi not be exceeded, said method wi avow said entity, or a particu'ar sub-entity to increase its rate of energy consumption if requested or desirab'e, provided that this increase in the rate of energy consumption is not forecasted to cause said upper imit to be exceeded. Said method may even avow this even if it wifi resuR in an individua' sub-entity's upper imit being exceeded.

Shou'd it be forecast that said upper imit on the energy consumption wiU be exceeded, the increments by which the energy consumption of said entity, or at east one of said sub-entities, is varied, may be made dependent on the margin that said upper limit is forecast to be exceeded by.

Said method may aUow some or all limits, settings and rules to be set or changed over the internet, or any other network.

In one embodiment said upper limit(s) on said energy consumption may be determined by the system itself. This determination may be based upon previous energy consumption levels. Said method may include monitoring energy levels for a predetermined period before setting any upper limits, so as to obtain information from which to determine said upper limit(s).

Said upper limit(s) on said energy consumption may be set, for example, in terms of energy consumed, cost of energy consumed or resultant carbon emissions. Said method may forecast whether any of said upper limits wi be breached or not from the rate of energy being consumed, the amount of energy already consumed within the predetermined time period, and said upper limit(s). From this said method may be arranged to forecast the expected time to reach said limit. If this time to reach target is later than the end of said predetermined time period, then no action need be taken. Said method may also forecast the expected amount of energy consumed by the end of said predetermined time period. Said method may also record various other energy consumption metrics, with regard to a entities and sub-entities (and divisions thereof), to enable detailed analysis of energy consumption.

Said method may also warn of any forecast of said energy consumption upper limit being exceeded, particularly where any settings or rules mean that said method is not able to lower energy consumption sufficiently to prevent said upper limit being exceeded.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for managing energy consumption of an entity, said system comprising: means for monitoring the energy consumption of said entity, means for varying the energy consumption of said entity, both manually and automatically depending on sensed conditions; and means for recording the energy consumption of said energy.

Said entity may be defined and or divided in any of the ways described in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

Said sensed conditions may include the ambient light levels, time of day or day of year, room or area occupancy, ambient temperature levels etc. Alternatively, or in combination, said energy consumption setting may be settable, manuay or otherwise, by a user, for example by operation of a dimmer control on a lighting circuit.

This embodiment may be combined with any of the features of the first embodiment to aow the setting of upper limits on energy consumption.

The system may enable the provision of clear information on a range of energy related metrics which characterise the energy performance of the system. These may include the energy used, the energy savings made, the costs of energy used, and the associated costs savings achieved by the lighting system, the equivalent carbon dioxide levels associated with this energy used and the carbon savings.

The system may break these figures down in relation to administrative areas and zones or sub-entities used by the system and, moreover, may be arranged to provide this information on a dynamic basis in real time while the system is being used.

Said system may be operable to provide the system administration with a graphical representation of the system and its energy performance in relation to set energy performance targets. This may enable different energy usage rates to be highlighted graphically on the management screen and so give a visual indication of the energy performance as it relates to the various system components.

BRtEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of the lighting controller showing the components of the system which embody the present invention; Figure 2 shows the major components of one of the lighting control hubs of Figurel; Figure 3 illustrates the simplified block diagram of the channel power control system as applied to each channel; Figure 4 shows graphically the relationship between the Energy target and the TTRT parameter; Figure 5 shows graphically the relationship between the Energy target and the EATT parameter; Figure 6 presents a simplified flowchart of the EPM process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The main embodiment described below, show in particular, a single building implementation for the control of lighting circuits. However, as later shown, the invention is equay applicable to any energy consumption system, whether it include control of other energy using devices in the building (e.g. heating/air conditioning), or even enables the central energy management of a number (or even all) of a companys premises, possibly on a global basis.. It wiU be further understood that the system may have nothing to do with buildings at all, but could be employed to manage energy consumption within complex equipment such as a spacecraft, aeroplane or any other electronic system; in fact anything with energy consuming circuits.

Figure 1 shows an apparatus for controlling energy for electric lighting. It shows a network 100, to which are connected a plurality of lighting control hubs 110, a central management system 120 and server 130. Wireless control of the system is possible through wireless network and/or internet 140 via fixed machines at other locations or laptop machines 150. Each control hub 110 has output connections to each ghting circuit, and input connections 170 (which may be wireless connections), from various sensors and controls.

Figure 2 shows the main elements of each lighting control hub 110. These hubs provide connection for a number of lighting circuits. Each comprise a main processor 200, with associated memory 210, communications network control routines/hardware 220, and display 280. There is a further processor 230 for specific control functions. The two processors 200,230 are arranged hierarchically so that the first 200 has the responsibility of overall control whilst managing the communications between the system and its management and managing the execution of rules. The second lower level processor 230 is charged with managing real-time events and managing the input output processes of the system within a real time window, as well as communicating with any wireless sensor control modules 240. Also shown are the communication channels, which include: the input channels for user controls & sensors 250, output channels for lighting or power control 260 and output channels for status and alarm signals 270.

The system, in this example, uses dedicated purpose designed hardware built to control the 10 signals and events. Each of the sensors and controls is connected using a direct wired connection to this digital input system or in the case of wireless sensors, is connected using a short-range wireless connection system.

Each hub 110 also provides connection for a range of sensors which, in turn, provide control inputs to the system. This system is able to control the lighting circuits in the premises according to a model which has been generated on a management workstation. This model defines the configuration of the lighting circuits and the controls which will comprise the system deployed and, may be shown as a graphical representation of the physical system to be deployed, for ease of use. The model also defines a number of policies and rules which have been developed to determine the behaviour of the deployed system.

