Patent ID: 7873441

Claim:
A intelligent load controller for managing use of a consumable resource at an associated load, comprising: a load resource measuring component for measuring the rate of use of the resource by the associated load, including measuring at least one of an instantaneous usage rate and a usage rate over an integration period; a load status component for receiving load status data for the associated load; a communication component for exchanging messages with other associated controllers, including at least one higher-level, group controller for a load group that includes this load controller and at least one other controller; a memory for storing a load operating plan specifying two or more load operating levels associated with achieving user objectives for different portions of a defined time period and a load control goal set specifying two or more maximum usage rate goals for different portions of a defined time period; and a load control computer program responsive to the load resource measuring component, the load status component, the messages exchanged with other associated controllers, the load operating plan and the load control goal set, to determine a load operating level for, and provide control commands to, the associated load, the determination of the load operating level including both upward adjustments of the load operating level relative to the load operating plan when the higher-level, group controller communicates an available resource usage rate, and downward adjustments of the load operating level relative to the load operating plan to achieve usage rate goals of the load control goal set or when the higher-level, group controller seeks to reduce a usage rate of the load group that includes this controller.