Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a rigid structure, at least one sensor supported by the structure that is configured to detect a level of liquid or a presence of moisture in a vicinity of the structure, and a housing supported by the structure. A transmitter and a controller are located within the housing. The controller is in electrical communication with the at least one sensor and the wireless transmitter, and the controller is configured to cause the transmitter to transmit measurement data received from the at least one sensor to a remote device.

Abstract: Liquid sampling apparatus and methods enable hands free collection of samples from surface waters via drone or other remote delivery systems. The liquid sampling apparatus includes a frame configured to support a plurality of groundwater sampling bailers in circumferential spaced apart relationship around a central axis of the frame, each bailer comprising an elongate tubular housing configured to collect and store a liquid sample from a body of liquid. A weight is movably secured to the frame and is configured to move between a retracted position and a downwardly extended position. When in the downwardly extended position, the weight is configured to maintain the liquid sampling apparatus and the plurality of groundwater sampling bailers in a generally vertical orientation during liquid sample collection.

Abstract: Methods of operating a system of nodes are provided. A method of operating first and second nodes that are in a system of nodes includes processing first data from a first plurality of sensors of the first node. The method includes controlling a first digital display of the first node in response to the processed first data. The method includes uploading the processed first data from the first node via the Internet. The method includes processing second data from a second plurality of sensors of the second node. The method includes controlling a second digital display of the second node in response to the processed second data. The method includes uploading the processed second data from the second node via the Internet. Each of the first and second nodes is attached to a utility pole, a light pole, a kiosk, or a motor vehicle. Related systems are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of controlling lockout of a switching or isolating component of an electrical grid are provided. A method of controlling lockout of a switching or isolating component includes, responsive to a plurality of trips occurring at the switching or isolating component during a predetermined time window, incrementing, by the switching or isolating component, a plurality of counters, respectively, and determining whether a number of the trips meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. Moreover, the method includes, responsive to meeting or exceeding the predetermined threshold, driving the switching or isolating component to lockout. Related switching or isolating components are also provided.

Abstract: Liquid sampling apparatus and methods enable hands free collection of low-level metals and other contaminant-sensitive samples from surface waters via drone or other remote delivery systems. The apparatus and methods allow for limited exposure to contaminants during a sampling process by remotely opening and closing sample containers while submerged under water at a sampling location.

Abstract: Liquid sampling apparatus and methods enable hands free collection of samples from surface waters via drone or other remote delivery systems. The liquid sampling apparatus includes a frame configured to support a plurality of groundwater sampling bailers in circumferential spaced apart relationship around a central axis of the frame, each bailer comprising an elongate tubular housing configured to collect and store a liquid sample from a body of liquid. A weight is movably secured to the frame and is configured to move between a retracted position and a downwardly extended position. When in the downwardly extended position, the weight is configured to maintain the liquid sampling apparatus and the plurality of groundwater sampling bailers in a generally vertical orientation during liquid sample collection.

Abstract: Power cords are provided. A power cord includes measurement circuitry configured to measure electrical energy consumption by an apparatus that is connected to the power cord. The power cord also includes first transceiver circuitry configured to transmit data regarding the measured electrical energy consumption to second transceiver circuitry that is spaced apart from the power cord. Related hardwired apparatuses and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A tower configured to be positioned adjacent to or as a part of existing electrical power utility structures, such as transmission towers, distribution towers, substation structures, etc., includes an outer structure having a lower end configured to be anchored to the ground, and an opposite upper end. An inner structure is positioned within the outer structure and is connected to the outer structure. The inner structure has a lower end configured to be anchored to the ground and an opposite upper end. A mast is movable within the inner structure between a lowered position and a raised position. The mast supports various electronic equipment, such as cellular antenna arrays, remote radio unit (RRU) arrays, microwave antennas, imaging equipment, acoustic sensors, tectonic or motion sensors, thermal sensors, chemical sensors, and/or nuclear sensors.

