GB2607574A - Energy management devices and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus comprising means for storing power; means for receiving a need request message from a first unit; means for determining, based on a power allocation status of the apparatus and a nature of the need request, whether the apparatus has an ability to meet the need request of the first unit, or partially meet the need request of the first unit; means for sending a first response message to the first unit when the apparatus determines that it has the ability to meet the need request; and means for fulfilling the need request based on sending the first response message. The request may comprise a request to reduce demand, increase demand, lower the unit cost of power, lower carbon power or approve a previous need request. The request may also include a predetermined priority level, or may be for a period of time in the future

Description

ENERGY MANAGEMENT DEVICES AND METHODS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to energy management apparatus and methods

BACKGOUND

[0002] A growing problem with the UK electrical energy distribution is the strain on the grid during peak energy demands.

[0003] To incentivise off peak energy use energy providers offer time of use energy tariffs which provide cheaper electricity typically during the night, these tariffs are especially applicable to business users where there can be a penalty for peak usage, these tariffs are hard to make use off unless you are willing to change your lifestyle/business hours or home routine. [0004] The electrical energy industry is in the process of fundamental change within the pursuit of decarbonisation, decentralisation, and digitisation of the generation and distribution of electrical energy.

[0005] Actions to decarbonise the national grid are driven by the Climate Change Act 2008, with the target to reduce net UK carbon for the year 2050 is lower than the 1990 baseline. The installation of PV cells and both onshore and offshore wind turbines over the past decade has to residential and commercial buildings and land made great strides.

[0006] Looking forward to the future there are a number of problems with the generation and supply of energy, in particular renewables. Renewable generation is not consistent across time, be it hour, day, month year, and region however it is largely predictable 2-3 days in advance. [0007] Much focus on solving these problems is through changing people's behaviour towards energy consumption, thus reducing the demand at peak times of the day.

[0008] Energy demand typically peaks at two points of the day, in the morning, and again in the evening. The peaks occur where there is a rapid change in the demand and consumption of electrical energy.

[0009] Solar energy is unable to capitalise on these peak demand times as typically the most demand is present when solar arrays are producing their minimum capacity.

[0010] Previous battery technology solutions have tried to address these problems, but they too have a problem with peak demand. The power output of these systems has to either be sized so that they can power the maximum possible output configuration, which will lead to oversized components, storage and increased product cost, or they have to be sized less than the maximum possible output, which means at several times during a day they will have to cut power from the battery storage and revert to higher cost mains electricity or reduce the available running time on lower cost energy sources, causing wastage in energy efficiencies and curtailing the benefits of their storage system for the user. For businesses there is the extra issue of space, storage systems are either too large or too small.

[0011] Previous battery technology solutions have an issue with flexibility arid cost efficiency. This increases as a building's energy demand increases and building complexity increases. In the case of multi tenanted buildings typically with sub legally defined entities, such as businesses in a shared/co-working office space, the application of current battery storage is installed to cover an entire building using one unit or one bank of units, therefore the commercial advantages from the value in flexible energy are not equally shared amongst the users, unless the storage solution is over specified in capacity and power for the building. This increases the capital cost, and damages from unit failure are high. By distributing the storage around a building, capital costs are lower as flexibility is increased. Software, both embedded and cloud based, is applied to maximise the capacity and energy availability to directly meet the needs of the user, and not the building as a whole. For buildings that have an infrastmcture of battery storage in the current sense problems occur when capacity is reached due to an increase in energy growth. Expansion of battery storage is costly as more often than not labourers are required to either remove and replace current system, or extend storage capacity by cutting electrical power so that works can commence. Distributing battery storage around a building, with the simplicity of 'plug and play' functionality enables battery storage capacity to increase instantly, without the need for expert labourers.

SUMMARY

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus, comprising: means for receiving a need request message from a First unit; means for determining, based on a power allocation status of the apparatus and a nature of the need request, whether the apparatus has an ability to meet the need request of the first unit; means for sending a first response message to the first unit when the apparatus determines that it has the ability to meet the need request; and means for fulfilling the need request based on sending the first response message. An advantage is that the above provides a dynamic energy management system.

[0013] Optionally the apparatus further comprises: means for determining that the apparatus is in contact with a second unit when the apparatus determines that it does not have the ability to meet all or part of the request; means for sending a second need request message to the second unit, the second need request message being based on the First need request from the first unit and the ability of the apparatus to meet the first need request; means for receiving a second response message from the second unit indicating the second unit's ability to meet all or part of the second need request; means for sending a third response message to the first unit based on the second response message and the ability of the apparatus; and means for fulfilling the need request based on sending the third response message. An advantage of the above is that it improves flexibility of the energy management system.

[0014] Optionally the apparatus further comprises: means for determining that the apparatus is not in contact with a second unit when the apparatus determines that it does not have the ability to meet all or part of the request; means for sending a fourth response message to the first unit based on the ability of the apparatus; and means for fulfilling the need request based on sending the fourth response message. An advantage of the above is that it improves flexibility of the energy management system.

[0015] Optionally the means for fulfilling the need request is further based on receiving an approval message from the first unit. This has an advantage of enabling the energy management system to determine available power from a number of units by sending a single request. [0016] Optionally the power allocation status is based on at least one of: current power allocation of the apparatus, future power allocation scheduled for the apparatus for a given time period, unit cost of power, origin of power. This has an advantage of increasing flexibility of the energy management system.

