SYSTEM AND METHODS TO ASSESS, MANAGE AND CONTROL DISTRIBUTED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES ON A GRID OR MICROGRID AND ACHIEVE A 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY GRID OR MICROGRID FROM CLEAN, CARBON FREE, AND WATER CONSERVING DISTRIBUTED RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND RESOURCES

• US 20140371935A1
• Filed: 08/27/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MelRok, LLC
• Original Assignee: Expanergy, LLC
• Inventors: Kamel, Michel Roger, Donahue, Paul W., Dankworth, Jeffrey Alan
• Application Number:
  US14/470,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20140371935A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/291
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/001 Measuring real or reactive component; Measuring apparent energy G01R21/01, G01R21/02, G01R21/08, G01R21/10 and G01R21/127 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 by using digital technique
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/1333 adapted for special tariff measuring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06312 Adjustment or analysis of established resource schedule, e.g. resource or task levelling, or dynamic rescheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• 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 13/00014 carrying signals having the network frequency or DC signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/20 Simulating, e g planning, reliability check, modelling or computer assisted design [CAD]
• 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: 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 60/00 : Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 : Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/82 : Energy audits or management systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/84 : Greenhouse gas [GHG] management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/845 : Inventory and reporting systems for greenhouse gases [GHG]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 : Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 : using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 : Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 : Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

Systems and methods dynamically measure, ascertain, and compare a local facility load with local renewable energy generation in substantially real time and determine whether excess energy exists from the local distributed renewable energy resource. Further, systems and methods forecast the available excess energy from the local distributed renewable energy resource that can be managed and controlled in increments. The increments can be fed to the grid for purchase, stored in a regional energy store, stored in a local energy store, or shed.

Claims

1. A method to manage excess energy from distributed renewable energy resources, the method comprising:

automatically receiving in a substantially continuous way a measurement of energy generated by a distributed renewable energy resource;

automatically receiving in a substantially continuous way a measurement of energy consumed from the energy generated by the distributed renewable energy resource;

based at least in part on the received measurement of energy generated and the received measurement of energy consumed, automatically determining excess energy generated by the distributed renewable resource; and

controlling the excess energy with a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling the excess energy comprises controlling an amount of the excess energy.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the amount of the excess energy comprises a range between approximately 0% and approximately 100%.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising receiving a request over a network to acquire the amount of the excess energy.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein controlling the excess energy further comprises inputting the amount of the excess energy to an electrical grid in response to the request.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the network comprises the Internet.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling the excess energy comprises storing an amount of the excess energy in an energy store that is local to the distributed renewable energy resource.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling the excess energy comprises shedding an amount of the excess energy.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving in a substantially continuous way the measurement of energy consumed comprises receiving the measurement of energy consumed at least once every 15 minutes.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving in a substantially continuous way the measurement of energy generated comprises receiving the measurement of energy generated at a rate sufficient to synchronize the energy generated by the distributed renewable resource with energy on an electrical grid.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising aggregating the excess energy from a plurality of distributed renewable resources.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising forecasting a quantity of excess energy for a preselected period of time based at least in part on the received measurement of energy generated and the received measurement of energy consumed.

13. An apparatus to manage excess energy from distributed renewable energy resources, the apparatus comprising:

a first analog to digital converter configured to automatically provide in a substantially continuous way a measurement related to energy generated by a distributed renewable energy resource;

a first data sampling device configured to receive the measurement related to energy generated and to provide energy generated data;

a second analog to digital converter configured to automatically provide in a substantially continuous way a measurement related to energy consumed from the energy generated by the distributed renewable energy resource;

a second data sampling device configured to receive the measurement related to energy consumed and to provide energy consumed data;

a data analyzer comprising computer hardware configured to automatically determine excess energy generated by the distributed renewable resource based at least in part on the energy generated data and the energy consumed data; and

a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller configured to control the excess energy.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein controlling the excess energy comprises controlling an amount of the excess energy.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the amount of the excess energy comprises a range between approximately 0% and approximately 100%.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a communication port configured to receive a request over a network to acquire the amount of the excess energy.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein controlling the excess energy comprises storing an amount of the excess energy in an energy store that is local to the distributed renewable energy resource.

20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein controlling the excess energy comprises shedding an amount of the excess energy.

21. The method of claim 13 wherein to provide in a substantially continuous way the measurement related to energy consumed comprises to provide the measurement related to energy consumed at least once every 15 minutes.

22. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein to provide in a substantially continuous way the measurement related to energy generated comprises to provide the measurement related to energy generated at a rate sufficient to synchronize the energy generated by the distributed renewable resource with energy on an electrical grid.

23. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the data analyzer is further configured to aggregate the excess energy from a plurality of distributed renewable resources.

24. The apparatus of claim 13 further wherein the data analyzer is further configured to forecast a quantity of excess energy for a preselected period of time based at least in part on the energy generated data and the energy consumed data.

17. The apparatus of 16 wherein controlling the excess energy further comprises inputting the amount of the excess energy to an electrical grid in response to the request.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the network comprises the Internet.