System and method for controlling generation over an integrated wireless network

Abstract

An intelligent network demand control system provides a system and method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system. The intelligent network demand control system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to meters and appliances residing at a plurality of customer premises. Control room operators instruct a customer premises (CP) energy management controller to implement a reduction in system demand. A demand reduction control signal is relayed out to a predefined group of transceivers to bring their respective controlled generators on line. The predefined transceivers, identified by their identification codes, are specified in the demand reduction control signal. When the transceivers bring the generators on line in response to a broadcasted demand reduction control signal, the actual demand reduction is metered and relayed back to the CP energy management controller. The total demand reduction is aggregated into a single number and then communicated to the operators.

Now, therefore, the following is claimed:  
     
         1 . A system which controls appliances comprising: 
 at least one appliance controller unit, the appliance controller unit coupled to at least one generator; and    an energy management controller configured to communicate with the appliance controller unit such that a demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller is communicated to the appliance controller unit so that the generator coupled to the appliance controller unit is started such that the generator outputs electrical power.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of appliance controller units, each one of the plurality of appliance controller units coupled to at least one generator such that the demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller is communicated to the plurality of appliance controller units so that the generators coupled to the appliance controller units are started such that the generators output electrical power.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 an appliance controller unit memory residing in each one of the plurality of appliance controller units, the appliance controller unit memory configured to have a unique identification code identifying the appliance controller unit; and    an energy management controller memory residing in the energy management controller, the energy management controller memory having a database identifying each one of the plurality of appliance controller units and the associated unique identification code such that the demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller is selectively communicated to selected ones of the plurality of appliance controller units.    
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising logic residing in the energy management controller memory configured to select at least one unique appliance controller unit identification code such that when the demand reduction control signal is generated the selected ones of the plurality of appliance controller units are identified by the appliance controller unit identification code.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a transceiver coupled to a meter detecting an output of the generator such that the transceiver transmits the metered generator output to the energy management controller.    
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising; 
 an interface coupled to the energy management controller and configured to interface with a communication network such that the generated demand reduction control signal is communicated to the communication network; and    a site controller, the site controller configured to interface with the communication network such that the generated demand reduction control signal is received from the communication network, and further configured to generate a broadcast demand reduction control signal that is communicated to the appliance controller unit.    
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the communication network is a public switched telephone network.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the communication network is a utility legacy communication system.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the communication network is a digital communication system.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the communication network is a radio frequency (RF) communication system.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the communication network is an Internet network.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an appliance controller unit memory residing in the appliance controller unit, the appliance controller unit memory configured to have logic that compares a unique identification code identifying the appliance controller unit with an identification code residing in the demand reduction control signal, such that when the appliance controller unit unique identification code corresponds to the demand reduction control signal identification code, the generator coupled to the appliance controller unit is started such that the generator outputs electrical power.  
     