[0017] Optionally the need request comprises one of a request to: reduce power demand, increase power demand, lower unit cost of power; lower carbon power, approve a previous need request. This has an advantage of increasing flexibility of the energy management system and enables efficient use of power and storage.

[0018] Optionally the fourth response message is based on the ability of the apparatus to partly fulfil the need request. This has an advantage of enabling a unit to obtain the required need from more than one adjacent unit.

[0019] Optionally the request includes a predetermined priority level. This has an advantage of prioritising certain units that may be managing critical systems within the energy management system.

[0020] Optionally the received need request is for a period of time in the future. This has an advantage of enabling a unit to reserve power for a period of time in the future based on learned user requirements or requirements set by the user.

[0021] Optionally the apparatus further determines whether the apparatus has the ability to meet the future need request. This has an advantage of enabling reservation of future needs for future events in order to improve energy management.

[0022] Optionally the apparatus has the ability to meet the future need request is based on one of historical information, historical need requests, carbon, cost, resilience, predicted future information, or a combination thereof This has an advantage of improving energy management. [0023] Optionally the need request is an increase power demand and, based on the determination that the second unit cannot fulfil the need request, implementing means for sending a request for a decrease in power demand to the second unit. This has an advantage of dynamically adjusting power of adjacent units to enable the current unit to maintain its current need.

[0024] Optionally the first unit is an adjacent parent unit of the apparatus and the second unit is an adjacent child unit of the apparatus.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus, comprising: means for sending a need request to a first unit, based on a power allocation status of the apparatus; and means for receiving a response message from the first unit, wherein the response message indicates whether the first unit can fulfil, partially fulfil or cannot fulfil the need request. This has an advantage of enabling the energy management system to determine available power from a number of units by sending a single request.

[0026] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises means for sending an approval message in response to receiving the response message from the first unit. This has an advantage of enabling the energy management system to determine available power from a number of units by sending a single request.

[0027] Optionally the first unit is an adjacent parent unit.

[0028] Optionally the need request comprises an increase power demand.

[0029] Optionally the first unit is an adjacent child unit.

[0030] Optionally the need request comprises a request to reduce power demand or increase power demand.

[0031] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises means for storing power. This has an advantage of enabling the unit to store power for later distribution.

[0032] A method for energy management according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising: receiving a need request message from a first unit; determining, based on a power allocation status of the apparatus and a nature of the need request, whether the apparatus has an ability to meet the need request of the first unit; sending a first response message to the first unit when the apparatus determined that it has the ability to meet the need request and fulfilling the need request based on sending the first response message.

[0033] A method for energy management according to the further aspect of the invention, the method comprising: sending a need request to a first unit, based on a power allocation status of the apparatus; and receiving a response message from the first unit, wherein the response message indicates whether the first unit can fulfil, partially fulfil, or cannot fulfil the need request.

DECSRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 illustrates an intelligent switching and monitoring system according to the present application.

Figure 2 illustrates an example modular distributed system in a building, the example modular distributed system comprising unit apparatus according to aspects of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of the modular distributed system of Figure 2 that can be implemented in a vehicle, for example a ship.

Figure 4 is a flow chart detailing processes performed by unit apparatus according to aspects of the invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart detailing the processes performed by a prediction algorithm of the unit apparatus according to aspects of the invention.

Figure 6 is a flow chart detailing steps performed by unit apparatus according to aspects of the invention.

Figure 7 is a flow chart detailing the process preformed by an example unit apparatus in Figure 2 according to aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to address the above mentioned problems with the prior art, there is herein provided methods and apparatus directed to a modular energy storage unit [100] that can independently monitor [150, 151, 152] and switch [160] any number of electrical circuits or feeds [171 -17n]. Each individual feed [171 -17n] can be monitored [152] and its output switched between sources of electricity [120, 1101 simultaneously and with regard to each other and to each system in the localised, i.e. building level, network. The network is comprised of units which can be single units or units within a chain or subsystem of units which are electrically connected together or a mixture of both, as shown in Figure 2. The units in a chain or subsystem have a Parent/Child relationship. Any unit connected directly downstream of a unit in the direction of power flow as shown in Figure 2, i.e. there is no unit connected in-between the two units in consideration, is defined to be a Child of the unit which is supplying it power, and the unit supplying power is considered to be the Child's Parent. Any Child can have Children of its own, in which case the unit is defined as the Parent of the Child. A unit can have more than one Parent or Child if the units are directly connected downstream or upstream. A unit can only be defined as a Parent and have a Child if there is a unit connected directly downstream in the direction of power flow and a unit can only have a Parent if there is unit connected directly upstream in the direction of power flow. If there is no unit connected downstream in the direction of power flow and only a unit connected directly upstream in the direction of power flow the unit can only be defined as a Child to the unit upstream. If there is no unit connected directly upstream in direction of power flow the unit can only be defined as a Parent. If there is no unit connected directly upstream or downstream, the unit is defined as having no relationship. [0035] The system controls the switching of individual units [100] using switching circuits [160]. [0036] The system continually monitors [152] the output feeds [171-17n] individually by metering the flow of data as a set of measure values on the output AC power, these can include, but are not limited to: Voltage peak and RMS, Current Peak and RIVIS, Phasor V/ and I lead or lag, Frequency, ROCOF, Harmonics, Partial discharge, Earth leakage current.

