Patent Description:
A typical home in the UK will use over <NUM>% of its entire annual energy supplied to it, to provide heating and hot water to that home. Most homes in the UK also currently utilise gas central heating. When gas is not available or preferable, most homes would then generally opt for an electric solution. However, the current power demand levels for electrically heated homes is too great for current battery technology to cope, and a typical electric heating solution would drain the stored energy in a battery very quickly. The addition an electric hot water system only worsens the speed at which the battery would be drained of its energy.

Currently, heating systems can be timed to switch on and off several time a day. Those times usually coincide with a typical morning and evening peak energy demand on the grid, which occurs every day. This creates a problem for electricity generation companies because the energy demand peaks will vary in magnitude and it is difficult to simply turn on and off electricity generators to match these peaks.

It is known that solar panels can be placed onto the roof of a property and in so doing be used to generate electricity for that property. It is also known that some solar panels can be linked to a battery such that they can charge the battery during the day and release the stored energy overnight.

At present, most solar panels are being used to feed electricity into the grid, for which the owner of the panel or panels is paid, such that the grid is less reliant on fossil fuels during the day.

The owner of the solar panels who also would also own a battery will find that once the battery is charged, the excess energy is also being fed into the grid and not being used by the property. The ability for an average homeowner to achieve energy independence has been hampered because of the power required to heat a home or to heat hot water all year round and the limitations of the available battery technology used to release energy when required.

Most central heating systems rely on convection to distribute heat. Electric heating devices such as radiators, convectors and other heat exchangers are well known and are used for domestic and commercial heating purposes. Electric radiators generally comprise an element through which electricity flows to generate infra-red radiation/heat. Infrared panels rely on radiation, which makes them an efficient heating system in some circumstances. Rather than heating the air via convection, an infrared panel delivers heat directly to the occupants and furnishings of the room. A person sitting in front of an infrared heating panel will feel warm, even if the air around them is still relatively cold. This can mean that in certain circumstances, much less electricity is required to be used than if the entire volume of the property in which the panels are located has to be heated, in order for the occupants to feel comfortable.

<CIT> discloses an energy management system having power storage apparatus, which can include photovoltaic means, which charges and discharges power using a storage battery. Control apparatus communicates with the power storage apparatus and storage battery.

<CIT> discloses a photovoltaic system including at least one photovoltaic module, an inverter and a control unit. The photovoltaic module can supply power to a battery. The control unit can adjust power to a first electrical consumer in such a way that little or no electrical power is fed into an electricity network.

<CIT> discloses a system that allows regulation of an alternative energy source that is decoupled from a power grid. Excess power supply from the alternative energy source is stored in the energy storage device without releasing electrical power from the alternative energy source to the power grid.

<CIT> discloses an electric heating system comprising a plurality of electric heaters, each heater having a control unit that allows communication with at least one other heater control unit of the heating system. The electric heating system allows pulsing of electricity between the heaters of the heating system.

<CIT> discloses an energy management system including energy consuming devices and energy control means for controlling the supply of energy to the energy consuming devices. The control means are arranged to calculate the amount of energy each energy consuming device is using and predict the amount of energy it will need in future. The control means are arranged to obtain the predicted amount of energy required for the energy consuming devices.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved energy management system which overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using an improved energy management system which overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an energy management system arranged for use with a building or property according to claim <NUM>.

Further typically, said electric central heating system includes one or more electric heating devices. In one embodiment, said electric heating devices include one or more infrared heating panels.

Thus, the system of the present invention solves the above problems by permitting an electric central heating system and/or an electric hot water system to exist within the power confines of a solar panel and power cell/battery combination, whilst still being able to provide sufficient power to the building or property in which the system is located such that direct connection of that building or property to the national grid is negated or at the very least substantially reduced.

In one embodiment, said building or property is a residential building. In other embodiments, said building may be a commercial property.

The control means is provided to enable energy delivered to the one or more heating elements or other appliances to be phased or pulsed over a predetermined period of time, in use. Typically, said period of time may be a <NUM>-hour period. For example, energy allocation may be spread and distributed across a number of said heating elements or other appliances based on their predicted usage. Thus, during one period in, for example, a day, a first heating element or appliance may be used on a regular basis and so the control means is able to direct power/energy to that element/appliance. During periods of non-use, power/energy to that element/appliance is restricted, and redirected to other elements/appliances throughout the property which are now being used. The ability of the control means to phase or pulse the energy which is delivered, ensures that system can spread the load/power consumption of the building or property across the course of a day, which consequently avoids draining the power cell/battery and also avoids having surplus energy that would otherwise be stored by the power cell from being wasted or returned to the grid.

