Power Allocation Management (e.g., Load Adding/shedding) Patents (Class 700/295)
  • Patent number: 9252599
    Abstract: A method for controlling an energy management system, which includes a PV module for generating power and a battery for storing power and which is connected to a grid as an external power supplier and a power load as a power consumer, is provided to enable efficient energy management of the energy management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Unsik Park, Kwangsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 9236741
    Abstract: A power management system includes a plurality of electrical instruments and a power management apparatus. Each of the plurality of electrical instruments has at least one characteristic function and an arbitration function which is discriminated from the characteristic function and requires power arbitration. Each electrical instrument includes a plurality of operation algorithms having at least one characteristic function, operation levels respectively corresponding to the plurality of operation algorithms, power information for the respective operation levels, and power information of the arbitration function. The power management apparatus receives power rate information from a power provider, determines the operation levels of the plurality of electrical instruments and controls the electrical instruments to be driven at the determined operation levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hwi Jang, Jong Hyun Shin, Young Jin Park, Hyun Soo Park
  • Patent number: 9229524
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention includes an execution unit to execute instructions of a first type, a local power gate circuit coupled to the execution unit to power gate the execution unit while a second execution unit is to execute instructions of a second type, and a controller coupled to the local power gate circuit to cause it to power gate the execution unit when an instruction stream does not include the first type of instructions. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nadav Bonen, Ron Gabor, Zeev Sperber, Vjekoslav Svilan, David N. Mackintosh, Jose A. Baiocchi Paredes, Naveen Kumar, Shantanu Gupta
  • Patent number: 9225534
    Abstract: A power conditioning device includes a set of outlets through which one or more load devices are provided electricity. Each device outlet is controlled independently of the control of other device outlets. The power conditioning device includes a storage device that contains a set of controls by which the power conditioning device can be operated and programmed. The set of controls, which may be contained in a Hypertext Markup Language formatted file and retrieved by a remote device through Hypertext Transfer Protocol requests, allows such control and programming to be performed from a remote location. Additionally, the power conditioning device may be configured to log selected data and provide (such) the log, as well as selected alarms, to the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Electronic Systems Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Billingsley, Robert A. Dawley, Andrew Benton
  • Patent number: 9219365
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for controlling the start-up sequence of two or more electrical devices. An electronic controller intercepts a plurality of initiation signals configured to start a plurality of electrical devices. The controller then implements a delay between the initiation signals so as to avoid demand spike surcharges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Oscar E. Ontiveros
  • Patent number: 9209624
    Abstract: An energy management system for altering power consuming functions on an electrical device during specified periods of time, e.g., peak energy demand periods. The system includes an electrical device having one or more power consuming functions, a memory for storing power consuming function profiles corresponding to the one or more power consuming functions associated with the electrical device, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is programmed to access the power consuming function profiles associated with the electrical device, identify the one or more power consuming functions configured to be changed during a specified period of time, output the identified one or more power consuming functions, receive a request to not change at least one of the identified one or more power consuming functions, and prevent the requested one or more power consuming functions from being changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kyran Patricia Hoff, William Newton
  • Patent number: 9207698
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing power supplied over an electric power grid by an electric utility and/or other market participants to multiple power consuming devices, each of which having a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energy consumption and/or reduction in consumption. Power flow to the power consuming devices is selectively enabled and disabled, or power-reduced thereto, by one or more controllable devices controlled by the client device. Power control messages from a controlling server indicate amounts of electric power to be reduced and an identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable or reduce a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9203263
