Abstract:
Methods and apparatus provide for a demand limiting controller. The demand limiting controller obtains at least one temperature condition and at least one temperature modification rate associated with at least one respective zone from multiple zones of a confined area. The demand limiting controller determines when to modify a current temperature of the respective zone with respect to an upcoming event by processing the temperature condition according to the temperature modification rate while minimizing the opportunity for all zones to be energized simultaneously.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Air conditioning and refrigeration are provided through the removal of heat. Heat can be removed through the process of radiation, convection, and conduction using mediums such as water, air, ice, and chemicals referred to as refrigerants. An air conditioning system provides cooling, ventilation, and humidity control for all or part of a house, building or refrigerator/freezer. The refrigerant provides cooling through a process called the refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle consists of four essential elements to create a cooling effect. A compressor provides compression for the system. This compression causes the cooling vapor to heat up. The compressed vapor is then cooled by heat exchange with the outside air, so that the vapor condenses to a fluid, in the condenser. The fluid is then pumped to the cooling zone, where it enters an evaporator. In this evaporator, small spray nozzles spray the cooling fluid into a chamber, where the pressure drops and the fluid evaporates. Since the evaporation absorbs heat from the surroundings, the surroundings cool off, and thus the evaporator absorbs or adds heat to the system. The vapor is then returned to the compressor. A metering device acts as a restriction in the system at the evaporator to ensure that the heat being absorbed by the system is absorbed at the proper rate. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Conventional systems that regulate and control one or more Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units in a building or multiple refrigeration/freezer units in warehouse or retail environments suffer from a variety of deficiencies. Such conventional systems do not limit the amount of electricity used during a time period when the electricity billing rate is the highest or take into account a total amount of electricity being consumed at any particular point in time. Also, such conventional systems are limited to continually monitor the temperatures of various internal spaces within a building but do not predict when a particular internal space&#39;s temperature will be outside of an acceptable temperature range with regard to the current outdoor temperature. 
     Techniques discussed herein significantly overcome the deficiencies of conventional applications such as those discussed above. As will be discussed further, certain specific embodiments herein are directed to a demand limiting controller. 
     The demand limiting controller continually monitors the current temperatures occurring within various zones of a confined area (such as a warehouse, office area, room, or refrigeration/freezer units) and an outdoor temperature. The demand limiting controller also keeps track of various upcoming events within each zone to determine if a zone&#39;s current temperature requires modification in anticipation of the upcoming event&#39;s occurrence. 
     Specifically, in various embodiments, the demand limiting controller obtains at least one temperature condition and at least one temperature modification rate (such as a cooling rate or heating rate) associated with at least one respective zone from multiple zones of a confined area. The demand limiting controller determines when to modify the respective zone&#39;s current temperature with respect to an upcoming event by processing the temperature condition(s) according to the temperature modification rate. It is understood that a zone can be a defined portion of space within a building that is heated and cooled by a particular temperature modification unit(s), which can be, for example, an HVAC unit or any kind of refrigeration/freezer unit(s) with a refrigeration system. 
     It is also understood that the demand limiting controller can concurrently perform the teaching discussed in this entire document with respect to multiple zones within one or multiple confined areas. 
     For example, in one embodiment, the demand limiting controller detects an upcoming event is about to begin within a calculated time defined by the collection of data by the demand limiting controller, such as the beginning of a time period associated with the highest electricity billing rate (i.e. a peak rate time range). 
     In order to determine how much time is needed to cool the respective zone to a target low temperature before the peak rate time range begins, the demand limiting controller processes the respective zone&#39;s current temperature, the current outdoor temperature and the current time according to the respective zone&#39;s cooling rate. 
     For example, based on the cooling rate, the demand limiting controller determines the temperature modification unit(s) located in the respective zone can cool the respective zone within twenty-three minutes. Twenty-three minutes before the peak rate time range begins, the demand limiting controller activates the temperature modification unit to cool the respective zone to a pre-peak rate temperature. When the peak rate time range begins, or the zone reaches the desired temperature the demand limiting controller turns the temperature modification unit off, and sets the zone temperature to a higher peak rate temperature. 
     Hence, the demand limiting controller has “pre-cooled” the respective zone in anticipation of the peak rate time range. Since the demand limiting controller (i) cools the respective zone before the peak rate time range begins and (ii) sets the zone temperature above its pre-cool temperature once the peak rate time range begins, the demand limiting controller minimizes the use of electricity during the peak rate time range and lowers costs associated with power consumption. 
     In addition, the demand limiting controller continually updates the data describing amounts of time that occur between temperature changes as the temperature modification unit cools the respective zone. Hence, over time, the respective zone&#39;s cooling rate becomes more accurate in describing how much time is actually required to change the respective zone&#39;s current temperature depending on the outdoor temperature. 
