Patent ID: 8600571

Claim:
An energy optimization system for optimizing energy use by a facility and/or a building, the system comprising: an energy storage device having at least one energy storage characteristic; an optimizer; an energy cost forecaster connected to the optimizer, the energy cost forecaster configured to provide forecast rate information about energy received from different energy sources for a particular duration; and a load forecaster connected to the optimizer, wherein the load forecaster forecasts the load of the facility and/or the building, at least in part, using a weather forecast for an area near the facility and/or the building; a first mechanism for moving energy between a renewable energy source, an electrical grid, a facility and/or building load and the energy storage device; a second mechanism for moving energy between the electrical grid, the energy storage device and the facility and/or building load; and wherein the optimizer is for coordinating the movement of energy through one or more lines by controlling the first mechanism to move amounts and kinds of energy between the renewable energy source, the electrical grid, the energy storage device and the load and for controlling the second mechanism to move amounts and kinds of energy between the electrical grid, the energy storage device and the facility and/or building load and wherein the optimizer controls the first mechanism and the second mechanism based on a criterion or criteria including the at least one energy storage characteristic of the energy storage device, the forecast rate information, and the forecast load of the facility and/or building.