     
         13 . A method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller;    transmitting the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to at least one of a plurality of appliance control units, each one of the plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one generator;    starting the generator coupled to the appliance control unit in response to receiving the demand reduction control signal;    metering a first change in demand at a plurality of meters configured to detect an output from the generators; and    determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the metered first change in demand at the plurality of meters.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units;    selecting a plurality of identification codes such that selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units are selected; and    receiving the generated demand reduction control signal by the selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units perform the step of starting each one of the generators coupled to the selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of communicating the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to the at least one of a plurality of appliance control units through a communication network.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the communication network is a public switched telephone network.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the communication network is a utility legacy communication system.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the communication network is a digital communication system.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the communication network is a radio frequency (RF) communication system.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the communication network is an Internet network.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of receiving by the energy management controller a demand reduction instruction from operators of the energy delivery system such that the step of generating the demand reduction control signal is made in response to the received demand reduction instruction.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a demand reduction instruction;    determining a difference between the determined first aggregate change in demand with the demand reduction instruction;    generating a second demand reduction control signal;    transmitting the second demand reduction control signal to a second plurality of appliance control units, each one of the second plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one generator;    starting at least one of the generators coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units in response to receiving the second demand reduction control signal;    metering a second change in demand at the plurality of meters; and    determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling the sum of the metered second change in demand at the plurality of meters.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of the second plurality of appliance control units such that the second aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the demand reduction instruction.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 selecting at least one of the plurality of appliance control units; and    transmitting the generated demand reduction control signal to the selected appliance control units such that the generators coupled to the selected appliance control units are started.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 generating a terminating signal; and    transmitting the terminating signal from the energy management controller to the plurality of appliance control units such that the demand reduction control signal is ended.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of: 
 metering a second change in demand at each one of the plurality of meters after the demand reduction control signal is ended;    determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling the sum of the metered second change in demand at each one of the plurality of meters; and    comparing the second aggregate change of demand with an aggregate metered demand determined before the demand reduction control signal is ended.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of a second plurality of appliance control units;    generating a second demand reduction control signal;    transmitting the second demand reduction control signal to the second plurality of appliance control units, each one of the second plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one generator; and    starting each one of the generators coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units in response to receiving the second demand reduction control signal such that a third aggregate change in demand substantially equals a difference between the second aggregate change of demand and the aggregate metered demand determined before the demand reduction control signal is ended.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units;    selecting a plurality of identification codes to define a first demand reduction load block; and    associating the selected identification codes with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code selected perform the step of starting at least one of the generators coupled to the appliance control unit.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of: 
 defining a generation block identification code such that the generation block identification code corresponds to the selected unique identification codes; and    associating the generation block identification code with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the load block identification code perform the step of starting each one of the generators coupled to the appliance control unit.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the steps of: 
 defining a plurality of generation block identification codes, each one of the generation block identification codes corresponding to the selected unique group of identification codes, such that a plurality of demand reduction generation blocks are defined;    estimating an aggregate amount of demand reduction for each of the plurality of demand reduction generation blocks;    receiving a demand reduction instruction specifying a desired aggregate demand reduction; and    selecting at least one of the plurality of demand reduction generation blocks such that the estimated amount of demand reduction for the selected demand reduction generation blocks approximately equals the desired aggregate demand reduction specified by the demand reduction control signal    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the steps of: 
 metering an aggregate change in demand after the demand reduction control signal is transmitted to the plurality of appliance control units;    determining a difference between the aggregate metered change in demand and the specified desired aggregate demand reduction;    selecting at least one second demand reduction generation block such that the sum of the estimated aggregate amount of demand reduction associated with the selected second demand reduction load block substantially equals the determined difference; and    generating a second demand reduction control signal such that when the second demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the second demand reduction generation block perform the step of starting each one of the generators coupled to the appliance control unit.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of transmitting to the energy management controller an acknowledgment signal from each one of the appliance control units that successfully started its respective generator.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 generating a notification control signal by the energy management controller, the generation of the notification control signal occurring before the step of generating the demand reduction control signal by a predefined amount of time;    transmitting the notification control signal from the energy management controller to at least one of the plurality of appliance control units;    receiving the notification control signal by the at least one appliance control unit; and    generating a notification communication signal by the at least one appliance control unit such that a customer understands that the step of starting the generator will occur at a future time, the future time substantially corresponding to the predefined amount of time.    
     
