Electrical Power Generation Or Distribution System Patents (Class 700/286)
  • Publication number: 20130041511
    Abstract: In a case in which a local solution to current-voltage characteristics is generated by way of a partial shade, it has been difficult to perform control for causing a solar cell to operate at a maximum power point efficiently in terms of power and at a low cost. During steady state operation, an MPPT control unit 1 for performing the normal hill climbing method is selected, and if the change amount of the output current of the solar cell is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, an MPPT control unit 2 for increasing the variation width of the output voltage of the solar cell to greater than the hill climbing method is selected. By way of such control, it is possible to achieve both efficient operation in a steady state and avoidance of a local solution to a partial shade at a low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Kohno, Motoo Futami, Hiromu Kakuya
  • Patent number: 8374727
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to minimizing the potential damage caused by the failure of a single central Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) responsible for calculating, assigning and storing information about switchyard zones of a high or medium voltage switchyard comprising switchyard elements interconnected by lines, and wherein the switchyard is operated by means of a Substation Automation system including a plurality of Intelligent Electronic Devices. For example, a distributed switchyard zone management is disclosed, comprising a distributed storage of the knowledge about the switchyard zones. Assignments of individual switchyard elements or components, such as switches and connectivity nodes, to the various switchyard zones are stored on several IEDs. If one of these IEDs fails, the services or applications based on switchyard zones thus are not necessarily doomed, as would be the case if the entire knowledge about switchyard zones were stored on one single central IED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Wimmer
  • Patent number: 8374728
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a power management apparatus, including a communication unit communicating with a power management network and a control unit determining a restricted power amount, determining a restricted power amount for an electronic device connected to the power management network, transmitting a power restriction request, including the restricted power amount, to the electronic device, receiving a response to the power restriction request, and controlling power consumed by the power management network on the basis of the received response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sangwon Kim
  • Patent number: 8375249
    Abstract: A method for testing a battery backup unit used to power electronic components stored in an enclosure, such enclosure including a cooling system have a fan, such electrical components and fan being powered by a power supply electronic components stored in an enclosure, such enclosure including a cooling system have a fan, such electrical components and fan being powered by a power supply and, in the event of a detected failure of the power supply to provide proper power, the battery backup unit. The method includes periodically interrupting the power from the power supply to the fan while the fan is supplied power from the battery backup unit to test the battery backup unit while the power supply maintains power to the electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. LoRusso
  • Publication number: 20130035797
    Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a digital circuit is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A real frequency of operation of the digital circuit is adjusted using a control loop in the digital circuit, the adjusting the real frequency being responsive to a change in an operating condition of the digital circuit. A measurement of a current drawn by the digital circuit is received from a voltage regulator supplying electrical power to the digital circuit. An over-current target current value is received. A voltage output from the voltage regulator to the digital circuit is adjusted such that the current drawn by the digital circuit does not exceed the over-current target current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Scott Allen-Ware, John Bruce Carter, Heather Lynn Hanson, Wei Huang, Charles Robert Lefurgy, Karthick Rajamani
  • Patent number: 8369997
    Abstract: The method included herein is an alternative energy wireless solar panel wind turbine communication server appliance node mechanism with built in communications server array, wireless energy and communications mechanism with protection, sharing, storage, accessing, authentication, battery management, certification, processing attachment and tracking mechanisms. The method and mechanism is utilized via networked servers, solar panels, and wireless electronic devices (online and offline) as well as mobile (wireless) communications devices built into one waterproof, temperature, controlled self sensing hardware package. The method and mechanism also works as part of a kilowatt hour banking system, and thermal passive solar control mechanism for living spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: David Valin
  • Publication number: 20130030580
    Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Locations of collection, charging and distribution machines having available charged portable electrical energy storage devices are communicated to or acquired by a mobile device of a user, or displayed on a collection, charging and distribution machine. The locations are indicated on a graphical user interface on a map on a user's mobile device relative to the user's current location. The user may use their mobile device select particular locations on the map to reserve an available portable electrical energy storage device. The system nay also warn the user that the user is near an edge of the pre-determined area having portable electrical energy storage device collection, charging and distribution machines. Reservations may also be made automatically based on information regarding a potential route of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GOGORO, INC.
    Inventors: Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Yi-Tsung Wu, Jung-Hsiu Chen, Yulin Wu, Chien Ming Huang, TsungTing Chan, Shen-Chi Chen, Feng Kai Yang
  • Publication number: 20130030581
    Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GOGORO, INC.
