TACTICAL SMART GRIDS

• US 20120158196A1
• Filed: 12/21/2010
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Eldershaw, Craig, Duff, David G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,281,690 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/287
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00026 involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/10 The dispersed energy generation being of fossil origin, e.g. diesel generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/10 The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/144 Demand-response operation of the power transmission or distribution network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

A tactical smart grid system and method includes a plurality of energy generators and a plurality of loads, where the loads require energy from at least some of the energy generators. A plurality of interface units are provided, where each energy generator and load are connected to one of the plurality of interface units. Each of the interface units including a controller to thereby provide distributed intelligence and distributed system control, thereby removing the requirement of a centrally controlled system.

Claims

1. A tactical smart grid system comprising:

a plurality of energy generators;

a plurality of loads, the loads requiring energy to operate; and

a plurality of interface units, one of the plurality of the interface units connected to each of the energy generators and the loads, each of the interface units configured to have a controller which provides the tactical smart grid with intelligence.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system has no central control mechanism.

3. The system of claim 1 further including a commissioning tool having access to a database of data related to the energy generators and the loads, and a downloading mechanism to download the data regarding the energy generators and the loads to the interface unit connected to the corresponding generator or load.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein the downloading mechanism is configured to download the data only when the user is within sight of the interface unit.

5. The system according to claim 3 wherein the commissioning tool holds a code that is downloaded to the interface unit, wherein the interface units use the code to authenticate themselves as a trusted interface unit.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the interface unit is configured to act upon both:

jointly computed, near-real-time responses to changes detected in the system; and

pre-computed, locally stored rules allowing fast response to several likely scenarios, for a hybrid response design.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the interface units contain active diagnostics, for diagnosing problems while the grid is operational.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein communication among the interface units is carried on the power lines of the grid.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the communication among the interface unit is by wireless communication.

10. The system according to claim 1 further including a command and control module incorporated into the system to provide system level awareness, for at least one of command re-prioritization and diagnostic control.

12. The method according to claim 10 further including upon fragmenting of the system, automatically reconfiguring system configuration by interaction of the interface units among themselves, without use of a central controller.

11. A method of operating a tactical smart grid system having a plurality of generators and a plurality of loads, the method comprising:

connecting an interface unit to each of the generators and to each of the loads;

performing system operations and control by the interface units communicating with each other, wherein intelligence is distributed among the interface units.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the system has no central control mechanism.

14. The method of claim 11 further including providing information to an interface unit, upon system set-up, by use of a commissioning tool having access to a database of data related to the energy generators and the loads, and a downloading mechanism to download the data regarding the energy generators and the loads to the interface unit connected to the corresponding generator and load.

15. The method according to claim 14 further including downloading the data with the downloading mechanism only when a user is within sight of the interface unit.

16. The method according to claim 11 wherein the interface unit is configured to act upon both:

jointly computed, near-real-time responses to changes detected in the system, and

pre-computed, locally stored rules allowing fast response to several likely scenarios, for a hybrid response design.

17. The method according to claim 11 further including performing active diagnostics, for diagnosing problems while the grid is operational.

18. A distributed energy management and production micro-system comprising:

a least one energy generator;

a plurality of loads, the loads requiring energy to operate; and

a plurality of interface units, one of the interface units connected to each of the energy generator and the plurality of loads, each of the interface units configured to have a controller with embedded intelligence, wherein the micro-system does not require a central controlled.