A power control device for an electrically powered appliance may selectively switch off one 110 volt input (of two separate 110 volt input lines) of a 220 volt power supply to the appliance during certain periods of operation, in response to a demand-response request. This may adjust operation of one or more components of the appliance, thus adjusting an amount of power consumed by the appliance. A determination of which one, of the two, 110 volt input lines to be switched off may be made based on an analysis of the amount of power consumed by each of the two 110 volt input lines during operation of the appliance. The power control device may be provided at any point between the electrically powered appliance and a power distribution panel distributing power from an external source.

The present disclosure provides an electrical system that includes an energy control system, a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system electrically coupled to the energy control system, an energy storage system electrically coupled to the energy control system, and a smart load panel electrically coupled to the energy control system and to a plurality of backup loads. The energy control system operates in an on-grid mode electrically connecting the PV power generation system to a utility grid and a backup mode electrically disconnecting the PV power generation system from the utility grid. The smart load panel selectively disconnects one or more of the plurality of backup loads from the energy control system when the energy control system is in the on-grid mode and when the energy control system is in the backup mode.

The present techniques generally concern methods and systems for managing undesired effects in an electrical grid, which may include rapid voltage change(s) and/or flicker(s). The system includes an event detection module operatively connected to a plurality of horticultural light sources. The event detection module is configured to determine a power usage of the horticultural light sources, based on illumination conditions, detect an event affecting the illumination conditions, determine whether the event causes the undesired effects in the electrical grid, based on an evolution of the power usage of the horticultural light sources in response to the event, and send illumination instructions to the horticultural light sources to adjust the power usage of the horticultural light sources, if the event causes the undesired effects.

A control system includes a computer that controls each of multiple power balancing resources. The computer selects one or more control targets to be used for power balancing of an external electric power source from the power balancing resources, and controls each of the one or more control targets so as to cause the power storage device to charge or discharge for the power balancing. The computer preferentially selects the power balancing resource provided with a small-capacity power storage device as the control target for the power balancing of which duration is shorter than a predetermined time, and preferentially selects the power balancing resource provided with a large-capacity power storage device as the control target for the power balancing of which the duration is longer than the predetermined time.

A control system includes a computer that controls each of multiple power balancing resources. The computer selects one or more control targets to be used for power balancing of an external electric power source from the power balancing resources, and controls each of the one or more control targets so as to cause the power storage device to charge or discharge for the power balancing. The computer preferentially selects the power balancing resource provided with a small-capacity power storage device as the control target for the power balancing of which duration is shorter than a predetermined time, and preferentially selects the power balancing resource provided with a large-capacity power storage device as the control target for the power balancing of which the duration is longer than the predetermined time.

Techniques are presented for scheduling the charging of electric vehicles (EVs) that protect the resources of local low voltage distribution networks. From utilities, data on local low voltage distribution networks, such as the rating of a distribution transformer through which a group of EVs are supplied, is provided to a load manager application. Telematics information on vehicle usage is provided from the EVs, such as by way of the original equipment manufacturer. From these data, the load manager application determines schedules for charging the group of EVs through a shared low voltage distribution network so that the capabilities of the local low voltage distribution network are not exceeded while meeting the needs of the EV user. Charging schedules are then transmitted to the on-board control systems of the EVs for implementation.

Techniques for distributing electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads can include coupling an existing group of electrical loads to a common power source through a load management system, measuring an aggregate group current drawn by at least the existing group of electrical loads and comparing the measured aggregate group current to an aggregate group current threshold value. When the measured aggregate group current exceeds the aggregate group current threshold value, increase a number of subgroups of the existing group, using subgroups that are formed without requiring information about individual current associated with the individual electrical loads, sequentially apply power to individual subgroups during non-overlapping time periods, sequentially measure at least a corresponding current drawn by the individual subgroups while power is applied to the subgroups, and sequentially comparing the measured current to a threshold value.

Techniques for distributing electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads can include coupling an existing group of electrical loads to a common power source through a load management system, measuring an aggregate group current drawn by at least the existing group of electrical loads and comparing the measured aggregate group current to an aggregate group current threshold value. When the measured aggregate group current exceeds the aggregate group current threshold value, increase a number of subgroups of the existing group, using subgroups that are formed without requiring information about individual current associated with the individual electrical loads, sequentially apply power to individual subgroups during non-overlapping time periods, sequentially measure at least a corresponding current drawn by the individual subgroups while power is applied to the subgroups, and sequentially comparing the measured current to a threshold value.

Some embodiments include electric power demand stabilization methods and systems that may include measuring the power draw of a plurality of controllable devices; determining a rolling average power draw for the plurality of controllable devices over a period of time; measuring an instantaneous power draw of the plurality of controllable devices; and calculating a power budget comprising the difference between the instantaneous power draw and the rolling average power draw. In the event the power budget is positive, increasing power to at least a first subset of the plurality of controllable devices. In the event the power budget is negative, decreasing power to at least a second subset of the plurality of controllable devices.

Some embodiments include electric power demand stabilization methods and systems that may include measuring the power draw of a plurality of controllable devices; determining a rolling average power draw for the plurality of controllable devices over a period of time; measuring an instantaneous power draw of the plurality of controllable devices; and calculating a power budget comprising the difference between the instantaneous power draw and the rolling average power draw. In the event the power budget is positive, increasing power to at least a first subset of the plurality of controllable devices. In the event the power budget is negative, decreasing power to at least a second subset of the plurality of controllable devices.