Inventors:
Alexander Montgomery Barnett - Cedar Hill TX, US
International Classification:
G01R 22/00
Abstract:
A energy optimization system and method is disclosed that permits energy consumers to minimize their energy costs by purchasing energy on the “spot market” at times wherein the cost of such energy is minimal (or alternatively, at times wherein the cost of such energy has not spiked to abnormally high levels). The invention utilizes information from a load constraint database in conjunction with information on the anticipated spot market energy price to determine when and how long to activate customer power loads. The present invention anticipates that power line frequency monitoring and/or the use of communication to the power providers will provide the necessary information to anticipate the spot market energy price for the desired cost reduction optimization to occur as desired. The present invention is equally applicable to a variety of energy sources, including but not limited to electricity, natural gas, and/or fuel oil.