     In another embodiment, the demand limiting controller continually monitors the current temperature of each zone and the current outdoor temperature. For each zone, the demand limiting controller continually captures the respective zone&#39;s current temperature and outdoor temperature to determine the respective zone&#39;s cooling rate (or heating rate) to predict when the temperature within the respective zone will move outside of a desired temperature range (i.e. a target range). 
     When the demand limiting controller predicts that a respective zone&#39;s current temperature will move outside of a target range within a predetermined amount of time (such as within 15 minutes, for example), and the desired maximum amount of electricity is not already being used, the demand limiting controller activates the temperature modification unit located in the respective zone to cool (or heat) the respective zone towards a target temperature. 
     The demand limiting controller cools (or heats) the respective zone until it determines that another temperature modification unit associated with a different zone requires electricity either for “pre-cooling,” heating or to avoid the current temperature in that other zone from moving outside its respective target range. If another temperature modification unit needs to change the temperature in its corresponding zone, and the desired maximum amount of power is currently not being totally consumed, the demand limiting controller can allow for multiple temperature modification units to be running so long as the desired maximum amount of power is not exceeded. 
     In yet another embodiment, some of the temperature modification units located amongst the multiple zones have a damper that provides natural, outside air to be ventilated throughout a respective zone. Thus, instead of consuming electricity by using a temperature modification unit to cool a respective zone, the demand limiting controller can cool the respective zone by allowing outside air in the respective zone. 
     The demand limiting controller obtains the outdoor temperature and monitors the rate at which the respective zone&#39;s current temperature falls. Based on this rate of decline with respect to the outdoor temperature, the demand limiting controller determines the extent to which the temperature modification unit&#39;s damper is open (i.e. 20% open, 30% open). The demand limiting controller opens the damper and activates a fan to introduce outside air in the respective zone and to move the respective zone&#39;s current temperature towards a target temperature. 
     As the respective zone&#39;s current temperature changes due to the newly-introduced outside air, the demand limiting controller can continually adjust the extent the damper is open. Thus, the demand limiting controller gradually closes the damper as the respective zone&#39;s current temperature approaches the target temperature. If the outside temperature in combination with the maximum volume of outside air is insufficient to cool the zone to the desired temperature, the demand limiting controller will energize the cooling portion of the temperature modification unit. 
     Other embodiments disclosed herein include any type of computerized device, workstation, handheld or laptop computer, or the like configured with software and/or circuitry (e.g., a processor) to process any or all of the method operations disclosed herein. In other words, a computerized device such as a computer or a data communications device or any type of processor that is programmed or configured to operate as explained herein is considered an embodiment disclosed herein. 
     Other embodiments disclosed herein include software programs to perform the steps and operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below. One such embodiment comprises a computer program product that has a computer-readable medium (e.g., tangible computer-readable medium) including computer program logic encoded thereon that, when performed in a computerized device having a coupling of a memory and a processor, programs the processor to perform the operations disclosed herein. Such arrangements are typically provided as software, code and/or other data (e.g., data structures) arranged or encoded on a computer readable medium such as an optical medium (e.g., CD-ROM), floppy or hard disk or other medium such as firmware or microcode in one or more ROM or RAM or PROM chips or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The software or firmware or other such configurations can be installed onto a computerized device to cause the computerized device to perform the techniques explained as embodiments disclosed herein. 
     Additionally, although each of the different features, techniques, configurations, etc. herein may be discussed in different places of this disclosure, it is intended that each of the concepts can be executed independently of each other or in combination with each other. Accordingly, the present invention can be embodied and viewed in many different ways. 
     Note also that this Brief Description section herein does not specify every embodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of the present disclosure or claimed invention. Instead, this Brief Description only provides a preliminary discussion of different embodiments and corresponding points of novelty over conventional techniques. For additional details and/or possible perspectives (permutations) of the invention, the reader is directed to the Detailed Description section and corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussed below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments of the methods and apparatus for a demand limiting controller, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the embodiments, principles and concepts of the methods and apparatus in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an example block diagram of a demand limiting controller according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 2  is an example block diagram of settings and a data repository associated with a respective zone according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 3  is an example block diagram of a demand limiting controller monitoring and effecting temperature changes in multiple zones via a network interface according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 4  is an example block diagram illustrating an architecture of a computer system that executes a demand limiting controller application and/or a demand limiting controller process according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller to modify temperature according to cooling settings according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller to determine cooling actions to perform when a temperature within a respective zone is either above or below a target temperature according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller monitoring the target ranges of multiple zones according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller to modify temperature according to heating settings according to embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller to modify temperature with respect to an occupied time range or an anticipated change occurring according to embodiments herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an example block diagram of a demand limiting controller  150  according to embodiments herein. 