     
         34 . A system for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, comprising: 
 means for generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller;    means for transmitting the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to at least one of a plurality of appliance control units, each one of the plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one generator;    means for generating an on-line control signal in response to receiving the demand reduction control signal;    means for starting the generator coupled to the appliance control unit in response to receiving the on-line control signal;    means for metering a first change in an output of the generators; and    means for determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the metered first change in output of the plurality of generators.    
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 means for assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units; and    means for selecting a plurality of identification codes such that selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units are selected.    
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising means for communicating the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to the at least one of a plurality of appliance control units through a communication network.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising means for receiving by the energy management controller a demand reduction instruction from operators of an energy delivery system such that the step of generating the demand reduction control signal is made in response to the received demand reduction instruction.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 means for receiving a demand reduction instruction, the demand reduction instruction having at least a requested amount of demand reduction;    means for determining a difference between the determined first aggregate change in demand with the requested amount of demand reduction;    means for generating a second demand reduction control signal;    means for transmitting the second demand reduction control signal to a second plurality of appliance control units, each one of the second plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one generator;    means for starting at least one of the generators coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units in response to receiving the second demand reduction control signal;    means for metering a second change in demand corresponding to the output of the generators; and    means for determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling the sum of the metered second change in demand.    
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , further comprising means for selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of the second plurality of appliance control units such that the second aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the demand reduction instruction selecting the number of appliance control units to be members of the second plurality of appliance control units such that the second aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the requested amount of demand reduction.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 means for selecting at least one of the plurality of appliance control units; and    means for transmitting the generated demand reduction control signal to the selected appliance control units such that the generators coupled to the selected appliance control units are started.    
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 means for generating a terminating signal; and    means for transmitting the terminating signal from the energy management controller to the plurality of appliance control units such that the on-line control signal is ended.    
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 means for assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units;    means for selecting a plurality of identification codes to define a first generation block; and    means for associating the selected identification codes with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code selected perform the step of starting at least one of the generators coupled to the appliance control unit.    
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 means for defining a generation identification code such that the generation block identification code corresponds to the selected unique identification codes; and    means for associating the generation block identification code with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the generation block identification code perform the step of starting each one of the generators coupled to the appliance control unit.    
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , further comprising: 
 means for defining a plurality of generation block identification codes, each one of the generation block identification codes corresponding to the selected unique group of identification codes, such that a plurality of generation load blocks are defined;    means for estimating an aggregate amount of demand reduction for each of the plurality of generation load blocks;    means for receiving a demand reduction instruction specifying a desired aggregate demand reduction; and    means for selecting at least one of the plurality of generation load blocks such that the estimated aggregate amount of demand reduction for the selected generation load blocks approximately equals the desired aggregate demand reduction specified by the demand reduction control signal.    
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44 , further comprising: 
 means for metering an aggregate change in demand after the demand reduction control signal is transmitted to the plurality of appliance control units;    means for determining a difference between the aggregate metered change in demand and the specified desired aggregate demand reduction;    means for selecting at least one second generation load block such that the sum of the estimated aggregate amount of demand reduction associated with the selected second generation load block substantially equals the determined difference; and    means for generating a second demand reduction control signal such that when the second demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the second generation load block perform the step of starting each one of the generators coupled to the appliance control unit.    
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising means for transmitting to the energy management controller an acknowledgment signal from each one of the appliance control units that successfully started its respective generator.  
     
     
         47 . A system for controlling demand in an energy delivery system comprising: 
 an energy management controller configured to communicate with a plurality of appliance controller units, the appliance controller unit coupled to at least one generator and identified by a unique identification code; and    an energy management controller memory residing in the energy management controller, the energy management controller memory having a database identifying each one of the plurality of appliance controller units and the associated unique identification code, such that a demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller is selectively communicated to selected ones of the plurality of appliance controller units so that generators coupled to the selected appliance controller units are started.    
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47 , further comprising logic residing in the energy management controller memory configured to select at least one unique appliance controller unit identification code such that when the demand reduction control signal is generated the selected ones of the plurality of appliance controller units are identified by the appliance controller unit identification code.  
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 47 , further comprising a means for receiving an instruction from components residing in an energy delivery system control center, the instruction receiving means coupled to the energy management controller such that the demand reduction control signal is generated when the instruction is received.  
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 47 , further comprising an interface coupled to the energy management controller and configured to interface with a communication network such that the generated demand reduction control signal is communicated to the communication network.  
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the communication network is a public switched telephone network.  
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the communication network is a utility legacy communication system.  
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the communication network is a digital communication system.  
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the communication network is a radio frequency (RF) communication system.  
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the communication network is an Internet network.  
     
