Abstract: A power monitoring device for identifying the state of an electric appliance based on user feedbacks and a power monitoring method thereof are provided. The power monitoring device includes a measurement module, a variation detection and search module, and an electric appliance signature database established based on user feedbacks. When the measurement module detects a variation of a power consumption feature, the variation detection and search module searches the electric appliance signature database according to the variation to obtain electric appliances similar to the variation and the states thereof. A user contributes data to the electric appliance signature database by confirming the search result, or selecting the correct electric appliance and the state thereof. When the user confirms the search result, the power monitoring device establishes an association between the electric appliance and its electric appliance signatures and updates the electric appliance signature database.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of monitoring the performance of a computer comprises determining the value of an activity metric of the monitored computer. The contribution(s) to the said value of one or more predetermined activities is/are determined In one embodiment, the said contribution(s) are subtracted from the said total value to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. A predetermined data set may be used to identify the one or more predetermined activities. In another embodiment, the value of at least one activity metric of the monitored computer is determined excluding contributions to that value from the said one or more predetermined activities identified from the said data set to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. The net value may be used to control the power consumption of the computer.

Abstract: A cogeneration unit and wind power joint heating system and a scheduling method therefor. The joint heating system comprises a coal-fired steam-extraction condensing-steam cogeneration unit (A), a wind turbine generator unit (B), an air conditioner heat pump (108) parallel-connected to the coal-fired steam-extraction condensing-steam cogeneration unit (A) and to the wind turbine generator unit (B) via a power cable network (113), and a hot water heating radiator (110) connected to the coal-fired steam-extraction condensing-steam cogeneration unit (A) via a heating pipe network (114). The joint heating system also comprises an integrated scheduling control device (115), a first remote centralized controller (1121), a second remote centralized controller (1122), and a third remote centralized controller (1123).

Abstract: Value of solar (VOS) analysis begins with the observation that photovoltaic power production represents a unique form of energy resource that is indifferent to demand and price signals. Accurate VOS assessment requires consideration of technical and economic components. The technical analysis predicts future central power generation requirements, as reflected by estimated customer demand, using an energy balance approach. A customer demand forecasting equation with three unknown values, distributed photovoltaic power production, centralized power generation, and losses associated with the centralized power generation, is solved by applying key rational assumptions in combination with historical data of centralized power generation and distributed photovoltaic power production.

Abstract: A power management device includes a power demand predicting section, demand control section, demand issuing section, and acceptance receiving section. The power demand predicting section calculates a first predicted amount of power demand, representing a result of prediction of power demand of a power consumer on a date and time in a future, and a second predicted amount of power demand, being calculated after the first predicted amount of power demand, and represents a result of prediction of power demand of the consumer on the date and time in the future. The demand control section determines a demand for prompting the consumer to adjust the amount of power demand based on the first and the second predicted amounts of power demand. The demand issuing section issues the demand determined by the demand control section to the consumer. The acceptance receiving section receives acceptance of the issued demand by the consumer.

Abstract: A computing device for use with a demand response system is provided. The computing device includes a communication interface for receiving customer data of a plurality of customers, wherein the customer data includes a participation history and historical consumption values for each customer for participating in at least one demand response event. A processor is coupled to the communication interface and is programmed to select at least one customer from the plurality of customers by considering the participation history and the historical consumption values for each of the customers. The processor is also programmed to estimate a future reduction in energy consumption for the customer based on the customer data and to determine whether the estimated future reduction in energy consumption is substantially accurate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling electrical distribution grids. The method includes determining premises in an electrical distribution grid that include an energy resource. The method further includes determining a configuration of the electrical distribution grid including a micro-grid, the micro-grid including the one or more premises. The method further includes electrically isolating, monitoring and controlling the micro-grid from the electrical distribution grid through the use of a micro-grid manager.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for alleviating solar power congestion in a distribution grid via smart metering communications. According to some examples, a power network system supervised by utility operators may monitor and control grid-tied power generation modules associated with consumers to ensure the distribution grid is stable in terms of network capacity limit. A communications infrastructure including home area networks (HANs) and neighborhood area networks (NANs) between smart meters and utility control centers may facilitate power congestion management. Utility control centers (UCCs) in cooperation with smart meters or energy management units (EMUs) may selectively disconnect consumer power generation units to maintain the system reliability.

Abstract: A system for enforcing energy regulations is described. The system helps building departments maximize energy savings from the energy regulation enforcement process. The system is configured to optimize enforcement given a fixed level of enforcement resources within a building department. Optimization is achieved through the use of building science and sampling systems to structure building-by-building specialized inspection lists, which are delivered to building inspectors. Information collected during the inspection process is used to determine amounts of money that can be saved via complying or not complying with specific provisions of the energy regulations.