     A confined area  160 - 1 , such as a commercial, industrial, retail, office, residential or hotel building or a warehouse or a refrigeration/freezer unit(s), can be divided into multiple internal zones  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N. Each zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N can be an internal space within the confined area  160 - 1 . Further, each zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N is associated with a temperature modification unit(s)  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N that can control the rate of the temperature change with a respective zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N. It is understood that the confined area  160 - 1  can be divided into any number of zones across any number of buildings, warehouses or refrigeration/freezer units, and each zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N can be associated with any number of temperature modification units. 
     The demand limiting controller  150  stores, manages and continually updates zone information  151 ,  152 ,  15 N for each zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N. Zone information  151 ,  152 ,  15 N includes zone settings  151 - 1 ,  152 - 1 ,  15 N- 1  (such as desired zone temperature ranges), and a data repository  151 - 2 ,  152 - 2 ,  15 N- 2  that corresponds with each zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N, and within each zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N. 
     The demand limiting controller  150  obtains the current outdoor temperature  155  outside of the confined area  160 . The demand limiting controller  150  obtains the current temperature within each zone  151 - 3 ,  152 - 3 ,  15 N- 3  via a corresponding temperature sensor  170 - 1 ,  170 - 2 ,  170 -N. For a respective zone(s)  161 - 1 , the demand limiting controller  150  obtains the zone&#39;s  161 - 1  current temperature  151 - 3  from a temperature sensor  170 - 1  associated with the zone  161 - 1 . 
     The demand limiting controller  150  also obtains (i.e. calculates, derives, infers) a temperature modification rate (such as a cooling rate or a heating rate) associated with the respective zone  161 - 1 . The temperature modification rate is the length of time a temperature modification unit  162 - 1  in the respective zone  161 - 1  needs to realize (i.e. create) a temperature change within the respective zone  161 - 1  during presence of previously recorded outdoor temperatures and time of day. 
     Upon validating that a current total use of electricity  157  is below a desired maximum amount of electricity  159 , the demand limiting controller  150  processes the outdoor temperature  155  and the respective zone&#39;s current temperature  15 N- 3  according to the temperature modification rate calculated from the respective zones data repository associated with the respective zone  161 -N. 
     Based on the temperature modification rate associated with the respective zone  161 -N, the demand limiting controller  150  determines a moment in time at which to begin changing the respective zone&#39;s current temperature readings. For example, demand limiting controller  150  determines a period of the day in which the respective zone  161 - 1  is often occupied (i.e. an occupied time range) with people is going to start in 60 minutes. If the demand limiting controller  150  calculates the temperature modification unit  162 - 1  needs a time span of fifteen minutes to realize a target temperature within the respective zone  161 - 1  under current outdoor temperature conditions and time of day, the demand limiting controller  150  activates the temperature modification unit  162 - 1  fifteen minutes before the occupied time range begins. 
     It is noted that an upcoming event can be, for example: a beginning of a peak billing rate time, a beginning of the respective zone&#39;s occupied time range, a beginning of the respective zone&#39;s unoccupied time range, and/or a moment in time the demand limiting controller  150  has predicted that the respective zone&#39;s current temperature will move outside a desired temperature range. 
     Further, it is understood that the demand limiting controller  150  continually stores the time and outdoor/indoor temperature information in the data repositories  151 - 2 ,  152 - 2 ,  15 N- 2  at regular intervals. With this data, the demand limiting controller  150  calculates the actual amount of time a particular temperature modification unit  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N needs to effect a temperature change within a given zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N. 
     The demand limiting controller  150  processes the data in the data repositories  151 - 2 ,  152 - 2 ,  15 N- 2  with respect to (i) the outdoor temperature (ii) time of day and (iii) a respective zone&#39;s current temperature  151 - 3 ,  152 - 3 ,  15 N- 3  to calculate an amount of time a particular temperature modification unit  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N most likely needs to be running (at a desired level of power consumption) in order to achieve a desired temperature before an upcoming event begins. 
     In another embodiment, upon deriving the temperature modification rate for the respective zone  161 - 1  based on temperature data collected during multiple intervals of time, the demand limiting controller  150  predicts a moment in time when the respective zone&#39;s current temperature  151 - 3  will move outside a desired temperature range associated with the respective zone  161 - 1  by processing the respective zone&#39;s current temperature  151 - 3 , time of day and the outdoor temperature  155  via the temperature modification rate. If the predicted moment in time falls within a given length of time (such as within 20 minutes), demand limiting controller  150  activates the temperature modification unit  162 - 1  to move the respective zone&#39;s current temperature  151 - 3  towards a target temperature. 
