System and method for estimating and providing dispatchable operating reserve energy capacity through use of active load management

• US 9,651,973 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2014
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Causam Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
• Inventors: Forbes, Jr., Joseph W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US14/517,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20150039149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• 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 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• 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: 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 20/248 UPS systems or standby or emergency generators

Abstract

A method for generating a value for available operating reserve for electric utility. Electric power consumption by at least one device is determined during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data, stored in a repository. Prior to a control event for power reduction and under an assumption that it is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the device(s) is determined for a time period during which the control event is expected to occur based on stored power consumption data. Additionally, prior to the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event, and associated with a power supply value (PSV) are determined based on devices'"'"' power consumption behavior. Amount of available operating reserve is determined based on projected energy savings.

Claims

1. A system that receives electric power from an electric power grid, the system comprising:

at least one power consuming device that requires electric power to operate;

at least one controllable device operably coupled to the at least one power consuming device, the at least one controllable device operable to control a flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one power consuming device responsive to power control instructions;

a backup power subsystem operably coupled to the at least one power consuming device, the backup power subsystem operable to automatically supply electric power to the at least one power consuming device when a flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one power consuming device drops below a threshold; and

a client device operable to receive power control messages from a remote system control component and provide power control instructions to the at least one controllable device responsive to the power control messages, wherein a first received power control message instructs the client device to disable a flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one power consuming device, and wherein a first power control instruction instructs the at least one controllable device to disable the flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one power consuming device and causing activation of the backup power subsystem;

wherein each of the at least one power consuming devices has a corresponding power supply value (PSV) for a period of time of the disabled flow of electric power.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote system control component is operable for aggregating the PSV of the at least one power consuming devices.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote system control component includes a utility or utility server.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote system control component is operably controlled by a utility.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the client device is integrated into a smart meter.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the power control messages and/or the power control instructions are operable to be transmitted via at least one wireless communication protocol.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one power consuming device includes at least one of a data center, a mobile switching center, and a central office telephone switch.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the backup power subsystem includes at least one of a battery backup system, a backup generator system, a backup solar power system, and a backup hydrogen fuel cell system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the client device is further operable to communicate with the at least one controllable device and/or the at least one power consuming device via at least one of Internet Protocol, Bluetooth, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, 4G, Wi-Fi, and its derivative standards.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the client device is further operable to communicate with the at least one controllable device and/or the at least one power consuming device via at least one of Ethernet solution, wireless or wired.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the client device is further operable to communicate with the at least one controllable device and/or the at least one power consuming device via at least one of any proprietary wireless such as Broadband over PowerLine, Bluetooth and/or ZigBee.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the client device is further operable to communicate with the at least one controllable device and/or the at least one power consuming device via at least one of any controllable device that sends and/or receives an IP-based message.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one controllable device and/or the at least one power consuming device includes at least one environmentally-dependent device, the at least one environmentally-dependent device including at least one of a thermostat, a washer, a dryer, a hot water heater, a HVAC unit, a fan, a pool pump, and a smart appliance, the smart appliance including at least one of a smart thermostat, a HVAC control unit, and a fan control unit.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is further operable to determine power consumption data sufficient to determine the PSV, including the amount of power consumed by the at least one power consuming device during at least one period of time.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the system is further operable to determine a drift of the at least one power consuming device based on the power consumption data of the at least one power consuming device, wherein the drift includes a rate of change of a monitored environmental characteristic from a set point to a comfort boundary when substantially significant power is not being supplied to the at least one power consuming device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the system is further operable to determine a fingerprint of the at least one power consuming device based on the power consumption data and/or drift of the at least one power consuming device.

17. A system that receives electric power from an electric power grid, the system comprising:

at least one base transceiver unit operable to provide wireless communication capability, the at least one base transceiver unit requiring electric power to operate;

at least one controllable device operably coupled to the at least one base transceiver unit, the at least one controllable device operable to control a flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one base transceiver unit responsive to power control instructions;

a backup power subsystem operably coupled to the at least one base transceiver unit, the backup power subsystem operable to supply electric power to the at least one base transceiver unit when a flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one base transceiver unit drops below a threshold; and

a client device operable to receive power control messages from a remote system control component and provide power control instructions to the at least one controllable device responsive to the power control messages;

wherein a first received power control message instructs the client device to disable a flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one base transceiver unit, and generating a power supply value (PSV) corresponding thereto, and wherein a first power control instruction instructs the at least one controllable device to disable the flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one base transceiver unit, thereby causing activation of the backup power subsystem.

