A combined heat, cooling and power system is configured to generate energy as well capture a large percentage of energy that would otherwise be lost using components, including heat transfer components, embedded within a vessel to transfer energy in the form of heat to liquid within the vessel.

A hot-water supply system heats up water by power generated by power generation means. The hot water supply system includes a compressor and a water heat-up unit. In the hot-water supply system, the compressor compresses refrigerant and circulates the refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit. The water heat-up unit heats up water by changing, in accordance with the generated power, a rotation rate of an electric motor for driving the compressor.

A combined heat, cooling and power system is configured to generate energy as well capture a large percentage of energy that would otherwise be lost using components, including heat transfer components, embedded within a vessel to transfer energy in the form of heat to liquid within the vessel.

The invention relates to a method of controlling an energy supply system comprising at least two energy generators each configured to provide at least one form of energy of heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy. The energy supply system further comprises one closed-loop controller per energy generator for controlling the energy generator and a control device coordinatedly controlling the closed-loop controllers. The control device detects an energy supply request for providing energy in the form of heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy and determines for each energy form which energy generators are required to meet the energy supply request. For each energy form, the control device generates switch-on requests for the energy generators required to meet the energy supply system and switch-off requests for the energy generators not required. For each energy generator, the control device determines if one, several or no switch-off request is present and if one, several or no switch-off request is present. For each energy generator for which there is at least one switch-on request present, a switch-on request is output to the corresponding closed-loop controller and, for each energy generator for which there is no switch-on request and at least one switch-off request present, a switch-off request is output to the corresponding closed-loop controller.

Provided herein are various systems and methods (i.e., utilities) broadly directed to the generation of hot water using energy derived from renewable energy sources as an alternative to or in conjunction with another power source (e.g., fossil fuel-based energy from a utility provider, an underperforming solar/wind/wind system, etc.). In the various aspects, these utilities are directed to the retrofitting of existing water heaters with electrical heating elements that are connectable to a renewable source of electrical energy. While primarily discussed in relation to retrofitting existing water heaters, various aspects are applicable to OEM manufactured systems. Further, various control methods are provided that allow for enhancing the efficiency of hot water generation, net metering, and/or the generation of renewable energy credits.

Disclosed is a system for the production of hot or cold water including: a water reservoir suitable for supplying water to a thermal conditioning device, and/or to a tap; a refrigeration unit having heat exchangers, of which one of the two heat exchanger is immersed in a water receptacle; pipes providing communication between the water reservoir, the water receptacle, a water network, the tap and thermal conditioning devices. The system further includes a box body containing the refrigeration unit and a ventilation mechanism configured to generate an airflow passing through the heat exchangers of the refrigerating unit.

A power supply system for an a.c. resistive element (10) comprises a first input point for an a.c. mains power source (14) and a second input point for d.c. power derived from photovoltaic panels and/or wind generators (24). Switches (18, 36) are provided between the power input points and the element (10). Timers (60, 62) are provided for delaying closing of that one of the switches (18, 36) that is open on change over from one power source to the other whereby the closed switch opens before the open switch closes. The voltage at the d.c. power input point is detected by a voltage sensor (42). The output from the sensor (42) powers an optical switch (46) which operates a relay (58) which in turn supplies power to one or other of the timers (60, 62) and one or other of the switches (18, 36).

The invention relates to a method of controlling an energy supply system comprising at least two energy generators each configured to provide at least one form of energy of heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy. The energy supply system further comprises one closed-loop controller per energy generator for controlling the energy generator and a control device coordinatedly controlling the closed-loop controllers. The control device detects an energy supply request for providing energy in the form of heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy and determines for each energy form which energy generators are required to meet the energy supply request. For each energy form, the control device generates switch-on requests for the energy generators required to meet the energy supply system and switch-off requests for the energy generators not required. For each energy generator, the control device determines if one, several or no switch-off request is present and if one, several or no switch-off request is present. For each energy generator for which there is at least one switch-on request present, a switch-on request is output to the corresponding closed-loop controller and, for each energy generator for which there is no switch-on request and at least one switch-off request present, a switch-off request is output to the corresponding closed-loop controller.

A hot-water supply system heats up water by power generated by power generation means. The hot water supply system includes a compressor and a water heat-up unit. In the hot-water supply system, the compressor compresses refrigerant and circulates the refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit. The water heat-up unit heats up water by changing, in accordance with the generated power, a rotation rate of an electric motor for driving the compressor.

This invention relates in general to a renewable energy water heating system and method for residential and commercial applications. The heating system has a renewable energy source providing a DC electric current and a controller connected to the renewable energy source. The water heater is connected to the controller, the water heater having a water storage tank and at least one heating element for heating water in the tank responsive to an electric current supplied thereto. The controller modulates and switches the DC electric current to produce a converted output to provide the electric current to the at least one heating element to heat the water.