Abstract: A layered control system for managing a distributed energy storage, DES, system, wherein the DES system comprises a plurality of nodes (121-125), each node comprising one or more battery units. The layered control system comprises a first control layer (301), a second control layer (302) and a third control layer (303). The first control layer (301) is configured to determine in advance an operating plan for the DES system for a plurality of time slots of a first time period based on aggregated properties of the DES system, wherein the operating plan comprises allocation of aggregated capacity of the DES system for the plurality of time slots; and to convey the operating plan to the second control layer. The second control layer (302) is configured to determine rules for selecting nodes of the DES system for obtaining the allocated aggregated capacity; to monitor operation of the DES system in real time and responsively state adjust the rules; and to convey the rules to the third control layer.

Abstract: A method for managing a distributed battery arrangement, wherein the arrangement comprises a pool of battery assets. The arrangement allows capacity limits to be set for the battery assets. The capacity limits are a first capacity limit (C1) defining minimum charge that is to be maintained in the battery asset; and a second capacity limit (C2) defining maximum charge; wherein capacity falling between the first capacity limit (C1) and the second capacity limit (C2) is a usable capacity range (C3). Usage of the usable capacity range (C3) of the battery assets is controlled for balancing and/or optimization tasks.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for managing a distributed energy storage, DES, arrangement, wherein the DES arrangement comprises a pool of nodes (121-125). The method is performed by detecting a balancing need for frequency balancing of electric grid; selecting a plurality of nodes of the DES arrangement for fulfilling a capacity requirement associated with the balancing need; sending activation requests to the selected nodes, wherein sending of the activation requests is performed in parallel; detecting an activation confirmation situation or an error situation for the selected nodes; aggregating capacity of the nodes for which an activation confirmation situation is detected; and reserving the aggregated capacity for the balancing need.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for managing a distributed energy storage, DES, arrangement, wherein the DES arrangement comprises a pool of nodes. The method is performed by monitoring (301) energy levels of battery systems of the nodes of the DES arrangement; identifying (302), based on monitoring the energy levels, one or more target nodes for optimization; and enabling (303) node specific up or down regulation actions for the target nodes irrespective of grid balancing actions of the whole DES arrangement.

Abstract: Managing a distributed energy storage, DES, arrangement to participate in electric grid balancing, wherein the DES arrangement comprises a pool of nodes. The method is performed by detecting (301) a balancing need for balancing the electric grid either in up direction or down direction; selecting (302) nodes for the balancing need; identifying (303) preferred balancing activity for a plurality of the selected nodes, wherein the preferred balancing activity is node specific, wherein first nodes, if any, have a preferred balancing activity in the same direction with the detected balancing need, and second nodes, if any, have a preferred balancing activity that is opposite to the detected balancing need; starting activation (304) of a balancing activity according to the balancing need for the first nodes, if any, upon detecting the balancing need; and delaying activation (305) of the balancing activity according to the balancing need for the second nodes, if any.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for energy savings management for cells of a sector or a base station of a communication network. The sector or base station has co-located cells that operate on different frequency bands. The method is performed by obtaining a default energy savings plan that calls for fully shutting down at least one of the cells for a first time period and provides a first amount of energy savings; evaluating energy savings achievable by using partial shutdown in cells and determining a second time period of partial shutdown that is needed for achieving the first amount of energy savings; obtaining a third time period that is usable for energy savings actions; and choosing to use partial shutdown in the cells, if the second time period is shorter than the third time period, and else choosing to use the default energy saving plan.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for controlling a pool of energy storages. The energy storages of the pool have capacity limits defining how the energy storages are intended to be used. The method is performed by detecting an exception event; selecting one or more energy storages associated with the detected exception event; and temporarily adjusting at least one capacity limit of the selected energy storages in accordance with the detected exception event.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for managing a distributed battery arrangement, wherein the arrangement comprises a pool of battery assets (121-125), wherein the battery assets of the pool are individually owned. The method is performed by obtaining real time data relating to current state of the battery assets of the pool, wherein the current state of the battery assets of the pool comprises at least information about capacity and wear profile of the battery assets of the pool; and selecting one or more battery assets from the pool based on the obtained real time data to fulfil a capacity requirement for frequency balancing of electric grid (151).

Abstract: A computer implemented method for controlling a virtual power plant, VPP, comprising a plurality of spatially distributed energy storage, DES, devices. The method is performed by operating the virtual power plant according to a first plan, wherein the first plan provides a pre-planned schedule for charging or discharging the DES devices over a first time period to fulfil a power reserve obligation; analysing the first plan in real time during the first time period, wherein the analysis is performed in view of predefined acceptance criteria and real time operating context data; and identifying a need to adjust the first plan on the basis of the analysis and accordingly adjusting the first plan in real time during the first time period.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for controlling a pool of energy storages. The energy storages of the pool have capacity limits defining how the energy storages are intended to be used. The method is performed by detecting an exception event; selecting one or more energy storages associated with the detected exception event; and temporarily adjusting at least one capacity limit of the selected energy storages in accordance with the detected exception event.

