Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a market-based control framework to coordinate a group of autonomous thermostatically controlled loads (TCL) to achieve system-level objectives with pricing incentives is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method of providing power to a load via a power grid by submitting bids to a coordinator includes determining an energy response relating price data for one or more energy prices to quantity data for power to be consumed by the load, sending a bid for power for a finite time period based on the energy response to the coordinator, and receiving a clearing price based on: the bid, on bids received from a plurality of additional loads, and a feeder power constraint. In some examples, the energy response is based at least in part on an equivalent thermal parameter model and a control policy indicating one or more power states for the load.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing a hierarchical framework for integrating distributed energy resources into power distribution systems. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method implemented with an aggregation server includes receiving a respective utility function associated with each of at least two of a plurality of distributed energy resources representing an amount of energy produced or consumed by the respective associated distributed energy resource as a function of energy price, producing an aggregated utility function associated with the plurality of distributed energy resources based on the received utility functions, transmitting the produced aggregated utility function to a coordinator, receiving a clearing value from the coordinator, and transmitting the received clearing value to each of the plurality of distributed energy resources.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed herein for power modulation control of power grids using end-use loads. At the beginning of a coordination period typically lasting a few minutes, a population of end-use loads (water heaters, air conditioners, plug-in electric vehicles, etc.) is interrogated for their willingness to participate in power modulation by undergoing state transitions from on to off, or off to on. Distribution system flexibilities are calculated from the sums of device powers within distribution systems. Area flexibilities are calculated from the sums of device powers within areas. Thresholds for various devices to change state in response to inter-area oscillation damping or frequency regulation are derived from these flexibilities. Two power functions are monitored in real-time and compared with the device thresholds to trigger state changes which then remain locked throughout the remainder of the coordination period, then the devices are released from the lockout state.

Abstract: Methods include iterating a price vector between a coordinator and a plurality of participants, wherein the price vector comprises prices for energy services and ancillary services to be produced or consumed by the participants during a plurality of time periods that form power transmission time sequence of power transmission over a power transmission network, until a convergent price vector is obtained, and responsive to the convergent price vector, producing or consuming power over the power transmission network and providing ancillary services to the power transmission network during at least one of the time periods of the power transmission time sequence. Related apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for extracting maximal frequency response potential in controllable loads. In one example, a method includes assigning a fitness metric to at least one electrical device coupled to a power grid, assigning a frequency threshold based on the fitness metric, and transmitting the assigned frequency threshold to the at least one electrical device. The fitness metric can be based at least in part on an availability component and a quality component associated with the at least one device and the frequency threshold can cause the at least one electrical device to activate autonomously based on a frequency of the power grid.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a market-based control framework to coordinate a group of autonomous thermostatically controlled loads (TCL) to achieve system-level objectives with pricing incentives is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method of providing power to a load via a power grid by submitting bids to a coordinator includes determining an energy response relating price data for one or more energy prices to quantity data for power to be consumed by the load, sending a bid for power for a finite time period based on the energy response to the coordinator, and receiving a clearing price based on: the bid, on bids received from a plurality of additional loads, and a feeder power constraint. In some examples, the energy response is based at least in part on an equivalent thermal parameter model and a control policy indicating one or more power states for the load.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for managing frequency response in a power grid are provided herein. Individual grid-connected electrical devices can be turned on and/or off by corresponding frequency-responsive load controllers when frequency deviations beyond a threshold are detected. Each controller selects, for the corresponding electrical device, a frequency threshold from available frequencies in a frequency range. If the selected frequency falls within a deadband frequency range, then the controller sets the frequency threshold to a frequency outside of the deadband (e.g., to a closest available frequency outside of the deadband). On a system-wide level, this approximates a uniform distribution of frequency thresholds over the entire frequency range, including the deadband, and achieves the proper power-to-frequency relationship for grid stability.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a market-based control framework to coordinate a group of autonomous thermostatically controlled loads (TCL) to achieve system-level objectives with pricing incentives is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method of providing power to a load via a power grid by submitting bids to a coordinator includes determining an energy response relating price data for one or more energy prices to quantity data for power to be consumed by the load, sending a bid for power for a finite time period based on the energy response to the coordinator, and receiving a clearing price based on: the bid, on bids received from a plurality of additional loads, and a feeder power constraint. In some examples, the energy response is based at least in part on an equivalent thermal parameter model and a control policy indicating one or more power states for the load.