System, method, and apparatus for electric power grid and network management of grid elements

• US 9,008,852 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2014
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Causam Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
• Inventors: Forbes, Joseph W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Karim, Ziaul
• Application Number:
  US14/290,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 700/22, 700286-297, 713/300, 340/870.02
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0255 the criterion being a time-optimal performance criterion
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40458 Grid adaptive optimization
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00006 characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment
• 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 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/10 Power transmission or distribution systems management focussing at grid-level, e.g. load flow analysis, node profile computation, meshed network optimisation, active network management or spinning reserve management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/20 Simulating, e g planning, reliability check, modelling or computer assisted design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• 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 40/12 : characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 : Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of active grid elements. Grid elements are transformed into active grid elements following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity. Also preferably, messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electric power grid communication comprising:

an active grid element having a function or a participation within an electric power grid, the active grid element constructed and configured within a housing for electrical connection and IP-based network communication with a server associated with the electric power grid;

wherein the active grid element is automatically and/or autonomously updated and is operable to transmit or receive an update message with the server;

wherein the update message, if received by the active grid element from the server, transforms the function or the participation of the active grid element within the electric power grid by updating at least one attribute of the active grid element;

wherein the update message, if transmitted to the server, includes information about the at least one updated attribute;

wherein the at least one attribute of the active grid element is selected from a revenue grade metrology for the active grid element, capacity or demand of the active grid element, security of the active grid element, settlement of the active grid element for its participation in the electric power grid, an active grid element profile, and combinations thereof; and

wherein the at least one attribute of the active grid element corresponds to the function or the participation of the active grid element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the active grid element includes a unique identifier.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the active grid element transmits a signal to the server for registering with the electric power grid.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the active grid element profile includes information about the consumption or supply of electric power by the active grid element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the active grid element is a device having the function or the participation for consuming electric power from an electric power grid, supplying power to an electric power grid, and/or measuring power relating to an electric power grid.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one attribute further includes at least one attribute corresponding to the active grid element and improving its function or participation within the electric power grid that is selected from a group consisting of:

a status, table information, pricing, metrology, telemetry, changes in time, status messages, location of market, attachment point information, geodetic information, status, capacity, grid element identifier, power consumption, power flows, grid element information accuracy, software, firmware, upgrades, prioritization, security, settlement, and combinations thereof.

7. An apparatus for electric power grid communication comprising:

an active grid element having a function or a participation within an electric power grid, the active grid element constructed and configured within a housing for electrical connection and IP-based network communication with a server associated with the electric power grid;

wherein the active grid element is automatically and/or autonomously updated and is operable to transmit or receive an update message with the server;

wherein the update message, if received by the active grid element from the server, transforms the function or the participation of the active grid element within the electric power grid by updating at least one attribute of the active grid element;

wherein the update message, if transmitted to the server, includes information about the at least one updated attribute;

wherein the at least one attribute of the active grid element is selected from a revenue grade metrology for the active grid element, security of the active grid element, settlement of the active grid element for its participation in the electric power grid, an active grid element profile, and combinations thereof; and

wherein the at least one attribute of the active grid element corresponds to the function or the participation of the active grid element.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the active grid element is a device that consumes electric power from an electric power grid, supplies power to an electric power grid, and/or measures power relating to an electric power grid.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the active grid elements a control device that operates, programs, and/or updates the other active grid elements.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the active grid element is selected from a group consisting of a sensor, a power-consuming device, an appliance, a meter, a switch, a controller, a control device, a thermostat, a building control system, a security device, and combinations thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the active grid elements a unique grid element identifier.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the update message improves, modifies, enhances, changes, and combinations thereof, characteristics of the active grid element in memory, ASIC, metrology, location, security, status, change-in-state, and combinations thereof, including power supply values (PSV) and/or power trade block (PTB) corresponding to the active grid element.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the update message improves, modifies, enhances, changes, and combinations thereof, characteristics of the active grid element corresponding to activities of the active grid element, including grid stability enhancement, load curtailment, real-time energy management, supply availability, transmission capacity information, revenue grade metrology tables, device assignment, and combinations thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the update message further includes at least one of:

status of device(s), supply source(s), and/or demand;

location of attachment;

line losses;

distribution and transmission capacity information;

grid stability information; and

combinations thereof.

