Communication and control network for distributed power resource units
First Claim
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1. A method for providing electrical power to a plurality of end-users of electricity, comprising:
- receiving data in a central control center from each of the plurality of end-users, the data representing a demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users;
determining a power output from each of a plurality of electric-power devices each capable of providing a maximum of approximately 10 megawatts of electrical power necessary to meet an aggregate of the demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users based on the data from each of the plurality of end-users and operating characteristics of each of the plurality of electric-power devices, using only the central control center, to optimize the operation of at least one of the electric-power devices by at least one of;
minimizing an operating expense of the at least one of the electric-power devices;
maximizing a reliability of the at least one of the electric-power devices;
minimizing a cost to produce electric power using the at least one of the electric-power devices; and
maximizing an efficiency of the at least one of the electric-power devices; and
sending commands from the central control center to each of the plurality of electric-power devices to cause the plurality of electric-power devices to generate a combined power output equal to at least the aggregate of the demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users.
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Abstract
Methods and systems are disclosed for managing a plurality of power resource assets from a central control center, operating the plurality of power resource assets in an automated fashion as a single power plant.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for providing electrical power to a plurality of end-users of electricity, comprising:
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receiving data in a central control center from each of the plurality of end-users, the data representing a demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users;
determining a power output from each of a plurality of electric-power devices each capable of providing a maximum of approximately 10 megawatts of electrical power necessary to meet an aggregate of the demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users based on the data from each of the plurality of end-users and operating characteristics of each of the plurality of electric-power devices, using only the central control center, to optimize the operation of at least one of the electric-power devices by at least one of;
minimizing an operating expense of the at least one of the electric-power devices;
maximizing a reliability of the at least one of the electric-power devices;
minimizing a cost to produce electric power using the at least one of the electric-power devices; and
maximizing an efficiency of the at least one of the electric-power devices; and
sending commands from the central control center to each of the plurality of electric-power devices to cause the plurality of electric-power devices to generate a combined power output equal to at least the aggregate of the demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for providing electrical power to a plurality of end-users of electricity, comprising:
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a communications network;
a plurality of electric-power devices each capable of providing a maximum of approximately 10 megawatts of electrical power;
a central control center in communication with the plurality of electric-power devices, wherein the central control center;
receives data from each of the plurality of end-users by way of the communications system, the data representing a demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users;
exclusively determines a power output from each of the plurality of electric-power devices necessary to meet an aggregate of the demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users based on the data from each of the plurality of end-users and operating characteristics of each of the plurality of electric-power devices, to optimize the operation of at least one of the electric-power devices by at least one of;
minimizing an operating expense of the at least one of the electric-power devices;
maximizing a reliability of the at least one of the electric-power devices;
minimizing a cost to produce electric power using the at least one of the electric-power devices; and
maximizing an efficiency of the at least one of the electric-power devices; and
sends commands to the plurality of electric-power devices by way of the communications network, the commands causing the plurality of electric-power devices to generate a combined power output equal to at least the aggregate of the demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for:
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receiving data from each of a plurality of end-users of electrical power, the data representing a demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users;
exclusively determining a power output from each of a plurality of electric-power devices having a maximum power-generating capacity of approximately 10 megawatts necessary to meet an aggregate of the demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users based on the data from each of the plurality of end-users and operating characteristics of each of the plurality of electric-power devices, to optimize the operation of at least one of the electric-power devices by at least one of;
minimizing an operating expense of the at least one of the electric-power devices;
maximizing a reliability of the at least one of the electric-power devices;
minimizing a cost to produce electric power using the at least one of the electric-power devices; and
maximizing an efficiency of the at least one of the electric-power devices; and
sending commands to the plurality of electric-power devices for causing the plurality of electric-power devices to generate a combined power output equal to at least the aggregate of the demand for electrical power from each of the plurality of end-users. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification