Patent Publication Number: US-2020280187-A1

Title: Energy apparatuses, energy systems, and energy management methods including energy storage

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/135,688, entitled ENERGY APPARATUSES, ENERGY SYSTEMS, AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT METHODS INCLUDING ENERGY STORAGE, filed Apr. 22, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/628,941, entitled POWER GENERATION SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION, ENERGY STORAGE, AND POWER CONTROL, filed Sep. 27, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/852,426, entitled DISTRIBUTED ENERGY STORAGE AND POWER QUALITY CONTROL IN PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAYS, filed Sep. 11, 2015; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/880,578, entitled SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM WITH MONOCOQUE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, filed Oct. 12, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entireties herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to energy apparatuses, energy systems, and energy management methods. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to energy apparatuses, energy systems, and energy management methods that include energy storage. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the twentieth century, grid electrical power was largely generated by burning fossil fuel. When less power was required, less fuel was burned. Concerns with air pollution and global warming have spurned growth of intermittent renewable energy (e.g., solar power, wind power, etc.). Solar and wind power are generally uncontrolled, due to availability of sun or wind, respectively, and may only be available at a time when no additional power is needed by associated loads. Thus, interest in storing solar and wind generated power grows as the industry grows. 
     Furthermore, off-grid electrical use was a niche market in the twentieth century, however, in the twenty-first century, off-grid electrical use has expanded. For example, portable electrical generation devices are in use all over the world. Solar panels and wind turbines are now common sights in rural settings worldwide. Access to electricity is now a question of economics, not location. 
     Moreover, powering transportation (e.g., electric battery powered vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles, etc.) without burning fuel in an internal combustion engine remains in development. Hybrid vehicles, having an internal combustion engine, electrical generation, electrical energy storage, and an electrical drive motor, are common place. 
     Modern-day energy supply systems may include centralized energy sources, distributed energy sources, or a combination of centralized energy sources and distributed energy sources. For example, energy may be provided to industrial, commercial, and/or residential facilities as a primary energy source (e.g., coal, raw oil, fuel oil, natural gas, wind, sun, streaming water, nuclear power, gasoline, geothermal, biomass, ethanol, biodiesel, ammonium, propane, wood, corn, legumes, synthetic fuels, etc.) or as a secondary energy source (e.g., electrical, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, etc.). Secondary energy may be obtained through conversion of primary energy and may, for example, function as an energy carrier. 
     Furthermore, modern-day energy supply systems may also include energy storage, for example, electrochemical energy storage (e.g., flow battery, rechargeable battery, super-capacitor, Li capacitors, ultra-battery, etc.); electrical energy storage (e.g., capacitor, superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES), etc.); mechanical energy storage (e.g., compressed air energy storage (CAES), fireless locomotive, flywheel energy storage, gravitational potential energy (device), hydraulic accumulator, liquid nitrogen, pumped-storage hydroelectricity, etc.); biological (e.g., glycogen, starch, etc.); thermal energy storage (e.g., brick storage heater, cryogenic liquid air or nitrogen, eutectic system, ice storage, molten salt, phase change material, seasonal thermal energy storage, solar pond, steam accumulator, geothermal, etc.); and chemical energy storage (e.g., biofuels, hydrated salts, hydrogen, hydrogen peroxide, power to gas, vanadium pentoxide, etc.). 
     As energy supply systems become more comprehensive, management of the associated energy apparatuses becomes more complex. Accordingly, improved energy apparatuses, energy systems, and energy management methods are needed. 
     Energy apparatuses, energy systems, and energy management methods may include primary energy sources, secondary energy sources, and/or energy storage. Energy supply systems may include centralized energy sources, distributed energy sources, a combination of centralized energy sources and distributed energy sources, and/or energy storage. For example, energy may be provided to industrial, commercial, and/or residential facilities as a primary energy source (e.g., coal, uranium-235 ( 235 U), plutonium-239 ( 239 Pu), plutonium-238 ( 238 Pu), tritium ( 3 H), raw oil, fuel oil, natural gas, wind, sun, streaming water, nuclear power, gasoline, geothermal, biomass, ethanol, biodiesel, ammonium, propane, wood, corn, legumes, etc.) or as a secondary energy source (e.g., electrical, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, etc.). Secondary energy may be obtained through conversion of primary energy and may, for example, function as an energy carrier. Energy storage, may include electrochemical energy storage (e.g., flow battery, rechargeable battery, super-capacitor, ultra-battery, etc.); electrical energy storage (e.g., capacitor, superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES), etc.); mechanical energy storage (e.g., compressed air energy storage (CAES), fireless locomotive, flywheel energy storage, gravitational potential energy (device), hydraulic accumulator, liquid nitrogen, pumped-storage hydroelectricity, etc.); biological (e.g., glycogen, starch, etc.); thermal energy storage (e.g., brick storage heater, cryogenic liquid air or nitrogen, eutectic system, ice storage, molten salt, phase change material, seasonal thermal energy storage, solar pond, steam accumulator, geothermal, etc.); and chemical energy storage (e.g., biofuels, synthetic fuels, hydrated salts, uranium-235 ( 235 U), plutonium-239 ( 239 Pu), plutonium-238 ( 238 Pu), tritium ( 3 H), hydrogen, hydrogen peroxide, power to gas, vanadium pentoxide, etc.). 
     Lead-acid batteries hold the largest market share of electric storage products. A single cell may produce two volts when fully charged. In the charged state, a metallic lead negative electrode and a lead sulfate positive electrode are immersed in a dilute sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) electrolyte. In a discharge process electrons are pushed out of the cell as lead sulfate is formed at a negative electrode while the electrolyte is reduced to water. 
     A nickel-cadmium battery (NiCd) uses nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium as electrodes. Cadmium is a toxic element, and was banned for most uses by the European Union in 2004. Therefore, nickel-cadmium batteries have been almost completely replaced by nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. 
     The first commercial types of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries were available in 1989. NiMH batteries are now available in common consumer and industrial types. The NiMH battery typically includes an aqueous electrolyte along with a hydrogen-absorbing alloy for a negative electrode, instead of cadmium. 
     Lithium-ion batteries (e.g., lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4 ), lithium ion manganese oxide battery (LMnO or LMO), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO 2  or NCA), lithium titanate (Li 4 Ti 5 O 12  or LTO), and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO 2  or NMC)) offer low energy density, relatively long lives, and inherent safety. Such batteries are widely used for electric tools, medical equipment and other roles. NMC, in particular, is a leading contender for automotive applications. Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO 2  or NCA) and lithium titanate (Li 4 Ti 5 O 12  or LTO) are used in many consumer electronics and have one of the best energy-to-mass ratios and a very slow self-discharge when not in use. Lithium-ion polymer batteries are similar. 
