Method and apparatus for actively managing electric power supply for an electric power grid

• US 9,563,215 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2012
• Issued: 02/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2012
• 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:
  US13/549,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20140018969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,669 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• 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 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/322 the battery being on-board an electric or hybrid vehicle, e.g. vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G], power aggregation, use of the battery for network load balancing, coordinated or cooperative battery charging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• 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 70/30 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 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 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/12 : Energy storage units, uninterruptible power supply [UPS] systems or standby or emergency generators, e.g. in the last power distribution stages
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 : Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/248 : UPS systems or standby or emergency generators

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing power supplied over an electric power grid by an electric utility and/or other market participants to multiplicity of grid elements and devices for supply and/or load curtailment as supply, each of which having a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energy consumption and/or reduction in consumption and/or supply, and wherein messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements and devices, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

Claims

1. A system for managing and supplying power on an electric power grid that is constructed and configured for supplying and receiving power from a multiplicity of sources, where the power flows to a plurality of power consuming devices or is generated by a plurality of power generation and storage solutions that are energized, de-energized, and/or power-reduced by a plurality of controllable devices, the system comprising:

a server comprising a command processor operable to receive or initiate power commands and issue power event messages responsive thereto based on requirements of an energy management system (EMS);

a coordinator constructed and configured in networked communication with the server, wherein the coordinator is operable for coordinating and managing all communications between the server and a multiplicity of grid elements;

wherein the multiplicity of grid elements comprises the multiplicity of sources, the plurality of power consuming devices, and the plurality of power generation and storage solutions;

wherein the coordinator is further operable to receive initial messages from the multiplicity of grid elements for registration;

wherein the multiplicity of grid elements are automatically registered with the coordinator after the coordinator receives the initial messages;

wherein the coordinator is further operable to match and prioritize the multiplicity of grid elements based on the power commands and the power event messages from the server;

wherein the coordinator is further operable to maintain and balance requirements of the energy management system with those of the electric power grid and the multiplicity of grid elements;

wherein the power event messages are communicated over a network via the coordinator through an Internet Protocol (IP)-based messaging or a proprietary-based messaging;

a database for storing information relating to power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices and an amount of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devices and/or an amount of power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid; and

wherein the system is operable for providing maintained or improved grid stability.

2. The system of claim 1, further including grid stabilization messaging that is communicated over the network through the coordinator and/or to the EMS using IP messaging.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power commands and power event messages include information about load curtailment or supply.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the power commands includes a power control command requiring a reduction in an amount of electric power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the power commands includes a power supply command requiring an introduction of an amount of electric power available for supply or to be supplied to the electric power grid.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the power commands include information about attachment points.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the coordinator generates, manages and/or communicates a power supply value (PSV) corresponding to the amount of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devices and/or the amount power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein information stored in the database further includes a status of the multiplicity of grid elements.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devices and/or the amount of power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid is responsive to the EMS.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the power event-messages are formatted according to requirements of the EMS.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the messaging and/or the information stored in the database includes status information about the multiplicity of grid elements.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the status information includes change-in-state or delta messaging.

13. The system of claim 1, further providing at least one Coordinator for each balancing authority (BA) providing for managed, coordinated cross-communication of status, change-in-status, grid stability metrics, control messages, and combinations thereof.

14. The system of claim 1, further including an event manager operable to receive the power event messages, maintain at least one power management status relating to each client device and issue power event instructions responsive to the power event messages that may be initiated from a market participant, a utility, or an electric grid operator;

and a client device manager in communication with the event manager and the database, the client device manager selecting from the database, based on the information stored in the database, at least one client device to which to issue a power control message indicating at least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced or increased and identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power or reduce settings corresponding to power consumption to one or more associated power consuming devices responsive to receipt of a power control event instruction requiring a reduction in a specified amount of electric power;

the plurality of controllable devices and corresponding device interfaces facilitating communication of power control instructions to the controllable devices,

the power control instructions causing the at least one controllable device to selectively enable and disable a flow of power to the power consuming device(s); and

a device control manager in communication with the controllable device interfaces for issuing a power control instruction to the controllable devices through the controllable device interfaces, responsive to the received power control message,

the power control instruction causing the controllable device(s) to disable a flow of electric power to at least one associated power consuming device for reducing consumed power.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the event manager, the client device manager, and the device control manager are integrated with each of the controllable device(s).

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the event manager, the client device manager, and the device control manager are constructed and configured in integrated communication with each of the controllable device(s).

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the event manager, the client device manager, and the device control manager are constructed and configured within a housing of each of the controllable device(s), and operably coupled thereto, and to each other.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the event manager, the client device manager, and the device control manager are constructed and configured external to a housing of each of the controllable device(s), and operably coupled thereto, and external to a housing of and operably coupled with each other.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the event manager, the client device manager, and the device control manager are constructed and configured external to the housing of each of the controllable device(s), and in electronic communication therewith.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the event manager, the client device manager, and the device control manager is operably coupled with one another and/or the controllable device(s).