    Abstract: A hybrid energy management method and system which provides a main power supply and a secondary power supply. The main power supply is electrically coupled to the utility power grid, while the secondary power supply is electrically isolatable from the utility power grid. A switch is provided to selectably power the appliance through the main alternating current power supply when the utility is not in a reduced demand operating mode and to selectably power the appliance through the secondary alternating current power supply when the utility is in a reduced demand mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: SEARS BRANDS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jaime A. Borras, Elizabeth Owens
  • Patent number: 9192023
    Abstract: The invention is based on the idea that control of power consumption in a system comprising power consuming devices like lighting devices, for example, can be performed by dividing the power consuming devices of the system into a plurality of groups and by taking into account power consumption or load shedding or restoration capability for each group. Further, the invention implements an auction mechanism for adjusting power consumption or load in the lighting system such that an effective, fast, user requirements considering and lighting device functions and characteristics considering adjusting is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Meng Zhao
  • Patent number: 9184631
    Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation system is disclosed, which can allow a user to easily acquire information on a photovoltaic inverter, easily control the photovoltaic inverter, and save electric charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eungho Kim, Kwangsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 9184626
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the photovoltaic system includes a memory configured to store power generator characteristics to be applied to the photovoltaic system, a calculation section configured to calculate an output target value to be output by the photovoltaic system using the power generator characteristics read from the memory, an operation target value, system data of a power system, and output data from the photovoltaic system to the power system, and a photovoltaic section configured to supply a corresponding power to the power system based on the output target value calculated by the calculation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshio Ebata, Hideki Hayashi, Yasuhiro Noro, Misao Kimura, Kazuya Omata, Toshiaki Asano
  • Patent number: 9158294
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product is provided for configuring a microgrid. A first configuration of the microgrid having a set of microgrid elements is initialized. An address for each element in the set of microgrid elements of the microgrid is verified. In response to receiving status data from the set of microgrid elements connected in a peer-to-peer network indicating a reconfiguration of the microgrid, the set of microgrid elements is re-aligned to form a second grid configuration. The second grid configuration is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael A. Carralero, Jimmy M. Quiambao, Dale Kenneth Pounds
  • Patent number: 9152141
    Abstract: A disclosed example method for generating control data for the formation of a tooth flank by milling a workpiece on a numerically controlled machine tool with at least 5 axes, at a universal machine tool, through successive passes with a milling cutter on the machine tool based on generated control data involves defining a geometry of a tooth flank, determining a contact pattern area on the predefined tooth flank geometry, determining parameters to vary the predefined tooth flank geometry, and generating control data on the basis of tooth flank geometry modified based on the defined contact pattern area and of the defined parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO PFRONTEN GMBH
    Inventors: Josef Neumaier, Thomas Lochbihler, Uwe-Carsten Hansen
  • Patent number: 9153964
    Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one event parameter for a demand response event and identifying a pool of customers. The pool of customers includes a plurality of customers potentially usable to support the demand response event. Characteristics of each customer in the pool of customers are retrieved and a plurality of groups of customers are created from the pool of customers based on the retrieved characteristics and the at least one event parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajesh Tyagi, Jason Wayne Black, Prasoon Tiwari
  • Patent number: 9141398
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a semiconductor system may be disclosed. The semiconductor system according to the one embodiment may include, for example, a plurality of electronic devices and a host apparatus. The host apparatus may simultaneously initialize the plurality of electronic devices in units of group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Akihisa Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9134708
    Abstract: An example information processing device includes first and second receiving units, a deciding unit, and first and second transmitting units. The first receiving unit receives adjustment limit information from a plurality of first external devices. The deciding unit determines adjustment rules on the basis of the adjustment limit information. The first transmitting unit transmits the adjustment rules to second and third external devices. The second receiving unit receives determination information from a fourth external device. The second transmitting unit transmits the adjustment rules to the first external devices when integrated schedule information satisfies a condition. When the integrated schedule information does not satisfy the condition, the deciding unit changes the adjustment rules. When the deciding unit has changed the adjustment rules, the first transmitting unit transmits new adjustment rules to the second and third external devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichiro Furuta, Yuichi Komano, Shinji Yamanaka, Satoshi Ito, Hideyuki Aisu, Tomoshi Otsuki, Masatake Sakuma, Taichi Isogai