Abstract: Methods and systems using aggregated electrical system load profiles in determining additional load profiles, and determining consumption management system characteristics, features, and operating requirements at a site are disclosed, along with methods of generating and maintaining databases of load profile information and consumption management system requirements. By using some embodiments of the methods and systems described herein, it is faster and easier to design and implement effective consumption management systems, to determine problematic electrical systems at a site, and to diminish anomalous consumption patterns in an aggregate unprofiled electrical system load profile.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating data synchronization in a utility computing environment. A data synchronization application can monitor source systems in such an environment and generate periodic change sets that correspond to data that has changed in the various source systems. Destination systems can subscribe to change sets and receive the appropriate change sets by monitoring flags that the data synchronization application can set. Various classes of change sets that correspond to data within a particular change set can also be generated.

Abstract: A method for determining a spatial arrangement of photovoltaic module groups in a photovoltaic installation includes measuring a sequence of values of an illumination-dependent electrical characteristic variable of different photovoltaic module groups while the photovoltaic installation is subject to light incidence with an incidence intensity which varies over time and spatially. The relative spatial arrangement of the photovoltaic module groups with respect to one another is then determined by comparing sequences of measured values associated with different photovoltaic module groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for improving grid efficiency, reliability, security and capacity, utilizing energy storage over a plurality of on-site energy storing appliances, and also utilizing on-site demand reduction devices lacking storage, all controlled via configuration settings with a local means to act independently, yet in statistical coordination, to provide a desired effect. The appliance and controller are located on the downstream side of the end-users power meter, and facilitates the utilization of the stored energy and manages the optimal timing for producing and delivering the stored energy to the end-user. This model demonstrates a utility driven, disaggregated, distributed energy system, where the distributed energy resource is designed to behave as an offset to the predictable daily electrical demand profile.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to improve energy efficiency of a farm with livestock wastes by generating a cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) microgrid model; performing on a computer a multi-objective optimization to improve system efficiency of energy utilization and reduce environmental problems caused by animal wastes; and displaying results of the optimization for review.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more facilities based on one or more operation logic parameters is provided. An operation scenario is generated, taking into consideration actual operation of one or more facilities of a particular system, actual control orders, a time interval between data inputs, and other such factors. Operation logic parameters, or algorithms, are then tested based on the generated operation scenario. This system and method may reduce testing time and costs, and may prevent abnormal operation of the facilities of the system.

Abstract: Electrical usage of devices in a building may be monitored to provide information about the operation of the devices to a user. The information communicated to a user may include historical information that is retrieved from a server and real-time information that is received from a power monitoring device. The historical information may be transmitted to the user device over a first network connection where the historical information is retrieved using an identifier received from the user device. The real-time information may be received from a power monitoring device and transmitted to the user device over a second network connection.

Abstract: The apparatus, systems and methods herein facilitate generation of energy-related revenue for an energy customer of an electricity supplier. The apparatuses and methods herein can be used to generate operating schedules for a controller of the energy assets. When implemented, the generated operating schedules facilitates derivation of the energy-related revenue, over a time period T, associated with operation of the energy assets according to the generated operating schedule. The energy-related revenue available to the energy customer over the time period T is based at least in part on a wholesale electricity market.

Abstract: A computing architecture that facilitates autonomously controlling operations of a microgrid is described herein. A microgrid network includes numerous computing devices that execute intelligent agents, each of which is assigned to a particular entity (load, source, storage device, or switch) in the microgrid. The intelligent agents can execute in accordance with predefined protocols to collectively perform computations that facilitate uninterrupted control of the microgrid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to improve energy efficiency of a farm with livestock wastes by generating a cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) microgrid model; performing on a computer a multi-objective optimization to improve system efficiency of energy utilization and reduce environmental problems caused by animal wastes; and displaying results of the optimization for review.

Abstract: A power demand and supply scheduling apparatus a includes a transceiver that mutually exchanges power supply reservation information including at least information of a total suppliable power amount, a suppliable state start time, a suppliable state end time, and a maximum suppliable amount per unit time zone, and power request reservation information including at least information of a total request power amount, a receivable state start time, a receivable state end time, and a maximum receivable amount per unit time zone, with scheduling apparatuses for other energy management systems each of which manage other power equipment, and a plan creating unit that plans a power reception amount and a power supply amount in each of the unit time zone which are delivered to and received from the other power equipment, and creates a power delivery and reception plan.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for quantifying and identifying diversion of electrical energy are provided. Bypass diversion factors for consumer nodes in an inventory zone are determined by finding a solution to a system of load balance equations having slack variables representing aggregate tap loads for the inventory zone and in which consumer load profile data is scaled by the bypass diversion factors, which solution minimizes an objective function whose value is positively related to the sum of the slack variables representing the aggregate tap loads.

