Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for monitoring fuel usage and/or remaining run time of backup power sources. In one embodiment, a method includes tracking run time of a backup power source; determining a current fuel level associated with the backup power source; and providing a fuel level warning. In another embodiment, a system includes a fuel monitoring system including logic that obtains a current run time corresponding to a backup power source; logic that determines a current fuel level based at least in part upon the current run time, the current fuel level corresponding to a fuel source supplying the backup power source; and logic that provides a fuel level warning based upon the current fuel level and a predefined fuel level threshold.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for evaluation of events such as the startup of power generation units. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining operational data associated with a power generation unit, the operational data corresponding to a predefined period of time; determining start and end times for a startup phase associated with the power generation unit based upon a set of predefined startup conditions corresponding to the startup phase; and generating a network page including the start and times. In another embodiment, a system includes a unit evaluation system executable in a computing device that includes logic that obtains operational data associated with a power generation unit, the operational data corresponding to a predefined period of time and logic that determines start and end times for an event phase associated with the power generation unit based upon a set of predefined conditions corresponding to the event phase.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for monitoring and analysis of electrical components. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining raw radio frequency (RF) component data associated with an electrical component, cross-correlating the raw RF component data with a synchronized pseudo-random sequence (PRS) signal injected into the electrical component to determine a correlated impulse response, and determining a condition of the electrical component based at least in part upon the correlated impulse response. In another embodiment, a system includes a signal injection system coupled to an electrical component. The signal injection system injects a synchronized PRS signal into the electrical component. A data capture device obtains raw RF component data synchronized with the PRS signal through a RF antenna. A data analysis device cross-correlates the raw RF component data with the PRS signal to determine characteristics associated with the electrical component.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for communicating with an integrated distribution management system (IDMS). An IDMS often employs a communications protocol that is incompatible with a service oriented architecture. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure can allow utility computing systems in a service oriented architecture or in a messaging based environment to communicate with an IDMS.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of locking systems that include a barrel lock. The barrel lock is configured to damage, deface, and/or capture a key that is inserted into the barrel lock. Additionally, some embodiments include a locking mechanism adapter that can allow the locking mechanism to be operated by a key if the user has knowledge about the properties of the barrel lock.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for simulating distribution electric circuit models containing simulated software intelligent electronic devices. The distribution circuit and intelligent electronic simulator application facilitates the creation of user created software intelligent electronic devices. The software intelligent electronic devices imitate the operation of actual intelligent electronic devices on a power line. Communication between the software intelligent electronic devices and the automated recovery system can be captured using the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of locking systems that include a barrel lock. The barrel lock is configured to damage, deface, and/or capture a key that is inserted into the barrel lock. Additionally, some embodiments include a locking mechanism adapter that can allow the locking mechanism to be operated by a key if the user has knowledge about the properties of the barrel lock.

Abstract: A synchronized pseudorandom sequence injector is provided for injecting a plurality of pseudorandom signals at selected locations in a power system having a plurality of locations forming a transmission and distribution grid. A synchronization pulse generator generates an accurate reference clocking signal. A pseudorandom clocking and sequence generator receives the clocking signal and generates a string of pseudorandom sequences. A binary drive control creates a tri-state voltage output from a logic level output of the pseudorandom clocking and sequence generator. A signal conditioning interface processes the voltage output to attenuate any protection related carrier signals from a pseudorandom signal injection point at a selected location.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for generating a data hierarchy for ordering a collection of data values and tracking a consumption pattern for each of the data values. In one embodiment, a data service generates a data hierarchy according to a plurality of attributes associated with each of the data values, where the data service determines a classification system for generating the hierarchy based on the attributes. The data service may receive a request for accessing a subset of the complete collection of data values. In response, the data service may generate a data profile that includes the subset of requested data values and provides the data profile to the requesting service. The data service may then determine a consumption profile that describes how the requesting service consumes the subset of data values in the data profile and associate the consumption profile with the consumed data values.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for evaluation of events such as the startup of power generation units. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining operational data associated with a power generation unit, the operational data corresponding to a predefined period of time; determining start and end times for a startup phase associated with the power generation unit based upon a set of predefined startup conditions corresponding to the startup phase; and generating a network page including the start and times. In another embodiment, a system includes a unit evaluation system executable in a computing device that includes logic that obtains operational data associated with a power generation unit, the operational data corresponding to a predefined period of time and logic that determines start and end times for an event phase associated with the power generation unit based upon a set of predefined conditions corresponding to the event phase.