Patent ID: 8606423
Filing Date: 2013-12-10
Classification: H02J,Y02B,Y04S

Abstract:
1. An energy management system comprising managed energy consuming devices for a home, the energy management system comprising: a primary communication module that is in communication with an energy services interface of an energy provider via a primary network of the home; at least two secondary communication modules that are in communication with the managed energy consuming devices of the home via at least two separate secondary networks, the secondary networks having different communication protocols relative to each other; and a central controller that is in communication with the primary communication module of the primary network and the at least two secondary communication modules of the at least two secondary networks; wherein the central controller is configured to (i) receive energy consumption data from each of the managed devices over the at least two secondary networks via the at least two secondary communication modules, (ii) receive energy provider information over the primary network via the primary communication module, the energy provider information including at least one of electricity rates, price events and load control events sent from the energy provider, and (iii) interpret the energy consumption data in combination with the energy provider information and, based on the interpretation, generate and provide communications or commands to each of the managed devices over the at least two secondary networks via the at least two secondary communication modules to monitor and manage power consuming features/functions of the managed devices.