When a hub is first turned on it is configured over a network connection to the management server. This aows the configuration details specific to the hub to be transferred over the network. Once these rules and policies have been loaded into the hub, along with the configuration details of the control sensors and output circuits it is to operate, the hub system can become semi-autonomous and operate without the need for a permanent network connection to the management system.

The hub will operate the configuration model stored in its internal storage and start to monitor its environment. It will read the settings on user controls and the variety of sensors that have been configured and connected. In particular, it will be aware of any changes to control inputs and sensors that are signalled to the hub and it will react according to its rules and policies. It will also determine and control the state of the connected outputs and the level at which these outputs are set according to the control strategy and specific control requirements set at the management station and also in accordance with the local requirements of users.

Because the system is able to accurately set the levels which control the lighting levels operating at the lighting circuits, the lighting control hub, can exert reasonably precise control over the power levels dissipated within these circuits.

Any changes at the input controls are sensed by the input circuits and the input logic circuits. This system creates an input message which forms an input event and is forwarded to the 10 processor. The signal processing for this event should occur within a short space of time to ensure that there is minimum latency and the system is suitably responsive to the application requirement. The system design in this example, imposes a maximum latency to ensure that actions can be taken in a timely fashion. The event is then processed to determine what actions need to be taken to fulfil the needs of the rules and policies.

The software for the system of this example is written using the C, C++, and C# computer languages with the emphasis on the real-time nature of the requirement.

As shown If FIgure 1, the hub system which Is designed to operate on a semi-autonomous basis Is connected to the central management system by a network link. It Is also connected by the same network to other hubs that form the deployed system. Communication between these entitles Is conducted over the TCP/IP suite of protocols. The design Is such that once setup and configuration Is complete, the hub can operate autonomously. However, In normal use the management system wIll be permanently connected so as to provide vIsibility and control over the entire deployed hub system and to allow any changes to polIcies and rules which might be requIred.

Control of the output circuit The system Is able to exercise control of the output circuits according to the requIrements of the users and within the context of the scope set by the management or admInIstrator. In particular, the power level of each of the Included lIghting control circuits can be set to a required value under program control or under the control of a user. ThIs control allows the lighting circuIt to be controlled throughout its working range from its minimum to its maxImum level. In this way, the system can set a voltage level on these circuits with determines the lighting level of the circuit and the power dIssIpated In the load circuIt In addition, there are a large number of other control signals which are used to provide control for the system and which control the Input and output signals and whIch allow for status and event notification to the management systems. Notable among these are sIgnals which control the maximum level and the minimum level of the output cIrcuits. These levels constrain the output to operate within theIr bounds and again are digital control signals set by the embedded processor within the hub.

Control Is achieved by representing the voitage levels with a suitable digital code.

This digital code is sent to the output power drive control. When this code Is received the output power drive circuit will assume the level specified by this code at its input. The characteristics of the power drive circuits wi vary according to the nature of the bad circuit being driven but in this manner, the power expended by any given sighting circuit can be fine'y controed using a digita' word to one of 2N eves where N is the ength of the digita' contro' word. These actions are a set by a digita' contro' system under the aegis of the embedded processors.

Each circuit in the system has a number of contro's which can be set digitay.

These inc'ude the foUowing * powerLeve * powerMinimum * powerMaximum * setPoint Each of these parameters can be controed between 0 and 2N -1 where N is the size of the digita' contro' word.

The eve that is set for any sighting circuit can be determined by the user direciiy from a suitab'e wa contro' or it can be estab'ished by the system contro' system according to a management po'icy.

Reading the output level of any output circuit Figure 3 shows a simpfied representation of the current measuring circuits by which the system is able to monitor and read the level that any of the output lighting circuits is operating at. It shows the power control and drive electronics 300, current measuring circuits 310, UO processor control 320, data bus 330, control bus 340, conversion and control electronics 350, and outputs to load circuit 360 arranged as shown.

The current in each circuit is sampled and its value stored as a digital value along with the voltage applied to the output load circuit at the time of the sample. The system periodically monitors each of these output circuits at a time period set by the administrative management of the system, and is able to obtain the power expended in the load for aU the circuits in the system. This allows the system to derive the energy used and the rate of energy usage for each of the load circuits.

This information is date and time stamped before being stored by the system and so provides a real time record of the energy expended in the load circuits. This data is stored as received into a database system so that it can be retrieved by the system when required and used to generate, for example, screen displays showing the energy performance of components of the system, or a variety of relevant management reports.

Grouping of Outputs The system is able to group the output circuits into meaningful administrative entities. For example, all the lighting output circuits within a room. A group in this context is one or more circuits which are to be managed as an entity or sub-entity.

This allows a control action to be exerted across all the circuits within a group. R also allows the power and energy used for the circuits within this group to be measured, calculated and controlled. These again are stored in the database which holds a record of the entire state of the system. This approach allows the service to be resumed should power to the system be lost during operation.

Consequently, the system is able to aggregate and group the electrical lighting circuits within the system according to specific administrative and user requirements so that the energy leve's pertaining to specific functional areas within a building or set of buildings can be identified, accumulated, reported and controlled.

Set-point The system allows a control value to be established for each circuit or group. This control is called a set-point and this forms the reference value for the desired lighting level to be applied to the circuit or group. It would normally express the recommended lighting leve' for the environment concerned. The set point in this use directly or indirectly contro's the power level of the output circuit or group. The lighting level would normally be set according to this set-point power level value when the circuit is switched ON unless the system directed otherwise.

The set-point values in this system also have a specia' purpose in constraining the energy management to a level that still provides useful lighting output for its users.

This is done by referencing the local channel or group energy target which is established for each circuit to the local set-point value.