    Inventors: Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor
  • Publication number: 20130030579
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the decentralized, coordinated control of the active power losses of an electrical distribution system are provided. For example, a controller may include a network interface and data processing circuitry. The network interface may receive first measurements associated with a segment of an electrical distribution system and transmit a control signal configured to control equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system. The data processing circuitry may run digital simulations of the segment of the electrical distribution system in various equipment configurations, selecting from among the various equipment configurations an equipment configuration that is expected to cause the active power losses of the segment to approach a desired value. The data processing circuitry then may generate the control signal, which may cause the equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system to conform to the equipment configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Borka Milosevic, Willem Hendrik Du Toit, Aleksandar Vukojevic
  • Patent number: 8364325
    Abstract: Exemplary systems, methods, and apparatuses for distributed intelligence in facility lighting control are provided. A facility lighting system may be organized into multiple control areas, each of which may include one or more component devices. Each lighting control area may be associated with a control apparatus, which controls the operation of the lighting devices of the associated control area based on various types of signal information. Signal information may include information concerning local conditions or environments, as well as information from a centralized control server. Some embodiments further include monitoring the operation and predicting fault states of the lighting control area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Adura Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Huizenga, Alex Do
  • Patent number: 8364322
    Abstract: A method of managing and modulating in real time the electrical consumption of a set of consumers, includes measurement in real time of the electrical consumption of a plurality of targeted sets of electrical equipment in operation, each set of equipment being situated in the home of a consumer, the measurement of the consumption of such equipment being performed by means of an electrical regulation module situated in the home of the consumer. The consumption measurements are transmitted by the modules to a central server. If a global setpoint, at a given moment, indicates that a certain total power should be cancelled, sending by the server, to certain of the modules, the instruction to selectively and temporarily cut the electrical power supply to the electrical equipment. Instruction sent by the server are received and executed by these modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Voltalis SA
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Oury, Bruno Heintz
  • Patent number: 8364287
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to manage the generation and use of hybrid electric power. A monitoring module receives signals from one or more sensors. The signals comprise power level information of an electric energy storage device, power level information of one or more energy converters, and power level information of an electric load. A determination module compares the signals to determine whether electric power from the energy converters satisfies the electric load. A regulation module adjusts the electric power from the energy converters in response to a determination by the determination module that the electric power from the energy converters does not satisfy an electric load threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Trulite, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Pearson, Chris Brydon, Eugene You, Guangde Wang
  • Patent number: 8362648
    Abstract: An electric power supply system is provided for feeding an output of a DC power source to a load at high efficiency and, without complicated controlling, for allowing for interchange of electric power among a commercial power system, a DC power source and a load. An electric power supply system includes a DC bus line for connecting a DC generator, a load and system power. The electric power supply system comprises a DC/DC converter connected between the DC generator and the DC bus line for controlling an output voltage to the DC bus line at a voltage V1; an inverter connected between the system power and the DC bus line for operating a control in response to an input voltage V2 from the DC bus line; and an AC/DC converter connected between the system power and the DC bus line for controlling an output voltage to the DC bus line at a voltage V3, wherein the respective voltages are set as V1>V2>V3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Matsui, Kazuhito Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8364323
    Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of a wind power generation system provided with a plurality of wind turbines, in which output power of each wind turbine is supplied to an electric power system through a common interconnection node where output data of each wind turbine is obtained, where a periodic correlation between output fluctuations of adjacent wind turbines is determined by using the output data, the correlation is determined as a strong correlation when the correlation is more than two times greater than an average level of the correlation, and a phase of the output of either one of the adjacent wind turbines is shifted by a period of the strong correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Arinaga, Takatoshi Matsushita, Tsuyoshi Wakasa, Masaaki Shibata, Akira Yasugi
  • Publication number: 20130018515
    Abstract: A method, arrangement and computer program product for enhancing the reliability of wide area control in a power transmission system where the wide area control is performed in the power transmission system based on measurements of system data. The arrangement includes an estimating unit configured to generate estimated measurement values based on at least one control signal being sent into the system and a model of the system, where the estimated measurement values correspond to a set of actual measurement values that are provided by a number of measurement providing devices in the system. The arrangement also includes a control unit configured to replace, if one or more deviation condition associated with at least one actual measurement value is fulfilled, at least the actual measurement values of the set being associated with the one or more deviation condition with corresponding estimated measurement values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Rajat Majumder