     SUMMARY 
     An energy conversion apparatus may include at least one first reconfigurable energy source input. The at least one first reconfigurable energy source input may be reconfigurable based upon first energy source characteristic data received by the energy conversion apparatus. The energy conversion apparatus may also include at least one second reconfigurable energy source input. The at least one second reconfigurable energy source input may be reconfigurable based upon second energy source characteristic data received by the energy conversion apparatus. The energy conversion apparatus may further include at least one energy storage device connection and at least one energy load output. The energy conversion apparatus may be configured to provide energy to the at least one energy load output based upon the first and second energy source characteristic data, and further based on a quantity of energy stored in at least one energy storage device. 
     In another embodiment, an energy management system may include at least one energy conversion apparatus having at least two energy source inputs, at least one energy storage device connection, and at least one energy load output. The energy management system may also include a controller having at least one energy source health data input and at least one energy conversion apparatus output. The controller may generate the at least one energy conversion apparatus output based upon energy source health data received via the at least one energy source health data input. 
     In a further embodiment, an energy management system may include at least one energy conversion apparatus having at least one energy source input, at least one energy storage device connection, and at least two energy load outputs. The energy management system may also include a controller having at least one energy load priority data input and at least one energy conversion apparatus output. The controller may generate the at least one energy conversion apparatus output based upon energy load priority data received via the at least one energy load priority data input. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  depicts an example energy system including energy storage; 
         FIG. 2  depicts an example energy system including energy storage; 
         FIG. 3  depicts an example energy apparatus including energy storage; 
         FIG. 4A  depicts an example apparatus for managing an energy apparatus including energy storage; 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a flow diagram for an example method for managing an energy apparatus including energy storage; 
         FIG. 5A  depicts an example apparatus for managing an energy apparatus including energy storage; 
         FIG. 5B  depicts a flow diagram for an example method for managing an energy apparatus including energy storage; 
         FIG. 6A  depicts an example apparatus for managing an energy system including energy storage; 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a flow diagram for an example method for managing an energy system including energy storage; 
         FIG. 7A  depicts an example apparatus for managing an energy system including energy storage; 
         FIG. 7B  depicts a flow diagram for an example method for managing an energy system including energy storage; 
         FIG. 8A  depicts an example apparatus for managing an energy apparatus including energy storage; 
         FIG. 8B  depicts a flow diagram for an example method for managing an energy apparatus including energy storage; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  depict an example energy apparatus; 
         FIG. 10A  depicts an example apparatus for managing an energy apparatus as depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 9B ; 
         FIG. 10B  depicts a flow diagram for an example method for managing an energy apparatus as depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Energy apparatuses, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may include centralized energy sources, distributed energy sources, a combination of centralized energy sources and distributed energy sources, centralized energy storage, distributed energy storage, and/or a combination of centralized energy storage and distributed energy storage. For example, energy may be provided to industrial, commercial, and/or residential facilities as a primary energy source (e.g., coal, uranium-235 ( 235 U), plutonium-239 ( 239 Pu), plutonium-238 ( 23 ″Pu), tritium ( 3 H), raw oil, fuel oil, natural gas, wind, sun, streaming water, nuclear power, gasoline, geothermal, biomass, ethanol, biodiesel, ammonium, propane, wood, corn, legumes, synthetic fuels, etc.) or as a secondary energy source (e.g., electrical, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, etc.). Secondary energy may be obtained through conversion of primary energy and may, for example, function as an energy carrier. 
     Energy storage may, for example, include electrochemical energy storage (e.g., flow battery, rechargeable battery, Li capacitors, super-capacitor, ultra-battery, etc.); electrical energy storage (e.g., capacitor, superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES), etc.); mechanical energy storage (e.g., compressed air energy storage (CAES), fireless locomotive, flywheel energy storage, gravitational potential energy (device), hydraulic accumulator, liquid nitrogen, pumped-storage hydroelectricity, etc.); biological (e.g., glycogen, starch, etc.); thermal energy storage (e.g., brick storage heater, cryogenic liquid air or nitrogen, eutectic system, ice storage, molten salt, phase change material, seasonal thermal energy storage, solar pond, steam accumulator, geothermal, etc.); and chemical energy storage (e.g., biofuels, synthetic fuels, hydrated salts, hydrogen, hydrogen peroxide, power to gas, uranium-235 ( 235 U), plutonium-239 ( 239 Pu), plutonium-238 ( 238 Pu), tritium ( 3 H), vanadium pentoxide, etc.). 
     An energy storage device may include at least one lead-acid battery. A single cell of a lead-acid battery may produce, for example, two volts when fully charged. Alternatively, or additionally, an energy storage device may include at least one nickel-cadmium battery (NiCd) and/or at least one nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery. As another alternative, or addition, an energy storage device may include at least one lithium-ion battery (e.g., lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4 ), lithium ion manganese oxide battery (LMnO or LMO), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO 2  or NCA), lithium titanate (Li 4 Ti 5 O 12  or LTO), solid state lithium (Li) battery, and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO 2  or NMC)). 
     Energy apparatuses, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may determine commitment requirements for various energy sources. Similarly, the energy apparatuses, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may determine dispatch requirements of previously committed energy sources. The commitment and dispatch requirements may account for routine maintenance and/or health factors of various energy sources and/or system components. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , an energy system  100  may include secondary energy sources  130  and distributed energy generation/energy storage devices  175 . The energy system  100  may also include an energy management system  105  having a server  106 , a first workstation  112 , a second workstation  119 , at least one portable computing device  126  (e.g., a laptop computer, a tablet, a PDA, a smartphone, etc.), and at least one voice communication device  127  (e.g., a telephone, a voice recognition device, etc.). The server  126  may include a first module  109  stored on a computer-readable memory  108  (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a transitory computer-readable medium, etc.) that, when executed by a processor  107 , causes the processor  107  to, for example, automatically control (e.g., commit and/or dispatch) various components (e.g., secondary energy sources  130 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  175 , disconnect devices  135 ,  150 ,  165 , etc.) of the energy system  100 . While the first module  109  may include a set of computer-readable instructions, the first module  109  may alternatively be a hardware implementation of an equivalent electrical circuit. The server  106  may also include a communication network interface  111  to, for example, communicatively connect the server  106  to the first workstation  112 , the second workstation  119 , the portable computing device  126 , the voice communication device  127 , and/or the various components (e.g., secondary energy sources  130 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  175 , disconnect devices  135 ,  150 ,  165  (e.g., fuse disconnects, switchgear, starters, manual disconnects, contactors, re-connection devices, circuit interrupters, valves, etc.) , transformers  145 ,  160 , industrial energy loads  180 , commercial energy loads  185 , residential energy loads  190 , etc.) of the energy system  100  via a communication network  128 . 
     The communication network  128  may include a hardwired link (e.g., a telephone line, an Ethernet connection, a coaxial line, etc.), a wireless link (e.g., a WiFi, a cellular telephone link, a local area network, a Bluetooth® link, et.), or a combination of various hardwired links and wireless links. Alternatively, or additionally, the communication network  128  may include at least one dedicated, proprietary, links (e.g., a secure network, etc.). 