Note that the ghting level can stifi be changed, if required, from this set point value by the user using dimmer-like controls which provide local control of the set-point.

integrated Energy Management The system incorporates an integrated energy management system. This manages the energy expended across aU the circuits in the system irrespective of which energy management mechanism is being used. This system monitors each output circuit and calculates and displays and records the energy used for every circuit on the system. This system also presents costs and savings information on all these outputs. In this way, the system produces comprehensive energy records of a range of statistics directly related to the energy performance of the connected circuits. This information is presented dynamically and in real time and gives the manager of the system the cost of ownership of the system.

This energy management system provides the managers of the system with the information needed to understand the cost of ownership of the system and presents information as screen displays and for report generation. The energy management can coect, calculate and present information on the system display screen or as reports.

The energy management system is operable in a number of different modes, which may be used separately or, in some cases, in combination. These modes include the following, which are particularly relevant to this embodiment of lighting circuit control: 1. Daylight controlled channels Here the energy is managed according to the level of available natural daylight.

This system continuously measures the ambient lighting level in the area being controlled. This is continuously compared with the set-point level. The set-point level determines the required level of lighting and so the difference between these two values is used to drive the output power level so that the ambient light level matches the set point. The energy managing features of the lighting control system can measure and calculate the energy expended by the circuits and groups operated in this manner and so can determine the levels of energy and associated savings for this mode.

2. Occupancy controlled channels Under occupancy control, lighting is controlled according to the presence of occupants in the area of interest. If there are persons present, the lights are switched on and when there is no occupancy, the lighting is switched off. The set point control here simply defines the level which the lights are to be switched on to.

Again the energy management system determines the energy used by the circuits involved and the associated savings and costs.

3. Dimmer controlled channels Dimmer control allows the level of lighting to be increased or decreased according to a dimmer control that can be set automatically under programme control or by a user from a wall control device. It is allocated a set point value by the administrator.

The EMS system is able to determine the energy used and the energy saved by this form of control over the time period.

4. Time of day controls The Time of day controls can be set to determine when an output is ON and when the output is OFF according to a set of timing conditions embodied within the system rules. These controls allow sophisticated timing possibilities which are governed by the intrinsic timing possibilities afforded by the system clock and timing capabilities of the central processor unit. The timing control can turn the circuit ON but the level will be determined by the set point.

5. Energy Policy Management (EPM) The system incorporates a nove' approach to the management of energy which has been cafled energy po'icy management. This system defines a target for energy use and attempts to manage the use of energy within this target. f required, it can force compliance to that target according to the po'icy set by the managers/users of the system. It does this by intervening in the power delivery circuit to reduce the power to the load. This energy stea'ing' concept is an important feature of the system and therefore wi be described in some detaU be'ow.

The EMS system is ab'e to determine the energy used and the energy saved by this form of contro' over the time period of use.

The energy management system oversees a these modes of behaviour being used by the system. t coects data and aggregates the statistics for a these control modes above. For a these features, the set point va'ue is used, along with the projected average time of use over the target period, to determine the energy target for the mode of controL These energy saving features are not mutuay exdusive, and in some cases it wi make sense to operate more than one feature simutaneousy.

The Energy Po'icy management gives the system a new capabi'ity to contro' the energy use in a circuit. This feature aUows the energy to be managed and controUed by reference to targets estabUshed by the system. t provides a powerfu' means of dynamicaUy Umiting the expenditure of energy based on the Ieve of energy a'ready used, the current rate of usage, the time period of interest, the app'ied energy target and the constraints set by the chosen management policy.

Firstly, the EPM either automatically, or with manual intervention, creates a target for all channels and groups which have been nominated for this type of control using the set points in the manner described above. Once a target is established, the system attempts to manage the energy levels according to the policy that has been set for that channel, for instance, to ensure that the target is not exceeded.

There are two targets created. These targets are calculated estimates which are based on the expected use of the lighting circuits over the target period.

1. Channe' or group target This target defines the desired energy usage of the channel or group and defines an upper ceiling for the energy expenditure of a single channel or circuit, or a group of such channels. The system wifi attempt to manage the energy usage within this target figure according to the terms dictated by the set energy policy. The target is calculated automaticay for each of the circuits or groups of circuits which have been nominated. This is done for each channel or group of channels in the system by using the associated set points along with the assessed time of use over the target period.

2. The Bui'ding EPM target The system also builds an energy target for the installation, (the building EPM target), which addresses all the channels or groups to be subject to EPM. This target is calculated by the system from the sum of all the individual channel targets.

It is the overall target and generally will form the basis for making policy decisions and deciding the overall energy management behaviour of channels operating under EPM.

The energy use of these nominated circuits can be set by management policy to operate within this management target. This implies that the system will attempt to drive the outputs of selected circuits in such a way as to operate within this target. It can alternatively be set to allow the system to exceed this target if this is considered desirable or necessary.

The set point in EPM The set point in EPM, is a control value associated with every group or circuit that sets the desired lighting level of the circuits. This is important since this value expresses the appropriate lighting level that is appropriate for that user environment and that particular application task.

The set point is also used to estimate the target energy value, (the channel or group target). It does this by calculating the energy that would be expended in the circuit over the average time of use. This is done using the average power level which reflects assumptions on the average time the lighting circuit is switched ON over the target period and the set point value over this period. In this way a target is established which is directly related to the required lighting level. This is important since for sensible energy management it is necessary to have a realistically set target level. The average power level is then initially entered using assumptions by the administrator. Then after a period off use more accurate estimates for this parameter are obtained heuristically from the recorded experience of the system.

