Abstract: A method and system for controlling demand events in a utility network with multiple customer sites. The value of a demand response parameter threshold for invoking a demand response event is calculated based on the number of available demand response events and the number of opportunities remaining to issue the available demand response events. This parameter represents the utility objectives for using the demand response program (e.g., cost savings, reliability, avoided costs). A current value of the demand response parameter is compared to the threshold value, and a determination is made whether or not to call a demand response event for the current opportunity, or to save the event for a future opportunity based upon this comparison.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing and optimizing crude selection are provided. A predictive engine uses data from a database to execute at least one predictive performance model and/or at least one risk assessment model designed to optimize or improve refining operations during a refining process. The predictive engine takes as input key crude information corresponding to a particular crude or crude blend, e.g., at least one crude slate, and refinery operating parameters and/or conditions corresponding to a specific refinery and uses desirability metrics to assess the similarity to data in the database. Based on the resulting output, at least one predictive performance and/or at least one risk assessment model uses the output to predict performance or risk measures of refining the particular crude or crude blend using the specific refinery during the refining process, the probability of problems occurring during the refining process, the distribution of the problems throughout the refining process, etc.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling load in a utility distribution network are provided that initiates a shed event for a node in the distribution network by selecting premisess associated with the node that are participating in a demand response program to reduce the load at the node to desired levels. More specifically, the system and method provide for selecting only enough participating premisess associated with the node that are necessary to reduce the load to desired levels.

Abstract: A method of operating a computer system includes storing, in the computer system, a database containing performance measure data regarding performance measures of a plurality of items. The method further includes inputting into the computer system a plurality of performance measure constraints. The method also includes modeling the performance measure constraints with a set of equations. The equations include a plurality of variables. Each of the variables corresponds to a respective one of the items. Each variable is, for example, to be assigned either the value “1” or the value “0”. The value “1” may represent a recommendation to take an action relative to the corresponding item in the portfolio and the value “0” may represent a recommendation to take another action. The computer system is used to solve the set of equations to generate one or more solutions that satisfy the performance measure constraints.

Abstract: A load dispatch system operates in response to algorithmic software to generate an optimized load dispatch schedule based on data selected from one or both of rebound effect data or optimized load dispatch schedule opportunity cost data corresponding to dispatching of resources with a contractually limited number of dispatches in a given time period.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for managing service level agreements in an optical communication system uses an optical service agent to manage a service level agreement (SLA) for a user. The optical service agent can perform both real-time and off-line analysis for the user, and can interact with various network elements (including the core optical communication network) to handle billing, penalty, and other issues associated with a SLA breach.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a user equipment which may access a network via an access network element. Initially, the user equipment transmits a query message to a default network entry point which then contacts a home registration server for the user equipment. The home registration server determines an access network element determination server associated with a current location of the user equipment. The user equipment is informed of the access network element determination server and contacts this. In response, the access network element determination server determines a list of access network elements for the user equipment and transmits the list to the user equipment. The user equipment then registers for a communication service by accessing the network using a selected access network element selected from the list of access network elements. The invention may be particular suitable for accessing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) via a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE).

Abstract: An access network element provides user equipment access to a network comprising a centralised authentication server. The access network element comprises an authentication processor which authenticates the access network element at the centralised authentication server. In addition, the access network element authenticates a first user equipment in response to the authentication of the access network element by the centralised authentication server. A communication processor supports a peer-to-peer first communication session for the first user equipment and a peer-to-peer second communication session with a second access network element which supports a peer-to-peer communication session with a second user equipment. Peer-to-peer communication between the first and second user equipments is supported by exchanging data between the first communication session and the second communication session.

Abstract: A method of operating a computer system includes storing, in the computer system, a database containing performance measure data regarding performance measures of a plurality of items. The method further includes inputting into the computer system a plurality of performance measure constraints. The method also includes modeling the performance measure constraints with a set of equations. The equations include a plurality of variables. Each of the variables corresponds to a respective one of the items. Each variable is, for example, to be assigned either the value “1” or the value “0”. The value “1” may represent a recommendation to take an action relative to the corresponding item in the portfolio and the value “0” may represent a recommendation to take another action. The computer system is used to solve the set of equations to generate one or more solutions that satisfy the performance measure constraints.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing and optimizing crude selection are provided. A predictive engine uses data from a database to execute at least one predictive performance model and/or at least one risk assessment model designed to optimize or improve refining operations during a refining process. The predictive engine takes as input key crude information corresponding to a particular crude or crude blend, e.g., at least one crude slate, and refinery operating parameters and/or conditions corresponding to a specific refinery and uses desirability metrics to assess the similarity to data in the database. Based on the resulting output, at least one predictive performance and/or at least one risk assessment model uses the output to predict performance or risk measures of refining the particular crude or crude blend using the specific refinery during the refining process, the probability of problems occurring during the refining process, the distribution of the problems throughout the refining process, etc.