Abstract: An energy management method is provided. The energy management method comprises the steps of retrieving load information from at least one load and retrieving energy-supplying information from an energy supply system having a grid power source, a renewable energy generation module and an energy storage module to instantly calculate first and second energy thresholds. When an energy production of the renewable energy generation module is smaller than the second energy threshold, the grid power source or the energy storage module is controlled to supply energy to the load. When the energy production is between the first and the second energy thresholds, the renewable energy generation module is controlled to supply energy to the load. When the energy production is larger than the first energy threshold, the renewable energy generation module is controlled to supply energy to the load and charge the energy storage module.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for emulating smart grid devices in a smart grid for demand-response program analysis and optimization. Smart grid devices may be emulated in a virtual environment on a server, and can also be emulated individually on smart grid devices themselves. Demand-response programs can be simulated in a virtual environment with virtual emulated smart grid devices, or they can be simulated in a hybrid real-virtual environment with both real smart grid devices and virtual emulated smart grid devices. Demand-response programs can be simulated serially or in parallel. Additionally, such hybrid demand-response program simulations can be enhanced and optimized by including data obtained from the real smart grid devices into the simulation feed-back loop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power control device for a power grid and to a method for controlling the operation of a power control device. To allow a consumer unit connected to the power control device to be supplied with energy in an optimized manner in accordance with its requirements, a power control device according to the invention is proposed, said device comprising a power generation unit, in particular a photovoltaic unit, for generating power from renewable resources, an energy storage unit for storing energy, a load connection unit for connecting the power control device to a consumer unit for consuming energy, a grid unit, in particular an inverter unit, for connecting the power control device to a power grid, for drawing energy from the power grid and for feeding energy into the power grid, and a control unit for controlling a flow of energy between the power generation unit, the energy storage unit, the consumer unit and/or the power grid.

Abstract: The apparatus, systems and methods herein facilitate generation of energy-related revenue for an energy customer of an electricity supplier. The apparatuses and methods herein can be used to generate suggested operating schedules for the energy assets that including a controllable energy asset, using an objective function. The objective function is determined based on a dynamic simulation model of the energy profile of the energy assets. The dynamic simulation model is adaptive to physical changes in the energy assets based on a parametric estimation using at least one model parameter. The model parameter is at least one of an operation characteristic of the controllable energy asset, a thermodynamic property of the energy assets, and a projected environmental condition. Energy-related revenue available to the energy customer is based at least in part on a wholesale electricity market or on a regulation market.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance is provided. The method includes establishing a plurality of operating schedules for the water heater appliance, selecting a future operating schedule for the water heater appliance from the plurality of operating schedules, and operating the water heater appliance according to the future operating schedule.

Abstract: Metering of a physical characteristic is described, in which a stochastic approach is taken. A random signal is generated on the basis of a metering signal, with a view to maximising a statistical distance between the two. The random signal and the metering signal are mixed together to obscure characteristics of the metering signal which could otherwise divulge private information to third parties.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid 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. Messaging related to settlement 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: A method for a tracking device optimizing power to remain reachable for a desired period based on evaluated wide-area-network conditions. The tracking device may communicate via a power-intensive long-range transceiver and may continually measure service conditions related to network communications. The tracking device may periodically calculate statistical information describing the service conditions, such as a percentage of time in which the tracking device was out-of-network-service. Based on the statistics, the tracking device may operate in an optimization mode to conserve power when out-of-network-service. In an embodiment, the tracking device may calculate the statistics based on evaluation periods defined by predefined numbers of out-of-network-service occurrences, predefined time periods, and/or a hybrid of both.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining whether to reschedule tasks on computing devices based on power-availability information for a power grid may comprise: 1) identifying at least one task scheduled to execute on a computing device, 2) receiving power-availability information for the power grid, and then 3) determining, based on the power-availability information, whether to reschedule the task. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The electrical consumption mitigation provided by energy storage systems can be unreliable when a consumption peak lasts long enough to deplete the energy stored and the remainder of the peak is unmitigated. By implementing a waiting period between detecting the peak and discharging the energy storage in which characteristics of the peak are observed, a peak mitigation system can lengthen the effective discharge duration of the energy storage system and prevent unmitigated plateaus from appearing. For example, when a consumption plateau is detected, the system may discharge at a slower rate than when a spike is detected in order to prolong mitigation activities before the conclusion of the plateau. Thus otherwise-incurred demand-related utility charges can be reduced without having to increase the capacity of the mitigation system. In some cases, these processes are performed with respect to the bounds of demand-averaged time periods used to calculate demand charges.