The set point value can be set under program control by the administrator or, can be set by the user locally, using a dedicated control. The set point is a digital value which like the power level is set to one of 2N values where N is the number of bits in the digital representation. (Set point = 0 to 2N1) The system allows the set point to be altered by the user if required. This ensures that the user still has some level of control which is considered important to the successful adoption of the system.

Rate of change of energy Using the periodically sampled values for current from each of the output circuits, along with the associated voltage levels applied across the output loads, the system can calculate the rate of energy use for each circuit during the sample period. It can also determine the average rate of energy expended over a onger period. This average rate of change can be used as an extrapolation to predict the time when the target energy level wW be reached.

In this way the system can predict the use of energy over time and in particular can determine whether the energy target wi be compromised over the target period.

Time to reach target (TTRT) For each circuit or group which has been given a target for the energy use, the system is able to calculate the time required to reach this target energy level, given the current energy used and the current rate of energy usage and the target energy leveL This is caUed the Time to Reach Target, (TTRT) and is a prediction based on the current usage rate of energy. This employs a mathematical extrapolation to determine the time when the energy target threshold will be crossed. Dependent upon when this occurs, and the policy adopted, will determine what management intervention is required. This is a dynamic calculation that would be performed on a regular periodic basis.

Figure 4 shows graphically the relationship between the Energy target and the TTRT parameter: This is found using the equation for a straight line, i.e., y mx --C, where using the measured rate of change of energy: E/dt =(c2 -Ci)!(t2-ti) and as TTRT = (target-energy used to date)t(rate of change of energy) TTRT= (target energy level -energy used)! (c2-c1)l(t2-t1).

Where: m=rate of change of energy E/dt (C2-c1)l(t2-t1) E1 energy leve' at start of samp'e period E2 energy leve' at end of samp'e period t1=time at start of samp'e period t2=time at end of sample period C energy eve expended to date Energy consumed at target time (EATT) The system a'so ca'culates the estimated energy which wou'd be consumed at the target time, (the time period over which the target has been set), based on the current usage. This figure is also an extrapolation which provides perhaps a more meaningfu' indicator to the end user or administrator since it can show what the energy use would be at the end of the target period if energy were to be consumed at the current rate. R a'so aows po'icy to be set according to the predicted eve of overshoot' or undershoot' at the end of the target period. Like the TTRT, this figure is cacuated on a regu'ar periodic basis and as a roffing average. Figure 5 shows graphicay the re'ationship between the Energy target and the EATT parameter Cost at target Time (CATT) The system can a'so cacuate the estimated cost of the energy at target time. This is cal'ed the Cost at Target Time, (CATT). This figure is ca'culated from the EATT figure and the appropriate tariff information. Like the EATT figure above, this can form a meaningful indicator which can allow policies to be set based on the predicted cost of the energy used over the target period.

Carbon at target time (COTT) The system also calculates the predicted equivalent carbon dioxide level relating to the energy use. This is cafled the Carbon at Target Time, (COlT). This would avow pocies to be formed based on the associated Carbon dioxide use.

These estimated parameters, TTRT, EATT, CATT and COTT can be derived for both group targets and for the overa EPM target.

Management Intervention There are a number of scenarios which will require management intervention to ensure that an energy target is not breached; that is, where the system intervenes to reduce the power level in a circuit or group so as to realize a specific energy related policy.

For example: The management action to be taken may be dependent upon at what time the energy target threshold is crossed based on the estimated of TTRT, and where this time occurs in relation to the target time period. If this intercept point occurs at a time that is outside the energy target time period then no action is required. If, however, this TTRT time is inside the energy time period that has been set, this implies that the energy target is likely to be challenged at this usage rate and the system can be directed to take action to reduce the level of energy expended in the load.

The specific action to taken will be contingent upon the management policy that has been set, but this will usually require that the system automatically intervenes in that circuit or group of circuits to reduce the power to the load and the energy used.

The energy management policy settings The energy management pocy settings allows decisions to be taken on what specific management action is taken when information is received indicating an energy related target is threatened. There are a range of policy options which the system can attempt to manage.

The system energy policy can be set by the administrator of the system to manage the use of energy to achieve specific business or operational goals. These include: 1. Unrestrained use. No control of the energy levels is enforced and the energy expended can foow the demand. In this case no intervention or energy control would take place.

2. Controlng the power level within a single circuit or group of circuits so that the channel or group target level for that group is not exceeded. Here a selected circuit or group of circuits is controUed to operate within the target leveL (A variation on this allows the target level to be exceeded but by a specified percentage level).

For example, If the rate of energy use for a given circuit is too high in that it threatens the channel or group target, then under this control, if there is sufficient energy budget, (e.g., if for the channel or group being considered, the projected energy usage rate at the target time is less than the energy target level set for that group), then no action need be taken. However, if the projected energy usage for that channel or group is greater than the target level then the power level of the circuit or group will be decremented to reduce the power expended within that circuit or group.

This process proceeds on an iterative basis so that the energy level within a managed circuit or group will be decremented so that the energy usage will not exceed the set target.

3. Controing the power eve across a the circuits and groups so that each circuit or group of circuits is he'd within its channe' or group target eve and the overa system or bui'ding target is not exceeded.

For examp'e, each of the circuits is controIed in the manner described in 2 so that the overa target eveI is not exceeded.

