Intelligent CCHP System

Abstract

Co-generating energy sources are controlled using a control system that monitors local and remote data. The local and remote data allow for energy management both in the short and long term by comparing the cost of using the co-generating energy source with other available energy sources. Individual co-generating energy sources can have their data aggregated and combined with remote data to allow for predictions of gross demand for energy. The gross demand can be used by an energy utility to plan for future energy needs and to negotiate with energy providers based upon those needs. The energy utility may control the individual co-generating energy sources so as to most cost-effectively meet the needs of the user of the individual co-generating energy source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control system for controlling the output of a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) device, the control system comprising:
 a local data acquisition module configured to receive local inputs related to the operation of the CCHP device;   a remote data acquisition module configured to receive remote inputs; and   a data processing module configured to receive said local inputs and said remote inputs, said data process module generating outputs suitable to regulate the operating of the CCHP device based upon said local inputs and said remote inputs, wherein generating said outputs includes:
 compiling CCHP device user data profiles; 
 predicting future CCHP device user demands based upon said user data profiles, said local inputs, and said remote inputs; and 
   developing said outputs based upon said predicting.   
     
     
         2 . A control system according to  claim 1 , wherein said user data profile is an energy usage profile. 
     
     
         3 . A control system according to  claim 2 , wherein said energy usage profile includes a heat profile, a cooling profile, and an electricity profile. 
     
     
         4 . A control system according to  claim 1 , wherein said remote data includes user data. 
     
     
         5 . A control system according to  claim 4 , wherein said user data includes one or more of a heat demand, a cooling demand, a hot water demand, and an electrical load demand. 
     
     
         6 . A control system according to  claim 1 , wherein said remote data includes price data. 
     
     
         7 . A control system according to  claim 1 , further including a diagnostic module, said diagnostic module configured to receive information from said data management module suitable for evaluating the operating conditions associated with the CCHP device. 
     
     
         8 . A control system according to  claim 1 , further including a data processing unit configured to determining, based upon said local inputs and said remote inputs, operating parameters for the CCHP device, wherein said determining includes evaluating the cost of operating the CCHP device relative to other available power and/or heat sources. 
     
     
         9 . A combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) device for a structure coupled to an energy source comprising:
 an energy generator;   a waste heat recovery system designed and configured to recovery thermal energy from said energy generator, said waste heat recovery system having at least two modes of operation;
 wherein in a first mode of operation said waste heat recovery system uses said recovered thermal energy for the structures thermal needs, or stores the thermal energy from said energy generator, and 
 wherein in a second mode of operation said waste heat recovery system uses the stored thermal energy to cool ambient air; and 
   a control system for controlling said energy generator and said waste heat recovery system, said control system configured to determine a need of the structure and to evaluate whether said need should be met by one or more of said energy generator, said waste heat recovery system, and the energy source.   
     
     
         10 . A CCHP device according to  claim 9 , wherein said energy generator is a fuel cell. 
     
     
         11 . A CCHP device according to  claim 10 , wherein said fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. 
     
     
         12 . A CCHP device according to  claim 9 , wherein said waste heat recovery system includes a thermal management module, a storage system, a distribution system, and a cooling system. 
     
     
         13 . A CCHP device according to  claim 9 , wherein said control system is configured to control the outputs of said energy generator and said waste heat recovery system so as to utilize about 100% of the electrical and thermal energy produced by said energy generator. 
     
     
         14 . A CCHP device according to  claim 9 , wherein said control system includes:
 a local data acquisition module configured to receive local inputs related to the operation of said energy generator and said waste heat recovery system;   a remote data acquisition module configured to receive remote inputs; and   a data processing module configured to receive said local inputs and said remote inputs, said data process module generating outputs suitable to regulate the operating of said energy generator and said waste heat recovery system based upon said local inputs and said remote inputs, wherein generating said outputs includes:
 compiling user data profiles; 
 predicting future user demands based upon said user data profiles, said local inputs, and said remote inputs; 
 comparing a cost, based upon said predicting, of generating energy using said energy generator, said waste heat recovery system, and the energy source; and 
 developing said outputs based upon said predicting and comparing. 
   
     
     
         15 . A method of optimizing energy sale and consumption for a distributed fleet of customers having combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems, the method comprising:
 collecting customer dependent from each of the distributed fleet of customers and independent information;   predicting fuel consumption by each CCHP system based upon said collecting;   predicting electricity needs of each of the distributed fleet of customers based upon said collecting;   determining gross fuel-consumption and electricity needs of distribute fleet based upon said collecting, said predicting fuel consumption, and predicting electricity needs;   negotiating fuel purchases based on said determining;   negotiating electricity purchases on said determining; and   managing fuel usage of each CCHP system in the distributed fleet based upon actual customer needs, said negotiating fuel prices, said negotiating electricity prices.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said predicting fuel consumption includes analyzing past fuel usage information of each of the distributed fleet of customers. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the CCHP system includes an energy generator and a waste heat recovery system, and wherein said managing includes:
 determining a cost of operating a first CCHP system in the distributed fleet;   comparing the cost to said negotiated fuel prices and said negotiated electricity prices;   operating the first CCHP system based upon said comparing.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein said comparing includes evaluating the availability of a low-cost power source. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the low-cost power source is one or more of a solar panel, a wind turbine, and a hydro-turbine. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the energy generator is a fuel cell.