Abstract: Methods of operating a robotic breaker-racking apparatus are provided. A method of operating a robotic breaker-racking apparatus includes controlling a motor to drive the robotic breaker-racking apparatus to a first circuit breaker. The method includes accessing the first circuit breaker via remote or autonomous control of the robotic breaker-racking apparatus. Moreover, the method includes visually inspecting, via a camera of the robotic breaker-racking apparatus, a first relay of the first circuit breaker and/or a second relay of a second circuit breaker. Related robotic breaker-racking apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: A shield system for an electric power transmission tower includes a plurality of panels configured to be secured to a cross-arm structure of the tower in adjacent, end-to-end arrangement so as to overlie insulators supported by the tower and prevent excrement from birds nesting and/or congregating on the tower from contacting and accumulating on the insulators. Each panel has opposite ends and opposite lateral edges extending between the opposite ends. A plurality of spaced-apart apertures are formed in each panel adjacent each of the lateral edges and at least one of the ends, and each aperture is configured to receive a respective fastener therethrough for securing the panel to the cross-arm structure. Each panel has a shape that generally conforms to a shape of a portion of the cross-arm structure to which the panel is secured.

Abstract: Methods of operating a system of nodes are provided. A method of operating first and second nodes that are in a system of nodes includes processing first data from a first plurality of sensors of the first node. The method includes controlling a first digital display of the first node in response to the processed first data. The method includes uploading the processed first data from the first node via the Internet. The method includes processing second data from a second plurality of sensors of the second node. The method includes controlling a second digital display of the second node in response to the processed second data. The method includes uploading the processed second data from the second node via the Internet. Each of the first and second nodes is attached to a utility pole, a light pole, a kiosk, or a motor vehicle. Related systems are also provided.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a rigid structure, at least one sensor supported by the structure that is configured to detect a level of liquid or a presence of moisture in a vicinity of the structure, and a housing supported by the structure. A transmitter and a controller are located within the housing. The controller is in electrical communication with the at least one sensor and the wireless transmitter, and the controller is configured to cause the transmitter to transmit measurement data received from the at least one sensor to a remote device.

Abstract: Methods of microgrid communications and connection transitions are provided. The methods include methods of operating recloser and/or switch systems. The methods of operating recloser and/or switch systems include transmitting a communication from a recloser and/or switch system of a microgrid to an inverter of the microgrid to trigger a control state change of the inverter. Related methods of operating inverters are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses including power electronics circuitry are provided. The power electronics circuitry includes at least one power converter that is coupled to a DC bus. Moreover, in some embodiments, the at least one power converter is configured to regulate a voltage of the DC bus. Related methods of operating an apparatus including power electronics circuitry are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses including power electronics circuitry are provided. The power electronics circuitry includes at least one power converter that is coupled to a DC bus. Moreover, in some embodiments, the at least one power converter is configured to regulate a voltage of the DC bus. Related methods of operating an apparatus including power electronics circuitry are also provided.

Abstract: Electronic nondestructive inspection tools for timber distribution poles are provided herein. An electronic nondestructive inspection tool includes a vibration sensor configured to perform a vibration measurement of a timber distribution pole. In some embodiments, the electronic nondestructive inspection tool includes a processor configured to perform operations including estimating decay of the timber distribution pole, using the vibration measurement and a physics model of the timber distribution pole; and outputting an indication of the decay of the timber distribution pole. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: An energy storage system controller, including: an energy storage system coupled to a power distribution system; and a processor in communication with the energy storage system, wherein the processor executes: a renewables capacity firming algorithm operable for conditioning intermittent power of a renewable energy station using real time and historical input data such that it is made more stable and non-intermittent, optionally utilizing one or more parameter values associated with comparable time periods taking into account one or more factors comprising cloud state; and a peak load shaving algorithm operable for ensuring that the energy storage system is capable of transmitting full power capacity at a predicted feeder peak load time determined by the processor from real time and historical input data; wherein the performance of the renewables capacity firming algorithm and the performance of the peak load shaving algorithm are optimized in parallel.