[0037] The system applies the measured data to a Neural Network algorithm which calculates different future states based on known data inputs [Figure 5] on the individual unit(s) [0038] The Neural Network algorithm can be run at any time the Unit requires. The Algorithm is Unit centric, driven by the individual unit.

[0039] The Neural Network [550, 560] applies machine learning. The learning comes from comparing the actual consumed energy data for a period of time with the predicted consumed energy data for the same time. In doing so, the Neural Network is adjusted (weighted nodes) to reduce the error rate, always prioritising the user's needs of low carbon, low cost, energy resilience or a mixture of the 3.

[0040] Inputs [501] into the first Neural Network Layer is all the current known information about the system and system states taken from a Unit's components, such as the current output feed monitoring and metered data (such as output feed monitoring and storage monitoring [152, 150, 171-17n1 and embedded systems architecture data [1401), current battery conditioning capacity, charge and monitoring data (such as battery condition & management data [130]), current input power monitoring data [502] (such as input monitoring [1511) 8z constraints, users priorities [503], energy source (type and availability) from parents units (such as alternative electricity supplies, mains electricity supplies or battery electricity supply [110,120]), current unit output demand prediction [504], third-party data inputs current and future [191], time period to be calculated for (and time base) [505], external unit requirements (from need request).

[0041] Input [502] includes data about physical technological constraints due to the supply of power into the unit. Such as but not limited to, building cable supply constraints, inter-building cabling constraints, and Parent Unit power flow constraints. The system is not limited to building environments but can be implemented in any contained space where units can be electrically connected, such as within ships or trains. In these cases, the supply constraints will relate to the constraints particular to the setting in which the networked units reside.

[0042] Input [503] contains the user's needs for the individual unit. These needs are the priority levels for the consumed energy, that is, low carbon energy, low cost energy, and energy resilience priority for each output feed.

[0043] Input [504] is the current known data sets for the unit's output demand prediction. This is a data set that was previously calculated on the last run of the algorithm for the determined period. [505] [0044] Input [505] specifies the required time base for the Neural Network to work on. The time base is not limited, but very rarely extends beyond a 24 hour period. This data input also includes a time base for the calculations to be carried out, such as every 30 minutes. This too is not limited in code, and is typically every 30 minutes on average. The time bases are varied by the unit itself as a method of confirming a Neural Networks output. Time bases shrink where previous calculated demand profiles are very different from the actual. Typically the algorithm may increase the time base to take a higher overview approach to a scenario, e.g. daily over a year.

[0045] Neural Network Outputs [571] are all settings for each component of the individual unit [130, 140, 120, 150, 151, 152, 171-17n]. Each setting contains the relevant attributes for each module, for example charge rates, and the date and times to start for [130]. These settings are immediately implemented, [0046] In the event that a need request from a Parent or Child unit has initiated the neural network algorithm to run, outputs specific to that request are produced. The output will contain enough information for the Unit to determine if the need request has been met [580].

[0047] Users are able to see the future predicted scenarios via the User Application [199] at any time. Reports of prediction can be produced to help with longer term decisions outside the realm of the battery storage system or sub system [200,201] [0048] The whole system, and individual units [100] communicate with cloud services, for data storage, running algorithms, data inputs, communicating with other units and system/unit control [190] and vice versa.

[0049] Each system's feedback control in the embedded system architecture [140] continuously operates a FSM (Finite State Machine) [Figure 4] to meet the peak performance requirements of the energy storage system. This includes controlling battery condition and management [130] and output feed switching circuits [160-16]] to meet current and future user needs of carbon reduction, cost, or resilience, or a combination of all 3.

[0050] Individual Unit [100], system or sub system [200, 210] states vary on any time base period. Such as, charge state, charge rate state, discharge rate state, output switch setting(s) state. [0051] A future scenarios prediction as shown in Figure 5 determines how much energy (in kWh), and what type (stored energy/mains/or renewable alternative) [110] is fed from one unit into another and so on to ensure the future user needs of carbon, cost or resilience or a mixture of all three are met for the future time based usage period. This is done through a unit need request. [0052] A working example is described in Figure 2: Sub System B (210), comprising units 4, 5, and 6, may have a far higher energy demand at the weekend than during the working week, in comparison to the rest of the building's units and sub-systems. Each individual unit [100] and system/sub system may communicate through a series of need requests and when able to, send and pool resources together to ensure Sub System B has adequate power to meet its needs whilst reducing the priority of all other units in the system. This is done by preparing Sub System B by charging its storage capacity to required levels from Parent unit's stored energy or from the mains, all through a building's existing wiring infrastructure.