     The energy system  100  and, in particular, the energy generation/energy storage device  175 , may be as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/628,941, entitled POWER GENERATION SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION, ENERGY STORAGE, AND POWER CONTROL, filed Sep. 27, 2012; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/852,426, entitled DISTRIBUTED ENERGY STORAGE AND POWER QUALITY CONTROL IN PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAYS, filed Sep. 11, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference thereto. 
     Similarly, the first workstation  112  may include a second module  116  stored on a computer-readable memory  117  (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a transitory computer-readable medium, etc.) that, when executed by a processor  115 , causes the processor  115  to, for example, enable a user (e.g., an energy system operator, an engineer, an energy business manager, etc.) to monitor and/or control various components (e.g., secondary energy sources  130 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  175 , disconnect devices  135 ,  150 ,  165 , transformers  145 ,  160 , industrial energy loads  180 , commercial energy loads  185 , residential energy loads  190 , etc.) of the energy system  100 . While the second module  116  may include a set of computer-readable instructions, the second module  116  may alternatively be a hardware implementation of an equivalent electrical circuit. The first workstation  112  may also include a display  113 , a user input device  114 , and a communication network interface  118  to, for example, communicatively connect the first workstation  112 , the server  106 , the second workstation  119 , the portable computing device  126 , the voice communication device  127 , and/or the various components (e.g., secondary energy sources  130 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  175 , disconnect devices  135 ,  150 ,  165 , transformers  145 ,  160 , industrial energy loads  180 , commercial energy loads  185 , residential energy loads  190 , etc.) of the energy system  100  via a communication network  128 . 
     Likewise, the second workstation  119  may include a third module  124  stored on a computer-readable memory  123  (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a transitory computer-readable medium, etc.) that, when executed by a processor  122 , causes the processor  122  to, for example, enable a user (e.g., an energy system operator, an engineer, an energy business manager, etc.) to monitor and/or control various components (e.g., secondary energy sources  130 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  175 , disconnect devices  135 ,  150 ,  165 , transformers  145 ,  160 , industrial energy loads  180 , commercial energy loads  185 , residential energy loads  190 , etc.) of the energy system  100 . While the third module  124  may include a set of computer-readable instructions, the third module  124  may alternatively be a hardware implementation of an equivalent electrical circuit. The second workstation  119  may also include a display  120 , a user input device  121 , and a communication network interface  125  to, for example, communicatively connect the second workstation  119 , the server  106 , the first workstation  112 , the portable computing device  126 , the voice communication device  127 , and/or the various components (e.g., secondary energy sources  130 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  175 , disconnect devices  135 ,  150 ,  165 , transformers  145 ,  160 , industrial energy loads  180 , commercial energy loads  185 , residential energy loads  190 , etc.) of the energy system  100  via a communication network  128 . 
     A secondary energy source  130  may be, for example, an electrical generation device that may convert a primary energy source (e.g., coal, raw oil, fuel oil, natural gas, wind, sun, streaming water, nuclear power, gasoline, geothermal, biomass, ethanol, biodiesel, ammonium, propane, wood, corn, legumes, etc.) to electrical energy. Alternatively, or additionally, a secondary energy source  130  may include, for example, a hydrogen generator (e.g., a fuel cell), or a liquefied natural gas compressor. In any event, a primary energy source may be delivered to a secondary energy source  130  as needed and/or the primary energy source may be stored local to a respective secondary energy source  130 . Notably, neither primary energy source delivery mechanisms nor primary energy source storage mechanisms are depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     A secondary energy source  130  may generate, for example, direct current (DC) electrical energy or alternating current (AC) electrical energy having a first voltage (e.g., 120 volts, 240 volts, 480 volts, 600 volts, 1,000 volts, 4,160 volts, 13,200 volts, 33,000 volts, 66,000 volts, 132,000 volts, etc.). A secondary energy source  130  may be connected to at least one step-up transformer  145  via at least one generator disconnect device  135 . A plurality of generator disconnect devices  135  may be arranged in a ring-bus configuration  140  to, for example, increase reliability and/or to facilitate maintenance activities. In any event, a step-up transformer  145  may transform the first voltage to a second voltage (e.g., 69,000 volts, 138,000 volts, 245,000 volts, 365,000 volts, 765,000 volts, 1,000,000 volts, etc.). An output side (e.g., the second voltage side) of a step-up transformer  145  may be connected to an energy transmission line  155  via, for example, at least one transmission disconnect device  150 . Notably, an energy transmission line may extend hundreds, or thousands, of miles. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a transmission line may be connected in a “loop” configuration such that, for example, at least two paths may be provided for energy flow from any given secondary energy source  130  to any given energy load (e.g., industrial energy load  180 , commercial energy load  185 , residential energy load  190 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  175 , etc.) to, for example, increase reliability and/or to facilitate maintenance activities. 
     A step-down transformer  160  may transform the second voltage (e.g., transmission voltage) to a third voltage (e.g., 4,160 volts, 13,200 volts, 32,000 volts, etc.). A step-down transformer  160  may be connected to an energy transmission line  155  via at least one transmission disconnect device  150  and connected to an energy distribution line  170  via at least one distribution disconnected  165 . While not illustrated as such in  FIG. 1 , any given energy distribution line  170  may be connected in a “loop” such that energy may flow from at least one step-down transformer  160  to any given energy load (e.g., industrial energy load  180 , commercial energy load  185 , residential energy load  190 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  175 , etc.) via at least two paths to, for example, increase reliability and/or to facilitate maintenance activities. 
     While not specifically indicated in  FIG. 1 , sensors (e.g., sensor  260  of  FIG. 2  or sensor  315  of  FIG. 3 ) may be included throughout the energy system  100  to, for example, measure and/or control various energy related values (e.g., energy measurement, electricity flow/volume, gas flow/volume, water flow/volume, mass flow/volume, etc.), and may be included at, or within, any one of the elements  130 ,  145 ,  150 ,  160 ,  165 ,  175 ,  180 ,  185 ,  190 . Outputs of these metering devices may be incorporated with the energy management system  105  to provide additional monitoring and control functions, and/or to facilitate energy accounting and invoicing. The energy system  100  may include additional elements  130 ,  145 ,  150 ,  160 ,  165 ,  175 ,  180 ,  185 ,  190  at, or within, any one of the energy sources and/or energy loads to, for example, facilitate commitment and/or dispatch of any given energy source and to connect/disconnect any given load. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , an energy system  200  may include at least one energy load  205  (e.g., industrial energy load  180 , commercial energy load  185 , residential energy load  190 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  175 , etc.). The energy system  200  may be similar to, for example, the energy system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The energy system  200  may include at least one energy generation/energy storage device  210 , at least one resistive energy load  215  (e.g., a heating element, an igniter, etc.), at least one workstation  219 , at least one secondary energy source  230 , at least one rotating load (e.g., an electric motor, a steam driven motor, an internal combustion engine, etc.), at least one sensor  260  (e.g., an electric current sensor, a flow meter, a voltage sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a frequency sensor, a power factor sensor, a phase sequence sensor, a phase rotation sensor, a voltage waveform sensor, an oscilloscope, a strain gauge sensor, a rotation sensor, a linear sensor, a flow sensor, a proximity sensor, a watt-hour meter, a volume meter, etc.), a voice communication device  265 , a light emitter  270  (e.g., an incandescent light, a light emitting diode, a fluorescent light, a high-pressure sodium light, a metal halide light, a mercury vapor light, etc.), an energy conversion device (e.g., a water heater, a boiler, a fuel cell, a furnace, an incinerator, a primary energy source burner, etc.), a first primary energy source  280 , and a second primary energy source  285 . 
