SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAME

Inventors: Andrew G. Byrnes

Adam Kell

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional application Serial No.

62/233,105 filed September 25, 2015, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to managing electrical power and, more particularly, to managing electrical power to a load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCAD A) systems for monitoring the performance of distributed energy generation systems are known, as are software programs for processing that data and converting it into formats visible in a digital user interface. Further, systems for monitoring and remote operational control of electrical loads connected to an electrical power transmission grid are known in the energy efficiency and demand side management industry, as are software programs to prioritize access to an electrical power transmission grid based on select, predefined conditions. In addition, systems for controlling access of electrical loads to a limited energy source in the automotive and aircraft industries are known. See, for example, US Patent No. 8,694,180.

[0004] The disadvantage of the foregoing systems is that communicating the data collected from distributed energy generation systems to a centralized location is achieved by a radio device capable of communicating directly with mobile telecommunications networks, which leads to high system costs and data transfer costs. In addition, prioritization of electrical loads to sources and the sizing of those sources based on data collected from the distributed energy generation system does not take into account usage patterns and performance trends of the electrical sources and loads on a given system nor how those patterns change over time. Further, in the case of established energy efficiency and demand side management industry technologies, it is assumed that the electrical loads are connected to an electrical power transmission grid capable of suppling more energy than could be consumed by all electrical loads connected to the grid operating simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] A brief description of the drawings is provided below to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. These drawings depict only several examples in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

[0006] FIG. 1 is an overview schematic block diagram of one embodiment of system components and associated data paths of the present invention

[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram and one embodiment of system components and associated data paths of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the embedded monitoring and control system of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an embedded monitoring and control system for use with a variable power supply and a plurality of electrical loads.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the embedded monitoring and control system of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description and depicted in the drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other examples may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the aspects of the present disclosure as generally described herein and illustrated in the figures. Apparatuses, devices, components and electronic circuits of the invention can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are implicitly contemplated herein.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus use with at least one electrical load and an energy device to provide electrical energy to at least one electrical load can be provided. The apparatus can measure at least one variable relevant to the energy device, the electrical load or both, and can control the supply of electrical energy from the energy device to the at least one electrical load as a function of the at least one variable.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, an embedded monitoring and control apparatus for use with an energy device can be provided. The apparatus can monitor one or more variables associated with the energy device. In one embodiment, the apparatus can monitor performance of the device, time of use of the device or any combination of the foregoing. The apparatus can restrict the energy device from providing electrical energy to one or more electrical loads as a function of the variable.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the performance of an energy generation device or supply is monitored, as well as usage patterns of electrical loads connected to the energy generation device. The monitored performance can include the amount, timing and conditions of electrical power generated by the device. In one embodiment, the electrical loads and their access to the available energy delivered by the energy generation device are prioritized. In one embodiment, such prioritization involves delaying or disconnecting an electrical load to such hardware or device until sufficient energy is available. In one embodiment, such prioritization is performed by a software-based decision matrix that can continuously adjust such prioritizations to usage and power consumption patterns of the electrical loads connected to the device. In one embodiment, the field is residential and commercial electricity service. In one embodiment, the energy generation device is a solar generator.

[0015] The embodiments of the invention set forth below are examples of the invention, and may in some instances be broader than the foregoing embodiments of the invention but are not intended to limit the breadth of any of the foregoing embodiments or the breadth of the invention. Additional features of the invention set forth in such embodiments below are optional. A feature of any embodiment set forth below can be combined with any of the foregoing embodiments, with or without any other feature of any embodiment set forth below. All characteristics, steps, parameters and features of any method, process, apparatus, device or system described below are not limited to any specific embodiment set forth below, but instead are equally applicable to the foregoing embodiments of the invention and to all embodiments of the invention. Broad terms and descriptors are replaced in some instances with more specific terms and descriptors, not to limit a disclosure to a specific term or descriptor but merely for ease of discussion and understanding.