[0053] Figure 2 illustrates an example implementation of unit apparatuses according to aspects of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates a number of units 1-6, wherein in this example, units 4, 5, and 6 form a sub-system B (210), and units 2,4, 5, and 6 form a sub system A (200). Unit 1000) and unit 7(170) are not in a sub system in this example. In this example, each unit is coupled to at least one electrical item (220). In this example, units 1 (100) and 3 (170) are coupled directly to the distribution/fuse box (HO), Each unit comprises a power storing means such as a battery. Figure 7 illustrates an example in which at a point in time, unit 5 (Figure 2.) may determine that it will not have enough stored power to supply the electrical item coupled to unit 5. The determination may be based on at least one of, predicted usage, a schedule, or a request for power from the electrical item. In response to this determination, unit 5 may begin a flow of need requests up the chain of units (requests from Child to Parent). All need requests from a Child to a Parent are requests for additional power. If that process is exhausted and the need cannot be fully met, the unit with the need may send need requests to child units to reduce their demand. Figure 7 summaries the flow of need requests. In the first stage, Unit 5 will know that it has a parent and child unit as described [0039]. Unit 5 may first ask its Parent Unit 4 for additional power [701], if this need can be met, the need request chain ends once Unit 5 has approved it [702,709]. Where Unit 4 is not able to completely fulfil the need request, the chain of requests may continue up the chain from Parent to Parent, first to Unit 2 [703-4], then to Unit 1 [705-6]. Once all parent units have been asked and Unit 5's need has still not been met, Unit 5 may begin a similar process of asking its child units to reduce their demand [716-718]. This process is non exhaustive, and repetitive in the chain. For example. Where the above need request from Unit 2 to Unit 1 cannot be met. Unit 1 may begin the process of asking its child units to reduce their demand in order to help Unit 1 provide additional power resources to meet the need request from Unit 2 [707-8]. Figure 7 only shows the process of 1 child unit in a chain (3 and 6) but the number of child unit relationships can also be multiple.

[0054] The neural network algorithm that runs from need requests is monitored by the cloud system for the number of times it is run over a period of time, including the length of time it is run. In doing so, a receiving unit adjusts its own energy parameters slightly to help adjacent units. This highlights weak links in a system or sub system, and may notify the user via the Application to take action (such as, but not limited to, to move electrical loads, but more typically to increase the storage capacity) [0055] Multiple units [100] in the same vicinity (distributed to cover an entire building) [200,210], can network together via the cloud [195] to preform the function of a larger battery storage system with a single point of interaction for external users [199].

[0056] Installation into existing building electrical infrastructure with ring mains or individual feeds from distribution boxes can be done. Individual units [100] are installed using two methods; 1) Direct into existing electrical mains sockets, and 2) Wired in series with existing electrical wiring.

[0057] For units [100] installed by plugging into to existing electrical mains sockets, the output power for down stream Units and/or electrical items are connected either utilising a mains socket on a unit or hard wired into a units output.

[0058] For units [100] hard wired in series into existing infrastructure this can be done by rewiring an existing electrical mains socket, ensuring that all electrical connections (Live, Neutral and Earth) are wired into the Unit.

[0059] Distribution of units are not necessarily fixed into the fabric of a building, but can be moved depending on future needs.

[0060] Expansion of battery storage capacity of existing battery storage systems or sub systems can be completed at anytime and be retro-fitted. In the event a user takes the decision to extend their storage needs, this can be done by plugging a unit into an existing electrical ring main, or into an existing battery storage or wiring into a distribution box or other electricity network. [0061] Upon commissioning of a unit at any stage, either as a first installation of the system or an addition or expansion of battery storage, the system user or installer may commission each unit via the cloud platform, the information added may include where the unit has been installed in relation to the other units in the system, which is stored in a database. The cloud system may interpret this and assign or update the Parent/Child relationship between units. The assigned/updated relationship is then transmitted to each unit and stored in the unit's Internal memory so that each unit is aware of its status, for example whether the unit is a parent, child, and/or whether the unit has one or more children. In case of network failure, the unit can use the locally stored information. Prior to installation a unique ID is assigned to each unit and the IDs of the units to be installed into a network are assigned to a customer or installation via the cloud system. If the building electricity is turned off or disconnected to the first unit in a system chain and each unit has adequate power stored within its battery system this process can be automated through the cloud system. This process is initiated via the user or installer via the cloud system which can determine if the correct conditions are met by accessing live unit data The automation is achieved by all units switching their outputs off and only a single unit supplying power to its outputs, this is controlled by the cloud system. If another unit is connected to this unit it may detect within a short timeframe that power has been supplied to its input, therefore the cloud platform may assign the unit which supplied the power as a Parent to the unit that received the power as a Child. The automated process then switches off the output power of the unit and the process is repeated with all units within the network which may map out the Parent/Child relationships between all units. This mapping is stored within a database. We note that each unit is not aware of the entire mapping of the network. Each unit is supplied with information to enable the unit to determine whether it is a parent, child, and/or whether the unit has one or more children. The units can query the cloud for updated information, or the cloud can send notification to units if there is an update/new unit(s) installed that is relevant to the unit.

[0062] User control of the system is enabled so that switching can be preformed automatically, semi-automatically or manually with the end users input(s). All individual and subsystem and whole system monitoring can be made available to the user. Data and control is delivered and received by two way communication between the user application [199] (on mobile, desktop or otherwise) and cloud via Application Programming Interfaces (API). Instructional input from the user is validated and communicated onwards to the effected units via two way messaging service. [0063] The units makes instructional commands or need requests via the cloud to other units in a fully automated fashion based on the output of unit or cloud based software algorithms or a semi-automated fashion based on strict linear rules set by the users, including charging and discharging periods, feed priority and battery utilisation.

100641 The cloud system and software algorithms are able to take a variety of inputs and stimuli from both non and 3rd party data feeds, such as carbon intensity of supply, both current and forecasted, pricing both current and forecasted, local and/or national grid infrastructure capacity, mains supply down time remaining, electricity tariff costs both current and forecasted, and historical [191] [0065] The cloud system also receives and distributes demand and forecasted demand data, including all monitoring data from other units in the vicinity of individual and/or sub systems [195] which can be used by the algorithm to tailor the control of the inputs and outputs of the system and sub system [200, 210] to provide an optimal system wide charge, discharge, or Electricity Supply [110] use.