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed herein for power modulation control of power grids using end-use loads. At the beginning of a coordination period typically lasting a few minutes, a population of end-use loads (water heaters, air conditioners, plug-in electric vehicles, etc.) is interrogated for their willingness to participate in power modulation by undergoing state transitions from on to off, or off to on. Distribution system flexibilities are calculated from the sums of device powers within distribution systems. Area flexibilities are calculated from the sums of device powers within areas. Thresholds for various devices to change state in response to inter-area oscillation damping or frequency regulation are derived from these flexibilities. Two power functions are monitored in real-time and compared with the device thresholds to trigger state changes which then remain locked throughout the remainder of the coordination period, then the devices are released from the lockout state.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for coordination of a population of Thermostatically Controlled Loads (TCLs) with unknown parameters to achieve group objectives including bidding and market clearing strategies designed to motivate self-interested users to realize efficient energy allocation subject to a peak power constraint. In one examples of the disclosed technology, a method of operating a load includes estimating a set of values for unmeasured parameters of the load's thermal environment based on output measurements of the thermal environment, determining an energy response based on the estimated set of values for the unmeasured parameters, and transmitting a bid for power for a finite time period based on the determined energy response to the coordinator. A clearing price is received from the coordinator responsive to the transmitted bid and power is sent to the load responsive to the received clearing price.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for managing frequency response in a power grid are provided herein. Individual grid-connected electrical devices can be turned on and/or off by corresponding frequency-responsive load controllers when frequency deviations beyond a threshold are detected. Each controller selects, for the corresponding electrical device, a frequency threshold from available frequencies in a frequency range. If the selected frequency falls within a deadband frequency range, then the controller sets the frequency threshold to a frequency outside of the deadband (e.g., to a closest available frequency outside of the deadband). On a system-wide level, this approximates a uniform distribution of frequency thresholds over the entire frequency range, including the deadband, and achieves the proper power-to-frequency relationship for grid stability.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing a hierarchical framework for integrating distributed energy resources into power distribution systems. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method implemented with an aggregation server includes receiving a respective utility function associated with each of at least two of a plurality of distributed energy resources representing an amount of energy produced or consumed by the respective associated distributed energy resource as a function of energy price, producing an aggregated utility function associated with the plurality of distributed energy resources based on the received utility functions, transmitting the produced aggregated utility function to a coordinator, receiving a clearing value from the coordinator, and transmitting the received clearing value to each of the plurality of distributed energy resources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for extracting maximal frequency response potential in controllable loads. In one example, a method includes assigning a fitness metric to at least one electrical device coupled to a power grid, assigning a frequency threshold based on the fitness metric, and transmitting the assigned frequency threshold to the at least one electrical device. The fitness metric can be based at least in part on an availability component and a quality component associated with the at least one device and the frequency threshold can cause the at least one electrical device to activate autonomously based on a frequency of the power grid.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a market-based control framework to coordinate a group of autonomous thermostatically controlled loads (TCL) to achieve system-level objectives with pricing incentives is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method of providing power to a load via a power grid by submitting bids to a coordinator includes determining an energy response relating price data for one or more energy prices to quantity data for power to be consumed by the load, sending a bid for power for a finite time period based on the energy response to the coordinator, and receiving a clearing price based on: the bid, on bids received from a plurality of additional loads, and a feeder power constraint. In some examples, the energy response is based at least in part on an equivalent thermal parameter model and a control policy indicating one or more power states for the load.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for coordination of a population of Thermostatically Controlled Loads (TCLs) with unknown parameters to achieve group objectives including bidding and market clearing strategies designed to motivate self-interested users to realize efficient energy allocation subject to a peak power constraint. In one examples of the disclosed technology, a method of operating a load includes estimating a set of values for unmeasured parameters of the load's thermal environment based on output measurements of the thermal environment, determining an energy response based on the estimated set of values for the unmeasured parameters, and transmitting a bid for power for a finite time period based on the determined energy response to the coordinator. A clearing price is received from the coordinator responsive to the transmitted bid and power is sent to the load responsive to the received clearing price.

Abstract: Various innovations for a transactive control framework with heterogeneous devices such as refrigerators, air conditioners, water heaters, and clothes dryers, or components of such systems/units, are presented. For example, an aggregator for the transactive control framework receives bids from device controllers for heterogeneous devices. Different bids can reflect different behaviors of heterogeneous devices under one transactive control framework, which allows the heterogeneous devices to participate in the same ancillary service market for power. The aggregator determines a cleared price value, then broadcasts the cleared price value and a regulation signal to the device controllers. The device controllers can use a stochastic decision-making process to regulate power utilization by the respective heterogeneous devices, such that the aggregate behavior of the controlled devices tracks the regulation signal.