[0016] As used herein, an energy device can include but is not limited to a power source, an energy source, an electrical power source, a power supply, an energy generation device, generation hardware a storage device, a variable electric power source and a source. As used herein, a variable electrical power source can include but is not limited to heat and fire powered generators, photovoltaic ceils, solar cells, solar-powered electricity generating devices, wind-powered electricity generating devices, generators utilizing flowing water or kinetic motion and fuel cells. In one embodiment, an energy source and a variable electrical power source include a residential electrical power source, that is an electrical power source that can be utilized in a residence and including but not limited to photovoltaic cells, solar ceils, solar-powered electricity generating devices, fuel cells, batteries and other portable energy storage devices. In one embodiment, an energy device and a variable electrical power source include a portable electrical power source, that is an electrical power source that is compact, transportable by a single human and powered by fire, heat, wind or the sun. As used herein, an electrical load can include but is not limited to stationary electronic devices, air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, appliances, household appliances, a residential device that utilizes electrical energy, heaters, water heaters, portable electronic devices, portable electronic communications device, electronic devices, mobile phones or devices,

smartphones, tablets, computers, laptop computers and notebooks. Certain examples of electronic circuits, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCAD A) systems, and power management methods for monitoring and controlling distributed energy systems and electrical loads are described herein.

[0017] One simplified embodiment of the invention, including a high-level overview of certain components for operation and to demonstrate the purpose of a mobile phone or other communication relay in a system of the invention, is shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated therein, a monitoring, control, and communications system 100 is provided that collects performance and usage data from one or more power supplies, power sources or other energy device(s) 104. The collected data 105 can be relayed by a suitable communications relay 102 to a central data collection and processing point 101. In one embodiment, the communications relay 102 is any suitable wireless communication technology, such as a mobile phone or device, and the processing point is any suitable computing device such as a computer or server 101. The computing device 101 can provide information and/or actionable directives 109 back to a user via a digital interface 108 associated with the communication relay 102. In one embodiment, the power supply, storage device or other energy device 104 is a distributed energy supply or device 104 and the time of use and power or other output data from the distributed energy supply or device 104 can be collected and recorded via an energy monitoring and control system (EMCS) or circuitry that can be carried by, coupled to or embedded in the energy device 104. The EMCS can relay the collected and stored data 105 by any suitable means, such as a suitable wireless communication technology, to a mobile phone or other communication or computing device 102, which can sometimes be referred to herein as a relay or communication relay 102. Information 106 is sent from the relay 102 to a central data collection or storage in processing point 101, which as discussed above can be a computer or server, via wireless or other communication technologies provided in relay 102. Information and actionable commands 106 can be sent from the computing device or server

101 to the relay 102, which information and action commands can be optionally displayed by the digital interface 108 associated with the relay 102 and delivered to the EMCS. Such information and action commands 105 can be processed by the EMCS into direct control of the distributed energy supply or device 104. In one embodiment, information regarding payment 107 can be sent from the communication relay 102 to a financial institution or payment methodology, which can sometimes be referred to herein as a bank 103.

Information from the bank can then be sent to the server 101 via the communication relay

102 or other conventional communication path not described in 100.

[0018] In one embodiment, direct and automated monitoring and control of stand-alone electronic or other energy systems in a remote setting are provided without the need for in- person or grid-connected interaction. For example, in one embodiment the performance monitoring and tracking of any suitable energy device, such as an electrical power source or supply, information about the energy device delivered from and to a user of any suitable electronic device via a communication relay, remote switching and enable/disable functionality of the energy device and other control actions with respect to the energy device can be provided. Uses can range from data collection from an energy device, enable/disable control of an energy device, financing of an energy device, and responsive services for distributed power and storage devices, televisions, radios, air conditioners, lights, computers, and other electronic devices or devices that include electronic components. Further, the cost for operations and maintenance activities on a distributed generator, an energy storage component or other electrical or energy device can be simplified and reduced, which for example can contribute to reductions in lifecycle costs for stand-alone energy systems.

Access of electrical loads to a power supply or other energy device for access to the energy available from the power supply or other energy device can be prioritized to ensure continued safe operation of the power supply or other energy device and electrical loads during operation and changing energy availability from the power supply or other energy device and usage characteristics of the electrical loads.

[0019] In one embodiment, the electrical and communications system of the invention can include a mobile phone or other suitable communications relay 201, an electrical or other energy device 202 such as a power generator or supply with an embedded or other EMCS coupled to the communications relay, and a server or other suitable computer 203. The EMCS can be included on the same printed circuit board as the components of the energy device 202 or may be separate from the energy device with electrical connections to specified components in the energy device. Communication relay 201 can be of any suitable type and can include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, a laptop computer, a notebook or any combination of the foregoing. Energy device 202 can be of any suitable type and can include an electrical power source, a variable electrical power source, a portable electrical power source, heat and fire powered generators, photovoltaic cells, solar cells, solar-powered electricity generating solar devices, wind-powered electricity generating devices, generators utilizing flowing water or kinetic motion, fuel cells or any combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, energy device 202 can be of the type disclosed in U.S. Publication No. US-2015-0253800, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

