Intelligent routing of electric power

Abstract

A method and system for dynamically routing electric power in real time in accordance with parameters submitted by buyers and sellers of electric power using a feedback control scheme. A control node is arranged for receiving the parameters via a wide area network and to generate a route plan based on the parameters as well as current supply and demand in a network. The control node is also connected to the transmission and distribution systems to dynamically route electric power between matched buyers and sellers to effect the route plan.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for distributing electric power in an electric network having distribution networks, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving, by a control node, an indication of at least one settled contract for electric power and a signal from one or more feedback sensors related to current use conditions on an electric network including power consumption by end users through a feedback loop;   generating by the control node a route plan for delivering electric power based on the received indication and signal; and   adjusting the route plan based on feedback received from the one or more feedback sensors in real-time to adjust power flow to one or more grids of the electric network.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the control node is incorporated in an electrical substation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one settled contract comprises bids and asks in a spot market or a futures market. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one settled contract comprises inputting of bids and asks to the wide area network via respective buyer on-site devices and seller on-site devices. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of receiving current supply and demand conditions on an electric network via a feedback loop and using the current supply and demand for dynamically matching the bids and asks. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the generating a route plan based on the indication of at least one settled contract further comprises using current supply and demand conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one settled contract is continuously updated based on changes in received bids and asks. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the route plan is transmitted to a central control of an electric power transmission network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of determining by the control node whether the at least one settled contract is possible based on supply and demand information relating to an electric network. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein generating the route plan further comprises matching loads and resources of the electric network based on real-time supply and demand data of the electric network. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising, based on current supply and demand, dynamically matching the bids and asks by:
 matching potential publishers,   matching and connecting electronically,   matching, connecting, and delivering electrical power,   matching, connecting, delivering, billing, and collecting, or   matching, connecting, billing, delivering, measuring, publishing transaction information, changing allocations, starting over at the end of a period, and collecting payments.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the electric network comprises a transmission network to conduct the flow of electricity from one or more points of generation to one or more points of distribution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the end users are wholesale buyers or electricity retailers. 
     
     
         15 . A method for controlling power flow by a power trading exchange, the method comprising:
 controlling power flow between a grid and a sub-network unit; and   drawing power from a portion of the grid while selling power from another portion of the grid;   wherein the sub-network unit is connected to one or more areas of the grid through a switchable node.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein cost of power sold is based on different sectors of the grid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein cost of power sold is based on transmission loss. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein transmission loss includes at least one or more computable factors of transmission voltage, current, and material characteristics of transmission lines. 
     
     
         19 . A system for distributing electric power in an electric network having distribution networks, comprising:
 a control node that includes at least one processor and at least one memory combined with the at least one processor, the control node configured to:
 receive an indication of at least one settled contract for electric power and a signal from one or more feedback sensors related to current use conditions on an electric network including power consumption by end users through a feedback loop; 
 generate a route plan for delivering electric power based on the received indication and signal; and 
 adjust the route plan based on feedback received from the one or more feedback sensors in real-time to adjust power flow to one or more grids of the electric network. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the control node is incorporated in an electrical substation. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one settled contract comprises bids and asks in a spot market or a futures market. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one settled contract comprises inputting of bids and asks to the wide area network via respective buyer on-site devices and seller on-site devices. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the control node is further configured to receive current supply and demand conditions on an electric network via a feedback loop and use the current supply and demand to dynamically match the bids and asks. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the generating a route plan based on the indication of at least one settled contract further comprises using current supply and demand conditions. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one settled contract is continuously updated based on changes in received bids and asks. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the route plan is transmitted to a central control of an electric power transmission network. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the control node is further configured to determine whether the at least one settled contract is possible based on supply and demand information relating to an electric network. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein generating the route plan further comprises matching loads and resources of the electric network based on real-time supply and demand data of the electric network. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising, based on current supply and demand, dynamically matching the bids and asks by:
 matching potential publishers,   matching and connecting electronically,   matching, connecting, and delivering electrical power,   matching, connecting, delivering, billing, and collecting, or   matching, connecting, billing, delivering, measuring, publishing transaction information, changing allocations, starting over at the end of a period, and collecting payments.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the electric network comprises a transmission network to conduct the flow of electricity from one or more points of generation to one or more points of distribution. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the end users are wholesale buyers or electricity retailers. 
     
     
         32 . A system for controlling power flow by a power trading exchange. the method comprising:
 a control node that includes at least one processor and at least one memory combined with the at least one processor, the control node configured to:
 control power flow between a grid and a sub-network unit; and 
 draw power from a portion of the grid while selling power from another portion of the grid; 
   wherein the sub-network unit is connected to one or more areas of the grid through a switchable node.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein cost of power sold is based on different sectors of the grid. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein cost of power sold is based on transmission loss. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein transmission loss includes at least one or more computable factors of transmission voltage, current, and material characteristics of transmission lines.