Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of active grid elements. Grid elements are transformed into active grid elements following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity. Also preferably, messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a multichannel power controller for limiting the number of channels with outputs therefrom simultaneously turned on and enabling power conditioning that makes the ratio of the “ON time” to the “ON+OFF time” for the output proportional to the input value, thus allowing the power capacity of the power plant to be set to the minimum required value, when a plurality of channels are subjected to time-sharing output control.

Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment, a method for managing power consumption includes receiving power rate information and receiving power usage information. The method also includes receiving a plurality of personal preference profiles. Each personal preference profile of the plurality of personal preference profiles is associated with a different user of a plurality of users and includes at least one preferred state associated with a respective user. The method further includes detecting a presence of at least one user within a room. The method additionally includes adjusting at least one state associated with the room based on the at least one preferred state associated with the at least one user within the room, the power rate information, and the power usage information.

Abstract: Two water heaters may be installed in series at a customer location, such that an output of a first (or storage) water heater is coupled to the input of a second (or primary) water heater, the output of which provides hot water to the customer location. During normal operation, only the primary water heater may actually heat water for use at the customer location. However, during periods of excess capacity, the electrical service provider may enable the storage water heater to store the excess electrical power that is generated by operating the power plant at higher output (which may be more efficient). Later, during hours of greater demand, the electrical service provider may disable the storage water heater used to store the excess capacity, whereas the primary water heater may operate normally. However, during the time of greater demand, the storage water heaters may provide pre-heated water to the primary water heater, which in-turn, may need to heat the water less or perhaps not at all.

Abstract: An intelligent interactive control system for lighting, appliances, office equipment, medical equipment, and other devices that provides for information to be exchanged in such a way that the devices can be made to operate according to a configurable way that may vary over time and according to the environment and power supply situation to save energy and increase safety.

Abstract: A communication network for a low-voltage switchboard comprising three types of communication bus. The first communication bus is designed to provide a first communication channel with at least one electronic protection device. A second communication bus is designed to provide a second communication channel with said electronic protection device. At least one third communication bus (13) is designed to provide a third communication channel between said at least one protection and control unit and one or more additional electronic modules (6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6F). The second communication bus is associated with a second, higher user access level than the first user access level associated with said first communication bus.

Abstract: A system having a function block execution framework. Function blocks may be for use in a control system design. These blocks may be selected from a library of a function block engine. Selected function blocks may be executed for operational purposes. They may be continuously executed by a processor to maintain operational status. However, since a function block engine and a resulting system of function blocks may be operated with battery power, executions of function blocks may be reduced by scheduling the executions of function blocks to times only when they are needed. That means that the processor would not necessarily have to operate continuously to maintain continual execution of the function blocks and thus could significantly reduce consumption of battery power.

Abstract: An equipment control device has: a reception unit for receiving desired time information indicating a desired operation start time or a desired operation termination time, operation period information and electrical power information; a time-shift period setting unit for setting a time-shift period indicating a period which has a time range including the desired time information and during which the operation start time or the operation termination time of a household appliance is shiftable; an electrical power charge information acquisition unit for acquiring electrical power charge information; an operation time computing unit for computing the operation start time or the operation termination time, on the basis of which the electricity charge that is billed when the household appliance is operated within the time-shift period falls to or below a predetermined charge; and a transmission unit for transmitting the operation start time or the operation termination time to the household appliance.

Abstract: A controller, method and system, for controlling lighting responsive to ambient lighting conditions are described. In particular, disclosed is illumination controller (110) for controlling illumination of a workspace near a display (253). The illumination controller includes a memory device (113) storing a user's preference for illumination of the workspace; a processor (111) accessing the user's preference in the memory device; and an interface (112) between the processor and an electronic sensor (231) located proximate to the display, which collects a reading from the electronic sensor. The processor compares the reading with the user's preference, and sends a command to at least one luminaire (241) to adjust the illumination of the workspace. The electronic sensor can be, for example, a photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an orientation sensor, or a location sensor. In some embodiments, the interface collects the reading from the electronic sensor via a wireless communication link.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for routing Internet Protocol (IP) messages over a network of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that employs a different communications protocol.