  • Patent number: 9136706
    Abstract: A power management system includes: customer terminals; and a power management apparatus connected to the customer terminals, wherein each of the customer terminals includes a weather forecast acquisition unit that acquires a local weather forecast for a corresponding customer terminal, and a power prediction unit that predicts a power consumption and an amount of power that can be reduced for a predetermined period based on the weather forecast, and the power management apparatus includes an integration processing unit that integrates the power consumptions and the amounts of power that can be reduced that are predicted for the respective customer terminals to calculate a total power consumption and a total amount of power that can be reduced for all of the customer terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenji Mitsumoto, Dai Murayama, Masaaki Saito, Yoshikazu Ooba, Shingo Tamaru, Yasuo Takagi, Nobutaka Nishimura, Yutaka Iino, Shuichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9116193
    Abstract: A method for detecting current leakage of electronic components in an electronic device determines a target electronic component that needs to be analyzed for current leakage in response to a user selection. The target electronic component is controlled to enter into a power-off state, and a first current value of the electronic device is acquired from a digital power supply. The target electronic component is activated into a working state, and then is controlled to enter into a sleep state. A second current value of the electronic device is acquired from the digital power supply. It is determined that the current leakage is occurring in the target electronic component, if a first difference between the second current value and the first current value is more than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jie Sun
  • Patent number: 9118182
    Abstract: A power curve correlation system is disclosed. The power curve correlation system includes a system including: at least one computing device configured to verify a forecast of a power network load for a component by performing actions including: obtaining a set of load data for the component in the power network over a period; identifying similar load patterns in the set of load data using a pattern recognition technique, independent of at least one of: a scale for a component load, a minimum component load value or a maximum component load value; grouping the identified similar load patterns into distinct groups; categorizing at least one of the distinct groups according to a recurring event associated with a load pattern in the at least one distinct group; and providing the categorized group for verifying the forecast of the power network load for the component using the at least one categorized group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Louis McDonald, William Michael Alderson, Audley Grey
  • Patent number: 9104187
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a wind energy installation or wind farm. The system includes a control unit configured to process control variables and a transfer module. The transfer module has an input interface for receiving control commands and an output interface for transmitting control variables to the control unit. The transfer module has multiple transfer logic elements each configured to convert a control command to a control variable. The transfer module has a switching device for switching between the transfer logic elements. As a result, the wind energy installation or wind farm can be connected to an electrical grid in which the control commands are transmitted in a different format than that of the control variables of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SENVION SE
    Inventors: Roman Bluhm, Sebastian Friederich, Jens Altemark
  • Patent number: 9092741
    Abstract: This invention is a platform and method for using cognition for managing enterprise energy needs. Cognitive platform allows for dynamic management of energy consumption, demand and baseline calculations by use of a cognitive platform and cognitive device. Employees as well as internal and external stakeholders can set performance indicators and monitor the parameters against the energy performance indicators. Based on the initial knowledge, the system identifies improvements in order to reach the energy key performance indicators. Depending on the feedback, the system learns and improves the accuracy of the predictions and suits them to a given industry or given enterprise scenario. Enterprise-wide energy and/or environmental management covers policies, planning, key performance indicators, goals, targets, works flows, user management, asset mapping, input-output energy flows, conservation options, performance management, analytics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Amber Flux Private Limited
    Inventors: Muralidhar Goparaju, Vinulata Goparaju
  • Patent number: 9088179