     The secondary energy source  230  may be connected to the energy load  205  via an energy generation disconnect device  235 , a step-up transformer  245 , an energy transmission or energy distribution disconnect device  250 , and an energy transmission or distribution line  251 . The workstation  219  may include a module  224  stored on a computer-readable memory  223  (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a transitory computer-readable medium, etc.) that, when executed by a processor  222 , causes the processor  222  to, for example, enable a user (e.g., an energy system operator, an engineer, an energy business manager, etc.) to monitor and/or control various components (e.g., secondary energy source  230 , distributed energy generation/energy storage device  210 , disconnect devices  235 ,  250 , transformer  245 , resistive heat  215 , motor  255 , sensor  260 , voice communication device  265 , light source  270 , energy conversion device  275 , first primary energy source  280 , second primary energy source  285 , etc.) of the energy system  200 . While the module  224  may include a set of computer-readable instructions, the module  224  may alternatively be a hardware implementation of an equivalent electrical circuit. The workstation  219  may also include a display  220 , a user input device  221 , and a communication network interface  225  to, for example, communicatively connect the workstation  219 , the secondary energy source  230 , the distributed energy generation/energy storage device  210 , the disconnect devices  235 ,  250 , the transformer  245 , the resistive heat  215 , motor  255 , the sensor  260 , the voice communication device  265 , the light source  270 , the energy conversion device  275 , the first primary energy source  280 , and the second primary energy source  285  of the energy system  100  via a communication network  231 ,  236 ,  246 ,  252 ,  281 ,  286 . 
     While the first and second primary energy sources  280 ,  285  are illustrated as pipes/valves in  FIG. 2 , any given primary energy source may be stored in any suitable container (e.g., a tank, a hopper, a pile, a silo, a bunker, bulk storage, a vessel, a cave, a mine shaft, a tunnel, etc.) and may be conveyed via any suitable conveying device (e.g., a pipe/valve, a conveyor, an auger, a chute/gravity, a blower, etc.). 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , an energy system  300  may include an energy conversion apparatus  305  (e.g., at least one fuel cell, at least one composter, at least one incinerator, at least one boiler, at least one burner, any combination thereof, etc.) that may convert a primary energy source to a secondary energy source. The energy system  300  may be similar to, for example, either the energy system  100  of  FIG. 1  or the energy system  200  of  FIG. 2 . The energy conversion apparatus  305  may be a bidirectional devise that, for example, converts a primary energy source  385 ,  395  to a secondary energy source  330 ,  355 ,  365  and/or that converts a secondary energy source  330 ,  355 ,  365  to a primary energy source  385 ,  390 . 
     The energy conversion apparatus  305  may include at least one energy conversion device  310  (e.g., AC-to-DC rectifier, at least one DC-to-AC inverter, at least on DC-to-DC converter, any combination thereof, etc.). The energy conversion device  310  may be bidirectional. For example, the energy conversion device  310  may rectify an AC electrical output of a secondary energy source (e.g., electrical generator  330 ,  355 ) to a DC energy storage device  370  input and may subsequently invert a DC energy output of the storage device  370  to an AC electrical supply to a load (e.g., electrical load  375 ,  380 ). Accordingly, a secondary energy source  330 ,  355  may generate energy using a primary energy source  385 ,  390 , may store the energy in an energy storage device  370  (e.g., a battery, capacitor, etc.) and, subsequently, the energy conversion device  310  may extract energy from the energy storage device  370  to serve a load  375 ,  380 . 
     The energy system  300  may further include at least one sensor  315  (e.g., an electric current sensor, a flow meter, a voltage sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a frequency sensor, a power factor sensor, a phase sequence sensor, a phase rotation sensor, a voltage waveform sensor, an oscilloscope, a strain gauge sensor, a rotation sensor, a linear sensor, a flow sensor, a proximity sensor, a watt-hour meter, a volume meter, etc.), at least one generation disconnect device  335 , at least one step-up transformer  345 , at least one energy transmission disconnect device  350 , at least one energy distribution disconnect device  360 , and at least one workstation  319 . The workstation  319  may include a module  324  stored on a computer-readable memory  323  (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a transitory computer-readable medium, etc.) that, when executed by a processor  322 , causes the processor  322  to, for example, enable a user (e.g., an energy system operator, an engineer, an energy business manager, etc.) to monitor and/or control various components (e.g., sensor  315 , secondary energy source  330 ,  365 , energy storage device  370 , disconnect devices  335 ,  350 ,  360 , transformer  345 , first primary energy source  385 , second primary energy source  390 , first energy load  375 , second energy load  380 , etc.) of the energy system  300 . While the module  324  may include a set of computer-readable instructions, the module  324  may alternatively be a hardware implementation of an equivalent electrical circuit. The workstation  319  may also include a display  320 , a user input device  321 , and a communication network interface  325  to, for example, communicatively connect the workstation  319 , the sensor  315 , the secondary energy source  330 ,  365 , the energy storage device  370 , the disconnect devices  335 ,  350 ,  360 , transformer  345 , the first primary energy source  385 , the second primary energy source  390 , the first energy load  375 , the second energy load  380  of the energy system  100  via a communication network  326 ,  327 ,  331 ,  336 ,  346 ,  351 ,  316 ,  317 ,  356 ,  361 ,  366 ,  371 ,  376 ,  381 . 
     The workstation  319  may synchronize any given energy source to the energy system  300  based on frequency, power factor, inrush, transients, etc. For example, when any given energy source (e.g., primary energy source  280 ,  285  of  FIG. 2 , or secondary energy source  130 ,  175  of  FIG. 1 ) is to be connected to the energy system  300 , the workstation may acquire various inputs from sensors (e.g., sensor  260  of  FIG. 2  or sensor  315  of  FIG. 3 ), and may gradually increase energy output from the given energy source. Thereby, an energy customer may be billed for energy consumed and/or given credit for energy generated. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4A , an apparatus  405   a  for managing an energy device  400   a  may include a user interface generation module  415   a,  an energy source addition module  420   a,  an input specification module  425   a,  an energy source deletion module  430   a,  a load addition module  435   a,  a load deletion module  440   a,  and an output specification module  445   a  stored on a memory  410   a.  The apparatus  405   a  may be similar to, for example, the workstation  319  of  FIG. 3 . The energy device  400   a  may be similar to, for example, the energy conversion device  305  of  FIG. 3 . 