Abstract: A method for a three phase power flow analysis of an ungrounded power distribution system partitions a topology of the power distribution system into a mainline system and a set of tap systems, wherein the mainline system is formed by mainline buses connecting a swing bus and a set of constant active power and voltage magnitude (PV) buses, wherein the tap system is formed by one or many tap buses, such that a root bus of each tap system corresponds to a mainline bus. Next, the method determines voltages of the mainline buses based on a function of a total load of each tap system; and determines voltages of tap buses based on a voltage of the corresponding root bus of the mainline and load of each tap bus.

Abstract: A method for regenerating switching plans based on changing power distribution network conditions includes updating a power distribution network model in response to a power distribution network event, identifying areas of the power distribution network affected by the power distribution network event, identifying switching plans that are impacted by the power distribution network event and regenerating the switching plans that are impacted by the power distribution network event.

Abstract: A control signal protection device protects a current-receiving field device from an undesirable interruption in a control signal provided to the field device. The control signal protection device includes a first terminal to connect the signal protection device to a control system and a second terminal that connects the control signal protection device to a field device. The control signal device further includes a power storing element for temporary accumulation of electric energy and a switching circuit for controlling operational mode of the signal protection device. Electric energy is stored in the power storing element in a first operational mode. Electric energy stored in the power storing element is supplied to a positive terminal in the second terminal pair in a second operational mode.

Abstract: A computer is supplied with information about a measurement sequence to be implemented by a medical imaging system, and determines at least one group of preliminary control sequences for power supply devices of the medical imaging system so that the power control devices are caused to control image-influencing emission devices of the imaging medical system corresponding to the control sequences. Using a model of the image-influencing emission devices and their respective power control devices, and their respective initial load state, the computer determines whether a load state curve for those devices is below a load limit, and emits a final control sequence for those devices that are determined to be below the limit.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of identifying electrical devices in a power management system. The method includes accessing a controller using a server that includes identifiers of the electrical devices. The controller is electrically connected (directly or indirectly) to the electrical devices. The method further includes exchanging data between the server and the controller to correlate the identifiers with the electrical devices. The potential identifiers that may be used to correlate the identifiers with the electrical devices may be stored in an identifier database on the server. In some embodiments, the identifiers of the electrical devices may also be stored in an identifier database on the controller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing outbound interference in a broadband powerline communication system. Data is modulated on first and second carrier frequencies and is transmitted via respective first and second lines of the powerline system. A characteristic of at least one of the carrier signals (e.g., phase or amplitude) is adjusted in order to improve the electrical balance of the lines of the transmission system. This improvement in electrical balance reduces the radiated interference of the powerline system. Also disclosed is the use of a line balancing element on or more lines of the powerline system for altering the characteristics of at least one of the power lines in order to compensate for a known imbalance of the transmission system.

Abstract: A metering device includes a first transformer that receives an analog waveform and generates a first stepped-down output signal; a second transformer that receives the analog waveform and generates a second stepped-down output signal; first biasing circuitry that receives the first output signal from the first transformer and generates a first digital signal within a first range, wherein the first biasing circuitry includes a switching device for switching between a first and second operational sub-range; second biasing circuitry that receives the second output signal from the second transformer and generates a second digital signal within a second range; and a processor assembly in communication with the first biasing circuitry, wherein if the first digital signal saturates the first operational sub-range, the processor assembly controls the switching device to process the first output signal in the second operational sub-range.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of grid elements. Grid elements are transformed into grid elements following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity. Also preferably, messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to automation systems and methods of use thereof to control devices. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems including function-based controls and methods of assigning function-based controls to allow a user to add, relocate, and/or remove a device without requiring the user to reprogram the system.

Abstract: The device management server is provided with a power consumption acquisition unit that acquires information relating to power consumption of each of a plurality of sockets; a communication unit that performs communication with an object device from among devices connected to a network in order to change power consumption of the object device; a socket specifying unit that specifies a socket in which power consumption has changed within a period of time relating to the communication on the basis of information acquired by the power consumption acquisition unit; and an association unit 24 that associates the object device with the socket specified by the socket specifying unit.