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an energy manager determines respective energy profiles of one or more local end-devices for which the energy manager is responsible. Through communication between a power grid controller and the energy manager, one or more aspects of power grid operations may be controlled based on the communicating and the respective energy profiles. For example, in one embodiment, upon receiving a global demand response (DR) request, the energy manager determines respective specific DR control for the one or more local end-devices based on the received DR request and the respective energy profiles, and transmits the respective specific DR control to the one or more local end-devices, accordingly. In another embodiment, power grid operations may be stabilized based on the respective energy profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Paul Bernard Duffy
  • Patent number: 9088180
    Abstract: A load management apparatus for use with an electrical system being powered by an electrical generator selectively adds and sheds loads on the electrical generator to prevent overloading of the electrical generator. The load management apparatus learns the load profile for each load during a learning mode and executes one or more load shed processes to control which electrical loads are loading the electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis X. Wedel, Jacob J. Thomas, Steven J. Wilcox, Greg Wischstadt, Carmine Forte
  • Patent number: 9088230
    Abstract: A dual generator system includes a main generator and an auxiliary generator. The main generator generates at least a first phase main output and a second phase main output. The auxiliary generator generates at least a first phase auxiliary output and a second phase auxiliary output, wherein the first phase auxiliary output is combined with the first phase main output to generate a first phase main output. An auxiliary generator control unit (AGCU) monitors the first phase combined output and the second phase combined output and in response independently regulates the first phase auxiliary output and the second phase auxiliary output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Jacek F. Gieras, Steven J. Moss
  • Patent number: 9059842
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a secure communication network using an electrical distribution grid is disclosed. A device connected to the electrical distribution grid initiates a request for a secured key token by signaling an intelligent communicating device residing at or near an edge of the grid. The intelligent communicating device forwards the request to a receiver at a distribution substation on the electrical grid. This receiver enhances the properties of the request such that a grid location for the request can be inferred. The enhanced request is forwarded to a server at the distribution substation, which compares the request grid location to a Grid Map and Policies of known secure grid locations. Any inconsistencies between the grid location inferred from the enhanced request and the Grid Map and Policies locations are considered evidence of tampering, and the server rejects the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignees: Astrolink International LLC, Dominion Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik F. Bernheim, Marcia Reid Martin, Steven J. Berens, John J. Loporto, Theodore V. Niemann
  • Publication number: 20150145326
    Abstract: A power management system includes an electrical power supply input configured to be coupled to an electrical power supply, a first power supply bus bar coupled to the power supply input, a power management device coupled to the first power supply bus bar, at least one primary electrical equipment including a primary load being coupled in parallel to the power management device, and at least one secondary electrical equipment including a secondary load being coupled in parallel to the power management device. The power manager device is configured to supply electrical power to the at least one secondary electrical equipment, to supply electrical power to the at least one primary electrical equipment, and to deactivate the power supply to the at least one secondary electrical equipment, as long as the at least one primary electrical equipment is supplied with electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Scheffler, Frank Leuenberger
  • Publication number: 20150148979
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and messages of the present invention provides IP-based messages associated with the grid elements, wherein each IP-based message includes an internet protocol (IP) packet that is generated autonomously and/or automatically by the grid elements, intelligent messaging hardware associated with the grid elements, at least one coordinator, and/or a server associated with the electric power grid and its operation, energy settlement, and/or financial settlement for electricity provided or consumed, transmitted, and/or curtailed or reduced. The IP packet preferably includes a content including raw data and/or transformed data, a priority associated with the IP-based message, a security associated with the IP packet, and/or a transport route for communicating the IP-based message via the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: CAUSAM ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150148978
