SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AND PROVIDING DISPATCHABLE OPERATING RESERVE ENERGY CAPACITY THROUGH USE OF ACTIVE LOAD MANAGEMENT

• US 20110172837A1
• Filed: 02/02/2011
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technology, Inc. (Landis+Gyr Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Consert, Inc. (Landis+Gyr Group AG)
• Inventors: Forbes, Joseph W. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,996,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/291
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/003 Load forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future load demand
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/004 Generation forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future energy generation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• 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: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

A utility employs an active load management system (ALMS) to estimate available operating reserve for possible dispatch to the utility or another requesting entity (e.g., an independent system operator). According to one embodiment, the ALMS determines amounts of electric power stored in power storage devices, such as electric or hybrid electric vehicles, distributed throughout the utility'"'"'s service area. The ALMS stores the stored power data in a repository. Responsive to receiving a request for operating reserve, the ALMS determines whether the stored power data alone or in combination with projected energy savings from a control event is sufficient to meet the operating reserve requirement. If so, the ALMS dispatches power from the power storage devices to the power grid to meet the operating reserve need. The need for operating reserve may also be communicated to mobile power storage devices to allow them to provide operating reserve as market conditions require.

Claims

1. A method for estimating operating reserve of a utility servicing one or more service points, the method comprising:

determining amounts of electric power consumed by at least a first set of devices during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data, the first set of devices being located at the one or more service points;

storing the power consumption data in a repository;

determining that a control event is to occur during which a supply of electric power is to be reduced to at least the first set of devices;

estimating, prior to commencement of the control event and under an assumption that the control event is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the first set of devices during a first period of time based at least on the stored power consumption data, wherein the control event is expected to occur during the first period of time;

determining, prior to commencement of the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event based at least on the estimated power consumption behavior of the first set of devices;

determining, prior to commencement of the control event, amounts of electric power stored by a second set of devices located at the one or more service points to produce stored power data; and

determining, prior to commencement of the control event, an amount of available operating reserve based on the projected energy savings and the stored power data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

distributing the available operating reserve subsequent to commencement of the control event.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the utility utilizes at least some renewable energy produced by a renewable energy source and wherein the available operating reserve is distributed to provide regulating reserve during times of under-generation by the renewable energy source.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

managing distribution of the available operating reserve subsequent to commencement of the first control event.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that a first control event is to occur comprises:

determining that a first control event is to occur responsive to receipt of an Automatic Generation Control command.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining projected energy savings comprises:

determining an intermediate projected energy savings for each service point at which one or more devices are to be affected by the control event; and

aggregating the intermediate projected energy savings for a plurality of service points to produce the projected energy savings.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining projected energy savings is performed on a service point by service point basis.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining projected energy savings is performed on a utility-wide basis.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of devices includes one or more electric or hybrid electric vehicles.

10. A method for supplying operating reserve to a utility servicing one or more service points, the method comprising:

determining amounts of electric power stored by devices located at the one or more service points to produce stored power data;

storing the stored power data in a repository;

determining an amount of available operating reserve based on at least the stored power data;

receiving a request for operating reserve from the utility; and

responsive to the request for operating reserve, managing a flow of electric power from the devices to a power grid accessible by the utility.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving a request for operating reserve comprises:

receiving one of an Automatic Generation Control command and an independent service operator market signal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the devices include at least one of electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.

13. A method for supplying operating reserve to a utility, the method comprising:

determining, by a control device located at a service point, an amount of electric power stored by at least one device at the service point;

reporting, by the control device, the amount of stored power to a central controller; and

controlling, by the control device, a flow of electric power from the at least one device to a power grid accessible by the utility responsive to a request from the central controller, the request responding to a need for operating reserve by the utility.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one device includes an electric vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the control device is integrated into a charging station for the electric vehicle.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining, by the control device, that at least one other device is in process of being charged from the utility;

receiving, by the control device, a message from the central controller to commence a control event at the service point; and

ceasing charging of the at least one other device responsive to the message.

17. A utility that provides electrical service to one or more remotely located service points, each service point including at least one device that consumes power during operation thereof, the utility comprising:

a repository; and

at least one processor coupled to the repository, the at least one processor operable to;

determine amounts of electric power consumed by the at least a first set of devices during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data;

store the power consumption data in the repository;

determine that a control event is to occur during which a supply of electric power is to be reduced to at least the first set of devices;

estimate, prior to commencement of the control event and under an assumption that the control event is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of at least the first set of devices for a first period of time based at least on the stored power consumption data, wherein the control event is expected to occur during the first period of time;

determine, prior to commencement of the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event based at least on the estimated power consumption behavior of at least the first set of devices;

determine, prior to commencement of the control event, amounts of electric power stored by at least a second set of devices located at the one or more service points to produce stored power data; and

determine, prior to commencement of the control event, an amount of available operating reserve based on the projected energy savings and the stored power data.

18. The utility of claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to determine that the control event is to occur responsive to receipt of an Automatic Generation Control command.

19. The utility of claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to manage distribution of the available operating reserve subsequent to commencement of the control event.

20. A virtual utility operable to at least offer energy to one or more requesting utilities for use as operating reserve for the one or more requesting utilities, the virtual utility comprising:

a repository; and

at least one processor coupled to the repository, the at least one processor operable to;

determine amounts of electric power consumed by a first set of devices during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data, the first set of devices being located remotely from the processor;

store the power consumption data in the repository;

determine that a control event is to occur during which a supply of electric power is to be reduced to the first set of devices;

estimate, prior to commencement of the control event and under an assumption that the control event is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the first set of devices during a first period of time based at least on the stored power consumption data, wherein the control event is expected to occur during the first period of time;

determine, prior to commencement of the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event based at least on the estimated power consumption behavior of the first set of devices;

determine, prior to commencement of the control event, amounts of electric power stored by a second set of devices located remotely from the processor to produce stored power data;

determine, prior to commencement of the control event, an amount of operating reserve based on the projected energy savings and the stored power data; and

manage distribution of the amount of operating reserve to at least one of the requesting utilities subsequent to commencement of the control event.

21. The virtual utility of claim 20, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to determine that the control event is to occur responsive to receipt of an Automatic Generation Control command.