4. Controing the power eve within a circuit or group of circuits so that the channe' or group target Ieve can be exceeded (within specific set imits) but on'y if this does not chaenge the system or bui'ding target. n this case the system determines whether the overa system is within budget. f it is in surp'us', then the system has the "eeway' to accede to a demand for more energy in the circuit or group The important target that is preserved here is the system or bui'ding target, and the group targets can be sacrificed providing that the overa target is achieved. For instance, f the rate of energy use for a given circuit is too high in that it threatens a channe' or group target, then the system wifi consider the overa use of energy in re'ation to the bui'ding or system target to determine if there is sufficient "eeway' to accommodate this extra channe' energy usage. This requires the system to assess the overaU usage of energy in re'ation to the system or bui'ding target. f there is sufficient energy budget, to accommodate the projected energy usage rate at the target time then no action need be taken. However, if the projected energy usage is Uabe to break the budget' then the power eveI of the circuit or group wiU be decremented to reduce the power expended within that circuit or group.

Any of these po'icy strategies can be set in terms of other energy re'ated parameters besides the energy use, for instance, the cost of energy at target time (CATT), or carbon at target time, (COTT).

Contingent on the management pocy adopted, the system wi automaticay determine the action needed to be taken to keep the energy within target The specific pocy or policies which the energy management system is to operate under is selected by the administrator of the system.

In general, the system wifi decrement the power level to maintain the system operational within or below its energy targets. This is done in such a manner that the change in power level in the lighting system proceeds in an almost indiscernible manner. This requires that the power levels are reduced incremental'y.

An option on this is to reduce the power evel incrementally but with an increment that is determined on a sliding scale by the energy margin, (where the energy margin is the difference between the energy target and the predicted energy use over the energy target period). This would be applied such that if the energy margin were smaller, the management action would be more aggressive and the increment would be larger. This would reduce the energy level in this circuit or group at a faster rate.

Maximum level of management action In any event, there is a control paced on the maximum level of change from the set point value which can be effected in this manner. This can be set by the administrator as a percentage, e.g., 10% say of the set point value. This control prevents the lighting level from being reduced to below a minimum useful level.

Nomination of circuits for the energy based policy management The system provides for specific circuits or groups to be nominated for energy based poUcy management. This aUows circuits to be opted in or out of this management as required.

AU circuits or groups to be energy managed using this mode of energy management require to be specificaUy nominated for energy management.

Note that the energy steaUng mode wiU not be relevant to every circuit or situation.

There are several situations where the energy stealing management wiU be ignored or bypassed. One examp'e is when the system has received a signal to enter fire alarm mode. In this case, the lights would typicaUy be turned ON at maximum brightness. C'early energy management during this period is not appropriate. A second example might be emergency lighting which wiU normaUy be excepted from energy management.

Priority The EPM system assigns a priority to aU the circuits being managed. This priority level defines the likelihood of management intervention in a group or circuit and would be used when the poUcy set dictates that the energy target level of the overaU circuit is maintained at the expense of the energy levels in the group or circuit targets. In this case the system could use the priority system to determine which group to rob' first. The priority level has 16 levels, with a ow priority indicating a greater likeUhood of management intervention.

The action of energy stealing management is to gradually reduce the levels of the lighting within a building to the set point level. In other words if an energy target is challenged by the rate of energy use, the rate at which energy is expended is reduced by management intervention which will decrement the power evel.

_t Seds The system provides sIgnals to alert the administrator when the energy levels reach predefined levels. For Instance, a signal will be usage of any clmult hidlcates It will reach the energy target level before the period time of the target or some defined time before the target time. This would allow the management to take any necessary action If required. The system will also provide a signal to alert the management when the energy has reached defined levels for each channel. For example alerts are Issued for the system or building targets when the energy used reaches the 75% and 100% level. These alarm threshold levels can be customlsad according to the needs of the management.

Flgure6showsaslmpilhledflowchartoftheEPMprocess.Beglnnlng,foreach circuIt, at 905, the process then requires the setpolnt Input 910 and then the average time of use Input 915. An energy target estimation for each admInIstratIve area or circuIt is then calculated 920 for a predetermined period of time, followed by an energy target for the whole buIldIng 925. A short sample period is then chosen 930, durIng whIch the power levels of the outputs is determIned 935. From this the energy used during the short sample period is calculated 940 and stored 945. The tIme to reach target value is also calculated for the same period 950, and again stored 955 It is then determIned whether TRT Is greater than the end of said predetermIned period of time 960. If not It will mean that the energy target will be breached and provIded that management policy is to preserve the target 965, then the system Intervenes to reduce consumption 970, before returning to step 930, to perform another energy calculatIon.

Advantages and characteristics of the system described In this embodiment When compared to a conventIonal lIghtIng management system, thIs system has a number of significant advantages.

The system has a fuy integrated energy management system; the conventional lighting systems do not have integrated energy management.

The system is able to monitor each load circuit over time and produce energy and related information which is recorded. Conventional systems do not have this facity They are not able to determine the power used in the oad circuits.

The invented system is able to calculate the energy used, the rate of change of energy and the costs associated taking into account the profile of use. The conventional system is not able to estimate the energy used or calculate this figure for the system and its circuits.

Because the invented apparatus can intervene according to a set policy it can reduce the energy levels commensurate with the set targets. The system is capable of enforcing energy compliance within the bounds of the set policy and controlling the energy levels used. Since this conventional lighting apparatus does not intervene to reduce the energy in the circuits it can not achieve this solution.

By using the energy policy management capability of the system, this system is able to reduce the level of energy used by lighting/energy consuming systems to a greater level than with conventional systems or other competitive offerings.

By operating a feed back control system the invented display apparatus is able to save energy according to set targets and in accordance with the required lighting levels set for the user environment.

By sampling the current energy usage the system is able to predict the future use of energy and utilize this information to control the level of power dissipated in the load circuits. By performing these actions automatically and continuously without any direct intervention the invented display apparatus can save significant levels of energy that were previously being wasted.

The source of the control signals need not be an embedded system but can be any suitable source such as dedicated electronics, firmware, or computer system which Is capable of generating the digital signs.