    Abstract: A power consumption measurement and control apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium thereof are provided. The power consumption measurement and control apparatus includes a power input line, a power output line, a sensing interface, a processing unit, a button, and a power consumption measurement and control unit. The power consumption measurement and control unit has a logic switch. When the logic switch is off and the processing unit receives an identification signal from the sensing interface, the logic switch is turned on. When the logic switch is on and one of the following conditions happens, the logic switch is turned off: (a) another identification signal from the sensing interface is received, and (b) the power consumption amount flowing out the power output line is below a predetermined threshold over a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Institute For Information Industry
    Inventor: Jui-Ming WU
  • Patent number: 9043125
    Abstract: Device (10) for vehicle driving evaluation comprising: A means (11) to obtain at least one physical parameter whereby it possible at any time to determine the value of the speed and instantaneous acceleration of a traveling vehicle; A calculation and comparison unit (12) whereby it is possible, from said physical parameter, to calculate an effective parameter that depends on said instantaneous acceleration and to compare said effective parameter with a reference parameter; A driving evaluation unit (13), whereby it is possible to generate a vehicle driving energy score by measuring the variance between said effective parameter and said reference parameter. Corresponding vehicle driving evaluation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DUFOURNIER TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Arnaud Dufournier
  • Patent number: 9043040
    Abstract: A method of damping power system oscillations include obtaining a time synchronized damping control signal from a remote location and determining a communication time delay in receiving the time synchronized damping control signal from the remote location. The time synchronized damping control signal is then modified based on a phase compensation factor and an amplitude compensation factor determined from the time delay. Finally, a damping signal is generated based on the modified time synchronized damping control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Swakshar Ray, Mark Gerard Adamiak, Amol Rajaram Kolwalkar
  • Publication number: 20150142197
    Abstract: Automated identification of components connected within a power grid is facilitated by: obtaining by one component of the power grid a request to broadcast a power-connected beacon identifying, at least in part, the one component of the power grid; and responsive to the request, automatically broadcasting by the one component the power-connected beacon into the power grid by superimposing the beacon onto an energized power line to identify that the one component is electrically connected to the power grid. In one embodiment, the power grid includes one or more stand-alone sub-grids, and the one component is a load component, or a distribution component, or a power-supply component of one stand-alone sub-grid of the power grid, and the obtaining is subsequent to a reconfiguration of the power grid, wherein one or more stand-alone sub-grids in the power grid are modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: INTELLIGENT POWER & ENERGY RESEARCH CORPORATION (IPERC)
    Inventors: Darrell D. MASSIE, Peter S. CURTISS, Michael A. MILLER
  • Publication number: 20150142193
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: GRIDPOINT, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Golden, Courtney McMann, David Hakim, Edward Shnekendorf
  • Publication number: 20150142198
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for packetized energy distribution are provided. A data and power delivery network, called a digital grid, is provided to facilitate delivery of power upon request. Energy bits (quanta) serve as a means to deliver energy as well as coding. Voltage pulses of varying time scales are used for coding and current levels help to accurately meet customer's demand. Energy is sent as packets (a combination of energy bits), and specific energy packets are addressed to specific customers permitting accurate monitoring and distribution of electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Haim Grebel, Roberto Rojas-Cessa
  • Patent number: 9035483
    Abstract: A fieldbus unit for connection of a field device to a fieldbus comprising two conductors is designed to transfer a signal via the fieldbus by modulation of an electrical current drawn by the field device. The fieldbus unit comprises: an electrical current control transistor, through which the electrical current drawn by the field device flows, wherein the electrical current drawn by the field device is controlled via a base current of the electrical current control transistor; a bipolar transistor, via whose emitter-collector, electrical current path the base current for driving the electrical current control transistor flows; as well as an electrical current controller, which produces an electrical current control signal for controlling the electrical current drawn by the field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventor: Antoine Simon
  • Patent number: 9035598