     While the user interface generation module  415   a,  the energy source addition module  420   a,  the input specification module  425   a,  the energy source deletion module  430   a,  the load addition module  435   a,  the load deletion module  440   a,  or the output specification module  445   a  may be stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium  410   a  in the form of computer-readable instructions, any one of, all of, or any sub-combination of the user interface generation module  415   a,  the energy source addition module  420   a,  the input specification module  425   a,  the energy source deletion module  430   a,  the load addition module  435   a,  the load deletion module  440   a,  or the output specification module  445   a  may be implemented by hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), firmware (e.g., one or more programmable application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), one or more field programmable logic devices (FPLD), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.), and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Furthermore, the apparatus  405   a  of  FIG. 4A  may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in  FIG. 4A , and/or may include more than one of, any, or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4B , a method for managing an energy apparatus  400   b  may be implemented by, for example, a processor (e.g., processor  322  of  FIG. 3 ) executing a module (e.g., module  324  of  FIG. 3 , or modules  415   a - 445   a  of  FIG. 4A ). In any event, the processor  322  may execute a user interface generation module  415   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to generate a user interface (block  405   b ). The user interface may enable a user to configure an energy device (e.g., energy conversion device  305  of  FIG. 3 ). For example, a user may add an energy source (e.g., a primary energy source, a secondary energy source, an energy storage device, etc.), may specify associated inputs to the energy conversion device  305 , may delete an energy source, may add a load (e.g., any of the loads described with regard to  FIGS. 1-3 ), delete a load, or specify associated outputs of the energy conversion device  305 . Alternatively, or additionally, the processor  322  may execute the user interface generation module  415   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to automatically configure the energy conversion device  305  any time an energy source and/or load is added and/or deleted. 
     The processor  322  may execute an energy source addition module  420   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to automatically add an energy source when an energy source is connected to the energy conversion device  305  (block  410   b ). Thereby, an energy conversion device  305  may automatically incorporate a newly connected energy source in accordance with a “plug-and-play” architecture. For example, an energy source may include an energy source characteristic data file stored in, for example, a memory integral in the respective energy source. When the energy source is connected to the energy conversion device  305 , processor  322  may automatically receive the energy source characteristic data file, and the processor  322  may automatically configure the energy conversion device  305  to incorporate the energy source based on the energy source characteristic data. A plug-and-play (PnP) device (e.g., a plug-and-play energy conversion device, a plug-and-play energy source, a plug-and-play energy storage device, a plug-and-play energy load, a plug-and-play energy management system, a plug-and-play, etc.) facilitate discovery of a hardware component in a system without the need for physical device configuration or user intervention in resolving resource conflicts. The term “plug and play” includes a wide variety of applications to which the same lack of user setup applies. Expansion devices (e.g., a plug-and-play energy source, a plug-and-play energy storage device, a plug-and-play energy load, etc.) may be controlled and may exchange data with a host system (e.g., a plug-and-play energy conversion device, a plug-and-play energy management system, a plug-and-play, etc.) through defined memory or I/O space port addresses, direct memory access channels, interrupt request lines and other mechanisms, which may be uniquely associated with a particular device (e.g., a plug-and-play energy conversion device, a plug-and-play energy source, a plug-and-play energy storage device, a plug-and-play energy load, a plug-and-play energy management system, a plug-and-play, etc.) to operate. Some devices may provide unique combinations of these resources to each slot of a motherboard or backplane. Other devices may provide all resources to all slots, and each device may include its own address decoding for registers and/or memory blocks to communicate with a host system. 
     The processor  322  may execute an input specification module  425   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to receive input specification data (block  415   b ). The input specification data may be representative of, for example, energy source output and/or energy conversion device  305  inputs (e.g., voltage ratings, current ratings, frequency ratings, storage capacity, etc.). 
     The processor  322  may execute an energy source deletion module  430   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to automatically delete an energy source from the energy conversion device  305  (block  420   b ). Alternatively, or additionally, a user may manually delete an energy source via the user interface described with regard to block  405   b.    
     The processor  322  may execute a load addition module  435   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to automatically add an energy load when the energy load is connected to the energy conversion device  305  (block  425   b ). Thereby, an energy conversion device  305  may automatically incorporate a newly connected energy load in accordance with a “plug-and-play” architecture. For example, an energy load may include an energy load characteristic data file stored in, for example, a memory integral in the respective energy load. When the energy load is connected to the energy conversion device  305 , processor  322  may automatically receive the energy load characteristic data file, and the processor  322  may automatically configure the energy conversion device  305  to incorporate the energy load based on the energy load characteristic data. A plug-and-play (PnP) device (e.g., a plug-and-play energy conversion device, a plug-and-play energy source, a plug-and-play energy storage device, a plug-and-play energy load, a plug-and-play energy management system, a plug-and-play, etc.) facilitate discovery of a hardware component in a system without the need for physical device configuration or user intervention in resolving resource conflicts. The term “plug and play” includes a wide variety of applications to which the same lack of user setup applies. Expansion devices (e.g., a plug-and-play energy source, a plug-and-play energy storage device, a plug-and-play energy load, etc.) may be controlled and may exchange data with a host system (e.g., a plug-and-play energy conversion device, a plug-and-play energy management system, a plug-and-play, etc.) through defined memory or I/O space port addresses, direct memory access channels, interrupt request lines and other mechanisms, which may be uniquely associated with a particular device (e.g., a plug-and-play energy conversion device, a plug-and-play energy source, a plug-and-play energy storage device, a plug-and-play energy load, a plug-and-play energy management system, a plug-and-play, etc.) to operate. Some devices may provide unique combinations of these resources to each slot of a motherboard or backplane. Other devices may provide all resources to all slots, and each device may include its own address decoding for registers and/or memory blocks to communicate with a host system. 
     The processor  322  may execute a load deletion module  440   a  to, for example, cause the processor to automatically delete an energy load from the energy conversion device  305  (block  430   b ). Alternatively, or additionally, a user may manually delete an energy load via the user interface described with regard to block  405   b.    
     The processor  322  may execute an output specification module  445   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to receive load specification data (block  435   b ). The load specification data may be representative of, for example, energy load input and/or energy conversion device  305  outputs (e.g., voltage ratings, current ratings, frequency ratings, etc.). 