Abstract: A system and method for centralized statistical analysis and control of power consumption is provided. The centralized statistical analysis, performed by a centralized power utility management system, may then be compared with one or more goals of the customer. Based on the comparison of the statistical analysis with the one or more goals of the customer, one or more actions may be taken including controlling one or more appliances resident at the customer premises.

Abstract: A mounting-line power control device (100) includes: a target value obtaining unit (110) which obtains, for each mounting line, a target value for demand power for a first period; a priority obtaining unit (120) which obtains a first priority level of each mounting line; a target value changing unit (130) which decreases the target value for the demand power of a second mounting line in the first period when the demand power of a first mounting line in the first period exceeds its target value, the second mounting line having the lower first priority level than the first mounting line; and a power usage changing unit (140) which reduces power used in the first period by the component-mounted board production apparatus included in the second mounting line, such that the demand power of the second mounting line in the first period does not exceed the decreased target value.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to an electronic device, including a power management device, the power management device generating a plurality of powers according to power management information, and a processor, the processor including a plurality of power blocks supplied with the plurality of powers through a plurality of power lines, and including a power consumption measurement block that measures power consumption of respective power blocks of the plurality of power blocks.

Abstract: A HEMS (200) connects to a plurality of devices furnished to a consumer's residence, and performs control relating to power management of the plurality of devices. The HEMS (200) is provided with a controller (240) for transmitting control information for the purpose of respective control of the plurality of devices, respectively to the plurality of devices on the basis of a predetermined cycle. The controller (240) classifies the plurality of devices into a plurality of groups, transmitting the control information to devices respectively classified into the plurality of groups, at different timing for each group.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a command generation portion that generates the command signal, and a first monitoring portion that monitors an abnormality relating to actuation of the actuator control apparatus. The actuator control apparatus includes a control portion and a second monitoring portion. The control portion generates a control signal for controlling operation of the actuator in accordance with the above-described command signal. The second monitoring portion monitors an abnormality that relates to actuation of the actuator control apparatus and that is different in type from an abnormality monitored by the first monitoring portion.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a wireless push button device. The wireless push button device includes a user interface configured to receive user input to control a process of a machine system. The wireless push button device also includes a first transceiver coupled to the user interface and configured to wirelessly receive input power from a second transceiver, provide user power to the user interface, and wirelessly transfer communications related to the user input to the second transceiver. The wireless push button device also includes a processing system configured to determine when a power transfer problem exists between the second transceiver and the first transceiver, and transfer an alert in response to the power transfer problem.

Abstract: An HEMS 200 includes information indicating a process that equipment performs in a higher layer in lower layer processing information that is to be transmitted to the equipment. The HEMS 200 determines a timeout period in which the equipment should complete the process performed in the higher layer, in accordance with the information included in the lower layer processing information.

Abstract: THE HEMS 500 controls equipment provided in a consumer 10. The HEMS 500 comprises a transceiver unit 510 that transmits a command to instruct processing executed by the equipment and a control unit 530 that acquires start time information indicating a time from when the equipment receives the command to when the equipment starts processing according to the command from the equipment and controls the equipment based on the acquired start time information.