[0020] The mobile phone, which can also be referred to as a communications relay, relay, satellite phone or communications device, in one embodiment is a user or service provided wireless communication device. The energy device can include any device with an electrical component, any power source and any power supply. The EMCS, which can also be referred to as a data collector, data tracker, electronic sensor, sensor network, monitoring circuitry or circuitry, in one embodiment is an electronic circuit that monitors and stores specific performance information of the energy device and can be capable of providing near-field communication capabilities for the relay of information between the energy device and the mobile phone or other communications relay. The server or other computer, which can also be referred to as a backend server, a remote server, the cloud or a computer, in one embodiment is a device capable of receiving and processing data from the mobile phone or other communications relay and delivering that same data or other information back to the communications relay or to other data receivers.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, the energy device 202 can be a distributed power generator, for example a solar panel or charger. The EMCS or monitoring circuitry can continually monitor and store one or more variables relevant to the electrical power source or other energy device, for example power output levels from the solar panel or other energy device, time of use, and other characteristics of a solar panel or other energy device, and can send the information via near-field communication technologies like Bluetooth or any other suitable means to the mobile phone or other communications relay. In one embodiment, the variable being monitored can include time, time permitted for the energy device to provide electrical energy to at least one electric load, time of use of the energy device for providing electrical energy to at least one electric load, the amount of electrical energy generated by the energy device, the amount of an electrical characteristic of the energy device over time, a variable of the electrical power source relative to electrical energy provided by the electrical power source to the electrical load or any combination of the foregoing. The electrical energy provided by the energy device to the at least one electrical load can be utilized for example to charge a battery of the electrical load, to power the electrical load or for any other suitable purpose. Desirable characteristics of the EMCS can include accurate measurements of power generation characteristics over time, solid-state data storage for reliability, robustness in outdoor environments, near-field wireless communication capabilities and the ability to interact with one or more phone or other communication relay types, an energy storage component for continuous operation, electronic enable/disable switching capability based on information received from the communications relay, the ability to transform collected performance and usage data into simplified alphanumeric codes to be readily and affordably transferred via wireless communication systems and networks or any combination of the foregoing. [0022] Suitable components of one embodiment the EMCS or monitoring circuitry of the invention are illustrated in FIG. 3. The electrical or customer load 302 can be of any suitable type and can include stationary electronic devices, air conditioners, refrigerators, water heaters, portable electronics, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, computers, laptop computers, notebooks or any combination of the foregoing. The EMCS 320, which can also be referred to or include monitoring circuitry, manages power delivery from a power supply or other suitable energy device 301 to load 302, as well as data collection sensors or circuitry 321 and 322 and communication components 325, 326, and 327. in one embodiment, the EMCS can include connector circuitry adapted for coupling the electrical power source or other energy device 301 to one or more electric loads 302, which can be referred to as a customer load. The connector circuitry can be part of the monitoring circuitry. In one embodiment, the monitoring circuitry can measure a variable relevant to the energy device 301, for example any of the variables disclosed herein, and restrict the energy device 301 from providing electrical energy to the at least one electric load as a function of the variable. FIG. 3 includes several examples of monitoring circuits within the monitoring circuitry, for example a sensor or circuit 322 for monitoring time of use and a sensor or circuit 321 for monitoring power provided by the energy device 301. The EMCS 320 also includes suitable power electronic circuits 323 for appropriate conditioning of the power generated by an electrical power source or performance monitoring circuitry, in one embodiment, the power electronic circuit can be of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. US-2015-012548, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by this reference. In one embodiment, the monitoring circuitry can include at least one switch 324, for disconnecting the electrical power source from the at least one electric load based on a data signal received by a receiver 327 from an external source 304 via a communication relay 303. The external source 301 can be, for example computer or server 203 or computer or server 101. in one embodiment, the communication relay 303 may be integrated into the EMCS 320. The connector circuitry can include a connector (not shown) for removably or temporarily connecting the EMCS to the electrical load 302.

[0023] In one embodiment, the monitoring circuitry 320 can be configured to electrically or digitally couple to a mobile phone or other communication relay 303 to permit remote analysis of the variable and remote control of the at least one switch or other circuit 324. Such analysis can be performed by the external source or server 304, for example by a processor in the server, by the mobile phone or other communication relay 303, or by a combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, the monitoring circuitry includes a transmitter 326 and receiver 327 for wireless electrical coupling to the mobile phone or other communication relay 303 so as to permit remote analysis of the variable and remote control of the switch or other circuit 324. In one embodiment, the transmitter 326 and receiver 327 can be a near-field communication transmitter and receiver, such as a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver, for communicating with the mobile phone or other communication relay 303. In one embodiment, the monitoring circuitry can be electrically coupled to the mobile phone or other communication relay 303 by a connector, wire or a combination of the foregoing.