Abstract: A power control device, power control method, and power control system can suppress an increase in the processing load on the server when simultaneously controlling load devices belonging to power control devices and can suppress an increase in communication traffic between the server and the power control device. Provided are a storage unit (101) storing control instruction effect information including control instructions for load devices possessed by a consumer's facility and a predicted power reduction amount for each of the control instructions, an instruction acquisition unit (102) that acquires a power reduction instruction from a server (20), a control instruction creation unit (103) that creates a combination of control instructions that satisfies the power reduction instruction based on the predicted power reduction amount included in the control instruction effect information, and a control unit (104) that executes the control instructions in the combination.

Abstract: A home appliance can operate in a future time frame. Information is obtained from a power distributor in order to determine a time when to operate the home appliance in this future time frame. The home appliance then operates at the time determined with information from the power distributor.

Abstract: Method for forecasting the energy consumption of a building, characterized in that it comprises a step of taking into account the heat exchanges from received solar radiation and/or heat convection and/or conduction between the building and the outside environment based on a physical model implemented by a computer, and in that it comprises a learning step to deduce therefrom the value of the parameters of the physical model based on measurements performed on the building in the past.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for aggregating electric power flow between an electric grid and electric vehicles are disclosed. An apparatus for aggregating power flow may include a memory and a processor coupled to the memory to receive electric vehicle equipment (EVE) attributes from a plurality of EVEs, aggregate EVE attributes, predict total available capacity based on the EVE attributes, and dispatch at least a portion of the total available capacity to the grid. Power flow may be aggregated by receiving EVE operational parameters from each EVE, aggregating the received EVE operational parameters, predicting total available capacity based on the aggregated EVE operational parameters, and dispatching at least a portion of the total available capacity to the grid.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling a motor of a rod pumping system using previous RPMs of the motor and predicting an RPM of the motor; correcting a power factor of a motor of a rod pumping system; allocating energy consumption and allocating energy generation for a set of wells connected to an electricity meter using an amount of energy generated by each well; and generating an alert if a set of data is beyond a threshold for the set of data.

Abstract: A system and method for managing power consumption and storage in a power grid. Measurements are received from a plurality of geographically distributed energy management controllers. Each energy management controllers has energy storage units with stored energy. The measurements comprise the energy production and storage capacity of the energy management controllers and their associated energy storage units. The measurements are processed, e.g., aggregated, and displayed on a graphical user interface. Commands are transmitted to a first subset of the energy management controllers to command the units to discharge their stored energy into a power grid through an inverter. Commands are transmitted to a second subset of the plurality of energy management controllers to store energy in each unit's energy storage unit.

Abstract: A method, energy usage analysis device, and non-transitory computer readable medium that obtain an amount of energy generated from wind resources and thermal resources at a plurality of intervals over a specified time period. An amount of energy consumed by a user at each of the intervals is obtained. An energy source wind number value is generated for each of the intervals based on the respective amount of energy generated from the wind resources and the thermal resources. An energy consumption wind number value is generated for each of the intervals based on the respective energy source wind number value and the respective amount of energy consumed by the user. An overall wind number value is generated for the specified time period based on the energy consumption wind number values and the amount of energy consumed at each of the intervals. The overall wind number value is output.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dynamically learning the optimum energy consumption operating condition for a building and monitor/control energy consuming equipment to keep the peak demand interval at a minimum. The dynamic demand limiting algorithm utilized employs two separate control schemes, one for HVAC loads and one for non-HVAC loads. Separate operating parameters can be applied to the two types of loads and multiple non-HVAC (control zones) loads can be configured. The algorithm uses historical peak demand measurements in its real-time limiting strategy. The algorithm continuously attempts to reduce peak demand within the user configured parameters. When a new peak is inevitable, the algorithm strategically removes and/or introduces loads in a fashion that limits the new peak magnitude and places the operating conditions within the user configured parameters. In an embodiment, the algorithm that examines the previous seven days of metering information to identify a peak demand interval.