  • Patent number: 8355825
    Abstract: Wind farm, of the kind that comprises a series of wind turbine generators, which consist of a rotor, a generator, a control unit and means of connection to the computing network for the wind farm of which they form part, in such a way that at least two of the wind turbine generators in the farm can assume a leader hierarchy for the wind farm, accessing the operating data of the rest of the wind turbine generators, calculating and sending instructions to the rest of the wind turbine generators making up that wind farm, and a subject hierarchy, receiving and following the instructions coming from the leader wind turbine generator of the wind farm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Oscar Alonso Sádaba, Ricardo Royo García, Miguel Núnez Polo
  • Patent number: 8355823
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling operation of a wind turbine. The method may comprise determining an alarm level for at least one component of the wind turbine. In the case that an alarm level for at least one component exceeds a predefined level, the method comprises estimating an expected remaining lifetime for the component under the current operating conditions, and controlling operation of the wind turbine in order to adjust the expected remaining lifetime for the component to a desired expected remaining lifetime for said component. Thereby, the expected remaining lifetime for the component can be prolonged until the next scheduled service event. Downtime of the wind turbine is considerably reduced, and unscheduled service events are avoided to the greatest possible extent. Mean time between inspections (MTBI) is also extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Tie Ling Zhang, Yu Zhou, Khoon Peng Lim, Bung Chai Chin, Pey Yen Siew, Jiann Yi Ho, Wan Ying Chen, Jiun Keat Ong, Kiran Kishan Rao Nandedkar
  • Patent number: 8355829
    Abstract: An object is to improve the accuracy of power factor adjustment. Power-factor command values corresponding to individual wind turbines are determined by correcting a predetermined power-factor command value for an interconnection node using power factor correction levels set for the individual wind turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Arinaga, Takatoshi Matsushita, Tsuyoshi Wakasa, Masaaki Shibata, Akira Yasugi
  • Publication number: 20130013119
    Abstract: A virtual thermostat system and method are provided. The method accepts commands via a virtual thermostat interface for establishing temperature set points for a plurality of zones. Energy consumption information is also accepted from a plurality of energy consumption units. Each unit consumes energy at an associated peak power to supply a controlled temperature medium to a corresponding zone. The method also accepts temperature measurements for each zone. Then, consumption commands are sent to each energy consumption unit in response to associated zone temperature set points, while insuring that a combined peak power of the energy consumption units is less than a maximum peak power threshold. In one aspect, the virtual thermostat accepts temperature measurements from a plurality of physical thermostats, each associated with an energy consumption unit. Then, consumption commands are relayed to the energy consumption units via associated physical thermostats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Carl Mansfield, Daniel J. Park, David Elrod
  • Publication number: 20130013118
    Abstract: A thermostat user interface (UI) is provided for presenting calculated set point ranges. The thermostat UI has a major thermostat scale for presenting a current temperature and an overall range of feasible temperatures. A set point indictor indicates a set point input (e.g., desired temperature) with respect to the major thermostat scale. A minor thermostat scale presents a set point range, where the set point range is a range of permitted temperature measurement variations from the set point input. The set point range brackets the set point indicator with a maximum temperature value representing a highest temperature in the set point range, and a minimum temperature value representing a lowest temperature in the set point range. If high and low temperature set point indictors are used, then there are first and second minor thermostat scales bracketing, respectively, the high and low temperature set point indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Vitaliy Merkulov, David Elrod, Daniel J. Park
  • Patent number: 8352084
    Abstract: A solar power generation system comprising: plural customers each having a solar panel, a power convertor for converting DC output from the solar panel into AC output, an output controller for suppressing the power convertor output which becomes higher than a predetermined value, a measuring unit for measuring the amount of sold power, the amount of purchased power and the amount of generation-suppressed power; and an watt-hour meter measurement data adjusting unit linked with the plural customers via communication lines. The watt-hour meter measurement data adjusting unit calculates provisional generation-suppressed power amounts that make the burdens of the customers even, and calculates the power amounts to be sold by the customers on the basis of the provisional generation-suppressed power amounts. Thus, the generation-suppressed power of the solar power generation system can stabilize the power system and the chances for selling power can be fairly allocated to customers having solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taminori Tomita, Masahiro Watanabe, Yasushi Tomita
  • Patent number: 8352350