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical-charging/discharging control apparatus composing an electric-power accumulation facility in conjunction with an electric-power accumulation battery and including: a communication section configured to receive a command to carry out either of electrical charging and discharging operations on the electric-power accumulation battery from an electric-power management apparatus for managing the electrical charging and discharging operations carried out on the electric-power accumulation battery; a control section configured to control the electrical charging and discharging operations carried out on the electric-power accumulation battery on the basis of the command; and a power conditioner for supplying electric power from an electric-power network to the electric-power accumulation battery and transferring electric power accumulated in the electric-power accumulation battery to the electric-power network in accordance with control carried out by the control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Ukita, Asami Yoshida, Shiho Moriai, Masanobu Katagi
  • Patent number: 9037308
    Abstract: A power control system that includes a plurality of electrical appliances and a controller. Each of the electrical appliances includes an energy storage device comprising a heat storage medium, a heater, and a temperature sensor. The heater is configured to heat the storage medium at a heating rate. The temperature sensor produces a temperature signal that is indicative of a temperature of the heat storage medium. The controller adjusts the heating rate of each energy storage device from a first heating rate to a second heating rate based on the temperatures of the heat storage mediums of the other energy storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Steffes Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Steffes, Thomas P. Steffes
  • Publication number: 20150134140
    Abstract: A power management apparatus includes an electric device including a plurality of operation algorithm information and power information for each operation level corresponding to each operation algorithm information, and a power management unit to receive power rate information from a power provider, determine an operation level of the electric device on the basis of the received power rate information and power information for each operation level of the electric device, and control an operation of the electric device at the determined operation level. As a result, the power management apparatus performs different operation algorithms according to power rate information, and controls power consumption of the electric device, such that energy efficiency at the user side can be maximized. In response to the changed power rate information, the currently-driven electric device and the electric device to be driven can be driven at the optimum operation level appropriate for their power consumption characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Jae Hwi JANG, Jong Hyun Shin, Hyun Soo Park, Young Jin Park
  • Publication number: 20150134138
    Abstract: The disclosure is related to a method for controlling an electric power consumption amount of a consumer by a server coupled to a smart grid for managing electric power distribution. The method may include receiving signals having information on electric power consumption amounts from a meter of a consumer through a communication network, determining an electric power consumption pattern of the consumer based on the information on electric power consumption amounts, calculating electric power supply amounts for a predetermined time period based on the determined electric power consumption pattern of the consumer, and transmitting a control signal to the meter of the consumer through a communication network for controlling an electric power consumption amount of the consumer based on the calculated electric power supply amounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Ho-Seok SEO, Ki-Jung KIM, Ji-Hyun AN, Jong-Hoon HAN, Jung-Guen KIM, Ja-Kyung HAHN
  • Publication number: 20150134136
    Abstract: A multi-mode control device is provided for controlling an external load device. The control device includes a high-power interface, a low-power interface, and a control module. The high-power interface can be electrically coupled to a high-power module providing current from an external power source to the load device. The low-power interface can be electrically coupled to a low-power module. The high-power interface can receive a first current from the high-power module. The low-power interface can receive a second current from the low-power module that is less than the first current. The low-power interface can prevent the first current from flowing to the low-power module. The control module, which is electrically coupled to the high-power interface and the low-power interface, can operate in a high-power mode for powering the control module using the first current and a low-power mode for powering the control module using the lower second current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen Haight Lydecker, Glen Andrew Kruse, Richard L. Westrick, JR., Ryan Alexis Zaveruha
  • Publication number: 20150134135
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a power distribution automation applications network includes multiple intelligent nodes in communication with each other, each having a hardware and software platform, with data processing and communications functionality. The intelligent nodes are integrated or embedded with grid components. The nodes each implement a part or whole of a grid operating system that includes a set of software applications for automated and supervisory monitoring, control, protection, and optimization of an electric power system with embedded distributed energy resources and distributed information resources. The grid operating system both manages the grid and facilitates the integration of distributed energy resources and distributed information resources in an electric power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: OPUS ONE SOLUTIONS ENERGY CORP.