       FIG. 2  is an example block diagram of settings  151 - 1  and a data repository  151 - 2  associated with a respective zone  161 - 1  according to embodiments herein. The zone settings  151 - 1  describe settings for the respective zone  161 - 1 , such as an occupied time range  210  and an unoccupied time range  215 . The occupied time range  220  includes a cooling range  220  and a heating range  230 . The cooling range  220  and heating range  230  specify target temperatures to be realized by the demand limiting controller  150 . For example, the cooling range  220  specifies a target low temperature  240 , a target normal temperature  250  and a target high temperature  260 . The heating range  230  also specifies its own target low temperature  270 , target normal temperature  280  and target high temperature  290 . A desired maximum power use  159  and peak rate times  205  are stored in system settings  200  as well. 
     For example, during the occupied time range  220 , the demand limiting controller  150  is currently using no more than the desired maximum power  159  to keep the internal temperature of the respective zone  161 - 1  at (or near) the target normal temperature  250  of the cooling range  220 . However, the demand limiting controller  150  detects that a peak rate time  205  will begin within 15 minutes. Thus, the demand limiting controller  150  begins to “pre-cool” the respective zone  161 - 1  so that the internal temperature in the respective zone  161 - 1  will be at (or near) the target low temperature  240  when the peak rate time  205  begins. 
     Fifteen minutes later, when the peak rate time  205  begins, the temperature in the respective zone  161 - 1  will have been cooled according to the target low temperature  240 . However, during the peak rate time  205 , the demand limiting controller  150  will utilize the target high temperature  260  of the cooling range  220 —in order to use less power during the peak rate time  205 —thereby reducing power consumption when the electricity rate is higher than other times during the day. When the peak rate time  205  ends, the demand limiting controller  150  will resume using power to regulate the internal temperature of the respective zone  161 - 1  to be at (or near) the target normal temperature  250  of the cooling range  220 . It is noted that the demand limiting controller  150  utilizes the heating range  230  similarly as the cooling range  220 . 
     In addition, the demand limiting controller  150  utilizes the unoccupied time range  215  similarly as the occupied time range  220 . The unoccupied time range  215  also includes its own cooling range  225  and a heating range  235 . The unoccupied time range&#39;s  215  cooling range  225  and heating range  235  specify target temperatures to be realized by the demand limiting controller  150 . For example, the cooling range  225  specifies a target low temperature  245 , a target normal temperature  255  and a target high temperature  265 . The heating range  235  also specifies its own target low temperature  275 , target normal temperature  285  and target high temperature  295 . 
     It is understood that the demand limiting controller  150  will effect temperature changes in the respective zone  161 - 1  towards any of the target temperatures  240 ,  245 ,  250 ,  255 ,  260 ,  265 ,  270 ,  275 ,  280 ,  285 ,  290 ,  295  according to a temperature modification rate that also takes into account the influence of the current outdoor temperature&#39;s  155 . 
     The temperature modification rate is dynamically calculated by the demand limiting controller  150  according to a collection of data  310  in the data repository  151 - 2  associated with the respective zone  161 - 1 . The collection of data  310  includes a history of actions the demand limiting controller  150  performed with respect to previous temperatures (outdoor and indoor) and times. Hence, the collection of data  310  provides a model that represents how temperature changes (i.e. temperature fluctuations) have occurred in the respective zone. Based on these past data points, the demand limiting controller  150  can infer the rate at which temperature changes in the respective zone  161 - 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an example block diagram of a demand limiting controller  150  monitoring and effecting temperature changes in multiple zones via a network interface according to embodiments herein. It is understood that the demand limiting controller  150  can communicate with temperature sensors and temperature modification units in multiple confined areas  160 - 1 ,  160 -N. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the demand limiting controller  150  monitors temperatures within multiple zones  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  162 -N via temperature sensors  170 - 1 ,  170 - 2 ,  170 -N and communicates with temperature modification units  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N, via temperature sensor  170 - 1 ,  170 - 2  and  170 -N associated with each zone&#39;s  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N over a network  470 . In addition, a user can input and view data via a graphical user interface  440  rendered in a web browser  430  on a client computer system that communicates with the demand limiting controller  150  via another network  400 . 
     The graphical user interface  440  provides a settings module  445  that allows a user to input, configure and view settings for each zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N. The graphical user interface  440  also provides a zone information module  450  which allows the user to view the data current temperature and status of each zone  161 - 1 ,  161 - 2 ,  161 -N—as well as the outdoor temperature. The graphical user interface  440  further provides a control module that allows the user to directly control (i.e. modify, terminate, activate) operations of any temperature modification unit  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N in real time. 
