US 12,078,363 B2
System, apparatus and method for efficient use of solar photovoltaic energy
Grant Stepa, Rydalme (AU); and Peter Kerr, Rydalme (AU)
Assigned to Rheem Australia Pty Limited, Rydalmere (AU)
Filed by Rheem Australia PTY Limited, Rydalmere (AU)
Filed on Mar. 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/213,548.
Application 17/213,548 is a continuation of application No. 16/344,768, granted, now 10,962,237, previously published as PCT/AU2017/051081, filed on Oct. 4, 2017.
Claims priority of application No. 2016250449 (AU), filed on Oct. 28, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0356141 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. F24D 19/10 (2006.01); F24D 17/00 (2022.01); F24H 1/18 (2022.01); F24H 15/225 (2022.01); F24H 15/292 (2022.01); F24H 15/296 (2022.01); F24H 15/37 (2022.01); F24H 15/407 (2022.01); H02J 3/14 (2006.01); H02J 3/38 (2006.01); H02S 10/20 (2014.01); H02S 40/32 (2014.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.01); H02S 40/44 (2014.01); F24H 15/164 (2022.01); G05F 1/67 (2006.01); H02J 7/35 (2006.01); H02S 50/00 (2014.01)
CPC F24D 19/1057 (2013.01) [F24H 1/185 (2013.01); F24H 15/225 (2022.01); F24H 15/292 (2022.01); F24H 15/296 (2022.01); F24H 15/37 (2022.01); F24H 15/407 (2022.01); H02J 3/14 (2013.01); H02J 3/38 (2013.01); H02J 3/381 (2013.01); H02S 10/20 (2014.12); H02S 40/32 (2014.12); H02S 40/44 (2014.12); F24D 17/0068 (2013.01); F24D 2200/02 (2013.01); F24D 2200/08 (2013.01); F24D 2200/14 (2013.01); F24D 2200/32 (2013.01); F24H 15/164 (2022.01); G05F 1/67 (2013.01); H02J 7/35 (2013.01); H02J 2300/22 (2020.01); H02J 2300/24 (2020.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.12); H02S 50/00 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a water heater having at least two heating elements;
a modulator configured to supply energy to a first heating element of the at least two heating elements;
a switch configured to supply energy to a second heating element of the at least two heating elements; and
a controller configured to:
receive a signal indicative of an outflow of VRE energy from a variable renewable energy (VRE) source to a utility grid;
in response to the signal, direct via the modulator at least some of the VRE energy to the first heating element,
in response to determining that a modulator output is at full power and receiving the signal indicative of an outflow of VRE energy to the utility grid, reduce the modulator output of VRE energy to the first heating element to zero and close the switch to direct at least some of the VRE energy to the second heating element, and
in response to determining that the switch is closed and receiving the signal indicative of an outflow of VRE energy to the utility grid, direct via the modulator at least some of the VRE energy to the first heating element and in parallel direct via the switch at least some of the VRE energy to the second heating element.