Patent ID: 9703308
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: G05F,G06Q,Y02B

Claim:
1. A method implemented by a computer for distributing an energy flow over a predetermined period of time to a cluster of a plurality of devices, the method comprising the steps of: (A) by the computer, aggregating flexibility information for the cluster forming a first aggregation path by gathering flexibility information of the respective devices in the cluster, the flexibility information of the respective devices comprising information on an energy already available to the respective devices, a minimal amount of accumulated energy in function of time needed and a maximal amount of accumulated energy allowed by the respective devices of the cluster within the predetermined period of time in function of time and a minimal and a maximal amount of power intake allowed by the devices, and combining the gathered flexibility information of the respective devices of the cluster into aggregate flexibility information for the cluster, the aggregate flexibility information of the cluster comprising information on an energy already available to each cluster, a minimal amount of accumulated energy in function of time needed and a maximal amount of accumulated energy in function of time allowed by the cluster, within the predetermined period of time in function of time, (B) by the computer, determining accumulated energy to be delivered to the cluster in function of time over the predetermined period of time taking into account the aggregate flexibility information for the cluster, (C) supplying the determined accumulated energy to the cluster by obtaining, from a supply of energy, power to be supplied to the cluster in function of time based on the determined accumulated energy to be delivered in function of time, and determining for each device in the cluster a priority for power in function of time to be supplied, wherein when more power is required by the device, a lower priority is provided, wherein the respective priorities for power to be supplied to the respective devices are combined into an aggregate priority for power to be supplied to the cluster forming a second aggregation path, and distributing, in function of time, power to be supplied to the devices of the cluster based on the priority for power to be supplied of the respective devices of the cluster from the second aggregation path and the aggregate for power to be supplied to the cluster from the first aggregation path.