A settings data storage stores unique serial numbers and information regarding a plurality of patterns for alternately switching between normal operation for operating at high capacity and suppressed operation for operating at low capacity each unit time. A pattern specifier determines information for a pattern set in accordance with even and odd serial numbers. A water-heating heat amount determiner determines a heat amount necessary for water heating. A water heating scheduler establishes a water heating plan based on information regarding the pattern determined by the pattern determiner and the water-heating heat amount as determined by the water-heating heat amount determiner. A water heating controller alternately switches between normal operating and suppressed operation to heat water in accordance with the water heating plan established by the water heating scheduler.

Methods and systems for water heater system receiving electrical power from an electrical grid. The system includes an electronic processor configured to monitor an average water temperature of the water within a water tank of the system based on a first and second signal from a upper and lower temperature sensor, operate a upper heating element heating an upper portion of the tank and a lower heating element heating a lower portion of the tank in a first operation mode, receiving, via a transceiver, either an add load command or a shed load command from a grid controller, operating the upper heating element and lower heating element in a second mode in response to receiving the add load command, and operating the upper heating element and lower heating element in a third mode in response to receiving the shed load command.

A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater temperature and controls heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use and/or capacity. Further embodiments may regulate load dependent properties of the power including voltage, phase and/or frequency.

A method to heat water in an electrical boiler includes storing user's requests of hot water in association with corresponding times of requests, heating water in advance to a next user's request, wherein the next user's request is estimated on the stored user's requests, detecting a start time of a power request from the electrical boiler, detecting a stop time of the power request, determining that a user's request of hot water has occurred if a time difference between the detected stop time and the detected start time is longer than a predetermined time, the predetermined time being a time of activation of the electrical boiler, storing the determined user's request in association with a time of the user's request, estimating a next user's request based on the stored user's request and activating the electrical boiler to heat water in advance with respect to the estimated next user's request.

A water heating system is disclosed. The system may include a water heater connected with a utility energy source via one or more circuit breakers. The system may further include a battery and a detection unit. The battery may provide energy to the water heater, and the detection unit may detect water demand associated with the system. The system may additionally include a controller configured to activate the water heater in a first operation mode when the water demand is less than a predefined threshold. The water heater may heat water by using energy drawn from the utility energy source in the first operation mode. The controller may further activate the water heater in a second operation mode when the water demand is greater than the predefined threshold. The water heater may draw energy from the utility energy source and the battery in the second operation mode.

A water heating system is disclosed. The system may include a water heater connected with a utility energy source via one or more circuit breakers. The system may further include a battery and a detection unit. The battery may provide energy to the water heater, and the detection unit may detect water demand associated with the system. The system may additionally include a controller configured to activate the water heater in a first operation mode when the water demand is less than a predefined threshold. The water heater may heat water by using energy drawn from the utility energy source in the first operation mode. The controller may further activate the water heater in a second operation mode when the water demand is greater than the predefined threshold. The water heater may draw energy from the utility energy source and the battery in the second operation mode.

An electrical water heater adapted for energy management and a method of controlling the consumption of electrical power from the power supply grid of a utility is described. The bottom resistive heating element of the water heater is a dual element resistive heating element which has a high power rated resistive heating element to heat water and a further low power rated resistive heating element. The power rating of the low power resistive heating element is calculated to be lower than the supply grid diversified mean load. A controller has a communication link with a utility which manages the power supply grid. The utility can control the resistive heating elements of the dual element in such a way, and depending on conditions of the grid, to conserve energy and regulate its frequency thereby resulting in a cost saving to the consumer and the utility. The low power rated resistive heating element is also connectable to an alternative power source.

An energy storage system including a thermal energy storage apparatus configured to store thermal energy, an electrical energy storage apparatus configured to electrical energy, and a controller including a memory and an electronic processor. The controller is configured to monitor one or more characteristics of at least one selected from the group consisting of the thermal energy storage apparatus and the electrical energy storage apparatus. The controller is further configured to control, based on the one or more characteristics, the electrical energy storage apparatus to provide electrical energy to the thermal energy storage apparatus

There is disclosed a partially or wholly electric fluid heater (1) arranged to heat fluid in a first circuit, the fluid comprising heating fluid or tap water. The heater comprises a first electric heating element (8) arranged to heat fluid in the first circuit. The first heating element is arranged to be powered by both an AC power supply (22) and a DC power supply (20). The heater also comprises a controller (24) arranged to control distribution of power to the first heating element from the DC power supply and the AC power supply.

There is disclosed a partially or wholly electric fluid heater (1) arranged to heat fluid in a first circuit, the fluid comprising heating fluid or tap water. The heater comprises a first electric heating element (8) arranged to heat fluid in the first circuit. The first heating element is arranged to be powered by both an AC power supply (22) and a DC power supply (20). The heater also comprises a controller (24) arranged to control distribution of power to the first heating element from the DC power supply and the AC power supply.