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmission evaluation. In one embodiment, among others, a method includes evaluating a plurality of contingencies to generate a plurality of contingency results, where at least one of the contingency results includes an overload condition. The evaluation is based at least in part upon a case associated with a transmission network. The method further includes sorting the plurality of contingency results based upon corresponding overload-contingency pairs and determining a potential remediation solution to the overload condition based at least in part upon the overload-contingency pair. In another embodiment, a system includes a transmission evaluation application executed in a computing device.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating data synchronization in a utility computing environment. A data synchronization application can monitor source systems in such an environment and generate periodic change sets that correspond to data that has changed in the various source systems. Destination systems can subscribe to change sets and receive the appropriate change sets by monitoring flags that the data synchronization application can set. Various classes of change sets that correspond to data within a particular change set can also be generated.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for monitoring electrical safety conditions and managing energy consumption using a microcontroller embedded in a circuit breaker. The microcontroller receives a plurality of inputs detected by a plurality of sensors in the circuit breaker. An amount of energy consumed during a preset interval of time is determined. A temperature of a circuit breaker panel board detected by a temperature sensor is received and compared with a preset temperature alarm threshold value to determine a panel board overheating condition. A condition of the neutral conductor is determined based on a plurality of line voltages and currents received from a plurality of voltage and current sensors by comparing a voltage differential with a preset threshold differential voltage value.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for impulse response monitoring in power systems. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining raw power system data associated with a power system, cross-correlating the raw power system data with a synchronized pseudo-random sequence signal injected into the power system to determine a correlated impulse response and determining a condition of the power system based at least in part upon the correlated impulse response. In another embodiment, a system includes a plurality of signal injection systems and a data capture device coupled to a power system. A data analysis device cross-correlates raw power system data obtained by the data capture device with at least one synchronized pseudo-random sequence signal injected by a signal injection system and determines a condition of the power system based at least in part upon a frequency spectrum based upon a correlated impulse response.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for managing the deployment of software patch updates on a plurality of computers in an enterprise computer network during a patch cycle wherein each computer receives and installs periodic software patch updates automatically. An inventory is maintained of the computers in a central database that stores a status of each computer for each patch during the patch cycle. The computers are filtered into at least one filter group and a list of computers in the filter group is displayed along with the status for each patch. The status of each patch is verified and displayed for each computer in the filter group. A controlled software patch update is performed for each non-compliant computer in the filter group. A controlled reboot of each computer in the filter group is performed following the completion of the software patch updates for the patch cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a workstation management application. An identification of a user is obtained in a user interface. A listing of workstations that the user has accessed is rendered in the user interface. A selection of one of the workstations is obtained in the user interface. A listing of management tasks configured for the workstation is rendered in the user interface. One of a plurality of management tools is launched to perform a selected one of the management tasks for the workstation.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for auditing the installation of smart meters via a computer system. The method includes receiving a plurality of installation data for each smart meter installed; loading the plurality of installation data into an auditing utility operating on the computer system based on auditing criteria; performing an audit for each smart meter installed via the auditing utility; submitting the audit for each smart meter installed for recording in an audits database; verifying the audit for each smart meter installed; and generating and analyzing audit reports stored in the audits database.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for systems and methods facilitating simulation of metering devices in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) deployment. Meter simulators are executed in a simulation application, and a user can initiate a simulation based upon various operational scenario the user desires to simulate.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for communicating with an integrated distribution management system (IDMS). An IDMS often employs a communications protocol that is incompatible with a service oriented architecture. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure can allow utility computing systems in a service oriented architecture or in a messaging based environment to communicate with an IDMS.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for open access transmission tariff management for a utility. The system includes a database for storing a plurality of data pertaining to providing transmission service to wholesale customers, and a computer processor coupled to the database and cooperative with a plurality of subsystems. A first subsystem determines a budget transmission billing rate. A second subsystem estimates revenue from wholesale customers. A third subsystem determines an updated budget transmission billing rate and an updated revenue projection. A fourth subsystem determines an actual transmission billing rate. A fifth subsystem analyzes a billed transmission rate on a periodic basis.