     As described above, the method  400   b  may comprise a program (or module) for execution by an energy apparatus processor  322 . The program (or module) may be embodied in software stored on a tangible (or non-transitory) computer readable storage medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), a floppy disk, a hard drive, a DVD, Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the PED processor. Alternatively, the entire program (or module) and/or parts thereof may be executed by a device other than the energy apparatus processor  322  and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.). Further, although the example program (or module) is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 4B , many other methods of implementing the method  400   b  may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5A , an apparatus  500   a  for managing an energy device  505   a  may include an energy source sensor output acquisition module  515   a,  a health of energy source determination module  520   a,  an energy source bypass module  525   a,  and an output of remaining energy sources adjustment module  530   a  stored on a memory  510   a.  The apparatus  505   a  may be similar to, for example, the workstation  319  of  FIG. 3 . The energy device  500   a  may be similar to, for example, the energy conversion device  305  of  FIG. 3 . 
     While the energy source sensor output acquisition module  515   a,  the health of energy source determination module  520   a,  the energy source bypass module  525   a,  or the output of remaining energy sources adjustment module  530   a  may be stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium  510   a  in the form of computer-readable instructions, any one of, all of, or any sub-combination of the energy source sensor output acquisition module  515   a,  the health of energy source determination module  520   a,  the energy source bypass module  525   a,  or the output of remaining energy sources adjustment module  530   a  may be implemented by hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), firmware (e.g., one or more programmable application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), one or more field programmable logic devices (FPLD), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.), and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Furthermore, the apparatus  505   a  of  FIG. 5A  may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in  FIG. 5A , and/or may include more than one of, any, or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices. 
     Turning to  FIG. 5B , a method for managing an energy apparatus  500   b  may be implemented by, for example, a processor (e.g., processor  322  of  FIG. 3 ) executing a module (e.g., module  324  of  FIG. 3 , or modules  515   a - 530   a  of  FIG. 5A ). In any event, the processor  322  may execute an energy source sensor output acquisition module  515   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to receive energy source sensor output data from a sensor (e.g., sensor  260  of  FIG. 2 , or sensor  315  of  FIG. 3 ) (block  505   b ). The energy source sensor output data may be representative of, for example, energy source output connections and/or characteristics (e.g., energy source primary energy input, energy source output voltage, energy source output current, energy source frequency, energy source pressure, energy source storage capacity, energy source stored energy, etc.). 
     The processor  322  may execute a health of energy source determination module  520   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to determine a health of an energy source based on, for example, the energy source sensor output data (block  510   b ). For example, the processor  322  may receive sensor data associated with a solar panel (e.g., incident light data and output voltage data) and the processor  322  may determine whether the solar panel, or a connection to the solar panel, is malfunctioning based on the sensor data. 
     The processor  322  may execute an energy source bypass module  525   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to bypass an energy source (block  520   b ) when, for example, the processor  322  determines that the energy source is not healthy (block  515   b ). If the processor  322  determines that the energy source is healthy (block  515   b ), the processor may return to block  505   b.    
     The processor  322  may execute an output of remaining energy sources adjustment module  530   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to adjust outputs of remaining energy source(s) (block  525   b ). For example, if the processor  322  bypasses an unhealthy energy source (block  520   b ), the processor  322  may adjust output of at least one remaining, healthy, energy source to account for the energy source that was bypassed. 
     As described above, the method  500   b  may comprise a program (or module) for execution by an energy apparatus processor  322 . The program (or module) may be embodied in software stored on a tangible (or non-transitory) computer readable storage medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), a floppy disk, a hard drive, a DVD, Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the PED processor. Alternatively, the entire program (or module) and/or parts thereof may be executed by a device other than the energy apparatus processor  322  and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.). Further, although the example program (or module) is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 5B , many other methods of implementing the method  500   b  may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6A , an apparatus  605   a  for managing an energy system  600   a  may include an energy source availability data acquisition module  615   a,  a load priority data receiving module  620   a,  a load service determination module  625   a,  and a load connection module  630   a  stored on a memory  510   a.  The apparatus  605   a  may be similar to, for example, the first or second workstations  112 ,  119  of  FIG. 1 , the workstation  219  of  FIG. 2 , or the workstation  319  of  FIG. 3 . The energy system  600   a  may be similar to, for example, the energy system  100  of  FIG. 1 , the energy system  200  of  FIG. 2  or the energy system  300  of  FIG. 3 . 
     While the energy source availability data acquisition module  615   a,  the load priority data receiving module  620   a,  the load service determination module  625   a,  or the load connection module  630   a  may be stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium  610   a  in the form of computer-readable instructions, any one of, all of, or any sub-combination of the energy source availability data acquisition module  615   a,  the load priority data receiving module  620   a,  the load service determination module  625   a,  or the load connection module  630   a  may be implemented by hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), firmware (e.g., one or more programmable application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), one or more field programmable logic devices (FPLD), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.), and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Furthermore, the apparatus  605   a  of  FIG. 6A  may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in  FIG. 6A , and/or may include more than one of, any, or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6B , a method for managing an energy system  600   b  may be implemented by, for example, a processor (e.g., processor  115  of  FIG. 1 ) executing a module (e.g., module  117  of  FIG. 1 , or modules  615   a - 630   a  of  FIG. 6A ). In any event, the processor  115  may execute an energy source availability data acquisition module  615   a  to, for example, cause the processor  115  to acquire energy source availability data (block  605   b ). The energy source availability data may be, for example, representative of whether, or not, a particular energy source is available. The energy source availability data may be received from, for example, an energy source disconnect (e.g., disconnect  135 ,  150 ,  165  of  FIG. 1 ) and/or an sensor (e.g., sensor  260  of  FIG. 2 , or sensor  315  of  FIG. 3 ). 
     The processor  115  may execute a load priority data receiving module  620   a  to, for example, cause the processor  115  to receive load priority data (block  610   b ). The load priority data may be representative of a pre-defined priority of connected energy loads. For example, a residential energy load may include a heating ventilating and air conditioning system load, a light load, a water heater load, a television load, etc. The load priority data may indicate which load(s) will be disconnected in an event that not enough energy is available from available energy sources. 
     The processor  115  may execute a load service determination module  625   a  to, for example, cause the processor  115  to determine which load(s) to serve (block  615   b ). For example, the processor  115  may determine which load(s) to serve based on the energy source availability data and the load priority data. 
     The processor  115  may execute a load connection module  630   a  to, for example, cause the processor  115  to automatically disconnect non-priority load(s) (block  625   b ) connect priority energy load(s) (block  630   b ). For example, the processor may automatically disconnect non-priority load(s) (block  625   b ) connect priority energy load(s) (block  630   b ) based on whether the processor  115  determines whether available energy sources are sufficient (block  620   b ). 
     As a particular example, if the processor  115  determines that a heater load has a highest priority, and the processor  115  determines that only enough energy is available to serve the heater load, the processor  115  may automatically cause all other loads to be disconnected. 
