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

• US 10,559,976 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2017
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Causam Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
• Inventors: Forbes, Jr., Joseph W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karim, Ziaul
• Application Number:
  US15/670,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20170338693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 700286-296
• 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 for smart electric power grid communication are disclosed in the present invention. At least one grid element is constructed and configured in network-based communication with a server via at least one coordinator. The at least one grid element is transformed into at least one active grid element automatically and/or autonomously after initial connection with the server. The at least one active grid element sends and receives messages to and from the server via at least one coordinator. The at least one coordinator matches and prioritizes the at least one active grid element. The at least one coordinator provides a priority flag on the messages. The at least one coordinator tracks an actual amount of power introduced to and available for an electric power grid or a curtailment power available from the at least one active grid element.

Claims

1. A system for electric power grid management and communication, comprising:

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

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

wherein the at least one grid element is transformed into at least one active grid element automatically and/or autonomously upon registration with the at least one coordinator, wherein a security interface is associated with the at least one active grid element, wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to receive security system messages from at least one remotely-located security system via the security interface, wherein the security interface is standards-based or determined by a governing entity that regulates grid operations for utilities, market participants or grid operators;

wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to send and receive messages to and from the server via the at least one coordinator;

wherein the messages have a deliver priority based on virtual private networks, independent identifying addresses, and/or manufacturers specific identifying codes;

wherein the at least one active grid element has a unique grid element identifier which is a combination of an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address, an international manufacturer equipment identifier (IMEI), and electronic serial numbers or a Media Access Control (MAC) address;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to match and prioritize the at least one active grid element;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to provide a priority flag on the messages;

wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to track, based on revenue grade metrology, an amount of power supply available for the electric power grid or a curtailment power available from the at least one active grid element; and

wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to actively participate in the electric power grid, and wherein the actively participating is selected from the group consisting of consuming electric power from the electric power grid, supplying power to the electric power grid, and curtailing power consumption from the electric power grid.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one active grid element comprises at least one mobile or network device having at least one access point name (APN) for providing a priority of delivery for the messages.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one active grid element has a profile comprising an energy supply pattern or an energy usage pattern.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transformation is registered in a database, and wherein the database is registered with an Independent System Operator (ISO), a Balancing Agency (BA), a Market Participant, a utility service area, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and/or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the messages are transmitted in real time or within approximately 15 minutes.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one active grid element comprises at least one attribute, and wherein the at least one attribute includes an attachment point information, a geodetic information, a status, a capacity, a grid element identifier, a grid element profile, a power consumption, an instantaneous power flow, a historical power flow, and combinations thereof.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of power available for the electric power grid or a curtailment power available from the at least one active grid element is based on measurement and verification.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the server initiates the transformation of the at least one grid element.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the messages are communicated using at least one virtual private network (VPN).

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one grid element includes a set of profiles or commands that enable creation of microgrids that autonomously operate independently of a macro-grid operator upon loss of communication or power.

11. A method for electric power grid management and communication, comprising:

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

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

the at least one grid element transforming into at least one active grid element upon registration with the at least one coordinator, wherein a security interface is associated with the at least one active grid element, wherein the security interface is standards-based or determined by a governing entity that regulates grid operations for utilities, market participants or grid operators;

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

the at least one coordinator providing a priority flag on Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages between the server and the at least one active grid element;

the at least one coordinator tracking, based on revenue grade metrology, an amount of power supply available for the electric power grid or a curtailment power available from the at least one active grid element;

the at least one active grid element actively participating in the electric power grid, and wherein the actively participating is selected from the group consisting of consuming electric power from the electric power grid, supplying power to the electric power grid, and curtailing power consumption from the electric power grid; and

the at least one active grid element receiving security system messages from at least one remotely-located security system via the security interface;

wherein the IP-based messages include a deliver priority based on virtual private networks, independent identifying addresses, and/or manufacturers specific identifying codes; and

wherein the at least one active grid element includes a unique grid element identifier which is a combination of an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address, an international manufacturer equipment identifier (IMEI), and electronic serial numbers or a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the at least one coordinator routing the IP-based messages to at least one database for storage.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the server initiating a transformation of the at least one grid element.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the at least one active grid element sending the IP-based messages using at least one virtual private network (VPN) to the server via the at least one coordinator and/or the at least one active grid element receiving the IP-based messages using the at least one VPN from the server via the at least one coordinator.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one grid element includes a set of profiles or commands that enable creation of microgrids that autonomously operate independently of a macro-grid operator upon loss of communication or power.