Abstract: A method for employing an electronic ballast. A distributor is provided with the electronic ballast. An operative parameter of the electronic ballast is configurable to operate a type of gas discharge lamp. The distributor is further provided with a configuration mechanism for configuring said electronic ballast. The electronic ballast is attached to the configuration mechanism, the configuration mechanism is attached to a client computer and the client computer is operatively attached to a configuration service, typically over a wide area network, e.g. Internet. The distributor, using the client computer, requests from the configuration server to configure the ballast. The configuration is performed using the configuration mechanism by transmitting instructions from the configuration server to the client computer in response to the request.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for distributed resource scheduling performed by an advanced resource scheduling (ARS) module implemented on a distributed grid management (DGM) server in a power system. The ARS module is configured to automatically generate a resource schedule for controllable distributed energy resources (e.g., resources that are remotely controllable by DGM server and ARS module) in a distribution network of the power system, such as power generation resources and energy storage resources, to provide power in a cost-effective (e.g., optimal) manner. The ARS module is configured to take into account the operating limits of the distributed energy resources (DERs), the cost curves of the DERs, the system load demand, and other operating constraints to determine the most economical operating plan for the DERs, using an optimization technique such as the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, an electronic communication from a first computing machine is received and includes a power value and one or more priority values. The power value represents a request for a power allotment expected to be used during a predetermined time and the priority values represent priorities of tasks expected to be executed during the predetermined time. A score for the request is calculated using a scoring function and the received priority values as inputs to the scoring function. The score is compared to one or more other scores respectively associated with requests for power allotments from other computing machines and previously calculated using the scoring function following receipt of one or more electronic communications each including a power value and one or more priority values. A top-ranked score is identified and an electronic communication is sent to the associated computing machine granting the requested power allotment.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling power of sensor nodes based on estimation of power acquisition, includes: a self power acquisition unit acquiring self power; an internal sensing unit sensing power acquired from the self power acquisition unit and consumed power; a power cut-off unit cutting-off power for each component of the sensor nodes; and a microprocessor receiving information of acquired power and consumed power from the internal sensing unit to analyze a supply and demand of power, estimating the acquired power using annual meteorological statistics data and recent weather forecast data, controlling power for each component of the sensor nodes through the power cut-off unit according to the estimation of the acquired power, and controlling a sensing period and a communication period of the sensor nodes.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system identifies a grid topology of a plurality of distribution automation (DA) devices of a distribution feeder circuit in a power grid, and determines parameters for each of the DA devices of the distribution feeder circuit based on the grid topology e.g., protection parameters such that DA devices further from a power source in the power grid up to a normally open point (NOP) are configured to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source. The DA devices may then be configured with respective parameters as determined, and in response to detecting a change of the grid topology, updated parameters may be determined for one or more of the DA devices based on the changed grid topology. The system then reconfigures respective parameters of each of the DA devices that have updated parameters due to the change of the grid topology.

Abstract: A display power saving method for an electronic system includes a display including a light emitting diode panel. The display power saving method comprises detecting whether a pointing device exists in the electronic system, obtaining the location of a pointer controlled by the pointing device when detecting the pointing device existing in the electronic system, determining a display area of a screen of the display according to the location of the pointer, recognizing whether a power management mode of the electronic system is a power saving mode and decreasing the brightness of an area of the screen other than the display area when recognizing that the power management mode is the power saving mode.

Abstract: A server manages consumption of power supplied by utility or electric power grid operator(s) to multiple power consuming devices. Power flow to the consuming devices is enabled and disabled by controllable devices controlled by one or more client devices. The server includes a command processor, event manager, database, and client device manager. The command processor receives commands from the operator(s) and issues event messages responsive thereto. The event manager maintains a power management status for each client device and issues event instructions responsive to event messages. The database stores information relating to power consumed by the consuming devices. The client device manager selects from the database, responsive to receipt of a power reduction event instruction, client device(s) to which to issue a message indicating a power reduction amount and/or identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable power flow to associated consuming devices.

Abstract: A client device manages consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to multiple power consuming devices. Power flow to the power consuming devices is selectively enabled and disabled by one or more controllable devices controlled by the client device. The client device receives a power control message from a load management server. In one embodiment, the power control message indicates at least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced and an identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. Responsive to the power control message, the client device issues a power management command or instruction to one or more controllable devices under the client device's control. The power management command causes the controllable device(s) to disable a flow of electric power to at least one associated power consuming device.

Abstract: A system and method of discovery, validation and delivery of power to an electronic device through a universal power center is provided. The method comprises providing a power tip for an electronic device with a unique identification and broadcasting the unique identification to a power center. The method further includes verifying the unique identification and connection location of the electronic device, determining power requirements for the connected electronic device based on the unique identification and connection location, and delivering power to the electronic device based on the determined power requirements.

Abstract: A method for programming a programmable logic controller for controlling at least one energy consumer of a machine, includes providing at least one energy consumer functional module and at least one energy control functional module in a programming device for selection by a programmer in order to program an energy management program configured to provide at least one energy management functionality for the machine. The at least one energy consumer functional module containing data specific to the at least one energy consumer. The at least one energy control functional module containing data specific to the at least one energy management functionality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing events in an electrical distribution system. A number of events in the electrical distribution system are identified for an operator based on a profile for the operator. A wireless mobile device is assigned to the operator and the profile includes a role of the operator. The number of events is sent to the wireless mobile device assigned to the operator.