[0024] In one embodiment, the EMCS or monitoring circuitry 320 includes suitable circuits and/or electronic components, such as circuitry 321 and 322, for analyzing a variable of the energy device 301 and controlling the at least one switch or other circuit 324 to the at least one electrical load 302. In one embodiment, monitoring circuitry 320 can include a processor (not shown) that can be electrically coupled to some or all of the other circuitry in circuitry 320, including circuitry 321, 322, 323 and 324, for performing calculations and analysis based upon inputs from certain of the circuit components in circuitry 320 and providing outputs to certain of the circuit components in circuitry 320. In one embodiment, the monitoring circuitry based on such analysis causes the at least one switch or other circuit 324 to restrict the electrical power source or other energy device 301 from providing electrical energy to the electric load 302. In one embodiment, upon payment by the user, for example by means of the user's mobile phone, and communication of such payment to the server 304, the server instructs the communication relay 303 to communicate with the connector or monitoring circuitry 320, for example the at least one switch or other circuit 324, so as to authorize the connector or monitoring circuitry to permit the electrical power source or other energy device 301 to provide electrical energy to the electric load 302.

[0025] The mobile phone or other communication relay 303, via short message service or any other appropriate technology, can send the information to the external server 304 and other recipients as required or desired. In one embodiment, time of use and power output information pertaining to the electrical power source or other energy device 301 is sent by the mobile phone or other communication device 303 to the server 304 while financial information is relayed by the mobile phone or other communication device 303 to a mobile payment or mobile money account of the user, for example at bank 103. [0026] FIG. 2 illustrates the information and service paths between different components in one embodiment of the invention. The server or computer 203 can process information 226 received from the mobile phone or other communication relay 201 and other applicable servers, like information 226 from a bank server or other suitable computer 205, and provide information or actionable instructions (225 and 220) to one or multiple recipients. In one embodiment, the server 203 receives the information 225 from the communication relay 201 concerning a charge characteristics or other variable of the energy device 202 along with payment information 226 from a mobile money account, bank account, or other payment method 204 associated with the user. Such payment, for example by payment method 204, can be to an account of the user at bank server 205. The method of payment can be of any suitable type and can include currency or available mobile minutes in the user's account. Payment method 204 can be of any suitable type, for example an application run on a computing device. In one embodiment, payment method 204 is a downloadable application that can be utilized by a mobile device, such as communication relay 201, and communicates with computer or server 205.

[0027] In one embodiment, the server 203 may receive a null or insufficient payment signal 226 from the payment method 204 of the user. The server 203 may then send an actionable instruction 225 to the communication relay 201 , which then sends an instruction 220 for the EMCS to switch the generator or other energy device 202 into the off or disabled position or otherwise restrict the energy device 202 from providing electrical energy to an electrical load 250, which information can then be relayed to the EMCS and the action undertaken by the EMCS. The embodiment of the EMCS or monitoring circuitry 320 in FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the data path for such an actionable item.

[0028] In one embodiment, a user of a communication relay 201 , for example a mobile phone or other portable electronic device, can make a payment by means of a downloadable application stored on such device. The payment can be of any suitable type such as cash, any currency, a credit or debit payment, mobile minutes or any other online transferable currency. The payment can be communicated by the device 201 to the server 203, which can store other software of the invention, or to a bank server 205 which can then communicate payment information 226 to the server 203. Upon receipt and acceptance of such payment, and any other personal or other information required from the user of by system or software of the invention, the server 203 can signal device 201 to communicate with the monitoring circuitry or EMCS, for example monitoring circuitry 320, to permit the energy device 202 or 301 to provide electrical energy to the electric load 302. In one embodiment, the monitoring circuitry or EMCS can be embedded in the electric load, carried by the electric load or electrically coupled to the electric load. In one embodiment, the electric load can be mobile phone or other communication relay 201 , or another electric device, for example any of the electric loads disclosed herein. The monitoring circuitry can monitor or track any variable relevant to the energy device 202 or 301, for example time of use of the electrical power source or the amount of electrical energy provided by the energy device to the electric load or any of the variables disclosed herein, and when such variable reaches a predetermined or certain amount terminate the energy device 202 or 301 from providing electrical energy to the electric load. Such comparison of the variable to a predetermined or certain amount can occur in the monitoring circuitry or EMCS, in software of the invention stored on the mobile phone or other communication relay 201, in software of the invention stored on server 203 or in software or firmware of the invention stored elsewhere. Upon cessation of the energy device 202 or 301 providing electrical energy to the electric load, the user of the device 201 can make another payment to buy additional usage of the energy device 202 or 301.