     
         56 . A computer-readable medium having a program for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, the program comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller so that the demand reduction control signal is transmitted from the energy management controller to at least one of a plurality of appliance control units, each one of the plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one generator and configured to start the generator coupled to the appliance control unit in response to receiving the demand reduction control signal, and so that a first metered change in demand is received from a plurality of meters, each one of the meters coupled to the generator; and    determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the metered first change in demand at the plurality of meters.    
     
     
         57 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 56 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of receiving a demand reduction instruction from operators of the energy delivery system such that the step of generating the demand reduction control signal is made in response to the received demand reduction instruction.  
     
     
         58 . The computer readable medium of  claim 56 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 determining a difference between the determined first aggregate change in demand with a requested amount of demand reduction;    generating a second demand reduction control signal so that the second demand reduction control signal is transmitted to a second plurality of appliance control units, each one of the second plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one generator so that the generators coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units are started in response to receiving the second demand reduction control signal, and so that a second metered change in demand is received from a plurality of second meters, each one of the second meters coupled to started generators; and    determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling the sum of the metered second change in demand at the plurality of second meters.    
     
     
         59 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 58 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of the second plurality of appliance control units such that the second aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the requested amount of demand reduction.  
     
     
         60 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 56 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units;    selecting a plurality of identification codes to define a first generation load block; and    associating the selected identification codes with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code selected start the generator coupled to the appliance control unit.    
     
     
         61 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 60 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 defining a generation block identification code such that the generation block identification code corresponds to the selected unique identification codes; and    associating the generation block identification code with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the generation block identification code start the generator coupled to the appliance control unit.    
     
     
         62 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 61 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 defining a plurality of generation block identification codes, each one of the generation block identification codes corresponding to the selected unique group of identification codes, such that a plurality of demand reduction generation blocks are defined;    estimating an aggregate amount of demand reduction for each of the plurality of generation load blocks; and    selecting at least one of the plurality of generation blocks such that an estimated amount of demand reduction for the selected demand reduction generation blocks approximately equals a desired aggregate demand reduction specified by the demand reduction control signal.    
     
     
         63 . A system which controlling generators comprising: 
 at least one appliance controller unit, the appliance controller unit coupled to at least one generator and configured to receive a demand reduction control signal having an identification code; and    an appliance controller unit memory residing in the appliance controller unit, the appliance controller unit memory configured to have a unique identification code identifying the appliance controller unit such that when the demand reduction control signal identification code corresponds to the appliance controller unit unique identification code, the generator coupled to the appliance controller unit is started.    
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising a transceiver configured to receive the demand reduction control signal.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the transceiver is a radio frequency (RF) transceiver.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising an appliance controller, the appliance controller coupled to the appliance and configured to generate an on-line control signal in response to the demand reduction control signal so that the generator is started.  
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , further comprising a plurality of appliance controllers, each one of the appliance controllers coupled to at least one generator and configured to generate the on-line control signal in response to the demand reduction control signal so that the generator is started.  
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein each one of the plurality of appliance controllers is associated with a unique appliance controller identification code such that when an identification code portion of the demand reduction control signal corresponds to the unique appliance controller identification code, the respective appliance controller unit generates the on-line control signal.  
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising a notification interface configured to generate a notification communication signal in response to a notification control signal received from an energy management controller, the generation of the notification control signal occurring before the demand reduction control signal is received by a predefined amount of time, such that the notification communication signal is communicated to a customer device such that a customer understands that the generator will be started at a future time, the future time substantially corresponding to the predefined amount of time.  
     