The Invented apparatus can also be used to display the levels of energy used, the cost of this energy, the predicted energy use and costs at the end of the period, the predicted savings and the levels of actual saving achieved. Additionally, the equivalent level of Carbon dioxide Is calculated along with carbon displacement relating to the savIngs achIeved. These statistics are produced during operation and are continuously updated to reflect the current positIon.

ObvIously, the number of output channels Is not limited to 32 as In the current example. The Invention can be practiced wIth Just one output channel, or any number of output channels greater than one.

Those skilled in the art wIll recognize that further variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention.For example, while the invention has been described above in relation to a lighting controller this same approach can be practiced with other forms of power circuit. For example, such a system could control the circuits controlling the air conditioning or heating units of a building (temperature settings may be adjusted according to energy targets), or alternatively, controlling circuits for computer displays (which in turn could be controlled to go into standby mode quicker than usual, or have their brightness settings changed), photocoplerlnters (again varying time to enter standby mode, or even switching one or more completely off where there are more than one and energy needs saving). In fact, the Inventive concept Is applicable to controlling circuits for other energy consuming device whIch can have Its energy consumption varied, or can conceivably be switched off. It could even be conceivably be used In an Industrial or automation setting, where there Is some freedom of control (both In literal and In practical terms) of the energy consumption of Industrial machinery etc. Equay, a system need not be confined to a sing'e buding (or be anything to do with buidngs at a, but other structures such as ships, spacecraft, aircraft, or any energy consuming object or coection thereof). t is perfect'y possbIe, and within the scope of the nvention for examp'e, for a muRinationa company to be ab'e to monitor and set overaI imits on its overa energy consumption taking into account a its buildings. n such a case, buildings that have an energy surp'us" may be used to offset other bui'dings which may require more energy at a particu'ar time.

As before, individua' imits may a'so be set on a bui'ding (this time a bui'ding being more ana'ogous with a sing'e hub of the lighting controer system of the main embodiment), possibly to meet ocaI aws on Carbon Output, or where local energy costs are particuary high. This feature cou'd be particularly important for companies who need to meet carbon output imits, or who cou'd benefit from seUing "surp'us" carbon output, as is now possib'e with carbon offset trading. Such a goba (or nationa') network could easily be imp'emented over the internet, as wi immediately be recognised by the skied person.

Claims

Claims 1. A system for managing the energy consumption of an entity, said system comprising: means for monitoring the energy consumption of said entity, means for varying the energy consumption of said entity, means for setting an upper limit on the energy consumption, or on a parameter related to said energy consumption, of said entity, over a pre-determined time period, wherein said system is operable to monitor the energy consumption of said entity and, should said system forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption will be exceeded in said time period, be further operable to cause a reduction in said energy consumption of said entity, so as to attempt not to exceed said upper limit. * S *
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 operable to set energy limits or S...targets which define a desired energy ceiling, over a specified time period. * SS *S S
3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said energy limits or targets provide a reference point which will be used by the energy policy to determine the energy behaviour of the system.SISSIS * S
4. A system as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the system operates within said target level.
5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said entity is at least one building or location.
6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the energy consumption of said entity is varied so as to attempt not to exceed said upper limit.
7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said entity comprises of a plurality of sub-entities.
8. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the system operable to monitor the energy used in each sub-entity the system.
9. A system as claimed in claim 7 or 8 operable to determine the rate at which energy is consumed for these sub-entites.
10. A system as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein said means for varying the energy consumption of said entity is operable to do this by varying the energy consumption in one or more of said sub-entities, depending on predetermined factors.
11 A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10 comprising means for monitoring the energy consumption of each of said sub-entities.**,*** 15
12. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11 further comprising os..means for setting an upper limit on the energy consumption of one or more S...

: of said sub entities, independent of said upper limit set for the entity as a whole. 5.55

*
13. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12 wherein each of said 5.55.5 * sub-entities comprise the energy consuming devices of a separate room or areas of a building, or a separate device or a groups of device, or any combination of these.
14. A system as claimed in any of diaims 7 to 12 wherein said sub-entities each include one or more lighting circuits, one or more groups of office devices and one or more air conditioning units.
15. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12 wherein said sub-entities each comprise the buildings of a single nation/location/area, or a single building, or a part of a building.
16. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 15 wherein the system is hierarchical, such that said sub-entities are further divided into smaller units.
17. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the entity, sub entities and said smaller units all have upper energy consumption limits.
18, A system as claimed in any of claims 16 or 17 further comprising said smaller units to be divided again into a plurality of hierarchal levels.
19. A system as claimed in any of claims 17 or 18 wherein the importance of each upper limit depends on the position of said unit in the hierarchy.
20. A system as claimed in any of claims 16 to 19 wherein said entity is *..* 15 a company, said sub-entities to be the buildings of which the company is comprised of, and said smaller units to be electrical circuits, inside said * S..buildings. S... * . S S* S

*.
21. A system as claimed in claim 7 to 20 wherein said sub-entities are grouped together on hubs, each operable as if they were separate systems, but each independently of said system. **. * S
22. A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein each of said hubs comprises its own controller for controlling its sub-entities according to the system rules, said system rules being updatable from the system when said hub is connected to said system.
23. A system as claimed in claim 7 to 22 arranged such that said entity or each of said sub-entities can each be attributed a preferable energy consumption setting to operate at.
24. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said setting may be fixed or variable, in real time, depending on sensed conditions and end user requirements.
25. A system as claimed in claim 24 wherein said sensed conditions comprise at least one of ambient light levels, time of day, room or area occupancy, ambient temperature levels.
26. A system as claimed in any of claims 23, 24 or 25 arranged to control said entity and/or sub-entities so as to operate at said preferable energy consumption setting, or higher, unless said system forecasts any upper limit on energy consumption will be exceeded.
27. A system as claimed in any of claims 23 to 26 operable to allow said entity and/or sub entities to be attributed to them limits defining a range of acceptable energy consumption settings.