[0029] In one embodiment, server 203 may send information to one or multiple recipients relating to the operating characteristics or variable of the electrical power source or other energy device 202. Examples of such recipients are O&M Services 207 in FIG. 2. Such operation and management services 207 can includes sales services 208 and other ancillary services 209 such as recommendations for repair and replacement of the energy device 202 and recommendations to increase the operational performance of the energy device 202.

[0030] In one embodiment, an embedded monitoring and control apparatus for use with an energy device can be provided. The apparatus can monitor one or more variables associated with the energy device. In one embodiment, the apparatus can monitor performance of the device, time of use of the device or any combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, the apparatus can track specific electrical performance information of the energy device. The apparatus can optionally include a data translator to convert the collected data into simplified alphanumeric code for wireless communications, a communication component to send and receive information from a mobile phone or other communication relay, one of more electrical switches to control operating characteristics of the energy device or any combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, the apparatus can restrict the energy device from providing electrical energy to one or more electrical loads as a function of the variable. In one embodiment, the apparatus can further include a timer for delayed delivery of instructions to the energy device. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a battery or other energy storage device to permit power-independent operation of the apparatus.

[0031] In one embodiment, a monitoring, control, and communications apparatus and system is provided that can collect performance and usage data from one or more electronic loads connected to a power system or other energy device. The apparatus can relay that data to a computer wirelessly or by any other suitable means, and can provide information and/or directives back to a user or the energy device. In one embodiment, the system can include any energy device such as any device with an electronic component, a monitoring, communication, and control circuit electrically attached to the energy device to collect operating information from the device and relay the information to a communication relay such as a mobile device, and a server or computer to collect and process the information received from the mobile device or other communication relay. In one embodiment, the system can include a data connection between the server or computer and a specified bank account or other financial account of the user of the energy device. In one embodiment, the system can include a data connection to an operations and maintenance service network, which network may send information to and from the mobile device or other communication relay.

[0032] In the event that the electrical energy from the power system or other energy device becomes limited, for example when the power level of the energy device is variable over time, there may come a time when the power demands of the one or multiple electrical loads connected to the energy device exceed the maximum level of power available from the energy device. In such an event, not all of the electrical loads may be able to draw power from the energy device without exceeding such maximum level, which may lead to supply instability and damage to the energy device, and one or more of the electrical loads or both the energy device and one or more of the electrical loads. In one embodiment, the apparatus can prioritize each of the one or more electrical loads and limit power to the electrical loads in accordance with such prioritization.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, a system 401 is provided and can include a power supply or other energy device 402 for providing electrical energy to a plurality of distinct electrical loads 403, 404 and 405. The energy device 402 can be of any suitable type, as discussed above, and in one embodiment is a variable electric power source 402. Such variable electric power source can be of any suitable type, including of any of the variable electric power sources disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the variable electric power source is a solar power supply. Each of the electrical loads can be of any type, include any of the electrical loads disclosed herein. In one embodiment, system 401 is in a residential setting and each of the electrical loads is a residential electrical load. In one embodiment, an EMCS 406 is provided and includes circuitry or other logic for monitoring variables of the energy device 402, any or all of the electrical loads 403, 404 and 405 or both. For example, EMCS 406 can monitor and collect power consumption characteristics of the one or more electrical loads (403, 404, 405), the energy device 402 or both. The monitored and collected power consumption characteristics can include the operational voltage and/or current of energy device 402, for example instantaneously or over time; the performance history of the energy device; the operational voltage and/or current of each of the plurality of electrical loads; variability in the level of operational voltage and/or current draw of each of the plurality of electrical loads; the number of times each of the plurality of electrical loads is consuming power in a given time period, such as times per day or times per month; the time of day of use of each of the plurality of electrical loads; the duration of use of each of the plurality of electrical loads; and other traits that aid in defining a power consumption pattern of each of the electrical loads in relation to the operational characteristics of the energy device 402.

