Systems and Methods for Managing a Smart Grid Network

Abstract

A system and method for operating a distributed power generation system comprising one or more Local Production Units (LPPUs) is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving and storing data relating to the operating performance of a plurality of LPPUs, receiving and storing data relating to the local power consumption for the plurality of LPPUs, determining the available aggregate quantity of excess power generation capacity for the plurality of LPPUs based upon the operating performance data and the power consumption data, communicating to at least one power purchasing entity an offer to sell at least part of the available aggregate quantity of excess power generation capacity, receiving from at least one power purchasing entity an order to purchase, and communicating with the plurality of LPPUs to provide each LPPU with instructions regarding the quantity of power to be produced. The system includes means for performing each of these steps.

1 . A system for managing an energy distribution network of local power production units over a distributed communications network, comprising:
 a control server configured to control the power production of a plurality of local power production units, wherein the control server determines the amount of power to be provided by each of the local power production units to the energy distribution network; and   a plurality of local power production interface units coupled to the control server configured to provide instructions to local power production units, wherein the control server is further configured to establish a plurality of operational nodes comprising one or more local power production units, wherein the control server is configured to dynamically add or remove local power production units from an operational node.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control server determines the amount of power to be provided by each of the local power production units based at least upon minimizing transmission line losses. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the local power production units comprise one or more of fuel cells, microturbines, solar electrical generating devices and wind based electrical generating devices. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control server is further configured to determine the efficiency of fuel consumption for each local power production unit based on emissions data received by the control server from the local power production interface units. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control server is further configured to dynamically adjust the amount of power produced by one or more of the local power production units in response to a change in energy production by one or more local power production units, wherein the total power produced by the one or more local power production units is maintained to achieve a target power amount. 
     
     
         6 . A method for managing an energy distribution network of local power productions units over a distributed communications network, comprising:
 receiving a request for a target power amount from a power purchasing entity;   establishing an operational node containing one or more local power production units that collectively produce the target power amount, wherein the selection of local power production units within the operational node is based on one or more of geography, mutual proximity, combined generation power outputs, or peaking/non-peaking performance considerations of the local power production units; and   arranging for a collective output power amount from the operational node to be provided to the power purchasing entity.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the local power production units comprise one or more of fuel cells, microturbines, solar electrical generating devices and wind based electrical generating devices. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving data related to the operational characteristics of one or more of the local power production units. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising dynamically adding or removing a local power production unit from the operational node. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising dynamically adjusting the amount of power produced by one or more of the local power production units in response to a change in energy production by one or more local power production units, wherein the collective output power amount produced is maintained to achieve the target power amount. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising determining a statistically reliable projection of an amount of generating capacity for each local power production unit. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving data measured by one or more local meters relating to a local power consumption of power generated by a local power production unit. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising maintaining a database that contains data received from local power production units related to one or more of operating parameters, total power output, and local power consumption associated with a local power production unit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising dynamically adding or removing a local power production unit from the operational node.