Consequently, a system according to the present invention would result in a smaller, flatter energy demand across <NUM> hours in a day, which is easier to plan for, and importantly permits a battery or power cell to run, for example, the central heating system and/or hot water system of a property.

In one embodiment, said control means is provided to monitor and control the activation and usage of the one or more heating elements or appliances, and associated circuitry within the property.

Typically, said one or more appliances may be monitored via the provision of one or more smart sockets or plugs arranged to be in communication with the control means.

In one embodiment, the control means is arranged to monitor the usage of the one or more heating elements or appliances. and compare the same to one or more properties of the system. Typically, such properties may include: battery/power cell capacity, available battery/power cell capacity, charging status and rate, and the time of day etc. Typically, the amount, degree and time of usage of the one or more heating elements or other appliances may also be monitored by the control means.

Preferably, the control means, upon assessing usage timings and patterns etc. of the one or more heating elements or other appliances, is arranged to determine which of the elements or appliances can be switched off/deactivated for a period of time to reduce overall energy consumption of the building or property. Thus, the overall load on the system can be reduced, thereby improving the life of the battery/power cell.

Typically, said control means includes computing means. In one embodiment, said control means includes a user interface. Typically, said user interface comprises display means and a user input means.

In one embodiment, said user interface permits a user to assume manual control of the system and customise system settings as desired.

In one embodiment, the computing means of the control means includes and runs a machine learning algorithm, provided to assess usage timings and patterns etc. of the one or more heating elements or other appliances and subsequently determine and/or predict the energy requirements throughout the property over the course of a period of time. Typically, said period of time may be a day. In other embodiments, the period of time may be a week, and the algorithm and consequently the system learns to recognize energy usage patterns on each day throughout the week. For example, energy usage within the property may have a relatively consistent profile over the course of the weekdays, and then a differing energy usage profile over the weekend, wherein a user is more likely to have prolonged period within the property during the day.

In one embodiment, said system, via the control means, is in communication with a central server located remotely of the property via the internet, mobile network, or the like.

Typically, said machine learning algorithm and/or other software associated with the system, may be updated via communication with said central server.

Typically, said control means is provided to monitor and assess charge levels in the power cell/battery and determine when to access power from the main grid to charge the power cell/battery. For example, such a feature would be implemented during periods of reduced, restricted or limited light where it may not be possible for the one or more solar panels to provide the required energy levels to the system.

In one embodiment, the system further includes one or more switch and/or monitoring units. Typically, said one or more switch and/or monitoring units are provided associated with one or more specific points or regions of the system. Further typically, said one or more switch and/or monitoring units are provided associated with the one or more solar panels, one or more power cells, one or more heating elements or appliances of the system and/or a connection to the main grid.

Preferably, said one or more switch and/or monitoring units are in direct communication with the control means. Typically, said one or more switch and/or monitoring units include one or more sensors located therein, arranged to monitor and detect energy flow and/or temperature information, and relay said information to the control means, in use.

In one embodiment, said one or more switch and/or monitoring units include mechanical, electrical and/or other switching capabilities which are arranged to be used, via communication with the control means, to isolate, restrict, activate/deactivate the points/regions of the system with which they are located.

In one embodiment, said one or more switch and/or monitoring units include may include a user interface, including display means. Typically, the user interface may further include user input means.

In another embodiment, the system may be arranged to be connected with other such systems located with nearby buildings or properties. Typically, such connection creates a localized, substantially off-grid network. In one embodiment, the connection of multiple systems permits connected properties to buy and/or sell surplus energy to one another, further reducing dependency on the main grid.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using an energy management system according to claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the control means, assesses usage timings and patterns etc. of the one or more heating elements or appliances, and subsequently determines which of the elements or appliances can be switched off/deactivated for a period of time to reduce overall energy consumption of the building or property.

In one embodiment, said control means monitors and assesses charge levels in the power cell/battery and determines when to access power from the main grid to charge the power cell/battery, if required.

In one embodiment, the system further includes one or more switch and/or monitoring units provided associated with one or more specific points or regions of the system, and which are in direct communication with the control means. Typically, said one or more switch and/or monitoring units are provided associated with the one or more solar panels, the one or more power cells, the one or more heating elements or appliances of the system and/or a connection to the main grid and which are in direct communication with the control means.

