smart-grid energy management for homes and small buildings
Description
Our e-LOK energy management system is perfect for residences and light, commercial buildings that need basic control of their power consumption to meet utility company peak demand limit tiers and demand based, variable pricing. The system utilizes a base level implementation of our TARAS technology and consists of an Energy Management Panel (EMP) that is capable of controlling one or four electrical circuits.
The EMP is installed adjacent to the building’s electrical service panel and connected to the circuits for larger loads that would impact the peak demand, such as pumps, water heaters and air conditioners. The EMP fits neatly adjacent to the electrical panel and should be installed by a qualified electrician.
Full and flexible control of energy costs: The e-LOK system can be configured by a qualified installer, via an Ethernet connection using browser-based screens. Our system is unique in that it has built-in intelligence, which includes individual power consumption monitoring of the loads being controlled so that appropriate loads can be shut off automatically to meet the demand limit settings. The ability to designate levels of priority for the loads being controlled means that there is less disruption to the user. A useful system feature is the ability to measure the power provided by an auxiliary source such as solar panels and adjust the demand limit accordingly so that loads are not shut off unnecessarily. The system’s built in clock function allows loads that are controlled by time clocks to be managed with a timer that does not get disrupted when the load is shut off to meet demand limits. The system’s relays can even be wired to use existing hardware such as thermostats to control a load. The system’s low cost, ease of installation and added functionality means it will pay for itself in a very short period.
Simple set-up and Internet access: The e-LOK system is a user friendly, “set and forget” energy management system that meets the needs of the typical electricity consumer. The system set up requires no software installation on a PC and browser based screens are provided for data entry. Once the system is set up the user has the option to leave the EMP with no interaction and just monitor the exterior indicator LED’s to see that it is functioning properly. User’s requiring more connectivity can use an Ethernet cable or WiFi to connect the EMP to an existing router and review the status data and even download it for analysis from any PC or other device that can access the router. If the router is connected to the Internet, the system can be configured to allow access over the Internet. This feature is an important benefit for absentee property owners who want to not only monitor but also manage energy consumption in their properties remotely. With computer access to the system the user can also override the system and not permit loads to be shut off, therefore increasing the system’s flexibility (e.g. allowing an AC to continue operating for a special event).
Surviving variable pricing: Most utility providers are implementing a demand based variable pricing model and the e-LOK energy management system can be easily configured to manage energy consumption to lower demand during typical higher tier periods to reduce the overall electricity bill. To configure the e-LOK as an energy management system, the installer will determine the periods when the utility typically increases its rates and also analyze the user’s daily use profile to determine the typical demand pattern and look for opportunities for limiting demand in a 24 hour period as well as variances from summer to winter. The e-LOK’s ability to use four demand periods in a day and separate periods for summer and winter allow the installer to create a graduated demand limit profile for a 24 hour period that best fits the user. Once configured the e-LOK will shut loads off during periods of higher rates and “shift” electricity consumption to periods of lower rates, resulting in a lower bill.
Managing peak demand pricing: If the utility provider in your area has a peak demand based rate tier then the e-LOK system can be configured to function as an intelligent load controller where power peak demand limit tiers are set and priorities are designated for each of the loads being controlled. In this configuration, when the system is operating, it will not allow peak demand tiers to be exceeded during their time limits by shutting power off to the loads being controlled. This allows the user to stay within lower billing rates and reduce electrical costs. Although the e-LOK system functions as a load controller in this configuration, it is important to remember that it has the unique ability to measure any auxiliary power being generated (e.g. solar panels) so that loads are not shut off unnecessarily; it allows for prioritization of the loads being managed to mitigate the disruption to the user; and it measures the actual power consumption of each load being managed so that an optimal energy usage pattern can be achieved.
Achieve GREEN status without parting with the green: The e-LOK system is the most cost-effective solution for a building to meet environmental standards such as LEEDS. It is an inexpensive system that is easily installed even in existing buildings and delivers an intelligent method for controlling energy consumption based on the latest technology.
Smart-grid: The e-LOK system can also be configured to communicate with a digital meter to allow the utility company to access the detail data on power consumption and even provide two-way communication so that the utility company can shut off or lower settings to reduce electrical loads to better manage their power grid.
