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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9513648-B2
Application number	US-201213563535-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 31, 2012
Priority date	Jul 31, 2012
Publication date	Dec 6, 2016
Grant date	Dec 6, 2016

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for network registration and management of grid elements in an electric power grid, comprising:
at least one grid element, a server associated with the electric power grid; wherein the at least one grid element is constructed and configured for electrical connection and network-based communication with the server;
wherein the at least one grid element automatically communicates an initial message to the server for registration with the electric power grid; wherein the initial message includes a unique grid element identifier, an equipment identifier, a class of service information, capability, capacity, function information, geodetic information, an attachment point of the electric power grid, Internet Protocol (IP) address information, communication format, content information, security information, and authentication information;
wherein the at least one grid element is transformed into corresponding at least one active grid element for actively functioning within the electric power grid via the registration with the electric power grid through the initial message;
wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to send and receive messages with the server via network-based communication after the registration.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transformation via the registration with the electric power grid through the initial message is automatic and/or autonomous.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the network-based communication is a standards-based communication or a proprietary communications protocol.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication is routable through a router and/or through a coordinator.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the coordinator receives and sends messages through a communications router.

6. 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.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one grid element is an electrical device.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one grid element is a device that consumes electric power from an electric power grid.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one grid element is a device that provides power to an electric power grid.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one grid elements is a control device.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control device operates, programs, and/or updates other of the active grid elements.

12. 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.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grid elements is under the control of an energy management system (EMS).

14. 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 for the electric power grid.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the server and/or processor coupled with memory initiates the transformation of the at least one grid element into the active grid element.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transformation is registered in a database.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the database is registered with an ISO, BA, NERC, utility service area, and/or FERC.

18. The system of claim 16 , further including a multiplicity of databases constructed and configured in network-based communication for receiving registration data from a multiplicity of grid elements.

19. The system of claim 18 , further including at least one Coordinator for routing messages from the multiplicity of active grid elements through the network connecting the databases, and wherein servers operating the databases exchange information associated with the active grid elements for affecting electric grid operations, reporting, and/or stabilization.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein registration of grid elements is stored in the databases for predetermined periods of time for use with settlement associated with the active grid elements.

21. The system of claim 18 , wherein registration information associated with active grid elements is used to determine attachment points to the electric power grid for distribution and transmission of power.

22. The system of claim 18 , wherein the registration information associated with active grid elements is combined with information about the generation, transmission, and distribution system of the electric power grid, stored in the database, and processed with analytics to simulate modeling for attachment of active grid elements to the electric power grid.

23. The system of claim 18 , wherein registration information associated with active grid elements is used for communication with an EMS.

24. The system of claim 18 , wherein the message includes a derived Power Supply Value that meets the minimum requirements for measurement, verification and reporting accuracy as determined by the Governing Entity that regulates the operation of the electric power grid that includes utilities, market participants and/or grid operators.

25. The system of claim 18 , 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.

26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the security interface is standards-based or determined by the governing entity that regulates grid operations for utilities, market participants or grid operators.

27. The system of claim 18 , wherein the 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 (MAC, IP, 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.

28. The system of claim 18 , wherein the grid element(s) further include at least one mobile device having at least one access point name (APN) for providing a priority of delivery for the message.

29. The system of claim 1 , wherein a registration is made for each active grid element, and the registration complies with regulations and/or standards established by FERC, NERC, ISO, and/or a governing authority for the electric power grid.

30. The system of claim 1 , wherein the server communicates a message to each of the at least one grid elements after the initial connection via the network.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein the message is an IP-based message.

32. The system of claim 30 , wherein the message is transmitted wirelessly.

33. The system of claim 30 , further comprising: an interface that facilitates communication of the message with the grid elements.

34. The system of claim 33 , wherein the interface comprises an IP-based interface.

Assignees

• Forbes Jr Joseph W
• Causam Energy Inc

Inventors

• Forbes Jr Joseph W

Classifications

• G05F1/66 Primary

  Regulating electric power · CPC title

• H02J2103/30

  Simulating, planning, modelling, reliability check or computer assisted design [CAD] of electric power networks · CPC title

• H02J13/1337

  involving the use of Internet protocols · CPC title

• H02J13/1335

  involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi®, ZigBee® or Bluetooth® · CPC title

• H02J13/1321

  using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus · CPC title