Abstract: The supply-and-demand control apparatus includes an obtaining unit that obtains power consumption and heat consumption; a forecast processing unit that obtains demand forecast data on each of electric power and an amount of heat using the power consumption and heat consumption, respectively; and a supply-and-demand planning unit that calculates a control parameter for controlling operations of an electricity storage system and a heat pump that supplies heat to a hot water storage tank, by substituting the calculated demand forecast data into a predetermined function. Additionally, a supply-and-demand control unit controls the operations using the control parameter, wherein the supply-and-demand planning unit calculates the control parameter such that electric power generated by a solar power system is distributed to the electricity storage system and the heat pump.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting a power outage. In one aspect, a status request requesting a status of a portion of a power distribution network is received, where the request includes a reference to a power meter that is located within the portion of the network. In response to the status request, a block of communications channels is selected, where the block includes a target communications channel over which a signal corresponding to the referenced power meter is received. In turn, an amplitude of the signal being received over the target communications channel is obtained. A determination is made whether the amplitude of the signal is less than an outage threshold and a status notification is provided that specifies the status of the portion of the power distribution network for which the status has been requested.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a power-fluctuation reducing apparatus in a power generation system to control a converter connected to the power generation system and connected to secondary batteries. The power-fluctuation reducing apparatus includes adjusting direct current voltages output from the secondary batteries, respectively, detecting the directing current voltages output from the secondary batteries, respectively, controlling to adjust the direct current voltages output from the secondary batteries to make the direct current voltages uniform, based on the detected direct current voltages, and controlling the converter to reduce power fluctuations in the power generation system.

Abstract: An energy management system in a smart grid environment includes: an electrical power producing apparatus for collecting and analyzing real time price information and electrical power production environment information inputted through a communication network interface to thereby determine a control of an electrical power production; a micro grid, connected to the electrical power producing apparatus, for supplying an electrical power in a local micro grid environment; an electrical power grid, connected to the micro grid, for supplying a main power; and an energy routing service apparatus for transmitting an electrical power and processing an energy information packet for a control of an electrical power flow.

Abstract: An air conditioner and control method thereof is provided which may be controlled to adapt operation to changes in power rates. The method may include receiving electric power related information, determining whether a current power rate included in the received information is higher than a preset reference value, determining occupancy of a space to be air conditioned if the current power rate is higher than the preset reference value, and controlling a flow rate of air supplied to the space based on the determined occupancy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy allocation system for operating at least an energy storage device to substantially balance the energy consumed by the energy storage device with the energy supplied thereto, comprising the steps of: determining a power flexibility of the energy storage device by generating an upper time-varying power function; predicting energy consumption data per discrete time-slots over a given time-window for the device; predicting a demand for energy by the device in a given planning time-period; generating a time-varying upper energy function for the demand prediction that defines an uppermost limit for the supply of energy to the device; generating a time-varying lower energy function for the demand prediction that defines a lowermost limit for the supply of energy to the device, and supplying energy to the device in a range defined by the limits specified by the upper energy function and the lower energy function.

Abstract: Surplus power generated by a power generator is sold, a target value of an amount of electric power sold in a predetermined period of time is set, whether or not the amount of sold electric power reaches the target value is estimated, and power limitation is implemented according to a priority order set for a plurality of electric apparatuses when it is estimated that the amount of sold electric power does not reach the target value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for generating information for power grid optimization. The present invention allows information for power grid optimization to be generated by another agent device even when an agent device fails by providing a technique for generating the information for power grid optimization through one or more agent devices from among a plurality of agent devices which are connected horizontally, and distributing and applying the generated information with other agent devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for availability evaluation of microgrid systems with an energy storage device by applying a Markov chain model to model charging and discharging processes in the energy storage device; determining an effect of the energy storage device connected to a microgrid with multiple energy sources and loads; and determining effect of system architectures on the availability of microgrids using minimum cut sets (MCS).

Abstract: A microgrid including a renewable power source is optimized by treating the renewable source as operating in an isochronous mode, and by decomposing the optimization process. A renewable capability is defined for the renewable source to enable treatment of the renewable source as operating in an isochronous mode. The renewable capability may be based on a power rating of the renewable source. An objective function of the microgrid optimization problem may then be optimized while treating the renewable source as operating in an isochronous mode. A penalty factor may be applied to avoid power shortage.

Abstract: Registering energy consumption in part of a building, an item of state information of at least one energy load being acquired, the state information being transmitted to a control center, and the state information, a state duration and a specific statement of the consumption of the energy load being used to determine and evaluate the energy consumption in the control center. It is possible to dispense with separate energy consumption measuring units as a result of the energy consumption being registered by multiplying the switched-on duration by a specific statement of the energy consumption (that is to say power) of the energy load.