Typically, said one or more switch and/or monitoring units include one or more sensors located therein which in use monitor and detect energy flow and/or temperature information, and relay said information to the control means.

In one embodiment, said one or more switch and/or monitoring units include mechanical, electrical and/or other switching capabilities which isolate, restrict, activate/deactivate the points/regions of the system with which they are located, via communication with the control means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
<FIG> illustrates a schematic of an energy management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to <FIG>, the invention provides an energy management system <NUM> provided for location throughout a building or property, which enables the building to collect, store and use its own energy supply partially or completely independently from the main grid <NUM> in a greatly improved and more efficient manner that that which has been previously available, although a connection to the main grid <NUM> is still provided for in stances where additional power is required. The building may be a residential property or in some embodiments the system can be used in a commercial property. The system <NUM> includes one or more solar panels <NUM> provided to capture solar energy and transfer the same for storage in one or more power cells or batteries <NUM> provided. One or more heating elements or other appliances are provided throughout the property and connected to the battery <NUM>, enabling stored energy to be transferred to the elements or appliances for their use / consumption. The system <NUM> is also connected with the property's fuse box/consumer unit <NUM> and inverter <NUM>. The heating elements can be provided as an electric central heating system <NUM> comprising one or more electric heating devices <NUM>, or an electric hot water system <NUM>. In particular, the electric heating devices <NUM> are preferably provided as a number of infrared heating panels located throughout the property. Further, other household appliances may also be connected to the system <NUM> for use, via the provision of one or more smart sockets or plugs <NUM>. There may be some circuits/appliances <NUM> within the property which are not connected with or monitored by the system <NUM> and are thus separate from the system and may connect to the main grid <NUM> via the fuse box <NUM>.

The system <NUM> further includes control means in the form of an intelligent controller <NUM> and in some embodiments additionally one or more remote monitoring intelligent switches <NUM>, which are provided but not limited to monitor energy flow, storage and battery capacity within the system <NUM>, monitor energy usage throughout the system <NUM>, and determine, based on the energy storage levels in/capacity of the battery <NUM> and the current and predicted usage of the same, how best to allocate and/or distribute energy to the various components and elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> throughout the system <NUM>. The assessment of the various aspects of the system <NUM> and subsequent decision-making process by the controller <NUM> as to how future energy usage, allocation and/or distribution of energy to the various elements of the system <NUM> is achieved via the incorporation of a machine learning algorithm. Over time and as the system <NUM> is used by persons within the property, the algorithm learns and adapts to the usage patterns of those within the property, becoming better able to predict the energy requirements throughout the property over the course of a period of time, for example, a day, week etc. Further, the system <NUM>, via the controller <NUM>, may connect via the internet, mobile network or the like to a central server located remotely of the property, wherein the software and base algorithm of the system <NUM> may be updated periodically, without direct manual input. Each update will include metrics based on increased available data received over time which equates to an "average" user profile, which in most cases will provide the machine learning algorithm with a more accurate base from which to start, therefore requiring fewer adaptations and less time to predict and arrive at a profile which matches the specific user(s) within a property.

The system <NUM> therefore, provides a greatly improved degree of energy efficiency of a property in which it is located, by permitting an electric central heating system <NUM> and/or an electric hot water system <NUM> to exist within the power confines of a solar panel or panels <NUM> and battery <NUM> combination, whilst still being able to provide sufficient power to the building or property in which the system <NUM> is located such that direct connection of that building or property to the national grid <NUM> is negated or at the very least substantially reduced. This efficiency only improves over time as the machine learning algorithm forming part of the system <NUM> learns and adapts to the specific energy needs/profile of the user(s) within that property.