[0034] The EMCS of the invention can assign prioritization tags to each of the plurality of electrical loads, which prioritization determines which of the plurality of electrical loads will have access to the energy source in place of other loads or in place of a portion of the power demands of other loads. In one embodiment, such prioritization can be determined by an algorithm as a function of one or more of the monitored power consumption characteristics or other variables. In one embodiment, for example, an electrical load that operates relatively continuously in a residential setting, such as an air conditioner, heater or refrigerator, may have a lower prioritization than an electrical that is utilized on demand and occasionally, such as a hair dryer. In one embodiment, certain electrical loads that may be predetermined or classified by the user to be more essential in daily life and thus have a higher priority than electrical loads consider less essential on a daily basis. In one embodiment, an electrical load classified as an essential system load can have priority access to the power supply or other energy device over other loads coupled to the energy device. The conditions defining an essential load may change over time, as defined by the EMCS 406, server 407 or any combination of the two, for example based on above described consumption characteristics or other monitored and collected variables. In one embodiment, user input can be considered in the prioritization of the plurality of electrical loads.

[0035] Some or all of the foregoing analysis can be performed from any suitable computing device coupled to EMCS, for example a computer or server 407 coupled to EMCS 406 and located local or remote to EMCS 406. The computing device 407 and EMCS 406 can communicate in any suitable manner, for example by an electrical connection or wirelessly. The computing device can include, for example in addition to the server, a mobile device such as a smartphone. The mobile device can include an interface such as a downloadable application, which can be utilized by the mobile device.

[0036] EMCS 406 can be of any suitable type, one embodiment of which is illustrated in FIG. 5. EMCS 460 includes circuitry or connector circuitry 411 for coupling to the electrical power source or other energ ' device 402 at source connection 412 and to each of the plurality of electrical loads 403, 404 and 405 at load connections 413. Although EMCS is shown for use with three electrical loads, any number of electrical loads can be utilized. In one embodiment, the connector circuitry 41 1 can include a sensor circuit 416 for monitoring one or more variables relative to the energy device, including any of the variables described herein with respect to an energy device. Sensor circuit 416 can sometimes be referred to herein as a first sensor circuit, a sensor or a first sensor. In one embodiment, the connector circuitry 41 1 can include a plurality of sensor circuits 417 for monitoring one or more second variables of the respective electrical load, including any of the variables described herein with respect to an electrical load. Sensor circuit 417 can sometimes be referred to herein as a second sensor circuit, a sensor or a second sensor. In one embodiment, the connector circuitry 411 can include a plurality of control circuits 421 for controlling power from the energy device 402 to the respective electrical load 403, 404 and 405. In one embodiment, EMCS 406, and connector circuitry 411, can include a processor 423 electrically coupled to sensor circuit 416 and to each of sensor circuits 417. The processor 423 can be configured or programmed, for example by firmware or software, to perform any or all of the prioritization, comparison and other analysis and run all algorithms described herein with respect to system 401 or the invention. In one embodiment, processor 423 can analyze one or more first variables relative to energy device 402 obtained from first sensor circuit 416 and one or more second variables for each of the electrical loads obtained from the respective second sensor circuits 417. in one embodiment, the processor instructs or directs the control circuits 421 to selectively control the electrical energy from the energy source 402 to each of the respective electrical loads as a function of one or more first variables, one or more second variables for each or any of the electrical loads, any other variable or any combination of the foregoing. As part of this process, and as described herein, the processor 423 can prioritize each of the electrical loads for receiving electrical energy from the energy device 402.

[0037] In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the power available from power supply or other energy device 402, shown to be 100 watts, may be insufficient to meet the combined demands of the electrical loads 403, 404, and 405, respectively shown to be 50 watts, 40 watts and 60 watts. In one example of operation, EMCS 406, the server 407 or any combination of the two assigns a prioritization ranking to electrical load 405 over electrical load 404, and to such loads over load 403, based on an algorithm for example of the type described above. Hence, power from device 402 is directed first to electrical load 405, then to electrical load 404 if available, and then to electrical load 403 if available. In another example of operation, the power available from the power supply or other energy device 402 is sufficient to meet the load demands of electrical loads 405 and 404, but not electrical load 403, and as electrical loads 405 and 404 are prioritized ahead of electrical load 403 for electricity access, energy from the energy device 402 is delivered to load 405 and load 404 but not to load 403 which is not allowed access to the energy device 402 through the EMCS 406.

