System, method and computer program product for energy allocation

Abstract

An energy allocation system includes an air conditioning unit with a VDC compressor a generator, and a voltage converter. The air conditioning unit is configured to receive DC power from a DC energy device. A blending module is executable by a processor to cause AC power produced by the generator to be split into AC and DC power allocations using the converter and cause AC power received from a local electric utility grid to be converted to DC power.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy allocation system, comprising:
 an air conditioning unit having an enclosure housing:
 a DC-voltage compressor; 
 a generator; and 
 a voltage converter; and 
   wherein the air conditioning unit is configured to receive DC power from a DC energy device; and   a blending module configured to:
 cause AC power produced by the generator to be split into AC and DC power allocations using the converter; and 
 cause AC power received from a local electric utility grid to be converted to DC power. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system, of  claim 1 , wherein the blending module is configured to monitor an efficiency parameter of the compressor and adjust an operating speed of the compressor based on the efficiency parameter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blending module is configured to, responsive to a disruption to an AC power supply from the local electric utility grid:
 direct a first portion of the AC power generated by the generator to a local electrical system;   cause a second portion of the AC power generated by the generator to be converted to produce a third portion of DC power; and   direct the third portion of DC power to the compressor.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning unit is configured to receive DC power from a solar energy device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning unit further includes a fan configured for variable speed output, and wherein the blending module is configured to control the output speed of the fan. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blending module is configured to direct at least a portion of power generated via the generator or received from the DC energy device to a local electric utility grid. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blending module is configured to adjust usage by a local electrical system of power received from the local electric utility grid in response to changes in time-based power rates. 
     
     
         8 . An energy allocation system, comprising:
 an air conditioning unit having an enclosure housing:
 a DC-voltage compressor; and 
 a voltage converter; and 
   wherein the air conditioning unit is configured to receive DC power from a DC energy device; and   a blending module configured to:
 cause a first portion of the DC power provided by the DC energy device to be provided to the DC-voltage compressor; 
 convert a second portion of the DC power provided by the DC energy device to AC power; and 
 direct the AC power to a local electrical system. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the blending module is configured to monitor an efficiency parameter of the compressor and adjust an operating speed of the compressor based on the efficiency parameter. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the blending module is configured to, responsive to a disruption to an AC power supply from the local electric utility grid:
 initiate a generator;   direct a first portion of AC power generated by the generator to a local electrical system;   cause a second portion of the AC power generated by the generator to be converted to produce a third portion of DC power; and   direct the third portion of DC power to the compressor.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the air conditioning unit further includes a fan configured for variable speed output, and wherein the blending module is configured to control the output speed of the fan. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the blending module is configured to adjust usage by the local electrical system of power received from a local electric utility grid in response to changes in time-based power rates. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the blending module is configured to receive a communication from a local electric utility grid for controlling a distribution of power to the local utility grid. 
     
     
         14 . An energy allocation system, comprising:
 an air conditioning unit having an enclosure housing:
 a DC-voltage compressor; and 
 a voltage converter; and 
   wherein the air conditioning unit is configured to receive DC power from a DC energy device; and   a blending module configured to:
 detect a level of power available from the DC energy device; and 
 responsive to detecting an increase in the level of DC power available from the DC energy device:
 reduce power consumption from a local electric utility grid; 
 convert at least a portion of the DC power provided by the DC energy device to AC power; and 
 direct the AC power to a local electrical system. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the blending module is configured to monitor an efficiency parameter of the compressor and adjust an operating speed of the compressor based on the efficiency parameter. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the blending module is further configured to direct at least another portion of the DC power provided by the DC energy device to the DC-voltage compressor. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the enclosure further houses a voltage inverter configured to invert AC power provided by the local electric utility grid into DC power for operating the compressor. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein, responsive to detecting the increase in the level of DC power available from the DC energy device, the blending module is configured to reduce operation of the compressor via the AC power provided by the local electric utility grid and increase operation of the compressor via the DC power provided by the DC energy device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the air conditioning unit further includes a fan configured for variable speed output, and wherein the blending module is configured to control the output speed of the fan. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the enclosure further houses a generator, and wherein an operational characteristic of the generator is controlled based on the level of power available from the DC energy device.