     In addition, the graphical user interface  440  provides a system setting module  460  that allows the user to configure a desired maximum amount of electricity to be used by each of the temperature modification units  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N as a percentage of total power consumption. The power use module  460  also allows the user to view a current total amount of electricity being consumed by all temperature modification units  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N—together and individual. 
       FIG. 4  is an example block diagram illustrating an architecture of a computer system  110  that executes, runs, interprets, operates or otherwise performs a demand limiting controller application  150 - 1  and/or demand limiting controller process  150 - 2  according to embodiments herein. 
     Note that the computer system  110  may be any type of computerized device such as a personal computer, a client computer system, workstation, portable computing device, console, laptop, network terminal, a stand-alone computing device, or a network appliance, etc. This list is not exhaustive and is provided as an example of different possible embodiments. 
     In addition to a single computer embodiment, computer system  110  can include any number of computer systems in a network environment to carry the embodiments as described herein. 
     As shown in the present example, the computer system  110  includes an interconnection mechanism  111  such as a data bus, motherboard or other circuitry that couples a memory system  112 , a processor  113 , and an input/output interface  114 . 
     In one embodiment, the computer system  110  can be a dedicated computing appliance used exclusively for the purpose of communicating with and individually controlling multiple temperature modification units. As mentioned above, depending on the embodiment, the demand limiting controller application  150 - 1  and/or the demand limiting controller process  150 - 2  can be distributed and executed in multiple nodes in a computer network environment or performed locally on a single computer. 
     During operation of the computer system  110 , the processor  113  accesses the memory system  112  via the interconnect  111  in order to launch, run, execute, interpret or otherwise perform the logic instructions of the demand limiting controller application  150 - 1 . Execution of the demand limiting controller application  150 - 1  in this manner produces the demand limiting controller process  150 - 2 . In other words, the demand limiting controller process  150 - 2  represents one or more portions or runtime instances of the demand limiting controller application  150 - 1  (or the entire application  150 - 1 ) performing or executing within or upon the processor  113  in the computerized device  110  at runtime. 
     The demand limiting controller application  150 - 1  may be stored on a computer readable medium (such as a floppy disk), hard disk, electronic, magnetic, optical, flash memory, read only memory, or other computer readable medium. It is understood that embodiments and techniques discussed herein are well suited for other applications as well. 
     Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system  110  may include other processes and/or software and hardware components, such as an operating system. A display (not shown) need not be coupled directly to the computer system  110 . For example, the demand limiting controller application  150 - 1  can be executed on a remotely accessible computerized device via the communication interface  115 . It is noted that in various embodiments, the demand limiting controller  150  individually communicates with multiple temperature sensors and multiple temperature modification units within zones of various confined areas. 
       FIG. 5  through  FIG. 9  illustrate various embodiments of the demand limiting controller  150 . The rectangular elements in flowcharts  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  denote “processing blocks” and represent computer software instructions or groups of instructions upon a computer readable medium (or computer readable storage medium). Additionally, the processing blocks represent steps performed by hardware such as a computer, digital signal processor circuit, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. 
     Flowcharts  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  do not necessarily depict the syntax of any particular programming language. Rather, flowcharts  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  illustrate the functional information one of ordinary skill in the art requires to fabricate circuits or to generate computer software to perform the processing required in accordance with the present invention. 
     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that unless otherwise indicated herein, the particular sequence of steps described is illustrative only and may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, unless otherwise stated, the steps described below are unordered, meaning that, when possible, the steps may be performed in any convenient or desirable order. 
     Further, it is noted that flowcharts  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  show processing steps that the demand limiting controller  150  performs with respect to each temperature modification unit  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N. In other words, demand limiting controller  150  performs the processing steps of flowcharts  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  on temperature modification unit  162 - 1  until it arrives at step  515  (which is used in flowcharts  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ). Once the demand limiting controller  150  arrives at any instance of step  515  with respect to temperature modification unit  162 - 1 , the demand limiting controller  150  moves on to the next temperature modification unit  162 - 2  to begin the processing steps of  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  with respect to temperature modification unit  162 - 2 . Once the demand limiting controller  150  arrives at any instance of step  515  with respect to temperature modification unit  162 - 2 , the demand limiting controller  150  moves on to the next temperature modification unit  162 -N. 
     Thus, the demand limiting controller  150  continually and sequentially applies the processing steps of flowcharts  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  at each temperature modification unit  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N. As the demand limiting controller  150  returns to re-process any of the temperature modification units  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 ,  162 -N, the demand limiting controller  150  restarts the processing steps of flowcharts  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  at each temperature modification unit  162 - 1 ,  162 - 2 , 162 -N. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart  500  of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller  150  to modify temperature according to cooling settings according to embodiments herein. 
     At step  505 , the demand limiting controller  150  utilizes settings for an occupied time range when the occupied time range for a respective zone has begun (or is about to begin). 
