System and Method for Adaptive Islanding for Stored/Distributed Energy Devices

• US 20080231114A1
• Filed: 03/24/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BPL Global LLC (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: BPL Global LLC (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Bauer, Michael, Tolnar, Jeff, Hymer, Larry, Caroline, Heidi
• Granted Patent: US 8,335,595 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/38
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/10 The dispersed energy generation being of fossil origin, e.g. diesel generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/58 The condition being electrical
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/144 Demand-response operation of the power transmission or distribution network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/388 Islanding, i.e. disconnection of local power supply from the network
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

When a fault occurs in an energy distribution network, adaptive islanding is initiated to supply energy to customers who are disconnected from the primary source of energy on the network. The customers are selectively connected to secondary energy resources that are distributed within the network. The selected customers are chosen in accordance with a profile that takes into account the amount of energy available from the distributed resources, the expected length of time to repair the fault, the recent energy demands of the customers, and levels of priority that are assigned to respective customers. These factors are monitored, and the selected customers who are connected to the distributed resources are dynamically adjusted during the time that the fault exists.

Claims

1. A method for providing energy to a group of consumers via an energy distribution network having distributed energy sources, during a disruption in the distribution network, comprising the following steps:

determining a group of consumers to whom distribution of the energy via the network has been interrupted and who are eligible to receive energy from one or more distributed energy sources;

determining the amount of energy that is available to be supplied to said group of customers from said one or more distributed energy sources;

defining a profile for supply of energy to consumers in said group, based upon said determined amount of available energy from said one or more distributed energy resources and data describing energy requirements of consumers in said group;

selecting consumers in said group to be supplied energy from said one or more distributed energy sources, based upon said profile; and

connecting the selected consumers to said one or more distributed energy sources, to thereby supply the selected consumers with energy during the disruption in the distribution network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining consumers who are eligible to receive energy comprises identifying an isolated portion of the distribution network that contains a fault, and determining consumers who are disconnected from a source of energy on the distribution network as a result of said isolated portion.

3. The method of claim 2, further including the step of sending a command to consumers in said group of disconnect from the distribution network, and wherein said connecting step includes sending a second command to the selected consumers to re-connect to the distribution network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said data energy requirements of consumers in said group includes recent consumption of the energy by the respective consumers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said data describing energy requirements of consumers in said group includes respective priority levels for supply of energy among respective consumers in said group.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said data describing energy requirements of consumers in said group includes historical data regarding interruption in the supply of energy to respective consumers in said group.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said profile is also based upon an anticipated duration of the disruption in the distribution network.

8. The method of claim 7 further including the steps of receiving information regarding a change in the anticipated duration, adjusting said profile in accordance with said change, and revising the selected consumers in said group who are connected to the distribution network in accordance with the adjusted profile.

9. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of monitoring the available energy from said one or more distributed energy sources while said selected consumers are connected to the distributed energy sources, and selectively adding or removing consumers to the selected consumers in accordance with changes in the available energy.

10. The method of claim 1 further including the steps, in response to an indication that the disruption has ceased, of disconnecting the selected consumers from the distributed energy sources, and connecting the selected consumers to the distribution network.