[0066] Other units in the network system or sub system [200, 210] act upon all data to create a physical response in the individual unit [100], subsystem or whole system including charge rate, discharge rate and power control down to each feed level By altering the state of charge of the batteries by controlling the output switching [160], charger state [130] or controlling the connections of power inputs and outputs [160]. Where constraints on availability of electricity supply into a building from a grid network or from a local renewable source are factored in, individual units [100], systems and sub systems [200,210] may alter and vary the charge rate, charge levels, discharge rate, and flow of electricity power source through all units [100] to meet the user(s) demands and needs across carbon, cost, resilience or a mixture of all 3.

[0067] The system can comprise a mixture of, but not limited to, electrical hardware, PCBs components, embedded software and algorithms, cloud based software and Al software [0068] In another aspect, the intelligent switching and monitoring system can be distributed throughout a building as a plurality of units, which can network together via cloud software services to create a larger distributed storage network which is private to that building and can be upgraded at any time. The plurality of units can operate independently or as part of a building wide network or network sub systems [Figure 2].

[0069] Each distributed unit can have numerous alternative supplies connected to it, including localised renewable infrastructure, mains electricity or electricity supplied by other units in the distributed network [110].

[0070] In another aspect there is provided a plurality of intelligent switching arid monitoring units arranged so that sharing energy between the plurality of units inside the building is possible, these can be defined as sub systems [200,210].

[0071] When units operate independently (such as Unit 7 in Figure 2) all cloud and embedded software algorithms determine the optimal charge and discharge rates and battery charge state based on cost data, carbon data, and system efficiency and user requirement, for the required time-based period.

[0072] Where units operate as a sub system (such as Units 4, 5, 6 in Figure 2) their collective software algorithms may determine the optimal charge rate to maximise the generated power from the local Solar System or alternative electricity supply [110] using measurements as described within and monitoring of input and output power flow of each individual Unit, and the Sub System as a whole.

[0073] Where power from a Solar System or alternative electricity supply is constrained either maximum or non-existent; the collective software algorithms may source electrical power from Parent Units, such Unit 2 in Figure 2. In this instance, Unit 2 may determine the best source of electrical power from either its own stored source or direct from the mains through Unit 1. Unit 2's algorithms may determine the best available state whilst ensuring its local Electrical Items are maintained to meet the user's needs.

[0074] Individual Units [100] software algorithms may take into consideration all power in and power out constraints. Such as power rate, and capacity of the electrical infrastructure and sources of energy.

[0075] In another aspect, the intelligent switching and monitoring system may be controlled by a software platform via instructional messaging. The plurality of units can support each other by directing energy to specific areas in the building by controlling the input and output feeds [160] to supply energy to units connected in the network system or sub-system [200,210], supply specific feeds with batter)/ or alternative electricity supply or disconnect feeds and controlling charging [130], based on end user 'Behind the Meter' usage and load data and algorithm output. [0076] Users can input and define requirements on electricity usage and their intended target such as cost saving, carbon saving or electricity continuity and power protection (in order to supply continuous electricity to connected electrical items in the event of an interruption or dip to input power). The user defined constraints may be input to the control system to determine how the energy is shared between the plurality of units.

[0077] In another aspect, a battery conditioning and management system [130] is provided to negotiate needs based on end user 'behind the meter' demands, and not solely driven by supply constraints. Decisions of states are made in a 'discussion' with each Unit in the adjacent energy network supply or demand chain. This is done in the form of a 'need request' [Figure 6] command and query These needs can be requests for units downstream or upstream to reduce their demand, and provide power to meet the needs of units further down the energy system. Requests are made directly to the adjacent Units via the Cloud systems channel.

[0078] With reference to Figure 6, at step 601 a unit may receive an incoming need request from a Parent or Child unit. The sending of a need request by a unit may be triggered by the receipt of a need request from an adjacent unit or in response to a power allocation status of the unit. A power allocation status may be, for example, current power allocation of the unit; future power allocation scheduled for the unit for a given time period; unit cost of power; origin of power (e.g. renewable, carbon intensity, or predicted carbon intensity of energy available to the unit); localised power constraint; increase in energy demand,, or other user defined constraint.

[0079] The request may be from a Parent unit (step 611). The request may be a demand to increase or decrease energy demand (step 612). Parameters in the future scenario algorithm are updated at step (613) based on the demand change. At step 614, a time period may be optionally defined to determine the duration of a demand period. At step 615 a unit determines if a change in demand it can offer meets the change in demand in a need request. If it can meet the needs of a need request, the unit sends an approval message (step 620) to the Parent unit containing, for example, demand change information, demand change time frame if determined, carbon level associated with a demand change and tariff costs. Once an earlier need fulfilment is approved, the approval message triggers for local actions to take place at the appropriate time. If a unit cannot meet the requested demand, the unit determines if it has an adjacent Child unit to ask for assistance in step 616, this could be a repeat for the need request to the Child in its entirety or a modified version of the need request if the unit is able to fulfil the request partially for the remaining portion of the need request the unit cannot fulfil. A request may include a start time, which could be in the future and a time period for the need to be met. If there is no adjacent Child unit, a unit sends a report to a Parent unit containing demand change information, demand change time frame if determined, carbon level associated with a demand change and tariff costs for any amount of assistance it can contribute to a need request. If a unit does have an adjacent Child unit, the unit may send an assistance request (step 617) and await a response (618) An adjacent Child unit, upon receiving an assistance request then performs a further demand determination process as described herein. At step 619, a unit receives a response from an adjacent Child unit. A response from an adjacent Child unit contains demand change information, demand change time frame if determined, carbon level associated with a demand change and tariff costs for any amount of assistance it can contribute to an assistance request. The total amount of assistance including adjacent Child assistance is then communicated by a unit to a Parent unit at step 620. Although this example is limited to two or three units, the skilled person would understand that any number of units may be connected in a system, and any number of assistance requests and any amount of individual assistance from units may be combined to meet the demands of a need request.

