Patent ID: 8938311
Filing Date: 2015-01-20
Classification: F24D,F24H,G05B,G05F,H02J,Y02B,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A method of managing electrical power storage comprising: remotely controlling operation of one of a plurality of water heating units included in a single water heater, separately from controlling a remainder of the plurality of the water heating units, at a customer location in response to a remotely transmitted indication, wherein the water heating units comprise respective water heating elements, and remotely controlling operation of one of the plurality of water heating units comprises: remotely controlling operation of a lower heating element in the single water heater separate from controlling operation of upper and intermediate heating elements included in the single water heater wherein the intermediate heating element is configured for activation responsive to the upper heating element being deactivated; and wherein remotely controlling operation comprises: coupling power to an upper water heating unit in a default mode of operation in response to absence of the remotely transmitted indication at the customer location; and coupling the power away from an upper water heating unit to a lower water heating unit in a utility controlled mode of operation for the single water heater responsive to presence of the remotely transmitted indication at the customer location.