[0038] In another example of operation of embodiment 401, the power available from the power supply or other energy device 402 is sufficient only to meet the full electrical demand of a single electrical load 405 and the partial electrical demand of electrical load 404. In the case where EMCS 406, server 047 or any combination of the two assigns prioritization ranking to load 405 over load 404, and then again over load 403, and as the power available in the energy device 402 is sufficient to meet the full electrical demand of load 405 but not the full electrical demand of load 404 and load 403, but is sufficient to meet a partial electrical demand of load 404, energy from the energy device 402 is delivered through the EMCS 406 to the full demand of load 405 and a partial demand of load 404, with the EMCS 406 prohibiting electricity delivery to load 403. In this manner the maximum amount of power available from the energy device 402 is delivered at a given point in time to the prioritized electrical loads.

[0039] In one embodiment, an electrical load may be a battery or other energy storage device, which stored energy can be dispatched to other electrical loads associated with the system at a later time as prioritized by the invention. Hence, for example, such battery can store energy provided to it by power supply 402, as directed by EMCS 406 and/or server 407, and later be directed to provide energy to other electrical loads in the system. In one embodiment, a battery or other energy storage device can be defined as an electrical power supply or energy device 402 for providing electrical energy to the electrical loads in system 401.

[0040] It is appreciated that the monitoring and control device of the present invention can be other than circuitry or include other than circuitry. For example, the device can include a computer or processor programmed to accomplish some or all of the features of the EMCS described herein. The computer or processor can be programmed with firmware, software, both or in any other suitable manner.

[0041] In one embodiment, an apparatus use with at least one electrical load and an energy device to provide electrical energy to at least one electrical load is provided and can include monitoring circuitry for measuring a variable relevant to the energy device and connector circuitry adapted for coupling the energy device to the at least one electrical load, the monitoring circuitry including a circuit for restricting the energy device from providing electrical energy to the at least one electrical load as a function of the variable.

[0042] The variable measured by the monitoring circuit can include time, time permitted for the energy device to provide electrical energy to the at least one electrical load, time of use of the energy device for providing electrical energy to the at least one electrical load, the amount of electrical energy generated by the energy device and the amount of an electrical characteristic of the energy device over time. The energy device can be an electrical power source, a variable electrical power source, a portable electrical power sourced, an energy generation device, a power supply or any combination of the foregoing. The variable electrical power source can be a heat and fire powered generator, a photovoltaic cell, a solar cell, a solar-powered electricity generating device, a wind-powered electricity generating device, a generator utilizing flowing water or kinetic motion, a fuel cell or any combination of the foregoing. The monitoring circuitry can include a circuit for disconnecting the energy device from the at least one electrical load. The monitoring circuitry can include at least one switch for disconnecting the energy device from the at least one electrical load. The apparatus can further include the energy device coupled to the monitoring circuitry. The apparatus can further include a connector electrically coupled to the connector circuitry, the connector being configured to electrically couple to the at least one electrical load. The monitoring circuitry can include performance monitoring circuitry for monitoring an operating characteristic of the energy device. The monitoring circuitry can include circuitry for monitoring characteristics such as solid-state data storage of the energy device, robustness characteristics of the energy device in outdoor environments, wireless communication capabilities of the monitoring circuitry, the ability of the monitoring circuitry to interact with one or more phone types, an energy storage component for continuous operation, electronic enable/disable switching capability of the circuit based on information received from the at least one electric load, the ability of the monitoring circuitry to transform collected performance and usage data into simplified alphanumeric codes to be readily and affordably transferred via wireless communication systems and networks or any combination of the foregoing. The monitoring circuitry can be configured to electrically couple to a portable electronic device so as to permit remote analysis of the variable and remote control of the monitoring circuitry. The monitoring circuitry can include a transmitter and receiver for wireless electrical coupling to a portable electronic device so as to permit remote analysis of the variable and remote control of the monitoring circuitry. The transmitter and receiver can be a near-field communication transmitter and receiver.

[0043] In one embodiment, a system to provide electrical energy to at least one electrical load is provided and can include an energy device, connector circuitry adapted to couple the electrical power source to the at least one electrical load, a server, a portable electronic device configured to communicate with the connector circuitry and the server, the portable electronic device being configured to receive payment from a user and transmit payment information to the server, the server having a processor for analyzing the payment information and instructing the portable electronic device to communicate with the connector circuitry so as to authorize the connector circuitry to permit the energy device to provide electrical energy to the at least one electrical load.

