System and method for providing collaborating power controllers

• US 8,941,261 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2010
• Issued: 01/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shaffer, Shmuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): INGE, JOSEPH N
• Application Number:
  US12/710,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20110204717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,800 Days
• Field of Search: 307/18, 705/34
• US Class Current: 307/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/008 Rewarding for providing delivery of electricity to the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/20 The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/28 The renewable source being wind energy wind motors F03D
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/40 wherein a plurality of decentralised, dispersed or local energy generation technologies are operated simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/008 involving trading of energy or energy transmission rights
• 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 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/30 Reactive power compensation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a message associated with a detection of reactive power in an energy system and inducing a first quantity of reactive power at a power level specified in the message. The first quantity of reactive power is induced in order to mitigate a second quantity of reactive power that is detected on a specific segment of the energy system. The first quantity of reactive power is induced at a local level on which a source associated with the second quantity of reactive power operates. In more specific embodiments, the message is sent in response to a sensor detecting the second quantity of reactive power, where the first quantity and the second quantity of reactive power are the same. In other embodiments, the method can include receiving a second message to stop mitigating the first quantity of reactive power.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

detecting a quantity of reactive power on a specific segment of an energy system;

selecting one network element from a plurality of network elements connected to the specific segment of the energy system and capable of producing reactive power, wherein the selecting is based on at least one of a billing plan associated with each of the network elements, a power agreement associated with each of the network elements, a subscriber base of the specific segment of the energy system, and the functional status and capabilities of each of the network elements;

sending a message associated with the detection to the selected network element, the message specifying a power level of the detected reactive power;

wherein subsequent to receipt of the message, the selected network element induces a first quantity of reactive power at the power level specified in the message, wherein the first quantity of reactive power is induced in order to mitigate a second quantity of reactive power detected on the specific segment of the energy system, and wherein the first quantity of reactive power is induced at a local level on which a source associated with the second quantity of reactive power operates; and

generating a bill for a particular time interval, wherein the bill is based on compliance with the message by inducing the first quantity of reactive power by the selected network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is sent in response to a sensor of the energy system detecting the second quantity of reactive power, and wherein the first quantity of reactive power and the second quantity of reactive power are the same.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second message to stop mitigating the first quantity of reactive power, wherein the second message is sent in response to detecting that the second quantity of reactive power is no longer present on the specific segment of the energy system.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a financial benefit to an owner associated with activities inducing the first quantity of reactive power, wherein the financial benefit is provided in response to complying with the message to induce the first quantity of reactive power.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first quantity of reactive power compensates for the second quantity of reactive power on the specific segment of the energy system to bring an associated power factor closer to one.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the message includes a specific time interval in which the first quantity of reactive power is consumed, and wherein the message includes a specific polarity associated with the first quantity of reactive power to be consumed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first quantity of reactive power is phase shifted 180°

in relation to the second quantity of reactive power.

8. Logic encoded in one or more tangible non-transitory media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:

detecting a quantity of reactive power on a specific segment of an energy system;

selecting one network element from a plurality of network elements connected to the specific segment of the energy system and capable of producing reactive power, wherein the selecting is based on at least one of a billing plan associated with each of the network elements, a power agreement associated with each of the network elements, a subscriber base of the specific segment of the energy system, and the functional status and capabilities of each of the network elements;

sending a message associated with the detection to the selected network element, the message specifying a power level of the detected reactive power;

wherein subsequent to receipt of the message, the selected network element induces a first quantity of reactive power at the power level specified in the message, wherein the first quantity of reactive power is induced in order to mitigate a second quantity of reactive power detected on the specific segment of the energy system, and wherein the first quantity of reactive power is induced at a local level on which a source associated with the second quantity of reactive power operates; and

generating a bill for a particular time interval, wherein the bill is based on compliance with the message by inducing the first quantity of reactive power by the selected network element.

9. The logic of claim 8, wherein the message is sent in response to a sensor of the energy system detecting the second quantity of reactive power, and wherein the first quantity of reactive power and the second quantity of reactive power are the same.

10. The logic of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprises:

receiving a second message to stop mitigating the first quantity of reactive power, wherein the second message is sent in response to detecting that the second quantity of reactive power is no longer present on the specific segment of the energy system.

11. The logic of claim 8, wherein a financial benefit is provided to an owner associated with activities inducing the first quantity of reactive power, and wherein the financial benefit is provided in response to complying with the message to induce the first quantity of reactive power.

12. The logic of claim 8, wherein the first quantity of reactive power compensates for the second quantity of reactive power on the specific segment of the energy system to bring an associated power factor closer to one.

13. The logic of claim 8, wherein the first quantity of reactive power is phase shifted 180°

in relation to the second quantity of reactive power.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory element configured to store electronic code;

a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the electronic code; and

a management system configured to interface with the processor and further configured to;

detect a quantity of reactive power on a specific segment of an energy system;

select one network element from a plurality of network elements connected to the specific segment of the energy system and capable of producing reactive power, wherein the selecting is based on at least one of a billing plan associated with each of the network elements, a power agreement associated with each of the network elements, a subscriber base of the specific segment of the energy system, and the functional status and capabilities of each of the network elements;

send a message associated with the detection to the selected network element, the message specifying a power level of the detected reactive power;

wherein subsequent to receipt of the message, the selected network element induces a first quantity of reactive power at the power level specified in the message, wherein the first quantity of reactive power is induced in order to mitigate a second quantity of reactive power detected on the specific segment of the energy, and wherein the first quantity of reactive power is induced at a local level on which a source associated with the second quantity of reactive power operates; and

generate a bill for a particular time interval, wherein the bill is based on compliance with the message by inducing the first quantity of reactive power by the selected network element.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a neighborhood area controller configured to communicate the message, wherein the message is sent in response to a sensor of the energy system detecting the second quantity of reactive power, and wherein the first quantity of reactive power and the second quantity of reactive power are the same.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a second message is received to stop mitigating the first quantity of reactive power, and wherein the second message is sent in response to detecting that the second quantity of reactive power is no longer present on the specific segment of the energy system.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a financial benefit is provided to an owner associated with activities inducing the first quantity of reactive power, and wherein the financial benefit is provided in response to complying with the message to induce the first quantity of reactive power.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first quantity of reactive power compensates for the second quantity of reactive power on the specific segment of the energy system to bring an associated power factor closer to one.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the message includes a specific time interval in which the first quantity of reactive power is consumed, and wherein the message includes a specific polarity associated with the first quantity of reactive power to be consumed.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first quantity of reactive power is phase shifted 180°

in relation to the second quantity of reactive power.