100801 The need request may be from a Child unit (621). The need request may be a demand to provide a type of energy e.g. low cost, or low carbon (622). Parameters in the future scenario algorithm may be updated at step (623) based on the change of energy type change. At step 624, a time period may be optionally defined to determine the duration of an energy supply change period. At step 625 a unit determines if a change in energy supply it can offer meets the change in energy supply in a need request. If it can meet the needs of a need request, the unit sends an acceptance message (step 620) to the Child unit containing energy change information, energy change time frame if determined, carbon level associated with an energy change and tariff costs. If a unit cannot meet the requested demand, the unit determines if it has an adjacent Parent unit to ask for assistance in step 616. If there is no adjacent Parent unit, a unit sends a report to a Child unit containing energy change information, energy change time frame if determined, carbon level associated with an energy change and tariff costs for any amount of assistance it can contribute to a need request. If a unit does have an adjacent Parent unit, the unit may send an assistance request (step 627) and await a response (628). An adjacent Parent unit, upon receiving an assistance request then performs a further energy change determination process as described herein. At step 619, a unit receives a response from an adjacent Parent unit. A response from an adjacent Parent unit contains energy change information, energy change time frame if determined, carbon level associated with an energy change and tariff costs for any amount of assistance it can contribute to an assistance request. The total amount of assistance including adjacent Parent assistance is then communicated by a unit to a Child unit at step 620. Although this example is limited to two or three units, the skilled person would understand that any number of units may be connected in a system, and any number of assistance requests and any amount of individual assistance from units may be combined to meet the demands of a need request.

[0081] A need request can be sent at any point in time by a unit. The trigger for sending a need request can be the receipt of a need request, or more often a request for assistance from an adjacent unit [100] to support the needs of a unit that has sent a need request.

[0082] A unit may send and receive approvals of a need request and a need request at the same time (613). When an approval is received by a unit (631) the unit makes the specified change locally (632), and generates an approval receipt to send to the unit that sent the request as a method to indicate to the unit that sent the request that local changes have taken place [0083] A need request may include a priority level which a Parent or Child can use to assist and schedule decision making.

[0084] A need request is sent from one unit to its adjacent Parent or Child depending upon the need. The primary driver for any need request it to maintain a unit's output power needs set by the user, i.e. low carbon, low cost or energy resilience, or a combination of all three. In the event that a unit is not able to provide the best source of energy internally a request for help (a need) is sent to adjacent units (if there are any).

[0085] A need request may either come from a Parent unit or a Child unit. A request from a Parent unit may be to either increase or decrease demand. A request from a Child may be to ask for assistance of providing electrical energy to meet the requesting unit's user needs. Each request has a unique identification number so that each unit can processes multiple need request queries.

[0086] Upon receipt of a need request, the receiving unit may process the request through the future scenarios prediction Al algorithm to determine if the request can be processed. If it can the algorithm may output a Need Response [580] that is then processes to send back to the requesting unit to wait for approval.

[0087] Upon approval from the requesting unit, both may adjust their physical 'states' to meet that need, by controlling charging or discharging rates or switching input and output feeds as required, including a combination of actions.

[0088] Should a receiving unit not be able to meet the need fully it may in turn ask their adjacent units if available (having taken into account the output from its own calculations), for example a Parent unit asking its Child for assistance, may then ask its Child in turn and so on. All units in the chain may await a response before processing the summing of the available energy back to the original requesting unit. Upon approval, this too may scale down the chain for the new status settings to be implemented.

[0089] In the event that even after sending need requests from adjacent uses the unit is still unable to meet the needs of the user, a notification may be sent to the user via the Application. A notification may be for them to take action to assist or nvestigate. The notification may include the need it is trying to solve.

[0090] In another aspect, each Modular Energy Storage system [100] maintains demand needs from connected electrical items [220] (demand for power) by making decisions based on communication/discussion with other Modular Energy Storage units adjacent to it, fed into itself, or feeding into downstream units [210]. For example, from Figure 2 Sub System B [210] Unit 5 has a need to provide more low carbon power to its electrical items having run out of stored low carbon power. Unit 5 may query Unit 4 to increase its supply of low carbon power, and Unit 6 to reduce its demand on low carbon power through Unit 4. In doing so, each Individual Unit may process the request through its local algorithm with a priority against its own needs.

[0091] Increasing an Individual Unit [100], System or Sub System's [200, 2011 demand on the electricity supply [110] may be done through switching output feeds from a unit's internal stored energy or initiating or increasing charge rate of the battery.