Abstract: Managing a distributed energy storage, DES, arrangement to participate in electric grid balancing, wherein the DES arrangement comprises a pool of nodes. The method is performed by detecting (301) a balancing need for balancing the electric grid either in up direction or down direction; selecting (302) nodes for the balancing need; identifying (303) preferred balancing activity for a plurality of the selected nodes, wherein the preferred balancing activity is node specific, wherein first nodes, if any, have a preferred balancing activity in the same direction with the detected balancing need, and second nodes, if any, have a preferred balancing activity that is opposite to the detected balancing need; starting activation (304) of a balancing activity according to the balancing need for the first nodes, if any, upon detecting the balancing need; and delaying activation (305) of the balancing activity according to the balancing need for the second nodes, if any.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for managing a distributed battery arrangement, wherein the arrangement comprises a pool of battery assets (121-125), wherein the battery assets of the pool are individually owned. The method is performed by obtaining real time data relating to current state of the battery assets of the pool, wherein the current state of the battery assets of the pool comprises at least information about capacity and wear profile of the battery assets of the pool; and selecting one or more battery assets from the pool based on the obtained real time data to fulfil a capacity requirement for frequency balancing of electric grid (151).

Abstract: A method for managing a distributed battery arrangement, wherein the arrangement comprises a pool of battery assets. The arrangement allows capacity limits to be set for the battery assets. The capacity limits are a first capacity limit (C1) defining minimum charge that is to be maintained in the battery asset; and a second capacity limit (C2) defining maximum charge; wherein capacity falling between the first capacity limit (C1) and the second capacity limit (C2) is a usable capacity range (C3). Usage of the usable capacity range (C3) of the battery assets is controlled for balancing and/or optimization tasks.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of energy consumption management and scheduling of cell shutdown periods in a communication network. The method includes individually scheduling daily shutdown period for certain target cells of the communication network by performing the following for each target cell: collecting usage data from a monitored cell for a first period of time, wherein the target cell and the monitored cell operate on different frequency bands and serve at least partially the same geographical area; comparing the usage data with a threshold value to determine a low-load period in the monitored cell; and scheduling a shutdown period for the target cell during the low-load period in the monitored cell.

Abstract: A method for evaluating effect of a change in a communications network includes receiving a first set of performance indicator values. measured over a first period of time before the change in the communications network; receiving a second set of performance indicator values with performance indicator values measured over a second period of time after the change in the communications network; comparing the first set and the second set to evaluate the effect of the change; determining a performance threshold based on the performance indicator values of the first set; determining a first performance ratio value based on the performance indicator values of the first set and the performance threshold; determining a second performance ratio value based on the performance indicator values of the second set and the performance threshold and providing output based on the first performance ratio value and the second performance ratio value.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for energy savings management for cells of a sector or a base station of a communication network. The sector or base station has co-located cells that operate on different frequency bands. The method is performed by obtaining a default energy savings plan that calls for fully shutting down at least one of the cells for a first time period and provides a first amount of energy savings; evaluating energy savings achievable by using partial shutdown in cells and determining a second time period of partial shutdown that is needed for achieving the first amount of energy savings; obtaining a third time period that is usable for energy savings actions; and choosing to use partial shutdown in the cells, if the second time period is shorter than the third time period, and else choosing to use the default energy saving plan.

Abstract: A method for evaluating effect of a change in a communications network includes receiving a first set of performance indicator values. measured over a first period of time before the change in the communications network; receiving a second set of performance indicator values with performance indicator values measured over a second period of time after the change in the communications network; comparing the first set and the second set to evaluate the effect of the change; determining a performance threshold based on the performance indicator values of the first set; determining a first performance ratio value based on the performance indicator values of the first set and the performance threshold; determining a second performance ratio value based on the performance indicator values of the second set and the performance threshold and providing output based on the first performance ratio value and the second performance ratio value.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of energy saving management for a source cell in a communication network. The method includes obtaining performance data of the source cell and a plurality of neighbor cells; determining and feeding input variable values to an energy saving management function based on the performance data and network topology of the communication network, wherein the input variables comprise variables representative of: 1) Overlap between the source cell and the neighbor cells, 2) Neighbor cell throughput, and 3) Source cell throughput; wherein the energy saving management function provides output based on combination of the input variables. Energy saving mode for the source cell is determined based on the output of the energy saving management function.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of energy consumption management and scheduling of cell shutdown periods in a communication network. The method includes individually scheduling daily shutdown period for certain target cells of the communication network by performing the following for each target cell: collecting usage data from a monitored cell for a first period of time, wherein the target cell and the monitored cell operate on different frequency bands and serve at least partially the same geographical area; comparing the usage data with a threshold value to determine a low-load period in the monitored cell; and scheduling a shutdown period for the target cell during the low-load period in the monitored cell.