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

• US 9,465,397 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2013
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• 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): Everett, Christopher E
• Application Number:
  US13/746,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20140039701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,358 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. A system for electric power grid element and network management comprising:

at least one grid element constructed and configured for IP-based network communication via at least one coordinator with a server;

wherein the at least one grid element communicates an initial message to the coordinator for registration with the electric power grid;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to register and introduce the at least one grid element to the electric power grid;

wherein the at least one grid element is automatically and/or autonomously transformed into at least one active grid element via registration with the electric power grid;

wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to send messages to and receive messages from the server over network-based communication routed by the at least one coordinator;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to manage the at least one active grid element according to their characteristics, profiles, location and capability for responsiveness to various electric power grid resource requirements;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to match and prioritize the at least one active grid element for managed participation within the electric power grid;

wherein the server is operable to communicate IP-based messages to each of the at least one active grid element through the at least one coordinator after the registration;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to route messages from the at least one active grid element through the network connecting a multiplicity of databases;

wherein the server operates the multiplicity of databases to exchange information associated with the at least one active grid element for affecting electric grid operations, reporting, and/or stabilization; and

wherein registration of the at least one grid element is stored in the multiplicity of databases for predetermined periods of time for use with settlement associated with the at least one active grid element.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a plurality of grid elements that transform into a corresponding plurality of active grid elements after initial connection with the server via the network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one 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.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one grid element is a control device that operates, programs, and/or updates the other active grid elements.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one grid element is selected from the 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.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one grid element has a unique grid element identifier.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial message 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.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial message includes information about power supply value (PSV), power trade block (PTB), and/or kilowatt packet (KWP) units associated with each of the at least one grid element.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the transformation relating to the active grid element enables the active grid element to provide operating reserves and/or grid stabilization, and/or to serve native load, for the electric power grid.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an IP-based interface that facilitates communication of an IP-based message with the grid elements from a coordinator or the server.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the IP-based interface is selected from the group consisting essentially of WiMax, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Evolution for Data Only (EVDO), Long Term Evolution (LTE), any first or second generation wireless transport method such as EDGE, or Code Division Multiple Access, Ethernet, wired connectivity, Ethernet through a TDM communications network, or any proprietary Layer 1-4 protocol that contains or is capable of transporting an Internet Protocol message, and combinations thereof.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a security interface associated with each of the grid elements operable to receive security system messages from at least one remotely-located security system.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the initial message has a deliver priority including at least one of a plurality of methods to include priority access flags, virtual private networks, independent identifying addresses, manufacturers specific identifying codes, or combinations thereof, wherein the methods comply with standards as determined by the governing entity that regulates grid operations for utilities, market participants or grid operators.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one grid element communicates a signal or a message to initiate its transformation via registration with the electric power grid.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the message further includes at least one of:

a 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.

16. An apparatus for smart electric power grid communication comprising:

a coordinator constructed and configured for IP-based network communication with at least one grid element and a server associated with an electric power grid;

wherein the at least one grid element is operable to communicate an initial message to the coordinator;

wherein the coordinator is operable to register and introduce the at least one grid element to the electric power grid;

wherein the at least one grid element is automatically and/or autonomously transformed into an active grid element via registration with the electric power grid;

wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to send messages to and receive message from the server over network-based communication routed by the coordinator;

wherein the coordinator is operable to manage the at least one active grid element according to their characteristics, profiles, location and capability for responsiveness to various electric power grid resource requirements;

wherein the coordinator is operable to match and prioritize the at least one active grid element for managed participation within the electric power grid;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to route messages from the at least one active grid element through the network connecting a multiplicity of databases;

wherein the server operates the multiplicity of databases to exchange information associated with the at least one active grid element for affecting electric grid operations, reporting, and/or stabilization; and

wherein registration of the at least one grid element is stored in the multiplicity of databases for predetermined periods of time for use with settlement associated with the at least one active grid element.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one grid element includes a unique identifier.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the transformation is automatic and/or autonomous, following initial activation of the at least one grid element.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one grid element is authenticated, registered, and then performs the function intended to do within the electric power grid.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one grid element transmits a signal to the server for registering with the electric power grid.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one 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.

22. A method for electric power grid network management comprising the steps of:

providing at least one grid element constructed and configured for network-based communication with a server associated with an electric power grid via at least one coordinator;

the at least one grid element communicating an initial message to the at least one coordinator;

the at least one coordinator registering and introducing the at least one grid element to the electric power grid;

the at least one grid element automatically transforming into corresponding at least one active grid element for functioning actively within the electric power grid by the registration;

the at least one coordinator managing the at least one active grid element according to their characteristics, profiles, location and capability for responsiveness to various electric power grid resource requirements;

the at least one coordinator matching and prioritizing the at least one active grid element;

the at least one active grid element sending messages to and receiving messages from the server routed by the at least one coordinator;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to route messages from the at least one active grid element through the network connecting a multiplicity of databases;

wherein the server operates the multiplicity of databases to exchange information associated with the at least one active grid element for affecting electric grid operations, reporting, and/or stabilization; and

wherein registration of the at least one grid element is stored in the multiplicity of databases for predetermined periods of time for use with settlement associated with the at least one active grid element.

23. The method of claim 22, further including the step of:

connecting the at least one grid element to an electric power grid.

24. The method of claim 22, further including the step of:

the at least one grid element making an initial connection with the server via a network for communicating IP-based messages with the server.

25. A system for electric power grid element and network management comprising:

at least one grid element constructed and configured for IP-based network communication via at least one coordinator with a server operatively coupled with a memory; and

wherein the at least one grid element receives over a network an initial message having information about a registration of the at least one grid element to participate in the electric power grid from the server;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to manage the at least one active grid element according to their characteristics, profiles, location and capability for responsiveness to various electric power grid resource requirements;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to match and prioritize the at least one active grid element for managed participation within the electric power grid;

wherein the server is operable to communicate IP-based messages to each of the at least one active grid element through the at least one coordinator after the registration;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to route messages from the at least one active grid element through the network connecting a multiplicity of databases;

wherein the server operates the multiplicity of databases to exchange information associated with the at least one active grid element for affecting electric grid operations, reporting, and/or stabilization; and

wherein registration of the at least one grid element is stored in the multiplicity of databases for predetermined periods of time for use with settlement associated with the at least one active grid element.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one grid element is automatically and/or autonomously transformed into at least one active grid element after transmitting or receiving the IP-based message with the server and/or the processor operatively coupled with the memory via the network.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one grid element is operable to communicate updates with the server and/or the processor operably coupled with the memory via the network after the IP-based message is received.