    Inventors: Joshua Wong, Cedric Tai, Reza Iravani
  • Publication number: 20150134139
    Abstract: A computer-based electrical power management and allocation system is provided that collects demand for electric power usage and allocates electric power supply in satisfaction thereof. A load control server is used to collect and schedule electrical power start and stop requests according to policies established by either or both of the electric power consumers and electric power suppliers. The energy system collects accumulation messages to reserve electrical power and processes them using the prescribed customer and supplier policies and according to an overall optimization criterion of the energy system. Stop messages are then subsequently issued to cease device operation and the devices are then moved to a reservation pool until the energy system's operational criterion is relaxed or the accumulation messages become obsolete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Henrik Westergaard
  • Publication number: 20150134137
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrical energy distribution network in a transport vehicle, such as an aircraft, of the type comprising nodes to which, by means of links, referred as external links, at least one power supply source and equipment to be supplied by said power supply source can be connected. According to the invention, said nodes are connected together by internode links forming at least one mesh in a meshed network, said or each mesh being polygonal of an order higher than or equal to three, at least one node of the or each mesh being an active node designed to be controlled by a management unit in order to control each of the electrical links of the internode and external links connected to said active node. The present invention also concerns an electrical installation comprising at least one such electrical energy distribution network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Catalin PERJU, Claude CUILLER, Kathryn WAIDELICH, Xavier VALANCOGNE, Hervé LE-FLECHER, Damien VALENTIN
  • Patent number: 9031874
    Abstract: A system is provided for increasing the probability of timely receiving payment under an agreement between a consumer and a non-utility entity for providing financing for renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) by the consumer for power generation at a consumer premises, the renewable energy CPE adapted to deliver power onto a power grid or to the consumer's premises, the system comprising: a computer for monitoring consumer financial information for by the non-utility entity to detect the consumer's financing default in accordance with the agreement, wherein the renewable energy CPE including a PV array and a control device coupled to the PV array for controlling the operation of the PV array and any power generated by the CPE upon a default detected by the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Clean Power Finance, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Kremen
  • Patent number: 9031706
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Younggeul Kim, Namwoo Kwon, Jeonghyun Lim, Suyoung Kang, Juyoung Min
  • Publication number: 20150127183
    Abstract: A master-IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) is disclosed for high level applications (e.g., in power management or load shedding applications in power generation facilities or in electric power transformation), which can include at least one communication interface supporting MMS client and GOOSE functionality (CI-1, CI-2 . . . CI-n), wherein each is configured as an IED with its own configurable CID-file according to an IEC 61850 requirement. The master-IED specific IEC 61850 configuration tool can handle SCD (Substation Configuration Description)—files per a communication interface CI-1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Horst Büker
  • Publication number: 20150127182
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a power management method for connecting a server to office machines to control electric power of the office machines. The office machines respectively store machine side power plans, which are operation states with respect to transition times. The server stores server side power plans of the office machines and subjects electric powers of the office machines to management control. The power management method includes comparing the server side power plan stored in the server and the machine side power plan stored in the office machines, comparing, when an operation state based on the server side power plan and an operation state based on the machine side power plan are different, power consumptions in the operation state based on the server side power plan and an operation state based on the machine side power plan, and changing an operation state of the office machine to be an operation state with small power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicants: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Inagi, Yoshikatsu Kamisuwa, Makoto Yasuhira, Shigenori Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20150120074
    Abstract: A power management device includes a processor that executes a procedure. The procedure includes: gradually increasing a power-equivalent value that is equivalent to an amount of permitted power consumption by a plurality of power consuming appliances and that is accumulated in a management accumulation section; and according to requests from each of the plurality of power consuming appliances, allocating the power-equivalent value accumulated in the management accumulation section to each of the plurality of power consuming appliances within a range such that the power-equivalent value does not become a predetermined limit value or lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Masaharu KAKO
  • Publication number: 20150120075
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Gaëlle Le Roux, Alastair Partington
  • Patent number: 9021044
    Abstract: A system for monitoring or controlling conditions or apparatuses in a home, business or other suitable place is provided. The system includes a first master module that is operative to communicate with a device over an Internet network. The system further includes a server that is operatively connected to the device and the first master module. The server is operative to allow communication between the first master module and the device. The system also includes a first slave module operatively connected to the first master module. The first master module is operative to direct data between the first slave module and the server. The first slave module is operative to establish communication with the first master module through a plug and play connection. The device is operative to allow at least one of controlling and monitoring the first slave module through the server and the first master module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: David Tayvel Blustein, Stylianos Derventzis, David Mauro Guido, Mike Liwak
  • Patent number: 9020652
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an agent. The agent is configured to receive information from an electrical power grid. The agent is further configured to identify an event from the information. The agent is further configured to classify the event. The agent is further configured to determine whether to initiate an action based on a classification of the event. The agent is further configured to initiate the action in response to a determination to initiate the action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Khozikov, Ronald Ward Sackman, George Michael Roe