[0092] In the event of an abnormal load on a feed [170-17n] to an individual or series of electrical items [220] beyond the usual demand profile expected, each unit may switch the output feeds required to ensure there is no adverse impact to other units in the sub system or whole system [200,210]. This prevents surges in demand at the point of billing meter ensuring requirements for carbon, cost and resilience are met. The internal switching circuits [160...n] configure the output flow of power from a mixture of supplies [110,120] to ensure the output feed demand is maintained and battery capacity is utilised to its maximum potential. For example, one feed can be direct from the electricity supply [110] and another output feed direct from the Units stored energy [130]. This enables unit and system design to use the full capacity of an inverter's output including over-ratings to meet the need, thus fixing the problem for over engineering and for oversizing the inverter requirements for the unit to cater for abnormal load conditions. This in turn allows for a smaller inverter to be used to give the same or greater useful battery utilisation reducing cost of component parts while maintaining maximum cost or carbon reduction benefit to the user.

[0093] The present invention enables fine tuning of input and output demand to match ideal battery technology discharge and charge profile to increase life time of a battery. Battery discharging curves specific to the battery chemistry or battery manufacturer are used to inform the algorithms of the optimal discharging or charging rates over a time base period to minimise battery degradation. Charging rates are controlled by the controllable charger [130] and discharging is controlled by switching feeds from the battery source or inverter.

[0094] The two above mentioned points enables the full capacity of batteries to be used during a discharge period if needed, as it allows the maximum available battery energy to be accessible for the maximum possible duration.

[0095] In another aspect of the present invention, batteries may be charged from mains electricity including generators, or any renewable source, locally generated or otherwise The plurality of units allow for a plurality of electricity sources to be connected at the same time. [0096] In an aspect, control software selects which source to use for charging, to provide the optimal result based on cost data, carbon data, and system efficiency. Charging may be controllable via software-controlled hardware [140] to precisely follow charging curves for the battery technology based on the manufacturer or battery chemistry specific charging curve data. Base level charging curves can be updated via the software to accommodate a wide variety of battery chemistries and can be updated on installed units, for example if different battery types are retrofitted into existing installed units meaning units are futureproofed for advances in battery technology without having to scrap existing technology. Charging curves are optimised using feedback from the batteries such as current, voltage, temperature, charge state etc. as well as optimisation in relation to system wide data, such as cost data, carbon intensity data, usage data as well as all monitoring data and predicted demand and use data from other units in the connected building network Discharging of batteries is controlled based on data from the condition of the batteries, as well as load/demand data, energy cost, carbon intensity and battery or whole system [200,210] efficiency data, as well as all data from the other units connected in the sub system or whole system [195]. Charging curves are continually optimised and their rates of change are used to adjust charging curves to ensure battery longevity.

[0097] In another aspect of the present invention, battery optimisation is provided by controlling both charging and discharging of the batteries [130]. Batteries are optimised to prolong lifetime of the batteries and minimise degradation. Storage Monitoring [150] data is continuously measured, monitored and analysed over varying time bases to provide the best charging current, voltage for the batteries at their current state of health [0098] In another aspect of the present invention, the power input sources [110] are controlled so that they can be switched [160-16n] to bypass the battery straight to the output if this creates the optimal requirement for the user, based on cost data, carbon intensity data, and or resilience [0099] Backup power can be supplied by the network of storage units in the event of a brownout, power cut or planned outage. Units can feed power down their supply chain to other units in a sub system to ensure storage meets priority electrical items [220].

[0100] Jr another aspect. Data from input monitoring across all metered values [152,151,150] can be used by the energy network, generator distributor or other to determine the state of health, life and investment needs of their infrastructure, via cloud services [190,191] This is done by looking at AC waveform harmonics or discrepancies that will ripple down a network to identify infrastructure or cable faults at any external variable event, such as weather, demand, or new installation and upgrades.

[0101] The electricity inputs can be controlled so that any output downstream of the unit is effectively 'islanded' from the input feeds by switching the input feeds from Mains electricity supply to battery electricity supply exclusively or disconnecting the output feeds completely from the input feeds or a combination of both.

[0102] Output energy is supplied to each of the output feeds.

[0103] Energy control is enabled to each output feed [160] and each output feed can be switched between battery power or bypass power (e.g. directly to the input).

[0104] Each output feed [160-16n] can be controlled independently.

[0105] The units can divert electrical power from parts of a building or site that are in higher demand that others or have a critical need for an influx of power to maintain operations [200,210] The units can isolate areas of a building by cutting power to systems and /or sub systems [200,210] to conserve energy at the direct request of the user or autonomously via the cloud platform based on user defined rules [199]. The units can isolate areas of a building by supplying battery power to systems and/or sub systems [200,210] on user initiated remote command [199] for any user operational reasons.

[0106] In the event of a single input power failure [HO], critical electrical items and sub systems [200,210] can be supplied by either battery or other electricity input sources exclusively.

[0107] Units can totally isolate and remove output feeds from any supply, effectively turning the electrical items [220] connected off This is done to ensure power is provided to higher priority output feeds determined by the user at any time, including during a power cut. This can be unit controlled, sub system or whole system controlled, typically driven by 'user requests' [0108] In the event of multiple critical systems failure each output feed can be prioritised based on the amount of power available from the battery storage system and user specified constraints. [0109] Each unit can act independently or can act as networked system or sub system controlled by the user or autonomously via the cloud software platform. This enables each unit to act decisively individually or collectively via its subsystem or system network for peak efficiency to meet the requirements laid out by the user or electrical item demand. This is done through the process of 'need requests'.