    Abstract: Financial data associated with one or more “contributing consumers” is obtained. The financial data is then aggregated, analyzed, and/or categorized, according to one or more events and one or more criteria/parameters associated with the financial transaction data and/or the contributing consumer. The aggregated and/or categorized data is then stored. A “user consumer” then initiates a request for predictive event cost data associated with one or more specified events and the aggregated and/or categorized data representing the event related changes in the financial data is searched based. Results data representing the changes in the financial data for one or more similarly situated contributing consumers associated the specified event is then obtained and presented to the user consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: James Robert Del Favero, Chris Lee, Barron R. Ernst, Marko Rukonic
  • Patent number: 8352091
    Abstract: In one embodiment, each of a plurality of sites may produce surplus power. All or a fraction of the surplus power may be supplied to the power grid according to an agreement between the user of a site and an electric utility. A computer of the utility is in communication with a computer at each of a plurality of sites having a local power source. Terms of power provision that include an amount of power to be provided during a specified time of day is communicated between a site and the utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Julianne F. Haugh
  • Patent number: 8350412
    Abstract: A technique is provided for automatically controlling configuration of a power grid, which includes one or more stand-alone sub-grids. Each stand-alone sub-grid includes a power generator, and a load is associated with the stand-alone sub-grid(s). The technique includes: monitoring the power grid by monitoring power demand of a load associated with the stand-alone sub-grid(s) and the power generated by the power generator within each stand-alone sub-grid; automatically determining that a grid configuration change is required for the power grid based on the monitoring; and dynamically reconfiguring the power grid by automatically modifying a number of stand-alone sub-grids in the power grid without interrupting power to the load associated with the stand-alone sub-grid(s) of the power grid. In one implementation, the power grid is a mobile power grid, and the power generator of each stand-alone sub-grid is a portable power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Intelligent Power and Engineering Research Corporation (IPERC)
    Inventors: Darrell D. Massie, Michael A. Miller, Peter S. Curtiss
  • Publication number: 20130006432
    Abstract: A plant operation support system of one embodiment includes a condition setting unit, a characteristic data storage unit, and a predicting unit. The condition setting unit sets a power supply amount to be supplied from the plant to an outside, and a target recovery rate of carbon dioxide to be generated by the thermal power generation facility. The characteristic data storage unit stores characteristic data representing a capability of recovering carbon dioxide by the carbon dioxide recovery facility, which varies according to operating output of the thermal power generation facility. The predicting unit predicts a fuel consumption amount in the thermal power generation facility and a recovery amount of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide recovery facility based on contents set by the condition setting unit and contents stored in the characteristic data storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Hideki NODA, Reiko OBARA, Takenori KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20130006429
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for optimizing load scheduling for a power plant having one or more power generator units. An exemplary method and corresponding system can involve detecting an event indicative of a need for adapting one or more constraints for an objective function used in load scheduling. On such detection, the objective function is analysed to determine adaptive constraint values for the one or more constraints for optimally solving the objective function. These adaptive constraint values can be used to solve the objective function and the solution of the objective function with the one or more adapted constraint values can be used to operate the one or more power generation units of the power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Mohan Kumar SHANMUGAM, Senthil Kumar Sundaram, Gopinath Selvaraj, Shrikant Bhat
  • Publication number: 20130006430
    Abstract: A public power supply system makes it possible to use power in a public location both conveniently and safely without erroneous operations. An outlet, to which power is supplied from a distribution line, is installed in advance in a predetermined public location and a communication terminal requesting the outlet to supply power and a center server are connected in advance via an Internet and when there is a request to the outlet to supply power, the center server outputs a current supply command to a current control unit via a communication network (Internet or telephone network) and the current control unit permits supply of a current to be supplied to the outlet when there is a current supply command and there is information to allow supply of a current to the outlet generated using a remote control prevention device installed near the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Shota Tomiyama, Kengo Muraki, Masayuki Shihehara
  • Publication number: 20130006428
    Abstract: A control system for a power plant having a mill for pulverizing material for input into a combustion system of the power plant includes first and second sensors for recording first and second parameter of first and second outputs from the combustion system, respectively, an adjuster system for adjusting and recording at least one variable parameter of the combustion system, and a state estimator component configured to receive a first signal relating to the first parameter, a second signal relating to the second parameter and a third signal relating to the at least one variable system parameter. The state estimator component uses the first to third signals to produce a material parameter indicator signal and a system state indicator signal. The control system includes an output component configured to receive the material parameter indicator system state indicator signals and to combine these signals to produce an output control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Marc ANTOINE, Mehmet MERCANGOEZ, Thomas VON HOFF
  • Publication number: 20120330470