     As described above, the method  600   b  may comprise a program (or module) for execution by an energy apparatus processor  115 . The program (or module) may be embodied in software stored on a tangible (or non-transitory) computer readable storage medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), a floppy disk, a hard drive, a DVD, Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the PED processor. Alternatively, the entire program (or module) and/or parts thereof may be executed by a device other than the energy apparatus processor  115  and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.). Further, although the example program (or module) is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 6B , many other methods of implementing the method  600   b  may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7A , an apparatus  705   a  for managing an energy system  700   a  may include a weather data receiving module  715   a,  an energy source availability prediction module  720   b,  a load prediction module  725   b,  and an energy source output adjustment module  730   a  stored on a memory  510   a.  The apparatus  605   a  may be similar to, for example, the first or second workstations  112 ,  119  of  FIG. 1 , the workstation  219  of  FIG. 2 , or the workstation  319  of  FIG. 3 . The energy system  600   a  may be similar to, for example, the energy system  100  of  FIG. 1 , the energy system  200  of  FIG. 2  or the energy system  300  of  FIG. 3 . 
     While the weather data receiving module  715   a,  the energy source availability prediction module  720   b,  the load prediction module  725   b,  or the energy source output adjustment module  730   a  may be stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium  610   a  in the form of computer-readable instructions, any one of, all of, or any sub-combination of the weather data receiving module  715   a,  the energy source availability prediction module  720   b,  the load prediction module  725   b,  or the energy source output adjustment module  730   a  may be implemented by hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), firmware (e.g., one or more programmable application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), one or more field programmable logic devices (FPLD), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.), and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Furthermore, the apparatus  705   a  of  FIG. 7A  may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in  FIG. 7A , and/or may include more than one of, any, or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7B , a method for managing an energy system  700   b  may be implemented by, for example, a processor (e.g., processor  115  of  FIG. 1 ) executing a module (e.g., module  117  of  FIG. 1 , or modules  715   a - 730   a  of  FIG. 7A ). In any event, the processor  115  may execute a weather data receiving module  715   a  to, for example, cause the processor  115  to receive weather data (block  705   b ). The weather data may be, for example, representative of an actual temperature, a predicted temperature, historical temperature for a given day of a year and time of the day, actual wind, predicted wind, historical wind for a given day of a year and time of the day, actual precipitation, predicted precipitation, historical precipitation for a given day of a year and time of the day, actual cloud/sun, predicted cloud/sun, historical cloud/sun for a given day of a year and time of the day, actual humidity, predicted humidity, historical humidity for a given day of a year and time of the day, actual parametric pressure, predicted parametric pressure, historical parametric pressure for a given day of a year and time of the time, actual UV index, a predicted UV index, historical UV index for a particular day of a year and time of the day, an impending earthquake, etc. 
     The processor  115  may execute an energy source availability prediction module  720   b  to, for example, cause the processor  115  to predict availability of an energy source (block  710   b ). For example, the processor  115  may predict availability of an energy source based on the weather data. As a particular example, the processor  115  may predict availability of energy from a solar panel based on actual cloud/sun data, predicted cloud/sun data, historical cloud/sun data for a particular day of a year and time of the day, or any combination thereof. As another example, the processor  115  may predict availability of energy from a wind turbine based on actual wind data, predicted wind data, historical wind data for a particular day of a year and time of the day, or any combination thereof. 
     The processor  115  may execute a load prediction module  725   b  to, for example, cause the processor  115  to predict an energy load (block  715   b ). For example, the processor  115  may predict an energy load based on the weather data. 
     The processor  115  may execute an energy source output adjustment module  730   a  to, for example, cause the processor  115  to adjust an output of at least one energy source (block  720   b ). For example, the processor  115  may automatically adjust an output of an energy source (block  720   b ) based on whether the processor  115  determines that additional energy is needed (block  720   b ). As a particular example, the processor  115  may automatically adjust an amount of energy to be stored in an energy storage device based on predicted weather. Thereby, the processor  115  may automatically adjust outputs of various energy sources prior to an actual change in weather that would require an adjustment in the future. Predicting future energy source availability and energy loads may increase energy system reliability, reduce energy system costs, avoid energy system outages, avoid energy system overloads, etc. 
     As described above, the method  700   b  may comprise a program (or module) for execution by an energy apparatus processor  115 . The program (or module) may be embodied in software stored on a tangible (or non-transitory) computer readable storage medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), a floppy disk, a hard drive, a DVD, Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the PED processor. Alternatively, the entire program (or module) and/or parts thereof may be executed by a device other than the energy apparatus processor  115  and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.). Further, although the example program (or module) is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 7B , many other methods of implementing the method  700   b  may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8A , an apparatus  800   a  for managing an energy device  805   a  may include an energy source thermal energy/speed data acquisition module  815   a,  a thermal load data receiving module  820   a,  an energy source speed determination module  825   a,  and an energy source speed module  830   a  stored on a memory  510   a.  The apparatus  505   a  may be similar to, for example, the workstation  319  of  FIG. 3 . The energy device  500   a  may be similar to, for example, the energy conversion device  305  of  FIG. 3 . 
     While the energy source thermal energy/speed data acquisition module  815   a,  the thermal load data receiving module  820   a,  the energy source speed determination module  825   a,  or the energy source speed module  830   a  may be stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium  810   a  in the form of computer-readable instructions, any one of, all of, or any sub-combination of the energy source thermal energy/speed data acquisition module  815   a,  the thermal load data receiving module  820   a,  the energy source speed determination module  825   a , or the energy source speed module  830   a  may be implemented by hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), firmware (e.g., one or more programmable application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), one or more field programmable logic devices (FPLD), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.), and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Furthermore, the apparatus  805   a  of  FIG. 8A  may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in  FIG. 8A , and/or may include more than one of, any, or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices. 
     Turning to  FIG. 8B , a method for managing an energy apparatus  800   b  may be implemented by, for example, a processor (e.g., processor  322  of  FIG. 3 ) executing a module (e.g., module  324  of  FIG. 3 , or modules  815   a - 830   a  of  FIG. 8A ). In any event, the processor  322  may execute an energy source thermal energy/speed data acquisition module  815   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to acquire energy source thermal energy/speed data (block  805   b ). The energy source thermal energy/speed data may be, for example, representative of relationship between a speed of rotation of a secondary energy source and an amount of thermal energy produced by the secondary energy source. Alternatively, or additionally, the energy source thermal energy/speed data may be representative of a relationship between an amount of electrical energy produced by an energy source and an amount of thermal energy produced by the energy source. 
     The processor  322  may execute a thermal load data receiving module  820   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to receive thermal load data (block  810   b ). The thermal load data may be representative of an amount of thermal energy required by a particular energy load. For example, the thermal energy data may be derived from a sensor (e.g., sensor  260  of  FIG. 2 , or sensor  315  of  FIG. 3 ). In a particular example, the sensor  260 ,  315  may be a thermostat. 