18. A system that receives electric power from an electric power grid, the system comprising:

at least one grid device operably coupled to at least one controllable device and a backup power system;

the at least one controllable device operable to control a flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one grid device based on power control instructions;

the at least one controllable device operable to disable the flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one grid device upon receiving a first power control instruction, causing activation of the backup power subsystem;

the backup power subsystem operable to supply electric power to the at least one grid device upon the disablement of the flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one grid device; and

at least one power supply value (PSV) generated upon the disablement of the flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one grid device and/or upon the supplying of electric power to the at least one grid device from the backup power subsystem.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the disablement of the flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one grid device is operable to create an operating reserve operable for providing improved stability and/or reliability of the electric power grid, wherein the operating reserve includes at least one of a spinning reserve, a regulating reserve, and a non-spinning reserve.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the operating reserve is operable to be sold to a utility.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is operable to implement a flexible load-shape program operable to:

project an operating reserve resulting from at least one selective disablement of the flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one grid device based on real-time preferences or preferences available within approximately less than 15 minutes of at least one customer; and

project power savings, the power savings being active, real-time, available within approximately less than 15 minutes, verifiable, and/or measurable.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one PSV indicates a compensation for the supplying of electric power to the at least one grid device from the backup power subsystem, the compensation including at least one of a capacity compensation, an energy compensation, and an operating reserve compensation.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one PSV:

includes a revenue grade metrology measurement provided in units of the flow of grid-supplied electric power and/or a monetary equivalent thereof and/or a verification of a reduction in consumed grid-supplied electric power;

is generated at a control center, a meter, a submeter, a building control system, or any device or controller that measures power within the standard as supplied by regulatory bodies that govern regulation of the electric power grid; and

/or

is operable to determine a power consumption behavior and/or a commercial value for a response to a control event associated with the grid device.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one controllable device is operable to:

estimate an expected power consumption of the at least one grid device during an expected time period during which the flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one grid device is to be interrupted or reduced, based on the expected time period and a measured power consumption of the at least one grid device during at least one past time period;

determine a projected energy savings during the expected time period based on the estimated expected power consumption of the at least one grid device; and

determine an operating reserve based on the projected energy savings, wherein the operating reserve is a regulating and/or spinning operating reserve.

25. The system of claim 18, further comprising a repository operable to store a measured power consumption of the at least one grid device during at least one past time period.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is operable to be implemented in a proprietary network, wherein the proprietary network includes a network that is Internet Protocol based, real-time, temperature derived, verifiable, interactive, two-way, and/or responsive to automatic generation control commands, wherein the automatic generation control commands are operable to produce operating reserves through implementation of at least one control event.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one controllable device is operable to enable the flow of grid-supplied electric power to the at least one grid device and deactivate the backup power subsystem upon receiving a second power control instruction, the second power control instruction being received after the first power control instruction and upon expiration of a predetermined time period corresponding to a time period for a control event during which an electric utility and/or any market participant associated with the electric power grid supplies an operating and/or a regulating reserve to the electric power grid.

28. The system of claim 18, further comprising a frequency synchronizer coupled to the backup power subsystem and the electric power grid;

and operable to deliver power supplied by the backup power subsystem to the electrical grid at an alternating current frequency used by the electric power grid, the power delivered to the electric power grid by the frequency synchronizer being in excess of a power required to operate the at least one grid device.

29. A system that receives electric power from an electric power grid, the system comprising:

at least one active load client and at least one load controlled by the at least one active load client, wherein the at least one active load client is operable to receive at least one IP-based power reduction message specifying an amount of electric power to be reduced for the at least one load;

wherein the at least one active load client is further operable to automatically reduce the amount of power supplied to the at least one load in response to the at least one IP-based power reduction message;

wherein each of the at least one load has a corresponding power supply value (PSV) for a period of time of the reduced amount of power supplied.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the at least one active load client is operable to send a load status message to the utility control center, wherein the load status message includes at least one of a real time electric power usage, an actual amount of electric power reduced, and a type of the at least one load for which electric power was reduced.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the at least one active load client is operable to store data relating to at least one time period during which power reduction is prohibited, and the at least one active load client is operable to maintain the amount of power supplied to the at least one load in response to the at least one IP-based power reduction message, wherein the at least one IP-based power reduction message is received during the at least one time period during which power reduction is prohibited.