    Abstract: A system for controlling charging for energy usage is provided. The system may comprise a plurality of devices powered by electricity and a management network managing energy usage consumed by the plurality of devices. Each device of the plurality of devices may include a sensing unit for measuring energy usage consumed by the device, and a transmitting unit for transmitting the measurement of the energy usage to the management network. The management network may include a receiving unit for receiving the measurement transmitted by the transmitting unit, an identification unit for identifying a device for which the received measurement has been measured, and a charging unit for controlling charging to a user of the identified device based on the received measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Johan Hjelm, Michael Aström, Andreas Fasbender
  • Publication number: 20120330471
    Abstract: A solar energy collection system comprises a plurality of solar panels and a control device. The panel further comprises a plurality of solar modules, a supporting, pivoting and tilting mechanism, a controller and a short range communication unit. The control device comprises an orientation detector for determining the optimized orientation of a panel towards the sun for receiving maximum sun radiation. The control device further comprises a communication unit. The optimized orientation determined by the control device may be transmitted to the solar panels through an ad hoc communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Yang Pan
  • Publication number: 20120330469
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an energy management system that works both to reduce energy and to maintain amenity in each building. The energy management system (100) of the present invention is provided with an energy management apparatus (10) and a control apparatus (30, 30). The energy management apparatus is located superordinate to a plurality of buildings, and manages energy supplied to equipment devices provided to each building. The control apparatus is connected to the energy management apparatus, and controls the equipment devices in the buildings. The control apparatus has an operating status perceiving unit (36a, 236a, 336a, 436a) and a reducing capability presentation unit (36g, 236g, 336g, 436g), The operating status perceiving unit perceives the operating status of the equipment devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Nanae Kinugasa, Tomoyoshi Ashikaga, Toshihiro Kanbara, Naotake Shimozu, Koji Mishima
  • Patent number: 8340832
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the computerized management system for controlling energy consumption for energy consumers using a smart meter may include a database that contains contract provisions for energy consumers. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the system include a database interface adapted to allow the system to access the contract provisions to optimize energy consumption based upon available energy. The system may also include a managing data component that is adapted to manage data between the database and the smart meter. In exemplary embodiments, a communication network connecting the system to the database and the smart meter may be included. Additionally, some exemplary embodiments of the system include a protocol converting component that is adapted to act as an interface for application programming or protocol converting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Liebert Corporation, Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford M. Nacke, Jon VanDonkelaar, Daniel R. Borneo, Ted Justice, Mark Eiseman, Andrew Holtom, Craig E. Kasper
  • Patent number: 8340834
    Abstract: An occupancy sensing and energy indicating load control device includes an occupancy sensor, an energy savings feedback indicator, and a manual controller. The occupancy sensor detects occupancy within a monitored area. The device is electrically coupled to at least one load positioned within the monitored area and controls the energy consumption of the load. The energy savings feedback indicator provides awareness to an end user regarding energy savings and provides the end user with opportunities for additional energy savings. The device optionally includes a demand response indicator for providing awareness to the end user regarding when a demand response condition exists, its severity, and opportunities for additional energy savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Walma, Matthew Conger, Angela Maddox
  • Publication number: 20120323383
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes an arithmetic unit configured to successively update a N-bit division ratio at every step whose processing timing is managed by a timer, by adding or subtracting of preset data read from a data memory to or from the N-bit division ratio in accordance with a comparative output. An arithmetic unit performs an arithmetic operation to make a feedback data value approach a target data value by a negative feedback control, the arithmetic operation using, as the preset data, data read from the address specified by data with a predetermined bit width of M (M<N) extracted from the successively updated N-bit division ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Toru KOSAKA
  • Publication number: 20120323381
    Abstract: Security is enabled in an electrical system by examining a configuration file for a substation present in the electrical system, where the substation includes one or more electrical devices and one or more network devices. Based on the examination of the configuration file, information is determined on a characteristic of an electrical device that is selected from a group including a type, allowed role of the electrical device and allowed communication modes for the electrical device. Based on the determined information, a basis for controlling the role and communication modes for the electrical device is identified. A security policy is configured in a network device in the substation to incorporate the identified basis. Based on the configured security policy in the network device, communication patterns for the electrical device are allowed that are associated with the allowed role and allowed communication modes for the electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Navindra Yadav, Jeffrey D. Taft
  • Publication number: 20120323382