*... 15
28. A system as claimed in claim 27 operable such that said limits are :.:: determined as a percentage of said preferable setting, said system being * *** operable to control said entity and or sub-entities so that they all operate within the acceptable range, if possible, while ensuring said upper limit(s) is/are not exceeded.

*
29. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 28 operable to set a * priority level to each or all sub-entities.
30. A system as claimed in claim 29 operable such that said sub-entities with the lowest priority settings will have their energy consumption level varied first, or by a greater amount or both.
31. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 30 operable such that one or more sub-entities is/are settable that its energy consumption is never varied.
32. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 31 operable such that sub-entities whose energy consumption is nearest or furthest from their limits will have their energy consumption varied first.
33. A system as claimed in claim 7 to 32 operable such that said system will allow a sub-entity to increase its rate of energy consumption provided that this increase in the rate of energy consumption is not forecasted to cause said upper limit to be exceeded.
34. A system as c'aimed in any of claims 7 to 33 arranged such that, should it be forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption will be exceeded, the increments by which the energy consumption of said entity, or at least one of said sub-entities, is varied, is dependent on the margin that said upper limit is forecast to be exceeded by.
35. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 34 wherein said sub-entities are electric circuits within at least one building.

****** 15
36. A system as claimed in claim 36 wherein said electric circuits are **..lighting circuits. * S * ** *
37. A system as claimed in claim 35 or 36 wherein a single sub-entity comprises a single one of said circuits. **** * * S 5S

5555*S *
38. A system as claimed in any of claims 35 or 36 wherein a single sub-entity comprises a plurality of said circuits.
39. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 38 arranged to record various other energy consumption metrics, with regard to all entities and sub-entities, to enable detailed analysis of energy consumption.
40. A system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a system management module, from which some or all limits, settings and rules can be set or changed.
41. A system as claimed in claim 40 comprising said system management to be controlled over the internet, or any other network.
42. A system as claimed in any preceding claim operable such that said upper limit(s) on said energy consumption is settable in terms of energy consumed, cost of energy consumed, resultant carbon emissions or any combination thereof.
43. A system as claimed in any preceding claim operable such that said system is arranged to forecast whether any of said upper limits will be breached or not from the rate of energy being consumed, the amount of energy already consumed, the predetermined time period and said upper limit(s), or any combination thereof
44. A system as claimed in claim 43 arranged to forecast the expected time to reach said limit.

*** 15
45. A system as claimed in claim 44 wherein said forecast is performed * ** . repetitively at a fixed sample period so that the actual consumption of *S..

: energy is tracked. S. S
46. A system as claimed in claim 44 or 45 comprising said time to reach target to be calculated for a sample time period which is short in * S.. SS * comparison to said predetermined time period.
47. A system as claimed in any of claims 44, 45 or 46 further operable to calculate said time to reach target by assuming a constant rate of change of energy usage over the sample period.
48. A system as claimed in any of claims 44 to 47 further operable to use a rolling average of said time to reach target values.
49. A system as claimed in any of claims 44 to 48 operable to use this time to reach target figure such that, should it be later than the end of said predetermined time period, then no action need be taken but should it be earlier than the end of the time period, then action is required to reduce the energy consumption rate so as to attempt not to breach the target level.
50. A system as claimed in any preceding claim arranged to forecast the expected amount of energy consumed by the end of said predetermined time period.
51. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said energy consumption setting is settable, manually or otherwise, by a user.
52. A system as claimed in claim 51 wherein said energy consumption setting is settable by the user by operation of a dimmer control on a lighting circuit.

**** 15
53. A system as claimed in any preceding claim operable such that the upper limit(s) on the energy consumption is determined by the system itse If. * * S ** S
54. A system as claimed in claim 53 wherein said determination is based upon previous energy consumption levels.

****** *
55. A system as claimed in any preceding claim arranged to monitor energy levels for a predetermined period before setting any upper limits, so as to obtain information from which to determine the upper limit(s).
56. A system as claimed in claim 55 operable such that the determination of the upper limit(s) on the energy consumption comprises entering relevant parameters by a user.
57. A system as claimed in claim 56 wherein said relevant parameters comprise the preferable operating level and/or the average time of use.
58. A system as claimed in any preceding claims arranged to warn of any forecast of said energy consumption upper limit being exceeded, particularly where any settings or rules mean that said system is not able to lower energy consumption sufficiently to prevent said upper limit being exceeded.
59. A system as claimed in any preceding claim operable to enable the provision of clear information on a range of energy related metrics which characterise the energy performance of the system.
60. A system as claimed in claim 60 wherein said metrics comprise: (i) the energy used, (ii) the energy savings made, (iii) the costs of energy used, (iv) the associated costs savings achieved by the system, (v) the equivalent carbon dioxide levels associated with this energy used *..., 15 and the carbon savings, or (vi) any combination thereof.
61. A system as claimed in claim 60 or 60 further arranged to calculate the cost or energy benefits of different modes of operation.
62. A system as claimed in any of claims 60, 60 or 61 arranged to S.....* S break these figures down in relation to administrative areas and zones and/or any sub-entities used by the system.
63. A system as claimed in any of claims 60 to 62 further arranged to provide this information on a dynamic basis in real time while the system is being used.
64. A system as claimed in claim 60 to 63 comprising a memory and display in order to do provide said information.
65. A system as claimed in any of claims 60 to 64 operable to provide the system administration with a graphical representation of the system and its energy performance in relation to set energy performance targets and/or said upper limits.
66. A system as claimed in claim 65 further operable to enable different energy usage rates to be highlighted graphically on the management screen and so give a visual indication of the energy performance as it relates to the various system components.
67. A method for managing energy consumption of an entity, said method comprising: * setting an upper limit on the energy consumption, or on a parameter related to said energy consumption, of said entity, over a pre-determined time period; * monitoring the energy consumption of said entity; and * * 15 * should said system forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption will be exceeded in said time period, varying the energy consumption of said entity to cause a reduction in said energy consumption of said entity, so as to attempt not to exceed said upper limit. e..

