# US 10,320,227 B2 · System, method, and apparatus for electric power grid and network management of grid elements

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- Number: US 10,320,227 B2
- Document ID: US10320227B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/286,973
- Filed: 2016-10-06
- Published: 2017-01-26
- Granted: 2019-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2012-07-31
- Assignees: Causam Energy, Inc.
- Applicants: Causam Energy, Inc.
- Inventors: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10320227B2

## CPC

- G05F 1/66: Regulating electric power
- G05B 11/01: electric
- G05B 13/02: electric
- G05B 13/0255: {the criterion being a time-optimal performance criterion}
- G05B 15/02: electric
- G05B 19/02: electric
- G05B 19/042: using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence)
- H02J 3/00: Circuit arrangements for AC mains or AC distribution networks
- H02J 3/14: by switching loads on to, or off from, the networks, e.g. progressively balanced loading
- H02J 13/13: characterised by the transmission of data to equipment in the power network
- H02J 13/1321: {using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus}
- H02J 13/1335: {involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi®, ZigBee® or Bluetooth®}
- H02J 13/1337: {involving the use of Internet protocols}
- H02J 13/14: the power network being locally controlled, e.g. home energy management systems [HEMS]
- H02J 13/333: the equipment forming part of substations
- H04L 67/10: in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network (software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46)
- G05B 2219/40458: Grid adaptive optimization
- H02J 2103/30: Simulating, planning, modelling, reliability check or computer assisted design [CAD] of electric power networks
- H02J 2103/35: Grid-level management of power transmission or distribution systems, e.g. load flow analysis or active network management
- H02J 2105/12: supplying households or buildings
- Y02B 70/3225: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
- Y02E 60/00: Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y04S 20/222: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
- Y04S 40/12: characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment
- Y04S 40/20: Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security
- G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS

## Abstract

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

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for electric power grid element and network management comprising:
at least one grid element constructed and configured for Internet Protocol (IP)-based network communication with at least one server and at least one database via at least one coordinator;
wherein the at least one grid element communicates an initial message to the at least one coordinator for registration with an electric power grid;
wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to register and introduce the at least one grid element to the electric power grid;
wherein the at least one grid element is automatically and/or autonomously transformed into at least one active grid element via registration with the electric power grid;
wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to send messages to and receive messages from the at least one server via the at least one coordinator;
wherein the at least one server is operable to communicate IP-based messages to each of the at least one active grid element through the at least one coordinator after the registration;
wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to route messages from the at least one active grid element to the at least one database;
wherein the at least one server is configured to operate the at least one database to exchange information associated with the at least one active grid element for affecting electric grid operations, reporting, and/or stabilization;
wherein the registration of the at least one grid element is stored in the at least one database for predetermined periods of time for use with settlement associated with the at least one active grid element; and
wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to provide an assessment of electric grid operations comprising energy flows within the electric power grid, grid stabilization, operating reserves, capacity, and settlement.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to manage the at least one active grid element according to its characteristics, profiles, location and capability for responsiveness to various electric power grid resource requirements.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to match and prioritize the at least one active grid element for managed participation within the electric power grid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one grid element is a device that consumes electric power from the electric power grid, supplies power to the electric power grid, and/or measures power relating to the electric power grid.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one grid element is a control device that operates, programs, and/or updates the other active grid elements.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one grid element has a unique grid element identifier.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the initial message includes at least one of: status of device, supply source, and/or demand; location of attachment; line losses; distribution and transmission capacity information; grid stability information; and combinations thereof.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the initial message further includes at least one of: a geodetic reference, a grid element identifier, a grid element authentication, a grid element type, a grid element function, a grid element capacity, a grid element profile, a grid element attachment point reference, a grid element power supply value (PSV), a grid element power trade block (PTB) value, a grid element balancing authority association, a grid element owner identifier, a grid element compatibility identifier, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the PSV is a supply equivalence value based on measurement and verification of reduction in power consumption and the PSV is accepted and awarded by a governing entity.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the initial message has a delivery priority including at least one of a plurality of methods to include priority access flags, virtual private networks, independent identifying addresses, manufacturers specific identifying codes, or combinations thereof.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the registration complies with regulations and/or standards established by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC), Independent System Operator (ISO), and/or a governing authority for the electric power grid.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to provide operating reserves and/or grid stabilization, and/or to serve native load, for the electric power grid.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a security interface associated with each of the at least one grid element, wherein the security interface provides protection for the contents of the messages exchanged between the at least one active grid element, the at least one coordinator, the at least one database and the at least one server.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the security interface is standards-based or determined by a governing entity that regulates grid operations for utilities, market participants or grid operators.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one coordinator is operable to track and maintain a status of the at least one grid element.

### Claim 16

A method for electric power grid network management, comprising:
at least one grid element communicating an initial message to at least one coordinator for registration with an electric power grid;
the at least one coordinator registering and introducing the at least one grid element to the electric power grid;
the at least one grid element automatically transforming into corresponding at least one active grid element for functioning actively within the electric power grid after registration with the electric power grid;
the at least one active grid element sending messages to and receiving messages from the at least one server routed by the at least one coordinator;
the at least one server communicating Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages to each of the at least one active grid element through the at least one coordinator after the registration;
the at least one coordinator routing messages from the at least one active grid element to at least one database;
the at least one server operating the at least one database to exchange information associated with the at least one active grid element for affecting electric grid operations, reporting, and/or stabilization;
the at least one database storing the registration of the at least one grid element for predetermined periods of time for use with settlement associated with the at least one grid element; and
the at least one coordinator providing an assessment of electric grid operations comprising energy flows within the electric power grid, grid stabilization, operating reserves, capacity, and settlement.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising the at least one coordinator matching and prioritizing the at least one active grid element for managed participation within the electric power grid.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising the at least one coordinator managing the at least one active grid element according to its characteristics, profiles, location and capability for responsiveness to various electric power grid resource requirements.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising the at least one active grid element communicating updates to the at least one server and/or the at least one database via the at least one coordinator.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising the at least one active grid element providing operating reserves and/or grid stabilization, and/or serving native load, for the electric power grid.