    Abstract: A system for assessing energy usage reads read at least one computer-aided design (CAD) file relating to the architecture of a facility and extracts information from the CAD file for use in determining static energy characteristics corresponding to the architecture of the facility, acquires information for use in determining dynamic energy characteristics of the facility, and calculates a predicted energy usage of the facility based at least in part on the static and dynamic energy characteristics. The system further acquires data from at least one sensor configured to measure actual energy usage of the facility in real-time and calculates the actual energy usage of the facility. When the actual energy usage exceeds the predicted energy usage, the system transmits an alert to a user and determines corrective measures to reduce energy usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: EXPANERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Michel Roger Kamel, Ganatios Y. Hanna, Paul W. Donahue
  • Publication number: 20120323384
    Abstract: A power management network system includes an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to communicate with a power supply source to receive power information and an energy management system (EMS) connectable to the AMI to control operations of home appliances on the basis of the power information. A first security table is in at least one of the AMI and the EMS, and the first security table has a security code to encode data with respect to the power information. A security reinforcement unit connectable to the AMI or the EMS includes a second security table to update the first security table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Daehwan Park
  • Patent number: 8335574
    Abstract: A device for controlling power comprising a power source input, at least one power contact or outlet, a power control relay, a digital signal input port and a digital signal detector. The device controls power from the power source input to the at least one power contact or outlet by operation of the power control relay. The power control relay opens or closes based on the presence of a digital signal or lack thereof. The detection of the presence of the digital signal or the lack thereof is accomplished by the digital signal detector electrically coupled to the digital signal input port. Detection of a digital signal may be accomplished by using one or more Ethernet signal detectors capable of detecting data transmission or the presence of PoE. Additionally, a method is taught to control power to power consuming devices by using the aforementioned device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Andy Middlemiss
  • Patent number: 8335595
    Abstract: When a fault occurs in an energy distribution network, adaptive islanding is initiated to supply energy to customers who are disconnected from the primary source of energy on the network. The customers are selectively connected to secondary energy resources that are distributed within the network. The selected customers are chosen in accordance with a profile that takes into account the amount of energy available from the distributed resources, the expected length of time to repair the fault, the recent energy demands of the customers, and levels of priority that are assigned to respective customers. These factors are monitored, and the selected customers who are connected to the distributed resources are dynamically adjusted during the time that the fault exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: BPL Global, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeff Tolnar, Heidi Caroline, Larry Hymer, Michael Bauer
  • Publication number: 20120316688
    Abstract: Aspects of a multi-level electrical distribution control system associated with an electrical distribution grid are disclosed. Coordination between the multi-level control system, the electrical distribution grid and an electrical transmission system can provide improved utilization of energy within the electrical distribution grid. Further, dynamic reconfiguration of the electric distribution grid can improve reliability of the electric distribution grid and can provide additional energy utilization pathways to reduce demand on the electrical transmission system. Moreover, improved control of the topography and energy utilization of the electrical distribution grid can improve forecasting for development of the electrical transmission system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM GRID
    Inventors: Ethan Clair Boardman, Subrahmanyam Saraswati Venkata
  • Patent number: 8329351
    Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system capable of suppressing the increase of a control error of a motor. The system includes a fuel cell which generates a power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, a motor driven by the generated power of the fuel cell, and a control unit which controls the generation state of the fuel cell. The control unit performs high-potential avoiding control to prevent the total voltage of the fuel cell from exceeding a predetermined high-potential avoiding voltage threshold value. In a vehicle velocity region where the control switching of the traction motor is caused, the high-potential avoiding volume is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michio Yoshida, Kenji Umayahara
  • Publication number: 20120310423
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a grid application function is hosted at a primary grid device in a utility grid, which may determine whether or not to distribute at least a portion of the grid application function to one or more distributed secondary grid devices in the utility grid. In general, the one or more distributed secondary grid devices will be associated with a subset of the utility grid that is associated with the primary grid device (e.g., a sub-grid). Once a determination has been made, the primary grid device may dynamically distribute the grid application function, or a portion thereof, to the distributed secondary devices according to the determination. In addition, in another embodiment, the grid application function may also be withdrawn, such as from a particular secondary grid device or else from the primary grid device to an originating grid device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Taft
  • Publication number: 20120310425