     At step  506 , if the occupied time range has not begun (or is not about to begin) then demand limiting controller  150  utilizes settings for an unoccupied time range when the unoccupied time range for a respective zone has begun (or is about to begin). 
     At step  507 , the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether the current temperature in the respective zone falls within a target range according to cooling settings for the respective zone. 
     If the current temperature in the respective zone is not within the target range, the demand limiting controller  150  performs the actions and steps described in  FIG. 6 . 
     If the current temperature in the respective zone is within the target range, the demand limiting controller  150  performs step  510  to determine whether the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone is running. If the temperature modification unit is running, the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether only the fan associated with the temperature modification unit is running, at step  511 . 
     If only the fan is running, the demand limiting controller  150  adjusts the damper at step  512 , and then updates the data repository (step  535 ), then graphical user interface of the demand limiting controller  150  displays information regarding the temperature of the respective zone and statistics regarding the temperature modification unit in the respective zone, at step  515 , and then moves on to process the temperature modification unit of the next zone. 
     If the fan is not running, the demand limiting controller  150  performs step  515 . 
     At step  520 , the demand limiting controller  150  determines (i.e. predicts) whether the current temperature in the respective zone will exceed the target range within 15 minutes (or any other predefined span of time). If the current temperature in the respective zone will not exceed the target range within 15 minutes, the demand limiting controller  150  performs step  515 . 
     At step  525 , after the demand limiting controller  150  determines the current temperature in the respective zone will exceed the target range within 15 minutes, the demand limiting controller  150  checks to see if the outdoor temperature is 50 degrees or less (or any other user defined threshold outdoor temperature). 
     At step  530 , if the outdoor temperature is 50 degrees or less, the demand limiting controller  150  turns on a fan associated with the respective zone in order to cool the zone with outdoor air instead of using more electricity. 
     At step  512 , the demand limiting controller  150  controls and adjusts the fresh air damper to maximize fresh outdoor air intake. 
     At step  535 , the demand limiting controller  150  updates the data repository with data regarding the action of turning on the fan, such as the current time, outdoor temperature and current temperature within the respective zone and then performs step  515  (i.e. update display and move on to process the temperature modification unit of the next zone). 
     At step  525 , if the outdoor temperature is not 50 degrees or less, the demand limiting controller  150  goes to flow starting at  620 ,  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart  600  of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller  150  to determine cooling actions to perform when a temperature within a respective zone is either above or below a target temperature according to embodiments herein. 
     At step  605 , the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether a current temperature in a respective zone is above or below a target temperature according to the respective zone&#39;s cooling settings. 
     At step  610 , if the current temperature in the respective zone is below the target temperature, the demand limiting controller  150  turns off the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone. The demand limiting controller  150  updates the data repository with data regarding deactivation of the temperature modification unit, such as the current time, outdoor temperature and current temperature within the respective zone (see step  535 ). In addition, the demand limiting controller  150  updates the graphical user interface of the demand limiting controller  150  to indicate the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone has been turned off (see step  515 ). 
     At step  620 , if the current temperature in the respective zone is above the target temperature, the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether the desired maximum amount of power (i.e. electricity) is being used. 
     At step  625 , if the desired maximum amount of power is being used, the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether the current temperatures within any of the other zones in the confined area are within their own respective target ranges. If none of the other zones in the confined area are within their own respective target ranges, the demand limiting controller  150  performs the actions and steps described in  FIG. 7 . 
     At step  630 , the demand limiting controller  150  determines that at least one other zone in the confined area is within its own respective target range. If there are multiple zones within their own respective target range, the demand limiting controller  150  turns off the temperature modification unit associated with the zone that has a least difference between its current temperature and its target temperature setting. The demand limiting controller  150  updates the data repository with data describing deactivation of the temperature modification unit for the zone that has a least difference between its current temperature and its target temperature setting (see step  535 ). 
     At step  635 , the demand limiting controller  150  turns on the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone that is currently above its target temperature. The demand limiting controller  150  updates the data repository with data regarding activation of the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone, such as the current time, outdoor temperature and current temperature within the respective zone (see step  535 ). In addition, the demand limiting controller  150  updates the graphical user interface of the demand limiting controller  150  to indicate the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone has been turned on—and moves on to the temperature modification unit of the next zone (see step  515 ). 
     If the demand limiting controller  150  determines that a desired amount of maximum power is not being used, the demand limiting controller  150  performs the steps and actions described starting at step  545 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart  700  of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller  150  monitoring the target ranges of multiple zones according to embodiments herein. 
