Bi-directional power over ethernet for digital building applications

An apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of bi-directional PoE (Power over Ethernet) ports each configurable to operate as a PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) PoE port to transmit power to a device connected to one of the bi-directional PoE ports or as a PD (Powered Device) PoE port to receive power from the connected device;
• a power supply unit;
• and
• a fault managed power module for receiving fault managed power on an Ethernet cable, converting the fault managed power to a power supply input power, and transmitting the power supply input power to the power supply unit.

A method comprising:

• identifying available power from a plurality of power sources comprising a utility power source, a solar power source, and a battery power source;
• identifying active ports in a bi-directional Power over Ethernet (PoE) system;
• and
• allocating power from one or more of said plurality of power sources to power the active ports.

A system comprising:

• a plurality of energy resource devices;
• a network device comprising a plurality of PD (Powered Device) PoE (Power over Ethernet) ports operable to receive power from the energy resource devices connected to the PD PoE ports;
• and
• a power bus for receiving power from the network device and transmitting power to at least one other network device comprising a plurality of PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) PoE ports for transmitting power to powered devices.