Abstract: An electric device includes operation unit, working unit, and a number-of-times detecting unit that counts the number of times of instructions being against energy savings. In addition, the device includes time measuring unit that measures time from when the number-of-times detecting unit starts the counting, and a controller that generates a signal to induce a modification of a first energy-saving pattern. When the time is within a first predetermined period, the controller generates a signal that requires the modification of the first energy-saving pattern into a more lenient second energy-saving pattern, with the time being from when time measuring unit starts the measurement to when the number of the times counted by the number-of-times detecting unit reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a network interface unit for communication with an electronic mail server via a communication network, a main control unit that entirely controls the image forming apparatus and does not operate in a power-saving mode, and a sub control unit that inquires of the electronic mail server in the power-saving mode about whether an electronic mail addressed to the image forming apparatus is stored in the electronic mail server. When such an electronic mail is stored in the electronic mail server, the sub control unit activates the main control unit. The main control unit shifts the image forming apparatus from the power-saving mode to a normal mode, and acquires the electronic mail from the electronic mail server. An image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium based on an attachment file attached to the electronic mail acquired by the main control unit.

Abstract: Provided is a control device of a vehicle, the vehicle having an electric motor and an engine. The control device includes an operating device and a controller. The operating device is configured to be selected a running capability of the vehicle. The controller configured to increase a running capability to be achieved using the electric motor alone, in a case where the vehicle travels using the electric motor alone according to the selected running capability, as compared with a case where the vehicle travels using the electric motor alone and the running capability is not selected.

Abstract: Data comprising a request specifying a desired change in electrical load for a defined period of time is received. The electrical load is associated with a plurality of resources under control of resource agents and on a utility grid. Available capacity of resources within the control of each resource agent over the defined period of time is determined. Each available capacity is determined at least using a resource load model. Using the determined available capacity of resources over the defined period of time, resource scheduling instructions are calculated for a subset of resources. The resource scheduling instructions satisfy the desired change in electrical load of the request. Data characterizing the resource scheduling instructions is provided. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A power control device includes a priority setting section capable of setting a use priority of a home appliance connected wirelessly or via cable or an adapter connected to the home appliance. The home appliance or the adaptor connected to the home appliance operates within the usable power of a result of the inquiry to the power control device. When there is no excess in usable power over the required power in the inquiry, the power control device reduces the power of a device having a lower priority than the device which has transmitted the inquiry in order to use the device with the higher priority.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling communication with a wired sensor are provided. A wired sensor may be adapted for wireless communication using a sensor interface. A sensor interface is communicatively coupled with a wired sensor that provides information about a detected environmental condition. The sensor interface wirelessly transmits information received from the wired sensor to a controller that may control an electrical load based on the wirelessly transmitted information.

Abstract: A system and method of discovery, validation and delivery of power to an electronic device through a universal power center is provided. The method comprises providing a power tip for an electronic device with a unique identification and broadcasting the unique identification to a power center. The method further includes verifying the unique identification and connection location of the electronic device, determining power requirements for the connected electronic device based on the unique identification and connection location, and delivering power to the electronic device based on the determined power requirements.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a power management system to enter an operating mode includes a power converting device, for providing input power for the control device; an operating mode control signal, for controlling the power management system to enter the operating mode, wherein the operating mode control signal is a first signal of the power management system; and an operating result displaying signal, for displaying at least one operating result in the operating mode, wherein the operating result displaying signal is a second signal of the power management system.

Abstract: A job processing apparatus that performs job processing by using power supplied from a first power supply and a second power supply includes a receiving unit that receives a job; a calculating unit that calculates an amount of power consumed to process the received job; a determining unit that determines whether the received job is executable with a first amount of power that can be supplied from the first power supply and the calculated amount of power; and a control unit that performs control so that the job is processed with the power supplied from the first power supply if the determining unit determines that the job is executable with the first amount of power and the job is processed with the power supplied from the second power supply if the determining unit determines that the job is not executable with the first amount of power.