     Upon performing step  625 , if the demand limiting controller  150  determines that none of the other zones in the confined area are within their own respective target ranges, the demand limiting controller  150  performs step  701  to set the zone to the high temperature setting. The data is recorded as per step  535 . Step  702  tests if all units are at the high temperature setting. If they are not, the graphical interface is updated as per step  515 . If all units are at the high temperature setting, step  705  is executed by the demand limiting controller  150  to determine (i.e. predict) whether any of the other zones will have a current temperature that is within their own target range in the next 5 minutes (or any other user defined amount of time). 
     At step  710 , if any of the other zones will have a current temperature that is within their own target range in the next 5 minutes, the demand limiting controller  150  creates a temporary table in the data repository and records which zones will have a current temperature that is within their own target range in the next 5 minutes (or any other user defined amount of time). 
     At step  715 , the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether a projected amount of time has been exceeded. If the projected amount of time has not been exceeded, the demand limiting controller  150  updates the graphical user interface of the demand limiting controller  150  on the display  130  to display temporary table—and moves on to the temperature modification unit of the next zone ((see step  515 ). 
     At step  720 , if (i) none of the other units will be within their target ranges within 5 minutes or (ii) the projected amount of time has been exceeded, then the demand limiting controller  150  activates the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone. The demand limiting controller  150  updates the data repository with data regarding activation of the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone, such as the current time, outdoor temperature and current temperature within the respective zone (see step  535 ). 
     At step  725 , the demand limiting controller  150  clears the temporary table from the data repository and removes the temporary table from display via the graphical user interface of the demand limiting controller  150 —and moves on to the temperature modification unit of the next zone (see step  515 ). 
     The demand limiting controller  150  updates the data repository with data regarding activation of the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone, such as the current time, outdoor temperature and current temperature within the respective zone (see step  535 ). In addition, the demand limiting controller  150  updates the graphical user interface of the demand limiting controller  150  to indicate the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone has been turned on—and moves on to the temperature modification unit of the next zone (see step  515 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart  800  of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller  150  to modify temperature according to heating settings according to embodiments herein. 
     At step  805 , the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether an occupied or unoccupied time range for a respective zone has begun (or is about to begin) and uses the respective target temperatures at steps  806 ,  807 . 
     At step  809 , the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether a current temperature within the respective zone is within a target range according to heating settings for the respective zone. If the current temperature within the respective zone is within the target range, the demand limiting controller  150  updates the graphical user interface of the demand limiting controller  150  to indicate the current temperature within the respective zone is within the target range (see step  515 ). 
     At step  810 , upon determining the current temperature within the respective zone is not within the target range, the demand limiting controller  150  determines the current temperature within the respective zone is above or below the target range. 
     At step  815 , if the current temperature within the respective zone is above the target range, the demand limiting controller  150  turns off the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone. 
     At step  820 , if the current temperature within the respective zone is below the target range, the demand limiting controller  150  turns on the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone to increase the current temperature of the respective zone. 
     The demand limiting controller  150  updates the data repository with data regarding activation (or deactivation) of the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone, such as the current time, outdoor temperature and current temperature within the respective zone (see step  535 ). In addition, the demand limiting controller  150  updates the graphical user interface of the demand limiting controller  150  to indicate the temperature modification unit associated with the respective zone has been turned on or turned off (see step  515 ). 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart  900  of an example of processing steps performed by the demand limiting controller  150  to modify temperature with respect to pre-cool or peak rate time range according to embodiments herein. 
     At step  905 , the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether (i) an occupied time range for a respective zone has begun or (ii) the occupied time range for the respective zone will begin within 1 hour (or any other span of time). If the demand limiting controller  150  determines that (i) the occupied time range for the respective zone has not begun and (ii) the occupied time range for the respective zone will not begin within 1 hour (or any other span of time), then the demand limiting controller  150  performs the steps and actions described starting from step  506  in  FIG. 5 . 
     At step  907 , upon determining that (i) the occupied time range for the respective zone has begun or (ii) the occupied time range for the respective zone will begin within 1 hour (or any given period of time after data has been collected), the demand limiting controller  150  will determine whether to heat or cool the respective zone. 
     At step  910 , in order to cool the respective zone, the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether a peak rate time associated with a certain cost of electricity has begun. 
     At step  915 , upon determining the peak rate time has begun, the demand limiting controller  150  utilizes the high target temperature of the cooling range indicated for the respective zone&#39;s occupied time range defined for use during the peak rate time and then the demand limiting controller  150  performs the steps and actions described starting from step  507  in  FIG. 5 . 
     At step  925 , upon determining the peak rate time has not begun, the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether the peak rate time will begin within 1 hour (or any other user defined span of time). If not, the demand limiting controller returns to step  505  in  FIG. 5 . 
