Abstract: A hand weapon that appears to be an innocuous key carrying device is employed for self-defense. In a first preferred embodiment, the device includes a hollow handle having flexible cordage, typically a double cord, that passes through it to which a number of keys or other weighted objects are affixed via an attachment mechanism, usually a split-ring or similar mechanism. A spring-loaded plunger mechanism extending radially through a cross-section of the hollow handle pinches a portion of the flexible cordage in the interior of the hollow handle to hold it in position. A first position is where the attachment mechanism abuts a first end of the hollow handle. If an attacker threatens, the user depresses the spring-loaded plunger mechanism while slinging the first end with weighted objects affixed, typically keys, toward the attacker using a slashing movement.

Abstract: A device includes a network interface and a processor. The network interface is configured to receive one or more preferences of a customer related to the charging of at least one backup device of the consumer. The network interface is also configured to receive at least one notification of at least one predicted power disturbance. The processor is configured to utilize the one or more consumer preferences and the at least one notification to generate a charging schedule of the at least one backup device and to generate one or more charging notifications for charging the at least one backup device. The one or more charging notifications are based on the charging schedule.

Abstract: A power grid event detection apparatus includes an event detection unit to detect a location of an event in a power grid, a customer location unit to determine a location of interest to an interested party, and a rule application unit to determine whether to perform an action designated by the interested party at least when the location of the event corresponds to the location of interest to the interested party.

Abstract: A system and method of determining priorities for restoration of power in a power distribution system includes collecting customer prioritization data for a set of customers. An inconvenience factor is determined from the customer prioritization data for each customer. A zone restoration factor is then determined from the inconvenience factor for each customer. The inconvenience factor takes into account the estimated outage time, the customer's back-up time, the willingness of the customer to use back-up devices, and customer's priority for the estimated outage time.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide a system including a processor configured to execute a demand response management system (DRMS) integrity check system. The DRMS integrity system is configured to query a database system of the DRMS based on a first data to retrieve a second data, wherein the first data is configured to be used by the DRMS during a demand response event to respond to the event. The DRMS integrity system is further configure to verify integrity of the database by verifying that the second data includes a desired data property. The DRMS integrity system is additionally configured to communicate an indication of the integrity of the database.

Abstract: A system includes a utility analytics system having a memory configured to store an event forecaster. The utility analytics system also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to receive or access data related to weather conditions, vegetation conditions, and historical events along the power grid, and the processor is also configured to execute instructions of the event forecaster to identify one or more potential events in the power grid based at least in part on the data related to weather conditions, vegetation conditions, and historical events along the power grid.

Abstract: A device includes a network interface configured to receive one or more preferences of a consumer related to the charging of at least one backup device of the consumer. The device includes a processor configured to utilize the one or more consumer preferences to generate a charging schedule of the at least one backup device and generate one or more charging notifications for charging the at least one backup device, wherein the one or more charging notifications are based on the charging schedule.

Abstract: A device includes a network interface and a processor. The network interface is configured to receive one or more preferences of a customer related to the charging of at least one backup device of the consumer. The network interface is also configured to receive at least one notification of at least one predicted power disturbance. The processor is configured to utilize the one or more consumer preferences and the at least one notification to generate a charging schedule of the at least one backup device and to generate one or more charging notifications for charging the at least one backup device. The one or more charging notifications are based on the charging schedule.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method for optimizing utility cost comprises receiving a rating for at least one device comprising at least utility service usage information for the at least one device; receiving a desired time of use for the at least one device; receiving utility rate information comprising cost information for the utility service at various times over a defined time period; determining a total cost to use the at least one device at the desired time of use based on the utility service usage information for the at least one device and the utility rate information at the desired time of use; and determining an economical cost to use the at least one device based on the utility service usage information for the at least one device and the cost information for the utility service at various times over the defined time period.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing load shed during restoration after a fault in a power distribution network includes collecting customer prioritization data for a set of customers and calculating an inconvenience factor from the customer prioritization data on each customer in the set of customers. A load reduction required for restoration is determined, and at least one zone to be isolated from the power distribution network based the load reduction and the inconvenience factor is identified. The identified zone may then be isolated from the distribution network. The customer prioritization data may include customer priority data, customer load data, customer back-up device data, customer available back-up time, data related to willingness of customer to use their back-up device.

Abstract: A system and method of determining priorities for restoration of power in a power distribution system includes collecting customer prioritization data for a set of customers. An inconvenience factor is determined from the customer prioritization data for each customer. A zone restoration factor is then determined from the inconvenience factor for each customer. The inconvenience factor takes into account the estimated outage time, the customer's back-up time, the willingness of the customer to use back-up devices, and customer's priority for the estimated outage time.

Abstract: A power grid event detection apparatus includes an event detection unit to detect a location of an event in a power grid, a customer location unit to determine a location of interest to an interested party, and a rule application unit to determine whether to perform an action designated by the interested party at least when the location of the event corresponds to the location of interest to the interested party.