     
         70 . A computer-readable medium having a program for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, the program comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 assigning a unique identification code to an appliance control unit;    comparing the appliance control unit unique identification code with an identification code portion of a demand reduction control signal in response to receiving the demand reduction control signal generated by an energy management controller; and    starting a generator when the appliance control unit unique identification code corresponds to the identification code portion of the demand reduction control signal.    
     
     
         71 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 70 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 generating a confirmation signal when the appliance controller unit starts the generator; and    transmitting the confirmation signal such that the confirmation signal is received by the energy management controller to confirm that the appliance controller unit started the generator.    
     
     
         72 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 70 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 assigning a generation block identification code such that the generation block identification code corresponds to the unique identification code; and    associating the generation block identification code with the received demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is received, the appliance control units start the generator when the appliance control unit unique identification code corresponds to the generation block identification code portion of the demand reduction control signal.    
     
     
         73 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 70 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of generating an acknowledgment signal such that the acknowledgment signal is transmitted from the appliance control unit indicating that the appliance control unit successfully started its respective generator.  
     
     
         74 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 70 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 detecting a notification control signal transmitted by the energy management controller, the generation of the notification control signal occurring before the step of generating the demand reduction control signal by a predefined amount of time; and    generating a notification communication signal by the appliance control unit such that a customer understands that the step of starting the generator will occur at a future time, the future time substantially corresponding to the predefined amount of time.    
     
     
         75 . A system for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, comprising: 
 means for assigning a unique identification code to an appliance control unit, the appliance control unit coupled to a generator;    means for receiving a demand reduction control signal generated by an energy management controller;    means for comparing the appliance control unit unique identification code with an identification code portion of the demand reduction control signal; and    means for starting the generator when the appliance control unit unique identification code corresponds to the identification code portion of the demand reduction control signal.    
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 75 , further: 
 means for generating a confirmation signal when the appliance controller unit starts the generator; and    means for transmitting the confirmation signal such that the confirmation signal is received by the energy management controller to confirm that the appliance controller unit started the generator.    
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 75 , further comprising: 
 means for defining a generation block identification code such that the generation block identification code corresponds to the unique identification code; and    means for associating the generation block identification code with the received demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is received, the appliance control unit starts the generator when the appliance control unit unique identification code corresponds to the generation block identification code portion of the demand reduction control signal.    
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 75 , further comprising: 
 means for receiving a notification control signal transmitted by the energy management controller, the generation of the notification control signal occurring before the step of generating the demand reduction control signal by a predefined amount of time; and    means for generating a notification communication signal by the appliance control unit such that a customer understands that the step of starting the generator will occur at a future time, the future time substantially corresponding to the predefined amount of time.    
     
     
         79 . A computer-readable medium having a program for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, the program comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 assigning a unique identification code to an appliance control unit, the appliance control unit coupled to a generator;    receiving a demand reduction control signal generated by an energy management controller;    comparing the appliance control unit unique identification code with an identification code portion of the demand reduction control signal; and    starting the generator when the appliance control unit unique identification code corresponds to the identification code portion of the demand reduction control signal.    
     
     
         80 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 79 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 generating a confirmation signal when the appliance controller unit starts the generator; and    transmitting the confirmation signal such that the confirmation signal is received by the energy management controller to confirm that the appliance controller unit started the generator.    
     
     
         81 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 79 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 defining a generation block identification code such that the generation block identification code corresponds to the unique identification code; and    associating the generation block identification code with the received demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is received, the appliance control units start the generator when the appliance control unit unique identification code corresponds to the generation block identification code portion of the demand reduction control signal.    
     
     
         82 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 79 , the program further comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: 
 receiving a notification control signal transmitted by the energy management controller, the generation of the notification control signal occurring before the step of generating the demand reduction control signal by a predefined amount of time; and    generating a notification communication signal by the appliance control unit such that a customer understands that the step of starting the generator will occur at a future time, the future time substantially corresponding to the predefined amount of time.