The controller <NUM> is arranged to control the delivery of energy/electricity to and from the battery <NUM>, and consequently, the property and various appliances/heating components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> therein. This can be more efficiently achieved via the provision of one or more of the intelligent switches <NUM>, which may monitor specific points/regions of the system <NUM> and communicate directly with the controller <NUM>, via wired connection or wirelessly. The switches <NUM> include on board sensors which monitor and relay energy flow information to the controller <NUM>. Further information such as temperature, frequency etc. may also be relayed in some embodiments. The switches further include mechanical, electrical and/or other switching capabilities which may be utilised, via communication with the controller <NUM>, to isolate, restrict, activate/deactivate the points/regions of the system <NUM> with which they are located. The controller <NUM> further serves to enable energy to be delivered to the heating system <NUM>, hot water system <NUM>, or other appliances <NUM> to be phased or pulsed over a prolonged period of time, for example, a day. The controller <NUM> ensures energy allocation may be spread and distributed across a number of the various elements or appliances <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> based on their predicted usage. Thus, during a first period of time in a day, a first element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be used regularly at that time of day and so the intelligent controller <NUM> is able to direct power/energy to that element/appliance <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. During periods of non-use, power/energy to that element/appliance <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is restricted, and redirected to other elements/appliances throughout the property, which may now be required to be used. This can repeat for the various heating elements and appliances <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> throughout the day. The ability of the intelligent controller <NUM> to phase or pulse the energy which is delivered, ensures that system <NUM> can optimally spread the load/power consumption of the property across the course of a day, which consequently avoids draining the battery <NUM> and also avoids having surplus energy that would otherwise be stored by the battery <NUM> from being wasted or returned to the grid <NUM>. Further, the system <NUM> is specifically geared to ensure power delivery does not exceed the power availability from the battery <NUM>. Consequently, a system <NUM> according to the present invention would result in a smaller, flatter energy demand across <NUM> hours in a day, which is easier to plan for, and importantly permits the battery <NUM> to run the central heating system <NUM> and/or the hot water system <NUM> of property unaided either permanently or for sustained periods of time.

The controller <NUM> monitors and controls the activation and usage of the elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> located throughout the property, and their associated circuitry. The appliances can be monitored via smart sockets or plugs <NUM> which are provided. Additionally, the controller <NUM>, in use, monitors the amount, degree and time of usage of the elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and compares that usage to one or more properties of the system, such as the total battery capacity, available battery capacity, battery charging status and rate, and the time of day etc. This then allows the controller <NUM> to determine how and where to allocate/distribute energy for required / prioritized elements to be used. Upon assessing usage timings and patterns etc. of the various elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> the controller <NUM> can then determine which of those elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be switched off/deactivated for a period of time to reduce the overall energy consumption of the system <NUM> within the property. Thus, the overall load on the system can be reduced, which serves also to improve the overall life of the battery <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is also provided to monitor and assess the charge levels within the battery <NUM> and determine, when required, to access power from the main grid <NUM> to charge the battery <NUM>. For example, this could be implemented during periods of reduced, restricted or limited light where it may not be possible for the solar panels <NUM> located with the property to capture and subsequently provide the required energy levels to the battery <NUM> and thus the system <NUM>.

The intelligent controller <NUM> is provided with a user interface, which includes a display screen <NUM> and a user input portion, which can be provided as a number of buttons/keys <NUM>, or the display screen <NUM> itself can be provided to be a touch screen enabling user interaction. In other embodiments, the controller <NUM> can be Wi-Fi enabled and/or provided with other or additional wireless connection capabilities, such as Bluetooth®, LTE and other radio-based capabilities, and be accessed/controlled by a user via personal mobile device, computer and/or a mobile or desktop application therefor. The interface enables the user to assume manual control of the system <NUM> and customise system settings as they choose. It also enables access to engineers or service personnel should the system require servicing, maintenance or repair both locally on-site, and remotely.

Claim 1:
An energy management system (<NUM>) arranged for use with a building or property, said system including:
one or more heating elements or appliances located throughout said building or property and including an electrical central heating system (<NUM>) and/or an electric hot water system (<NUM>);
one or more solar panels (<NUM>) fitted with the property; and
one or more power cells (<NUM>) in communication with said one or more heating elements or appliances, and said one or more power cells (<NUM>), arranged to receive and store energy from the one or more solar panels (<NUM>), and distribute the same to the one or more heating elements or appliances,
wherein the system further includes control means (<NUM>) arranged to:
monitor energy storage and capacity of the one or more power cells (<NUM>) within the system (<NUM>);
monitor energy usage throughout the system (<NUM>); and
determine, based on the energy storage/capacity and current and predicted usage, how best to allocate and/or distribute energy throughout the system (<NUM>), in use; and wherein said control means (<NUM>) is further provided to enable energy delivered to the one or more heating elements or other appliances via the one or more power cells (<NUM>) to be phased or pulsed over a predetermined period of time, in use, so as to avoid draining the one or more power cells (<NUM>) of energy.