     At step  935 , if the peak rate time will begin within 1 hour, the demand limiting controller  150  utilizes the low target temperature of the cooling range indicated for the respective zone&#39;s occupied time range to pre-cool the respective zone and then the demand limiting controller  150  performs the steps and actions described starting from step  510  in  FIG. 5 . 
     At step  908 , upon determining to heat the respective zone (after executing step  907 ), the demand limiting controller  150  determines whether the peak rate time begins within an hour (or any given time range). 
     At step  909 , if the peak rate time begins within the hour, the demand limiting controller  150  uses the high target temperature of the heating range indicated for the respective zone&#39;s occupied time range—and then the demand limiting controller  150  executes step  807  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     At step  950 , if the peak rate time does not begin within the hour, the demand limiting controller  150  uses the normal target temperature of the heating range indicated for the respective zone&#39;s occupied time range—and then the demand limiting controller  150  executes step  807  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     The methods and systems described herein are not limited to a particular hardware or software configuration, and may find applicability in many computing or processing environments. The methods and systems may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. The methods and systems may be implemented in one or more computer programs, where a computer program may be understood to include one or more processor executable instructions. The computer program(s) may execute on one or more programmable processors, and may be stored on one or more storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), one or more input devices, and/or one or more output devices. The processor thus may access one or more input devices to obtain input data, and may access one or more output devices to communicate output data. The input and/or output devices may include one or more of the following: Random Access Memory (RAM), Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID), floppy drive, CD, DVD, magnetic disk, internal hard drive, external hard drive, flash memory, read only memory, or other storage device capable of being accessed by a processor as provided herein, where such aforementioned examples are not exhaustive, and are for illustration and not limitation. 
     The computer program(s) may be implemented using one or more high level procedural or object-oriented programming languages to communicate with a computer system; however, the program(s) may be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. The language may be compiled or interpreted. 
     As provided herein, the processor(s) may thus be embedded in one or more devices that may be operated independently or together in a networked environment, where the network may include, for example, a Local Area Network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and/or may include an intranet and/or the internet and/or another network. The network(s) may be wired or wireless or a combination thereof and may use one or more communications protocols to facilitate communications between the different processors. The processors may be configured for distributed processing and may utilize, in some embodiments, a client-server model as needed. Accordingly, the methods and systems may utilize multiple processors and/or processor devices, and the processor instructions may be divided amongst such single- or multiple-processor/devices. 
     The device(s) or computer systems that integrate with the processor(s) may include, for example, a personal computer(s), workstation(s) (e.g., Sun, HP), personal digital assistant(s) (PDA(s)), handheld device(s) such as cellular telephone(s), laptop(s), handheld computer(s), or another device(s) capable of being integrated with a processor(s) that may operate as provided herein. Accordingly, the devices provided herein are not exhaustive and are provided for illustration and not limitation. 
     References to “a processor”, or “the processor,” may be understood to include one or more microprocessors that may communicate in a stand-alone and/or a distributed environment(s), and may thus be configured to communicate via wired or wireless communications with other processors, where such one or more processor may be configured to operate on one or more processor-controlled devices that may be similar or different devices. Use of such “processor” terminology may thus also be understood to include a central processing unit, an arithmetic logic unit, an application-specific integrated circuit (IC), and/or a task engine, with such examples provided for illustration and not limitation. 
     Furthermore, references to memory, unless otherwise specified, may include one or more processor-readable and accessible memory elements and/or components that may be internal to the processor-controlled device, external to the processor-controlled device, and/or may be accessed via a wired or wireless network using a variety of communications protocols, and unless otherwise specified, may be arranged to include a combination of external and internal memory devices, where such memory may be contiguous and/or partitioned based on the application. Accordingly, references to a database may be understood to include one or more memory associations, where such references may include commercially available database products (e.g., SQL, Informix, Oracle) and also proprietary databases, and may also include other structures for associating memory such as links, queues, graphs, trees, with such structures provided for illustration and not limitation. 
     References to a network, unless provided otherwise, may include one or more intranets and/or the internet, as well as a virtual network. References herein to microprocessor instructions or microprocessor-executable instructions, in accordance with the above, may be understood to include programmable hardware. 
     Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of the articles “a” or “an” to modify a noun may be understood to be used for convenience and to include one, or more than one of the modified noun, unless otherwise specifically stated. 
     Elements, components, modules, and/or parts thereof that are described and/or otherwise portrayed through the figures to communicate with, be associated with, and/or be based on, something else, may be understood to so communicate, be associated with, and or be based on in a direct and/or indirect manner, unless otherwise stipulated herein. 
     Although the methods and systems have been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, they are not so limited. Obviously many modifications and variations may become apparent in light of the above teachings. Many additional changes in the details, materials, and arrangement of parts, herein described and illustrated, may be made by those skilled in the art.