Multi-utility energy control and facility automation system with dashboard having a plurality of interface gateways

Abstract

A multi-utility energy and facility automation control system has control center computer(s) connected to various utility consuming systems and software that formats pertinent systems' energy data, stores, retrieves, diagnoses and acts in response to changes and includes a multi-utility master meter device and a plurality of sensors for utilities and other facility operational data. The system includes at least one dashboard screen as a control screen, and a plurality of interconnected gateways for selection of separate networks for various utility-facility related subscreens. The sensors monitor consumption of a plurality of different utilities and other pertinent data and, using the presentation of the facility information as processed by the computer and presented on the dashboard, exercise c control of the facility to optimize performance and reduce the cost of purchased utilities and other facility operations.

1 - 42 . (canceled)  
   
   
       43 . A method of managing energy acquisition and consumption, comprising: 
 receiving data relating to the acquisition of energy;    receiving data relating to the consumption of energy for a facility;    receiving curtailment option for the facility; and    managing the facility's energy consumption based on the curtailment option.    
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprises receiving data relating to the consumption of energy for the facility in real time.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising: 
 receiving energy acquisition options provided by a plurality of energy providers; and    purchasing energy from at least one of the plurality of energy providers.    
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprises purchasing energy from the at least one of the plurality of energy providers in real time.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein receiving energy acquisition options comprises receiving supply and demand data from an utility wholesaler.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein receiving energy acquisition options comprises receiving supply and demand data from an intermediate utility broker.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein receiving data relating to the acquisition of energy comprises automatically receiving supply and demand data from the energy providers.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein receiving data relating to the consumption of energy for the facility comprises receiving data relating to the energy consumption of at least one controllable device associated with the facility.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein receiving curtailment option comprises receiving data on energy strategies relating to at least one controllable device associated with the facility.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 43  further comprises selecting at least one energy acquisition option based on the received historical consumption data for the facility.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein managing the facility's energy consumption based the curtailment option comprises: 
 monitoring the energy consumption of the at least one controllable device; and    altering the energy consumption of the at least one controllable device based on the curtailment option.    
   
   
       54 . A system for managing energy acquisition and consumption, the system comprising: 
 at least one processor; and    at least one controllable device associated with a facility, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:    receive data relating to the acquisition of energy;    receive data relating to the consumption of energy for the facility;    receive curtailment option for the facility; and    manage the facility's energy consumption based on the curtailment option.    
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive data relating to the consumption of energy for the facility in real time.  
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: 
 receive energy acquisition options provided by a plurality of energy providers; and    purchase energy from at least one of the plurality of energy providers.    
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to purchase energy from the at least one of the plurality of energy providers in real time.  
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive supply and demand data from an utility wholesaler.  
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive supply and demand data from an intermediate utility broker.  
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to automatically receive supply and demand data from the energy providers.  
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive data relating to the energy consumption of at least one controllable device associated with the facility.  
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive data on energy strategies relating to at least one controllable device associated with the facility.  
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to select at least one energy acquisition option based on historical consumption data for the facility.  
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to: 
 monitor the energy consumption of the at least one controllable device; and    altering the energy consumption of the at least one controllable device based on the curtailment option.    
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one controllable device is one of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) device, and lighting device.