Abstract: Systems and methods for managing power loads of one or more data centers using a wide-area energy controller to operate local energy resources of the data center based on power control information generated by a remote data center control system are described. In one aspect, a system includes a set of local energy sources configured to provide power to the loads of the energy system and a wide-area energy controller. The wide-area energy controller includes a first interface communicably coupled to an application programming interface (API) that connects a remote data center control system to respective wide-area energy controllers of multiple data centers, the first interface being configured to receive power control information from the remote data center control system via the API. The wide-area energy controller includes a control unit configured to schedule the local energy sources to provide power to the loads based on the power control information.

Abstract: The present disclosure contemplates a method for synchronizing a large number of generators on an AC bus simultaneously by closing the generator breakers when the generators are rotating but de-energized. Then excitation is raised for each generator simultaneously, causing the generators to synchronize as voltage increases, without large transient current surges that can damage the machines. In order to safely maximize the rate at which excitation is raised, initial excitation can be controlled using current regulation, specifically controlling excitation current instead of voltage. Once a predetermined voltage is reached, a control scheme can be switched to a voltage regulation mode, which brings the generator to the final desired voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure contemplates a method for synchronizing a large number of generators on an AC bus by synchronizing each generator's output to a nominal output that is generated from a common external source. For example, each generator, using a high speed communication signal, can synchronize to a nominal output provided by a master generator, or centralized command module. In another example, each generator can generate its own nominal output referenced to a common external time signal, such as a global positioning system (GPS) signal, or other reference. By synchronizing independently of bus voltage and frequency, the generators are able to synchronize in parallel, instead of serially.

Abstract: Systems and methods to test an electric power delivery system include a communication subsystem to transmit test signals to one or more merging units, a test subsystem to transmit a test data stream to the one or more merging units via the communication subsystem, and a processor subsystem to receive looped back data from the one or more merging unit in response to the transmitted test data stream and to determine an operating condition based on the looped back data.

Abstract: Systems and methods to disconnect a faulted region of a power grid are described. For example, a control system may obtain a set of regions of a power grid. The control system may obtain a current magnitude and a voltage magnitude of the power grid. The control system may detect a fault in the power grid based at least in part on the current magnitude. The control system may, from the set of regions, determine a faulted region that the fault is located within based on a voltage magnitude of one or more buses in the power grid, a net change in power with respect to time of one or more regions in the set of regions, or both. The control system may send one or more signals to electrically disconnect the faulted region from the power grid.

Abstract: Primary protection relays and an integrator disclosed for providing primary protection and secondary applications for an electric power delivery system. The primary protection relays obtain signals from, and provide primary protection operations for the power system, and may operate independently from the integrator. An integrator receives signals and status communications from the primary protection relays to perform secondary applications for the electric power delivery system. The secondary applications may include backup protection, system protection, interconnected protection, and automation functions.

Abstract: Primary protection relays and an integrator disclosed for providing primary protection and secondary applications for an electric power delivery system. The primary protection relays obtain signals from, and provide primary protection operations for the power system, and may operate independently from the integrator. An integrator receives signals and status communications from the primary protection relays to perform secondary applications for the electric power delivery system. The secondary applications may include backup protection, system protection, interconnected protection, and automation functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods may mitigate risk of fire caused by an electric power system. In one embodiment, a system may include an intelligent electronic device (IED). The IED includes a communication subsystem to receive a signal from a sensor related to a condition of the electric conductor. A processing subsystem in communication with the communication subsystem may operate in at least two modes comprising a high security mode and a fire prevention mode. In the fire prevention mode, the IED may interrupt a flow of electric current based on the signal from the at least one sensor associated with the electric conductor. In the high security mode, the system may interrupt a flow of electric current based on the signal from the at least one sensor associated with the electric conductor and based on a second condition relating to the electric conductor.

