Smart building systems and methods

Abstract

An appliance includes a memory storage location storing a flag indicative of a predicted demand-response (DR) period; and a controller coupled to the flag to autonomously place the appliance in an energy shedding mode during the predicted DR period. Additionally, a method is disclosed to fabricate a building structure includes depositing a phase change material (PCM) on a surface exposed to a conditioned air flow; and forming air channels on the PCM to increase thermal contact between the PCM and the conditioned air flow.

1 . An appliance, comprising:
 a memory storage location storing a flag indicative of a predicted demand-response (DR) period;   a non-electrical energy source to provide temporary energy during the DR period; and   a controller reading the flag to autonomously place the appliance in an energy shedding mode during the predicted DR period.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the predicted DR period occurs when the specified duty cycle comprises 60 hertz and the current AC power duty cycle comprises about 59.5 hertz or less. 
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a wide area network coupled to the sensor; and   a server coupled to the wide area network, wherein for each appliance the server stores a location, a user preference, and appliance properties, and   wherein the server receives periodic operating state update and time stamp from each appliance.   
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the controller indicates the location of the appliance using an internet protocol (IP) address. 
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the controller indicates the location of the appliance using an address selected from one of: (consisting of) a user entered address, an address stored in another appliance, and an address determined by a positioning system. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the server determines a first group of appliances in an uninterruptible phase and sends a DR override instruction to the controller(s) in the first group. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the server modulates operations of appliances to avoid stressing the electrical grid. 
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance comprises a sensor compares the current AC duty cycle against the specified AC duty cycle and sets the flag indicative of a predicted demand-response (DR) period. 
     
     
         9 . The appliance of  claim 1 , comprising a power sensor external to the appliance, wherein the power sensor compares the current AC duty cycle against the specified AC duty cycle and sets the flag indicative of a predicted demand-response (DR) period. 
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a refrigerator, further comprising:
 an ice energy storage chamber providing a predetermined cold energy for a refrigerated volume for the predicted DR period; and   a fan to circulate cold air from the ice energy storage chamber inside the refrigerated volume during the predicted DR period.   
     
     
         11 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a refrigerator, further comprising a phase change material coupled to the refrigerated volume to maintain the refrigerated volume at a predetermined temperature during the predicted DR period. 
     
     
         12 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a refrigerator and wherein the controller modulates compressor operation to reduce power consumption during the predicted DR period. 
     
     
         13 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a refrigerator, and wherein the controller precharges the refrigerator prior to the predicted DR period. 
     
     
         14 . The appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the appliance is a refrigerator, and wherein the controller precharges the refrigerator based on weather or warning from an authority. 
     
     
         15 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a refrigerator, comprising an ice storage to store coolth during night and used for air-conditioning during day. 
     
     
         16 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a water heater, comprising:
 a back-up heated energy storage chamber to store a reserve heated water to maintained a predetermined temperature output for the water heater during the predicted DR period; and   a valve to mix the reserve heated water with the water in the main water heater tank during the predicted DR period.   
     
     
         17 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the appliance is a water heater, further comprising a phase change material coupled to the water volume to maintain the water at a predetermined temperature during the predicted DR period. 
     
     
         18 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the appliance is a water heater and wherein the controller modulates heater operation to reduce power consumption during the predicted DR period. 
     
     
         19 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the appliance is a water heater, and wherein the controller precharges the water heater prior to the predicted DR period. 
     
     
         20 . The appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the appliance is a water heater, and wherein the controller precharges the water heater based on weather or warning from an authority. 
     
     
         21 - 28 . (canceled)