21. The system of claim 14, wherein for each of the controllable device(s) the server generates a first power supply value (PSV).

22. The system of claim 21, wherein for each of the controllable device(s) the server generates a second power supply value (PSV) corresponding to the amount of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devices.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein customer profiles, status and ability to change states are based upon instructions provided by a market participant to any web-enabled device through an interface.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein customer profiles include Power Supply Value (PSV) and Power Trade Block (PTB) information.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is operable for providing operating reserves for supply or demand, based upon the amount of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devices and/or the amount of power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devices and/or the amount of power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid is aggregated to provide at least one Power Trade Block (PTB) unit.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is operable for providing revenue grade metrology for real-time, near real-time, or the timing required by the grid operator entity for generating operating reserves for grid stability.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the multiplicity of grid elements includes at least one controller for primary frequency response of an amount of power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the multiplicity of grid elements further includes a power supply value (PSV) corresponding to the amount of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devices and/or an amount power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is operable for providing revenue grade metrology for real-time, near real-time, or the timing required by the grid operator entity for generating operating reserves for grid stability, whether a compensation for generating the operating reserves is settled in real time or later.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the coordinator aggregates power supply values (PSVs) corresponding to each of the power consuming devices and/or power generation and storage solutions.

32. The system of claim 1, further including a power supply value (PSV) associated with the power consuming device(s) and associated with any sources of power available to be supplied or actually supplied to the electric power grid.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the power commands include a power inquiry command requesting the server to determine an amount of electric power available for temporary reduction or an amount of power available for supply, the power inquiry command being initiated by a requesting electric utility, market participant or electric power grid operator(s) and wherein the command processor issues an associated power event message responsive to the power inquiry command, the server further comprising:

a database that stores current power usage information for the at least one electric utility or electric power grid operator(s), wherein an event manager accesses a utility database responsive to receipt of the associated power event message and communicates a response to the power inquiry command indicating the amount of power available for temporary reduction of power and/or supply of power based on the current power usage information and a corresponding Power Supply Value (PSV).

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the amount of power available for temporary reduction and/or supply is based on the current power usage information and the corresponding PSV is provided in a minimum power trading block (PTB), wherein the minimum PTB is determined by a governing body for the electric power grid.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the amount of power available for temporary reduction and/or supply is based on the current power usage information and the corresponding PSV is aggregated to form a minimum PTB, wherein the minimum PTB is determined by a governing body for the electric power grid.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the amount of power available for temporary reduction and/or supply is based on the current power usage information and the corresponding PSV is aggregated to form at least one PTB, and the power is provided to the electric power grid as operating reserves.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the database further includes information relating to a maximum amount of time during which flow of electric power may be disabled or reduced by a particular controllable device, or supplied by a particular source.

38. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power savings application that computes an amount of electric power saved by a customer participating in the system during a power reduction event affecting the customer or a power supply event and computed to a Power Supply Value (PSV).

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising:

a carbon savings application that determines an amount of carbon saved by the customer during the power reduction event affecting the customer based on the amount of electric power saved by the customer as computed by the power savings application and computed to the PSV.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the power savings application further computes an amount of electric power saved by an electric utility, a market participant or electric power grid operator(s) participating in the system during the power reduction event or supplied by a particular source affecting the electric utility, market participant or electric power grid operator(s).

41. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a client interface that facilitates communication of the power event message to at least one client device.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the client interface comprises an IP-based interface.

43. The system of claim 42, 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, any proprietary Layer 1-4 protocol that contains or is capable of transporting an Internet Protocol message, and combinations thereof.

44. The system of claim 1, where the power event message includes a derived Power Supply Value that meets minimum requirements for measurement, verification and reporting accuracy as determined by a Governing Entity that regulates the operation of the electric power grid that includes utilities, market participants and/or grid operators.

45. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a security interface operable to receive security system messages from at least one remotely-located security system; and

a security device manager coupled to the security interface and operable to route the security system messages to at least one external security service based on predetermined messaging options.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the security interface is standards based as determined by the governing entity that regulates grid operations for utilities, market participants or grid operators.

47. The system of claim 1, wherein the power event messages have a priority of delivery including at least one of a plurality of methods to include priority access flags, virtual private networks, independent identifying addresses comprising at least one of Media Access Control (MAC), Internet Protocol (IP), and Electronic Serial Numbers, 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.

48. The system of claim 1, further including at least one mobile device having at least one access point name (APN) for providing a priority of delivery for the messages.

