System, method and computer program product for energy allocation

Abstract

An energy allocation system includes an air conditioning unit with a VDC compressor and a fan configured for variable speed output. The air conditioning unit further includes a built-in power generator. A blending module is configured to split the generator-produced power into AC and DC allocations and combine the DC power allocation with DC power received from a DC energy device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy allocation system, comprising:
 an air conditioning unit having:
 a DC-voltage compressor; 
 a generator; and 
 a voltage converter configured to provide DC power for powering the compressor; and 
   a blending module configured to split AC power produced by the generator into a first AC power supply and a second AC power supply, the blending module configured to cause the first AC power supply to be directed to a local electrical system and the second AC power supply to be directed to a local electric utility grid.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blending module is configured to cause DC power produced from an external DC energy device to power the compressor. 
     
     
         3 . 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. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blending module is configured to:
 cause conversion of AC power received from the local electric utility grid into DC power; and   combine the DC power produced via the AC power received from the local electric utility grid with DC power produced from an external DC energy device.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blending module is configured to reduce power consumption from the local electric utility grid based on a cost of power from the local electric utility grid. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blending module is configured to receive a communication from the local electric utility grid for controlling a distribution of power to the local utility grid. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning unit further comprises an inverter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the blending module is configured to cause the inverter to invert DC power produced from an external DC energy device to produce a third AC power supply. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blending module is configured to:
 cause conversion of AC power received from the local electric utility grid into DC power; and   direct the DC power created from the local electric utility grid AC power to the compressor.   
     
     
         10 . An energy allocation system, comprising:
 an air conditioning unit having:
 a DC-voltage compressor; 
 a generator; and 
 a voltage converter configured to provide DC power for powering the compressor; and 
   a blending module configured to receive a communication from a local electric utility grid for controlling a distribution of power produced by the air conditioning unit to the local utility grid.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the blending module is configured to cause AC power produced by the generator to be directed to the local electric utility grid. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the air conditioning unit further comprises an inverter, and wherein the blending module is configured to cause the inverter to invert DC power produced from an external DC energy device to AC power for providing to the local electric utility grid. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the blending module is configured to direct DC power provided by an external DC energy device for powering the compressor. 
     
     
         14 . An energy allocation system, comprising:
 an air conditioning unit having:
 a DC-voltage compressor; 
 a generator; and 
 a voltage converter configured to convert AC power to DC power for powering the compressor; and 
   a blending module configured to:
 analyze a parameter associated with a local electric utility grid; 
 responsive to the parameter meeting a defined threshold, direct AC power produced by the generator to the local electric utility grid. 
   
     
     
         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 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 DC power for powering the compressor.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the air conditioning unit is configured to receive DC power from a solar energy device. 
     
     
         18 . 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. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , 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. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , 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.