Abstract: Systems and methods to test an electric power delivery system include a communication subsystem to transmit test signals to one or more merging units, a test subsystem to transmit a test data stream to the one or more merging units via the communication subsystem, and a processor subsystem to receive looped back data from the one or more merging unit in response to the transmitted test data stream and to determine an operating condition based on the looped back data.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for monitoring electrical arc events in an electric power system. In one embodiment, a system may comprise an arc flash detection (AFD) unit to detect electromagnetic radiation generated by an electrical arc event, a primary protection relay to generate measurements of an electric current, and an integrator. In various embodiments, the integrator may comprise a communication port to receive the detection of the electrical arc event and the measurements of the electric current. The integrator may also comprise a processing subsystem to validate the detection of the electrical arc and generate protective actions to interrupt the flow of the current to the electrical arc event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a protection relay, such as a primary bus protection relay, may include a testing device for providing current signals imitating current on both sides of a bus to the primary bus protection relay. The signals may be provided using signals corresponding with a signal format from merging units or other monitoring devices. The testing device may be configured to receive communications from the primary bus protection relay for evaluation of the operation of the primary bus protection relay.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying electric power system metering information in a panel may use digitized signals from primary protection relays. The system may include multiple panel meters. One or more of the panel meters may receive the digitized signals using an electrically non-conductive communication media. In various embodiments, the panel may be electrically isolated from the primary protection relay. The panel may be hot swappable and may be connected to a primary protection relay while the relay is in continuous operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods to test an electric power delivery system include a communication subsystem to transmit test signals to one or more merging units, a test subsystem to transmit a test data stream to the one or more merging units via the communication subsystem, and a processor subsystem to receive looped back data from the one or more merging unit in response to the transmitted test data stream and to determine an operating condition based on the looped back data.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to devices, systems, and methods for monitoring an electric power system. In one embodiment, a system may detect a failure in an electric power system. The system may include a communication interface to receive a first indication related to a condition in the electric power system, and a second indication related to the condition. The system may also include a test subsystem to compare the first indication to the second indication and to determine a discrepancy between the first indication and the second indication. A diagnostic subsystem may identify the failure based on the discrepancy between the first indication and the second indication. An alert subsystem may generate an alert based on the failure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for creating a data tunnel to communicate test data in a test configuration in an electric power system. In one embodiment, a remote unit may include a monitored equipment interface to receive information representative of a condition in the electric power system from a test set and a first test data port to communicate test data through the data tunnel in the test configuration. The remote unit may use a first communication subsystem to generate and transmit a stream of data packets comprising information from the monitored equipment interface and information from the first test data port to be routed through the data tunnel. A protection system may receive the stream of data packets from the first communication subsystem and separate information from the monitored equipment interface and information from the test data routed through the data tunnel.

Abstract: Systems and methods including improving availability of protection of an electric power delivery system even upon unavailability of power system signals. Such protection relays may provide protection using signals from the power system and provide the signals to an integrator or another device. Upon unavailability of power system signals to a protection relay, the integrator sends substitute power system signals may be provided to the protection relay. The protection relay may continue to provide protection using the substitute power system signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods may maintain protection of electric power delivery systems in the event of an attack on protection and/or control features of the power system. Primary protective functions may be physically isolated from other functions in primary protection relays. Integrators may facilitate non-primary protection functions and disconnect all communication with primary protection relays in the event of an attack. Primary protection relays maintain protection functions even during the attack or unavailability of the integrators.

Abstract: Systems and methods may mitigate risk of fire caused by an electric power system. In one embodiment, a system may include an intelligent electronic device (IED). The IED includes a communication subsystem to receive a signal from a sensor related to a condition of the electric conductor. A processing subsystem in communication with the communication subsystem may operate in at least two modes comprising a high security mode and a fire prevention mode. In the fire prevention mode, the IED may interrupt a flow of electric current based on the signal from the at least one sensor associated with the electric conductor. In the high security mode, the system may interrupt a flow of electric current based on the signal from the at least one sensor associated with the electric conductor and based on a second condition relating to the electric conductor.

Abstract: Systems and methods to disconnect a faulted region of a power grid are described. For example, a control system may obtain a set of regions of a power grid. The control system may obtain a current magnitude and a voltage magnitude of the power grid. The control system may detect a fault in the power grid based at least in part on the current magnitude. The control system may, from the set of regions, determine a faulted region that the fault is located within based on a voltage magnitude of one or more buses in the power grid, a net change in power with respect to time of one or more regions in the set of regions, or both. The control system may send one or more signals to electrically disconnect the faulted region from the power grid.

Abstract: Systems and methods testing a power protection relay include a merging unit to receive signals from an electric power delivery system. The merging unit includes a test signal input to receive test signals from a testing device, a relay output to output at least one of the test signals to a power protection relay, a distribution output to output at least another of the test signals to one or more additional merging units, and a switch subsystem to route the test signal to the relay output or the distribution output.