Configuring, optimizing, and managing mirco-grids

Abstract

Methods and systems for controlling electrical distribution grids. The method includes determining premises in an electrical distribution grid that include an energy resource. The method further includes determining a configuration of the electrical distribution grid including a micro-grid, the micro-grid including the one or more premises. The method further includes electrically isolating, monitoring and controlling the micro-grid from the electrical distribution grid through the use of a micro-grid manager.

1 . (canceled) A method for configuring micro-grids implemented in a computer infrastructure comprising:
 determining, by a computer device, one or more premises in an electrical distribution grid comprising an energy resource;   determining, by the computer device, a configuration of the electrical distribution grid;   determining, by the computer device, a configuration of a micro-grid, the micro-grid comprising the one or more premises in the electrical distribution grid and the micro-grid being configured in the electrical distribution grid; and   monitoring the configuration of the micro-grid; and   issue messages to switching elements of the electrical distribution grid to modify a topology of the electrical distribution grid and modify a topology of the micro-grid.   
     
     
         2 . A method for configuring micro-grids implemented in a computer infrastructure comprising:
 monitoring, by a computer device, a current condition of an electrical distribution grid;   determining, by the computer device, one or more controllable loads in the electrical distribution grid;   determining, by the computer device, one or more energy resources in the electrical distribution grid;   determining, by the computer device, a configuration of a micro-grid based on a current condition, the micro-grid comprising the one or more controllable loads and one or more energy resources in the electrical distribution grid and the micro-grid being configured in the electrical distribution grid; and   issue messages to switching elements of the electrical distribution grid to modify a topology of the electrical distribution grid and modify a topology of the micro-grid.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the current condition is a fault. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the configuration of the micro-grid isolates the fault from the electrical distribution grid and wherein isolating the fault comprises causing the switching elements in the electrical distribution grid to disconnect the micro-grid from the electrical distribution grid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the current condition is an overload condition. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the configuration of the micro-grid sheds non-required and controllable loads as instructed by a micro-grid manager and wherein shedding the non-required and controllable loads comprises causing the switching elements in the electrical distribution grid to disconnect the micro-grid from the electrical distribution grid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the current condition is a voltage loss event. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the configuration of the micro-grid isolates the loss of voltage event from the electrical distribution grid and wherein isolating the loss of voltage event comprises causing the switching elements in the electrical distribution grid to disconnect the micro-grid from the electrical distribution grid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the determining the configuration of the micro-grid comprises determining a forecast of near-term conditions in the electrical distribution grid based on the current condition information, historical information, and forecast information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the energy source is a variable energy source and wherein the forecast information comprises weather forecasts. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the current condition is an unpowered state and wherein a microgrid controller performs a black start of the microgrid. 
     
     
         12 . A method for configuring micro-grids implemented in a computer infrastructure comprising:
 determining, by a computer device, one or more energy resources in an electrical distribution grid;   determining a forecast of near-term conditions in the electrical distribution grid based on current condition information, historical information, and forecast information;   determining, by the computer device, a configuration of the electrical distribution grid based on the forecast of near-term conditions; and   determining, by the computer device, a configuration of a micro-grid, the micro-grid comprising the one or more energy resources in the electrical distribution grid and the micro-grid being configured in the electrical distribution grid.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the energy source comprises a gas generator and wherein the forecast of near-term conditions comprise energy consumption profiles. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the energy source comprises a variable generation source and an energy storage device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the energy source comprises an energy storage device;   the forecast of near-term conditions comprises predicated power demand; and   the microgrid is configured to balance supply and demand of the micro-grid.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the energy source comprises an energy storage device and a gas generator;   the forecast of near-term conditions comprises predicated power demand and current energy storage; and   the microgrid is configured to balance supply and demand of the micro-grid.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the current condition is an unpowered state and wherein a microgrid controller performs a black start of the microgrid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein switching elements in the electrical distribution grid disconnect the micro-grid from the electrical distribution grid to electrically isolate the micro-grid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the switching elements communicate to a microgrid controller via a local area network, wherein the microgrid controller controls each of the switching elements to electrically isolate the microgrid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the home area network communicates using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the microgrid comprises a plurality of microgrids.