    Abstract: An auxiliary power supply device capable of using a smart grid includes a charging unit to store power; a communication unit to receive price information associated with power supplied from an external power source; a switch to connect or disconnect the charging unit from the power supplied from the external power source; and a control unit to receive the price information associated with the power supplied from the external power source from the communication unit. The control unit causes the switch to connect to the power supplied from the external power source if the price information associated with the power supplied from the external power source is equal to or less than a stored uppermost price information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Sungsu Kang
  • Publication number: 20120310416
    Abstract: Feedback is provided to a user based on a setting for a set of energy consuming devices. While a user modifies a thermostat's schedule or provides user commands to adjust a setting for the set of energy consuming devices, a user interface component generates feedback to the consumer in response to an adjusted setting based on a condition for a predetermined function. A positive feedback component generates a positive feedback, such as a positive image in the user interface if the setting meets or exceeds a recommended performance metric for an operational parameter for the set of energy consuming devices. A negative feedback component generates a negative feedback, such as a negative image if the setting meets or exceeds a second condition, such as a discouraged performance metric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: ENERGYHUB
    Inventors: Michele Tepper, Seth Frader-Thompson, Matthew Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120310424
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a federation device receives one or more grid control-based signals over a computer network, applies one or more utility grid control policies to the one or more grid control-based signals, and federates the one or more signals and/or the one or more utility grid control policies into one or more federated control-based signals. The federation device then propagates the one or more federated control-based signals to one or more grid-related devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Taft
  • Publication number: 20120310417
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, system controls electrical apparatus installed in target area. This system includes image sensor and server. Image sensor senses target area, acquires, from sensed image of area, human information representing state of person in area and environmental information concerning environment of area for each of divided areas obtained by dividing area, and outputs human information and environmental information. Server is connected to image sensor via communication network and executes task-ambient control for electrical apparatus based on human information and environmental information for each of areas output from image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Takaaki ENOHARA, Kazumi Nagata, Shuhei Noda, Kenji Baba, Nobutaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8326589
    Abstract: In the present invention, in a case where a stable equilibrium point calculation is not calculable by using a Newton method, a damping factor of a mechanical system differential equation of a generator is set to be greater than an actual value of the generator of the power system. By applying pseudo-transient simulation to the nonlinear differential algebraic equation of the power system including the mechanical system differential equation of the generator, in which the damping factor is set, a norm of a mechanical system equation is found. If the found norm meets a predetermined condition, variable values of the power system at a time when the norm is found are set as initial values of the nonlinear differential algebraic equation of the power system. A stable equilibrium point is determined by applying the Newton method to the nonlinear differential algebraic equation in which the initial values are set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated, BIGWOOD SYSTEMS, Incorporated
    Inventors: Hsiao-Dong Chiang, Hua Li, Yasuyuki Tada, Ryuya Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20120303170
    Abstract: A power system power flow simulator includes a power system power flow calculator using load power in local voltage transformers to calculate power flow in power system extending from a transformer substation to local power transformers, customer load imitators which calculate time change of load power used by customers, dispersed power source imitators which calculate time change of power generated by dispersed power sources and a system status manager which manages operation procedure. The system status manager advances processing while supplying a load power request message with time information attached thereto to the customer load imitators and the dispersed power source imitators, and decides time intervals of supply of the load power request message in accordance with the power load temporal change rate calculated by the customer load imitators and the dispersed power source imitators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Taminori TOMITA, Yasushi TOMITA
  • Patent number: 8321062
    Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine that includes a flow control system includes operating the wind turbine in a first mode, operating the wind turbine in a second mode that is different than the first mode, acquiring operational data of the wind turbine during at least the second mode, determining an effectiveness of the flow control system using the acquired operational data, and performing an action based on the effectiveness of the flow control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jacob Johannes Nies, Wouter Haans
  • Patent number: 8319627
    Abstract: A system for providing network infrastructure for energy management and control is disclosed. A controller integrates powerline and wireless networking technologies in order to provide an integrated network. A gateway sends and receives command and control data across the integrated network. Client devices may connect to the integrated network and perform a variety of functions. An appliance module may send and receive data across the integrated network in relation to a particular appliance. A panel meter may send and receive data across the integrated network in relation to data measured at a distribution panel. A serial bridge may connect various devices to the integrated network. Computing devices may remotely or locally connect to the integrated network and send and receive data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Jetlun Corporation
    Inventors: Tat-Keung Chan, Elsa A. Chan