[0044] The system can further include monitoring circuitry for measuring a variable relevant to the energy device, the monitoring circuitry being configured to restrict the energy device from providing electrical energy to the at least one electrical load as a function of the variable. The variable measured by the monitoring circuitry can be time, time permitted for the energy device to provide electrical energy to the at least one electrical load, time of use of the energy device for providing electrical energy to the at least one electrical load, the amount of electrical energy generated by the energy device, the amount of an electrical characteristic of the energy device over time or any combination of the foregoing, The monitoring circuitry can include at least one switch for disconnecting the energy device from the at least one electrical load. The energy device can be a variable electrical power source. The variable electrical power source can be a heat and fire powered generator, a photovoltaic cell, a solar cell, a solar-powered electricity generating device, a wind-powered electricity generating device, a generators utilizing flowing water or kinetic motion, a fuel cell or any combination of the foregoing. The portable electronic device can be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a portable electronic communications device, a tablet, a computer, a laptop computer, a notebook or any combination of the foregoing.

[0045] In one embodiment, a method for allocating electrical energy from an electrical power source to an electrical load is provided and can include monitoring a variable of the electrical power source relative to electrical energy provided by the electrical power source to the electrical load, receiving a payment from the user of the electrical load and allocating additional electrical energy from the electrical power source to the electrical load in response to the payment.

[0046] The electrical power source can be a portable electrical power source. The electrical load can be a portable electronic communications device. The receiving step can include receiving a payment from the user of the electrical load by means of a portable electronic communications device.

[0047] In one embodiment, an apparatus for allocating electrical energy from an electrical power source to a plurality of electrical loads is provided and can include connector circuitry adapted to couple the electrical power source to each of the plurality of electrical loads, the connector circuitry including a first sensor circuit for monitoring at least one first variable relative to the electrical power source and a plurality of second sensor circuits for respectively monitoring at least one second variable for each of the plurality of electrical loads, the connector circuitry including a plurality of control circuits for respectively controlling power from the electrical power source to each of the plurality of electrical loads, a processor electrically coupled to the first sensor circuit and to the plurality of second sensor circuits for analyzing the at least one first variable relative to the electrical power source and the at least one second variable for each of the plurality of electrical loads, the processor electrically coupled to the plurality of control circuits for selectively controlling the electrical energy from the electrical power supply to each of the plurality of electrical loads as a function of at least some of the at least one first variable and the at least one second variable for each of the plurality of electrical loads.

[0048] The processor can be configured to assign a prioritization ranking to each of the plurality of electrical loads as a function of the at least one second variable for each of the plurality of electrical loads and directs the plurality of control circuits to selectively control the electrical energy from the electrical power supply to each of the plurality of electrical loads as a function of the prioritization rankings. The processor can be configured to change the prioritization ranking of each of the plurality of electrical loads over time as a function of at least some of the at least one first variable and the at least one second variable for each of the plurality of electrical loads. The at least one first variable relative to the electrical power source can be the operational voltage of the electrical power source, the operational current of the electrical power source, the performance history of the electrical power source, an electrical characteristic of the electrical power source, the variance of an electrical characteristic of the electrical power source over time, a variable characteristic of electrical power source or any combination of the foregoing. The at least one second variable for each of the plurality of electrical loads can be a change in the energy consumption of the electrical load, time of usage characteristics of the electrical load, the operational voltage of the electrical load, the operational current of the electrical load, variability in the level of operational voltage of the electrical load, variability in the level of operational current draw of the electrical load; the number of times the electrical load is consuming power in a given time period such as times per day or times per month, the time of day of use of the electrical load, the duration of use of the electrical load, traits that aid in defining a power consumption pattern of the electrical load in relation to the operational characteristics of the electrical power source or any combination of the foregoing.

[0049] In one embodiment, a method for allocating electrical energy from an electrical power source to a plurality of electrical loads is provided and can include comprising monitoring at least one first variable relative to the electrical power source, monitoring at least one second variable for each of the plurality of electrical loads and allocating electrical energy from the electrical power supply to each of the plurality of electrical loads as a function of at least some of the at least one first variable and the at least one second variable for each of the plurality of electrical loads.

[0050] The electrical power source can be a residential electric power source. The allocating step can include assigning a prioritization ranking to each of the plurality of electrical loads as a function of the at least one second variable for each of the plurality of electrical loads.

[0051] As can be seen from the foregoing, long distance communication of data collected by SCADA systems via mobile phones or smartphone applications, automated data analysis and processing and conversion to digital operations and maintenance directives via a mobile phone or smartphone application, and prioritization of electrical loads to a distributed energy source of limited capacity or size, based on the capacity and operational status of the source and usage patterns of the electrical loads, is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, it is possible to deliver operations and maintenance information via a digital interface to ensure continued reliable operation and appropriate sizing of the source, and to size an electrical source based specifically on the energy consumption patterns of electrical loads connected to the source, prioritizing access to the source based on load usage patterns and power characteristics.