15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the update message further includes information about power supply value (PSV), power trade block (PTB), and/or kilo-watt packet (KWP) units associated with each of the active grid element.

16. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the active grid element further includes a security interface operable to receive security messages.

17. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the update message further includes a delivery priority, the delivery priority including at least one of priority access flags, virtual private networks, independent identifying addresses (MAC, IP, Electronic Serial Numbers), manufacturers specific identifying codes, or combinations thereof, wherein the delivery priority complies with standards as determined by a governing entity that regulates grid operations for utilities, market participants or grid operators.

18. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the update message further includes at least one of:

a grid element geodetic reference, a grid element identifier, a grid element authentication, a grid element type, a grid element function, a grid element capacity, a grid element profile, a grid element attachment point reference, a grid element power supply value (PSV), a grid element power trade block (PTB) value, a grid element balancing authority association, a grid element owner identifier, a grid element compatibility identifier, and combinations thereof.

19. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the active grid element transmits a signal to the server for registering with the electric power grid.

20. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the active grid element profile includes information about the consumption or supply of electric power by the active grid element.

21. An apparatus for electric power grid communication comprising:

an active grid element having a function or a participation within an electric power grid, the active grid element constructed and configured within a housing for electrical connection and IP-based network communication with a server associated with the electric power grid;

wherein the active grid element is automatically and/or autonomously updated and is operable to transmit or receive an update message with the server;

wherein the update message, if received by the active grid element from the server, transforms the function or the participation of the active grid element within the electric power grid by updating at least one attribute of the active grid element;

wherein the update message, if transmitted to the server, includes information about the at least one updated attribute;

wherein the at least one attribute includes a profile that corresponds to performance of the at least one grid element; and

wherein the profile provides programming for determining a role and for providing automated participation of the active grid element in the electric power grid.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein at least one attribute of the active grid element further includes a second attribute selected from a revenue grade metrology for the active grid element, a calibration of the active grid element, capacity or demand of the active grid element, security of the active grid element, settlement of the active grid element for its participation in the electric power grid, an active grid element profile, and combinations thereof;

the second attribute corresponding to the function or the participation of the active grid element.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the update message further includes at least one of:

a grid element geodetic reference, a grid element identifier, a grid element authentication, a grid element type, a grid element function, a grid element capacity, a grid element profile, a grid element attachment point reference, a grid element power supply value (PSV), a grid element power trade block (PTB) value, a grid element balancing authority association, a grid element owner identifier, a grid element compatibility identifier, and combinations thereof.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the active grid element further includes a security interface operable to receive security messages.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the update message further includes information about power supply value (PSV), power trade block (PTB), and/or kilo-watt packet (KWP) units associated with the active grid element.

26. An apparatus for electric power grid communication comprising:

an grid element having a function or a participation within an electric power grid, the grid element constructed and configured within a housing for electrical connection and IP-based network communication with a server associated with the electric power grid;

wherein the grid element is automatically and/or autonomously updated and is operable to transmit or receive an update message with the server;

wherein the update message, if received by the grid element from the server, transforms the function or the participation of the grid element within the electric power grid by updating at least one attribute of the grid element;

wherein the update message, if transmitted to the server, includes information about the at least one updated attribute;

wherein the at least one attribute of the grid element is selected from a revenue grade metrology for the grid element, capacity or demand of the grid element, security of the grid element, settlement of the grid element for its participation in the electric power grid, an grid element profile, and combinations thereof; and

wherein the at least one attribute of the grid element corresponds to the function or the participation of the grid element.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the update message further includes at least one of:

a grid element geodetic reference, a grid element identifier, a grid element authentication, a grid element type, a grid element function, a grid element capacity, a grid element profile, a grid element attachment point reference, a grid element power supply value (PSV), a grid element power trade block (PTB) value, a grid element balancing authority association, a grid element owner identifier, a grid element compatibility identifier, and combinations thereof.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the grid element further includes a security interface operable to receive security messages.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the update message further includes information about power supply value (PSV), power trade block (PTB), and/or kilo-watt packet (KWP) units associated with the grid element.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the grid element includes a unique identifier.