Energy signatures to represent complex current vectors

• US 10,003,196 B2
• Filed: 07/04/2015
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apparent Labs LLC
• Original Assignee: Xslent Energy Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Matan, Stefan, Horton, Fred C, Marrone, Frank P
• Primary Examiner(s): Gannon, Levi
• Application Number:
  US14/791,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20160087439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,081 Days
• Field of Search: 307 24, 700286, 700291
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 11/54 for measuring simultaneously at least two of the following three variables: real component, reactive component, apparent energy
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/026 using a predictor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 7/635 for determining the most economical distribution in power systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/20 The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/10 The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/16 The load or loads being an Information and Communication Technology [ICT] facility
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/01 Arrangements for reducing harmonics or ripples
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/06 Controlling transfer of power between connected networks; Controlling sharing of load between connected networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/12 for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/18 Arrangements for adjusting, eliminating or compensating reactive power in networks for adjustment of voltage H02J3/16
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/42 : Circuits or arrangements for compensating for or adjusting power factor in converters or inverters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 : Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 : Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/30 : Reactive power compensation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/40 : Arrangements for reducing harmonics
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/70 : Smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the energy generation sector
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/123 : the energy generation units being or involving renewable energy sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/12 : Energy storage units, uninterruptible power supply [UPS] systems or standby or emergency generators, e.g. in the last power distribution stages
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/221 : General power management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

A distributed control node enables monitoring of complex energy signatures for local loads. The control node can identify energy signatures unique to local loads. The energy signature includes a complex current vector for the load in operation identifying the primary current with a real power component and a reactive power component, and identifying one or more harmonics each with a real power component, a reactive power component, and an angular displacement relative to the primary current. Based on the energy signature, the control node can control a noise contribution of the load due to the harmonics as seen at a point of common coupling to reduce noise introduced onto the grid network from the load.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring power at a power grid node, comprising:

obtaining dispatch information at a local grid control device located at a consumer premises on a same side of a point of common coupling (PCC) to a grid network as a local load, the dispatch information indicating an electrical condition of the grid network at the PCC;

identifying an energy signature unique to the local load, the energy signature including a complex current vector for the load in operation identifying for the primary current a real power component and a reactive power component, and identifying for the harmonics a vector including a real power component, a reactive power component, and an angular displacement of the vector relative to the primary current; and

adjusting an operation at the PCC in response to the dispatch information and the energy signature to control a noise contribution of the load due to the harmonics as seen at the PCC to reduce noise introduced onto the grid network from the load.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the dispatch information comprises:

receiving load information from another local grid control device located on the grid network on a different side of the PCC.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the dispatch information comprises:

receiving information from a utility controller.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the dispatch information further comprises:

receiving information indicating a node on the grid network requiring voltage support; and

further comprising;

determining the PCC is downstream on the grid network relative to the node of the grid network requiring voltage support; and

providing positive reactive power to the grid network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the dispatch information further comprises:

receiving information indicating a node on the grid network requiring voltage support; and

further comprising;

determining the PCC is upstream on the grid network relative to the node of the grid network requiring voltage support; and

providing negative reactive power to the grid network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the noise contribution from the harmonics of the load further comprises:

adjusting a reactive power output component of a local energy source coupled to the same side of the PCC as the load.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the noise contribution from the harmonics of the load further comprises:

adjusting a reactive current component delivered to the load, to create a reactive current that offsets the energy signature for the load.

8. A distributed control node within a power grid system, comprising:

a grid connector to couple a load to a grid network of the power grid system, where the load includes one of multiple different devices electrically coupled on the same side of a point of common coupling (PCC) at a consumer premises; and

a controller to obtain dispatch information indicating an electrical condition of the grid network at the PCC;

identify an energy signature unique to the local load;

the energy signature including a complex current vector for the load in operation identifying for the primary current a real power component and a reactive power component, and identify for the harmonics a vector including a real power component, a reactive power component, and an angular displacement of the vector relative to the primary current; and

, adjust an operation at the PCC in response to the dispatch information and the energy signature to control a noise contribution of the load due to the harmonics as seen at the PCC to reduce noise introduced onto the grid network from the load.

9. The distributed control node of claim 8, wherein the controller is to receive load information from another local grid control device located on the grid network on a different side of the PCC.

10. The distributed control node of claim 8, wherein the controller is to receive information from a utility controller.

11. The distributed control node of claim 8, wherein the controller is to receive information indicating a node on the grid network requiring voltage support;

and further comprising the controller to determine the PCC is downstream on the grid network relative to the node of the grid network requiring voltage support, and provide positive reactive power to the grid network.

12. The distributed control node of claim 8, wherein the controller is to receive information indicating a node on the grid network requiring voltage support;

and further comprising the controller to determine the PCC is upstream on the grid network relative to the node of the grid network requiring voltage support, and provide negative reactive power to the grid network.

13. The distributed control node of claim 8, wherein the controller is to adjust a reactive power output component of a local energy source coupled to the same side of the PCC as the load.

14. The distributed control node of claim 8, wherein the controller is to adjust a reactive current component delivered to the load, to create a reactive current that offsets the energy signature for the load.

15. A power grid system, comprising:

a load electrically coupled to a point of common coupling (PCC) at a consumer premises; and

a control node coupled to the load at a same side of the PCC as the load, the control node including

a controller to obtain dispatch information indicating an electrical condition of the grid network at the PCC;

identify an energy signature unique to the local load;

the energy signature including a complex current vector for the load in operation identifying for the primary current a real power component and a reactive power component, and identify for the harmonics a vector including a real power component, a reactive power component, and an angular displacement of the vector relative to the primary current; and

a power converter adjust an operation in response to the dispatch information and the energy signature to control a noise contribution of the at least one load due to the harmonics as seen at the PCC to reduce noise introduced onto the grid network from the load.

16. The power grid system of claim 15, wherein the controller is to receive load information from another local grid control device located on the grid network on a different side of the PCC.

17. The power grid system of claim 15, wherein the controller is to receive information from a utility controller.

18. The power grid system of claim 15, wherein the controller is to receive information indicating a node on the grid network requiring voltage support;

and further comprising the controller to determine the PCC is downstream on the grid network relative to the node of the grid network requiring voltage support, and provide positive reactive power to the grid network.

19. The power grid system of claim 15, wherein the controller is to receive information indicating a node on the grid network requiring voltage support;

and further comprising the controller to determine the PCC is upstream on the grid network relative to the node of the grid network requiring voltage support, and provide negative reactive power to the grid network.

20. The power grid system of claim 15, wherein the controller is to adjust a reactive current component delivered to the load, to create a reactive current that offsets the energy signature for the load.