49. The system of claim 1, wherein a combination of a processor, database, coordinator, preferences manager, market conditions including price of electric power, grid stabilization events and location of customer relative to a grid operator'"'"'s generation, transmission and distribution elements is operable to effect a change on the electric power grid by a change in the power consuming devices by utilizing information provided by a grid operator, a market participant, or a utility to automatically or manually through a plurality of communications methods elect to curtail or consume power.

50. The system of claim 1, wherein a power supply value (PSV) indicates a compensation provided for power supply or curtailment.

51. The system of claim 50, further including aggregation of PSVs from a multiplicity of devices to form at least one PTB, and wherein the compensation is based upon operating reserves created and market pricing for those reserves.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the compensation includes capacity compensation, energy compensation, reserves compensation to include ancillary services and other grid stabilizing services, including voltage support, black start, cold load pick up, conservation voltage reduction, and/or any other reserve or embodiment of operating reserves created by the system.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein the power supply value (PSV) is generated based upon requirements of a governing entity for the power grid operating region and operational regulations.

54. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a communications interface facilitating communications between the server and the power consuming devices, wherein the coordinator communicates the PSV, and at least one status to the server.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the communications interface comprises an IP-based interface.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the communications interface further comprises:

a Layer-3 router operable to receive an Internet Protocol (IP) message that includes an IP address and determine whether the IP message is directed to a client device or an Internet-accessible device coupled to the client device; and

an IP device interface, coupled to the Layer-3 router, that receives the IP message from the Layer-3 router when the IP message is directed to an Internet-accessible device coupled to the client device and communicates the IP message to the Internet-accessible device.

57. The system of claim 1, wherein the power event message includes Internet Protocol addresses of the power consuming devices.

58. A method for managing power on an electric power grid that is constructed and configured for supplying and receiving power from a multiplicity of sources, where the power flows to a plurality of power consuming devices or is generated by a plurality of power generation and storage solutions that are energized, de-energized, and/or power-reduced by a plurality of controllable devices, the method steps comprising:

a coordinator coordinating and managing all communication between a server and a multiplicity of grid elements, wherein the multiplicity of grid elements comprises the multiplicity of sources, the plurality of power consuming devices, and the plurality of power generation and storage solutions;

the coordinator receiving initial messages from for registration the multiplicity of grid elements;

the multiplicity of grid elements being automatically registered with the coordinator after the coordinator receiving the initial messages;

the coordinator matching and prioritizing the multiplicity of grid elements;

the server receiving power commands and issuing power event messages responsive thereto based upon requirements of an energy management system (EMS), wherein at least one of the power commands requires a reduction in an amount of electric power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices and/or an amount of power to be available for supply or to be actually supplied to the electric power grid;

the coordinator receiving the power event messages, including at least one power management status relating to the multiplicity of grid elements;

storing in a database, information relating to power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices;

generating an actual value of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devices and power available for supply by at least one source;

the coordinator selecting from the database, based on the information stored in the database, at least one client device or at least one source to which to issue power event instructions response to the power event messages; and

the coordinator maintaining and balancing requirements of an energy management system with those of the electric power grid and the plurality of power consuming devices and the plurality of power generation and storage solutions.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising the step of:

based upon the reduction in the amount of electric power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices and/or the amount of power to be available for supply or to be actually supplied to the electric power grid, generating a power supply value (PSV) therefor.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the power event messages are based upon inputs initiated from a market participant, a utility, or an electric grid operator.

61. An apparatus for use in managing power on an electric power grid that is constructed and configured for supplying and receiving power from a multiplicity of supply sources, wherein the power flows to a plurality of power consuming devices or is generated by a plurality of power generation and/or storage solutions that are energized, de-energized, and/or power-reduced by a plurality of controllable devices, the apparatus comprising:

a coordinator for coordinating and managing all communication between a control server or Energy Management System (EMS) and a multiplicity of grid elements;

wherein the multiplicity of grid elements comprise the multiplicity of supply sources, the plurality of power consuming devices, and the plurality of power generation and storage solutions;

wherein all of the communication occurs over a network using IP-based or proprietary messaging; and

wherein the coordinator is further operable for receiving initial messages for registration from the multiplicity of grid elements;

wherein the multiplicity of grid elements are automatically registered with the coordinator after the coordinator receives the initial messages;

wherein the coordinator is further operable for matching and prioritizing the multiplicity of grid elements;

wherein the coordinator is further operable for maintaining and balancing requirements of the EMS with those of the electric power grid and the multiplicity of supply sources, the plurality of power consuming devices, and the plurality of power generation and storage solutions;

thereby providing controlled power management and/or supply for the electric power grid.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the communication further includes power event messages.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the power event messages further include at least one of:

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

location of attachment;

line losses;

distribution and transmission capacity information; and

combinations thereof.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the power event messages are based upon inputs initiated from a market participant, a utility, or an electric grid operator.

65. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the power event messages include information about Power Supply Value (PSV) or Power Trade Block (PTB) associated with at least one grid element.