Abstract: Devices and methods for the decentralized, coordinated control of the power factor on an electrical distribution system are provided. For example, a controller may include a network interface and data processing circuitry. The network interface may receive first measurements associated with a segment of an electrical distribution system and transmit a control signal configured to control equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system. The data processing circuitry may run simulations of the segment of the electrical distribution system in various equipment configurations, selecting from among the various equipment configurations an equipment configuration that is expected to cause the power factor to approach a desired value. The data processing circuitry then may generate the control signal, which may cause the equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system to conform to the equipment configuration and thereby control the power factor.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the decentralized, coordinated control of the voltage and active power losses of an electrical distribution system in light of one another are provided. For example, a controller may include a network interface and data processing circuitry. The network interface may receive first measurements associated with a segment of an electrical distribution system and transmit a control signal configured to control equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system. The data processing circuitry may run simulations of the segment of the electrical distribution system in various equipment configurations, selecting from among the various configurations one that is expected to cause the voltage deviation and the active power losses of the segment to approach desired values while keeping power factor within a desired range.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the decentralized, coordinated control of the active power losses of an electrical distribution system are provided. For example, a controller may include a network interface and data processing circuitry. The network interface may receive first measurements associated with a segment of an electrical distribution system and transmit a control signal configured to control equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system. The data processing circuitry may run digital simulations of the segment of the electrical distribution system in various equipment configurations, selecting from among the various equipment configurations an equipment configuration that is expected to cause the active power losses of the segment to approach a desired value. The data processing circuitry then may generate the control signal, which may cause the equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system to conform to the equipment configuration.

Abstract: A power distribution system is provided, including at least one capacitor bank with a capacitor bank controller, a transformer, at least one voltage regulating device with a voltage regulating device controller, and a controller. The capacitor bank is selectively connected to the feeder and a capacitor bank controller. The capacitor bank controller controls a switch for selectively connecting the capacitor bank to the feeder. The transformer delivers power to the power distribution system through the feeder. The transformer converts a transmission or a sub-transmission voltage into a distribution voltage. The controller is in communication with the capacitor bank controller, the voltage regulating device, and the transformer. The controller selectively switches the at least one capacitor bank to adjust voltage in the feeder. The controller selectively sends commands to the voltage regulating device to change a source voltage.

Abstract: Devices and methods for decentralized coordinated Volt/VAR control are provided. Such a device may allow, for example, an operational parameter such as voltage, power losses, a combination of these, and/or power factor to be optimized on a segment of an electrical distribution system under certain conditions. For example, a controller may include a network interface to receive measurements and data processing circuitry to optimize a voltage deviation, active power losses, or a combination thereof, based at least in part on the total load on the segment of the electrical distribution system.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the decentralized, coordinated control of the voltage of an electrical distribution system are provided. For example, a controller may include a network interface and data processing circuitry. The network interface may receive first measurements associated with a segment of an electrical distribution system and transmit a control signal configured to control equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system. The data processing circuitry may run digital simulations of the segment of the electrical distribution system in various equipment configurations, selecting from among the various equipment configurations an equipment configuration that is expected to cause the voltage deviation of the segment to approach a desired value. The data processing circuitry then may generate the control signal, which may cause the equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system to conform to the equipment configuration.

Abstract: A system for controlling voltage on a distribution feeder includes a plurality of capacitor banks that can be connected to or disconnected from the distribution feeder. A first bank is configured to connect to the distribution feeder when a first voltage is below a first lower threshold value and to connect to the distribution feeder when the first voltage is above a first upper threshold value. The first upper threshold and first lower threshold are determined based off an operational set point. The system further includes a sensor configured to measure the first voltage and a controller in operable communication with the plurality of capacitor banks configured to determine the operational state of the first and second capacitor banks and, based on the first voltage, send a first instruction to the first capacitor bank, the first instruction causing the capacitor bank to vary the operational set point.

Abstract: A system for enhancing decentralized coordinated Volt/Var control (CVVC) includes a memory device configured to store a plurality of operational measurements of an electric distribution system. The electric distribution system includes a plurality of capacitive devices. The system also includes a processor coupled in communication with the memory device. The processor is programmed to determine a plurality of potential configurations for the plurality of capacitive devices. The processor is also programmed to determine a priority of switching of each of the plurality of capacitive devices as a function of at least one of at least one actual voltage measurement of the electric distribution system, at least one power factor determination of the electric distribution system, at least one voltage parameter, at least one power factor parameter, and an availability of each of the capacitive devices.

Abstract: A system for enhancing deferrable load management of a distribution transformer includes a memory device configured to store a plurality of operational measurements of a distribution transformer and at least one deferrable load. The system also includes a processor coupled in communication with the memory device. The processor is programmed to record a first operational measurement of the distribution transformer that is configured to transmit electric power to the at least one deferrable load. The processor is also programmed to record a second operational measurement of the at least one deferrable load. The processor is further programmed to determine a priority of energization of the at least one deferrable load within a queue as a function of at least one of the first operational measurement and the second operational measurement.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for auctioning charging times for electric vehicles at one or more charging stations. The systems and methods may include delivering, to a customer computing device associated with a customer, auction information regarding an auction for at least one time slot of a charging station for an electric vehicle; receiving, from the customer computing device, a bid amount for the auction; and delivering a notification to the customer computing device if the received bid amount is accepted as a winning bid amount for the auction.

Abstract: Systems and methods may enable customers to reserve time slots at charging stations for recharging electric vehicles. The systems and methods may include receiving, from a customer computing device associated with a customer, a reservation inquiry to access a charging station to recharge an electric vehicle; providing, to the customer computing device, a respective cost for accessing the charging station during one or more available time periods; receiving a selection from the customer computing device for at least a portion of the available time periods; and delivering, to the customer computing device, a reservation confirmation for the selected time period.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging system is described. The electric vehicle charging system includes a plurality of electric vehicle charging apparatus coupled to, and configured to receive electric power from, a distribution transformer. The electric vehicle charging system also includes a central processing device configured to control operation of the plurality of electric vehicle charging apparatus.

Abstract: A method for providing remote notification of an electric vehicle status to a user is provided. The method includes receiving at least one input from the user of the electric vehicle. A charging status of a battery being charged is determined. A remote notification of the charging status is then provided to the user based on the input received by the user.