[0110] System optimisation to increase cost saving and carbon saving can be applied to a single independent unit [100] or can be optimised as a networked system or sub system with other units in the connected network [200,210]. This is user controlled, but continuously improved by the Units AT Neural Network Algorithm.

[0111] Optimisation within the algorithm occurs when a Units energy forecast is improved after learning from errors and mistakes, these are slight adjustments in changing the 'states' [130 etc] of each module within a battery storage unit [100].

[0112] The system is designed to be modular and extendable; feeds can be broken into any number of feeds and numerous feeds (170-17n) can be added to suit the overall electrical scheme [161-]6n]. Individual units can be added or removed from a system/subsystem.

[0113] Continuous monitoring of all input and output feeds allows for granular energy monitoring and data reporting to the user to sub-second measurements. Measurement frequency is variable, so that in the case of a high risk to energy the supply data sampling can be increased at the cost of other algorithms to maintain the user requirements.

[0114] Feeds can be wired directly to fuses and /or breaker in an existing or new distribution box/fuse box [170] or can connect to any isolated electrical circuit/item [220].

[0115] The units can be used in conjunction with artificial intelligence algorithms [192] to decide when best to charge batteries, and for how long, either from mains grid or local generation AT learning taken from weather feeds, mains grid generation data, and local and national events, both current, predicted and historic.

[0116] The units can be used in conjunction with artificial algorithms [192] to monitor and control power output feeds, for best energy saving efficiency to meet the needs of the user. [0117] The units can interface directly with existing fuse/distribution boxes so that the system can be retrofitted into existing building infrastructure, as well as 'plug and play' by directly feeding electricity supply inputs from standard AC plug sockets available in the building, due to the inbuilt distribution box [170] inside each unit [100].

[0118] Internet connection is required for the units to communicate with cloud platform [190], this can be by any means including wireless mobile communication, wireless or wired network protocols In the event communication with the cloud platform is interrupted the units are still able to make demand, optimisation and safety-based decisions and record monitoring data locally. Algorithms which require 3111 partydata sources may be acted upon at their last received update until communication is re-established.

Claims (22)

1. Claims: An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving a need request message from a first unit; means for determining, based on a power allocation status of the apparatus and a nature of the need request, whether the apparatus has an ability to meet the need request of the first unit; means for sending a first response message to the first unit when the apparatus determines that it has the ability to meet the need request; and means for fulfilling the need request based on sending the first response message.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim I, further comprising: means for determining that the apparatus is in contact with a second unit when the apparatus determines that it does not have the ability to meet all or part of the request; means for sending a second need request message to the second unit, the second need request message being based on the first need request from the first unit and the ability of the apparatus to meet the first need request; means for receiving a second response message from the second unit indicating the second unit's ability to meet all or part of the second need request; means for sending a third response message to the first unit based on the second response message and the ability of the apparatus; and means for fulfilling the need request based on sending the third response message.
3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: means for determining that the apparatus is not in contact with a second unit when the apparatus determines that it does not have the ability to meet all or part of the request; means for sending a fourth response message to the first unit based on the ability of the apparatus; and means for fulfilling the need request based on sending the fourth response message.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the means for fulfilling the need request is further based on receiving an approval message from the first unit
5. 5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the power allocation status is based on at least one of: current power allocation of the apparatus, future power allocation scheduled for the apparatus for a given time period, unit cost of power, origin of power.
6. 6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the need request comprises one of a request to: reduce power demand, increase power demand, lower unit cost of power; lower carbon power, approve a previous need request.
7. 7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the fourth response message is based on the ability of the apparatus to partly fulfil the need request
8. 8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the request includes a predetermined priority level
9. 9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the received need request is for a period of time in the future.
10. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising determining whether the apparatus has the ability to meet the future need request
11. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein determining whether the apparatus has the ability to meet the future need request is based on one of historical information, historical need requests, carbon, cost, resilience, predicted future information, or a combination thereof
12. 12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein when the need request is an increase power demand and, based on the determination that the second unit cannot fulfil the need request, implementing means for sending a request for a decrease in power demand to the second unit
13. 13. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first unit is an adjacent parent unit of the apparatus and the second unit is an adjacent child unit of the apparatus.
14. 14. An apparatus, comprising: means for sending a need request to a first unit, based on a power allocation status of the apparatus; and means for receiving a response message from the first unit, wherein the response message indicates whether the first unit can fulfil, partially fulfil or cannot fulfil the need request.
15. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for sending an approval message in response to receiving the response message from the first unit.
16. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first unit is an adjacent parent unit.
17. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the need request comprises an increase power demand.
18. 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first unit is an adjacent child unit.
19. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the need request comprises a request to reduce power demand or increase power demand.
20. 20. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising means for storing power.
21. 21. A method for energy management, the method comprising: receiving a need request message from a first unit; determining, based on a power allocation status of the apparatus and a nature of the need request, whether the apparatus has an ability to meet the need request of the first unit; sending a first response message to the first unit when the apparatus determined that it has the ability to meet the need request, and fulfilling the need request based on sending the first response message.
22. 22. A method for energy management, the method comprising: sending a need request to a first unit, based on a power allocation status of the apparatus; and receiving a response message from the first unit, wherein the response message indicates whether the first unit can fulfil, partially fulfil, or cannot fulfil the need request.