     The processor  322  may execute an energy source speed determination module  825   a  to, for example, to cause the processor  322  to determine a speed of an energy source (block  815   b ). For example, the processor  322  may determine a speed of a secondary energy source based on energy source thermal energy/speed data and/or thermal load data. The thermal energy may be generated from an exhaust of a prime mover (e.g., an exhaust of an internal combustion engine, an exhaust of a turbine, etc.) and/or from burning a primary energy source. In any event, a heat duct (e.g., a plenum , ductwork, etc.) may be configured to convey the thermal energy to an associated thermal load via, for example, either convection and/or forced air. 
     The processor  322  may execute an energy source speed module  830   a  to, for example, cause the processor  322  to adjust a speed of an energy source (block  825   b ). For example, the processor  322  may adjust a speed of an energy source (block  825   b ) based on whether the processor  322  determines that a speed of an energy source needs to be adjusted (block  520   b ). In a particular example, the processor  322  may adjust a speed of an electrical generator based on whether a thermostat output is indicative of a thermal load requiring more heat (e.g., a house requiring more heat). Any excess electricity may be stored in an associated energy storage device and/or may be used to generate additional heat via, for example, a resistive heater or a electrically driven heat pump. 
     As described above, the method  800   b  may comprise a program (or module) for execution by an energy apparatus processor  322 . The program (or module) may be embodied in software stored on a tangible (or non-transitory) computer readable storage medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), a floppy disk, a hard drive, a DVD, Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the PED processor. Alternatively, the entire program (or module) and/or parts thereof may be executed by a device other than the energy apparatus processor  322  and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.). Further, although the example program (or module) is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 8B , many other methods of implementing the method  800   b  may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , an energy apparatus  900   a,    900   b  may include at least one solar panel  905   a,    905   b  reorientably attached to a mount  910   a,    910   b  via a pivot mechanism  915   b.  As illustrated in  FIG. 9B , the solar panel  905   a,    905   b  may rotate  916   b,  may tilt  917   b , and/or may pan  918   b  about the pivot mechanism  915   b.  The pivot mechanism may include an actuating mechanism such that the solar panel  905   a,    905   b  may be automatically reoriented via an associated control apparatus (e.g., first or second workstations  112 ,  119  of  FIG. 1 , workstation  219  of  FIG. 2 , or workstation  319  of  FIG. 3 ). The energy apparatus  900   a,    900   b  may be, for example, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/880,578, entitled SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM WITH MONOCOQUE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, filed Oct. 12, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference thereto. 
     Turning to  FIG. 10A , an apparatus  1005   a  for managing an energy device  1000   a  may include a sun position data receiving module  1015   a,  a solar panel orientation data receiving module  1020   a,  a solar panel orientation adjustment needed determination module  1025   a,  and a solar panel orientation adjustment module  1030   a  stored on a memory  510   a.  The apparatus  605   a  may be similar to, for example, the first or second workstations  112 ,  119  of  FIG. 1 , the workstation  219  of  FIG. 2 , or the workstation  319  of  FIG. 3 . The energy system  600   a  may be similar to, for example, the energy system  100  of  FIG. 1 , the energy system  200  of  FIG. 2  or the energy system  300  of  FIG. 3 . 
     While the sun position data receiving module  1015   a,  the solar panel orientation data receiving module  1020   a,  the solar panel orientation adjustment needed determination module  1025   a,  or the solar panel orientation adjustment module  1030   a  may be stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium  1010   a  in the form of computer-readable instructions, any one of, all of, or any sub-combination of the sun position data receiving module  1015   a,  the solar panel orientation data receiving module  1020   a,  the solar panel orientation adjustment needed determination module  1025   a,  or the solar panel orientation adjustment module  1030   a  may be implemented by hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), firmware (e.g., one or more programmable application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), one or more field programmable logic devices (FPLD), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.), and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Furthermore, the apparatus  1005   a  of  FIG. 10A  may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in  FIG. 10A , and/or may include more than one of, any, or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10B , a method for managing an energy apparatus  1000   b  may be implemented by, for example, a processor (e.g., processor  115  of  FIG. 1 ) executing a module (e.g., module  117  of  FIG. 1 , or modules  1015   a - 1030   a  of  FIG. 10A ). In any event, the processor  115  may execute a sun position data receiving module  1015   a  to, for example, cause the processor  115  to receive sun position data (block  1005   b ). While the sun position data may be representative of a current position of the sun relative to an associated solar panel (e.g., solar panel  905   a,    905   b  of  FIGS. 9A and 9B ), the sun position data may, alternatively, be representative of a position of a highest concentration of solar energy radiating from the sun. For example, while the sun may be located in a particular position, clouds may be blocking a portion of the solar energy radiating from the sun, thus, the sun position data may be representative of a position having less cloud cover. Similarly, the actual position of the sun may be in a location that produces both direct radiation and reflected radiation (e.g., reflected radiation from water, reflected radiation from mirrors, reflected radiation from snow, reflection from a pond, reflected radiation from other structures, etc.), accordingly, the sun position data may be representative of a location that experiences a maximum of direct radiation plus reflected radiation. The processor  115  may receive the sun position data from, for example, a sensor (e.g., sensor  260  of  FIG. 2  or sensor  315  of  FIG. 3 ). 
     The processor  115  may execute a solar panel orientation data receiving module  1020   a  to, for example, cause the processor to receive solar panel orientation data (block  1010   b ). The solar orientation data may be, for example, representative of an orientation of at least one solar panel relative to the sun position data. The processor  115  may receive the solar panel orientation data from, for example, a sensor (e.g., sensor  260  of  FIG. 2  or sensor  315  of  FIG. 3 ) incorporated into, for example, a pivot mechanism (e.g., pivot mechanism  915   b  of  FIG. 9B ). 
     The processor  115  may execute a solar panel orientation adjustment needed determination module  1025   a  to, for example, cause the processor to determine whether solar panel orientation adjustment is needed (block  1015   b ). For example, the processor  115  may determine whether solar panel orientation adjustment is needed based on the sun position data and the solar panel orientation data (block  1020   b ). 
     The processor  115  may execute a solar panel orientation adjustment module  1030   a  to, for example, cause the processor to automatically adjust an orientation of at least one solar panel (block  1025   b ). For example, the processor  115  may automatically transmit a control signal to a pivot mechanism (e.g., pivot mechanism  915   b  of  FIG. 9B ) in response to determining that at least one solar panel orientation adjustment is needed based on the sun position data and the solar panel orientation data (block  1020   b ). 
     As described above, the method  1000   b  may comprise a program (or module) for execution by an energy apparatus processor  115 . The program (or module) may be embodied in software stored on a tangible (or non-transitory) computer readable storage medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), a floppy disk, a hard drive, a DVD, Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the PED processor. Alternatively, the entire program (or module) and/or parts thereof may be executed by a device other than the energy apparatus processor  115  and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware (e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.). Further, although the example program (or module) is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 10B , many other methods of implementing the method  1000   b  may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. 
     Numerous modifications to the apparatuses, systems, and methods disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the preferred mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims are reserved.