:
68. A method as claimed in any of claims 67 wherein said entity comprises comprise at least one building or location.
69. A method as claimed in claim 67 or 68 wherein said entity comprises a plurality of sub-entities.
70. A method as claimed in claim 69 wherein said varying of the energy consumption of said entity is done by varying the energy consumption in one or more of said sub-entities, so as to attempt not to exceed said upper limit.
71. A method as claimed in claim 69 or 70 wherein said varying of energy consumption in one or more of said sub-entities depends on predetermined factors.
72. A method as claimed in claim 69, 70 or 71 comprises monitoring the energy consumption of each of said sub-entities, and further comprises setting of an upper limit on the energy consumption of one or more of said sub entities, independent of said upper limit set for the entity as a whole.
73. A method as claimed in any of claims 69 to 72 wherein said sub-entities comprise the buildings of a single nation/location/area, or single buildings, or part of buildings, or comprise any combination of these.
74. A method as claimed in any of claims 69 to 73 wherein said sub-entities comprise the energy consuming devices of separate rooms or areas of said building, or separate devices or groups of devices, or any combination of these.

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75. A method as claimed in any of claims 69 to 74 wherein a single sub-entity comprises a single one of said circuits/devices or a plurality of 0I them. a
76. A method as claimed in claim 75 wherein said plurality of circuits/devices are distinguished by type of circuit/device, location or a * mixture thereof.
77. .A method as claimed in any of claims 69 to 76 comprising dividing said entities in a hierarchal fashion, such that said sub-entities are further divided into smaller units.
78. A method as claimed in claim 77 wherein said smaller unit(s) are further divided again so as to form a plurality of hierarchal levels.
79. A method as claimed in any of claims 77 or 78 wherein the importance of each upper limit depends on its position in the hierarchy, such that devices lower in the hierarchy will have any targets set adjusted more readily than those higher in the hierarchy.
80. A method as claimed in any of claims 69 to 79 wherein the entity and/or sub entities, or any divisions thereof each have upper energy consumption limits.
81. A method as claimed in any of claims 78 to 80 wherein said entity is a company, said sub-entities are the building(s) of which the company is comprised of, and said smaller units are electrical circuits, inside the buildings.
82. A method as claimed in any of claims 69 to 81 wherein said sub-entities are grouped together on hubs.
83. A method as claimed in claim 82 wherein said hubs operate according to the same rules as the entity as a whole, but each independently of the entity as a whole. *. :
84. A method as claimed in claim 82 or 83 wherein each of said hubs ** comprises its own controller for controlling its sub-entities according to the rules of the entity as a whole.

S.....

*
85. A method as claimed in claim 82, 83 or 84 comprising updating said rules from the entity as a whole when said hub is connected to said entity.
86. . A method as claimed in any of claims 69 to 85 comprising a step of setting said entity and/or each of said sub-entities at a preferable energy consumption to operate at.
87. . A method as claimed in claim 86 wherein said setting is an initial fixed step, or is a variable setting, in real time, depending on sensed conditions and end user requirements.
88. A method as claimed in claim 87 wherein said sensed conditions comprise ambient light levels, time of day, room or area occupancy, ambient temperature levels or any combination of these.
89. A method as claimed in claim 88 comprising setting the energy consumption level by operating a dimmer control switch on a lighting circuit.
90. A method as claimed in any of claims 86 to 89 comprising operating said entity and/or sub-entities at said preferable energy consumption setting, or higher, unless it is forecasted that any upper limit on energy consumption will be exceeded.
91. A method as claimed in any of claims 69 to 90 further comprising *.,.. 15 attributing/setting limits to said entity and/or sub entities defining a range of acceptable energy consumption. *.S.

. :
92. A method as claimed in claim 91 wherein said limits are determined as a percentage of said preferable setting.
93. A method as claimed in claim 91 or 92 for controlling said entity * and/or sub-entities so that they all operate within the acceptable range while ensuring said upper limit(s) is/are not exceeded.
94. A method as claimed in any claim of 69 to 96 comprising setting a priority level to one or more sub-entities.
95. A method as claimed in claim 94 comprising varying the sub-entities with the lowest priority settings first and/or by a greater amount should it be forecast that said upper limit on the energy consumption will be exceeded.
96. A method as claimed in any of claims 94 or 95 comprising never varying the energy consumption of sub-entities with high priority settings.
97. A method as claimed in claim 96 comprising varying the sub-entities which have their energy consumption nearest or furthest from their limits first.
98. A method as claimed in any of claims 69 to 97, comprising allowing an increase in the rate of energy consumption of a sub-entity, provided that this increase in the rate of energy consumption is not forecasted to cause said upper limit to be exceeded, even where this results in an individual sub-entity's upper limit being exceeded.
99. A method as claimed in claim 69 to 98 comprising varying the increments by which the energy consumption of said entity and/or at least one of said sub-entities are varied by, dependent on the margin that said *:*::* 15 upper limit is forecast to be exceeded by. * S S...

Claims are truncated...