Abstract: A method and system for a distributed communications and control network that manages Distributed Energy Resources (DER) on a power utility grid. Such a network uses a three-tiered network architecture (FIG. 2) named DERCOM comprised of two or three components: E-DERM An edge DER module (required) D-DERM A distributed DER module (required) C-DERM A centralized DER module (optional). The DERCOM network can begin as D-DERM/E-DERM installations (FIG. 3; FIG. 4) which can later integrate with an existing or future centralized C-DERM deployment. The E-DERM module being an edge device, physically located at each DER Point of Common Coupling (PCC), provides communications and protocol translations between DER and utility grid over wired or wireless connections. The E-DERM may also be located at utility device locations to control such devices. E-DERM communicates with D-DERM.

Abstract: A method and system for sending a repetitive permissive guard signal from an electrical power substation to a distributed generation site over existing medium voltage distribution lines to detect an islanding condition and apply transfer trip protection is disclosed. The permissive guard signal causes a receiver at the distributed generation site to control a recloser at the distributed generation site. Loss of the signal at the receiver device causes the tripping of the recloser at the distributed generation site in less than two seconds. The tripping of the recloser physically disconnects the distributed generation site from the electric power grid. The coupling to the medium voltage distribution lines can be implemented via a single phase-to-ground coupling or via a phase-to-phase differential coupling for multi-phase medium voltage distribution lines.

Abstract: A method and system for connecting to line protection relays and providing a communications channel between a first end and a second end of high voltage transmission lines for digital Line Current Differential Protection are disclosed. At each of the first end and the second end of the high voltage transmission lines, a Broadband Power Line Carrier (BPLC) gateway device is connected to the line protection relay. The BPLC gateway has a coupling device to physically attach to the line and is configured to transmit and receive data communications over the high voltage transmission lines so as to allow the protection relays to communicate with each other via the existing high voltage transmission lines.

Abstract: A method and system for sending a repetitive permissive guard signal from an electrical power substation to a distributed generation site over existing medium voltage distribution lines to detect an islanding condition and apply transfer trip protection is disclosed. The permissive guard signal causes a receiver at the distributed generation site to control a recloser at the distributed generation site. Loss of the signal at the receiver device causes the tripping of the recloser at the distributed generation site in less than two seconds. The tripping of the recloser physically disconnects the distributed generation site from the electric power grid. The coupling to the medium voltage distribution lines can be implemented via a single phase-to-ground coupling or via a phase-to-phase differential coupling for multi-phase medium voltage distribution lines.

Abstract: A communication device for use on high voltage power lines provides for broadband communications over such high voltage power lines. The device has an impedance matching circuit configured to connect at one end to a high voltage line arrester of the high voltage power line, as well as a limiter circuit coupled to the other end of the impedance matching circuit to limit a voltage associated with a broadband signal. A noise blanker circuit is coupled at one end to this other end of the impedance matching circuit and is configured to inhibit presentation of a time delayed incoming signal to the broadband modem upon detection of electrical noise. The communication device can further comprise link aggregation and/or a differential circuit for providing non-inverted and inverted broadband signals for both reception and transmission. A corresponding method of communicating broadband information over a high voltage power line is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides hybrid access network architecture to provide broadband data, voice and video services over Internet Protocol. The hybrid access network comprises a wireless distribution system which has wireless mesh network nodes acting as wireless repeaters. Each of these wireless repeaters comprises of at least 3 wireless radios. The hybrid access network comprises of plurality of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) nodes, each node consisting of 2 modems and 4 wireless radios. Each of the BPL nodes acts as a repeater. The hybrid access network terminates the wireless traffic with fewer hops and has a very fast low latency BPL backbone of 1-3 milliseconds latency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method to use powerline and wireless communications for delivery of data and voice messages over IP (Internet Protocol). In order to achieve high reliability in communication service over powerline, wireless network is used as a redundant network to switch over in case of failover. The invention provides an integrated algorithm that provides seamless switching between powerline and wireless communication methods in real time.

Abstract: A communication device for use on high voltage power lines provides for broadband communications over such high voltage power lines. The device has an impedance matching circuit configured to connect at one end to a high voltage line arrester of the high voltage power line, as well as a limiter circuit coupled to the other end of the impedance matching circuit to limit a voltage associated with a broadband signal. A noise blanker circuit is coupled at one end to this other end of the impedance matching circuit and is configured to inhibit presentation of a time delayed incoming signal to the broadband modem upon detection of electrical noise. The communication device can further comprise link aggregation and/or a differential circuit for providing non-inverted and inverted broadband signals for both reception and transmission. A corresponding method of communicating broadband information over a high voltage power line is disclosed.