System and method for single and multizonal optimization of utility services delivery and utilization

Abstract

The present invention is directed to utility service delivery wherein distributed intelligence and networking is used in the optimization of the service delivery. The present invention employs a network of data collection nodes and aggregation nodes located on a power grid controlled by a controlling agency. The data collection nodes comprise Intelligent Communicating Devices (ICDs) and Communicating Devices (CDs), which transmit metrics they collect over the power grid from locations near meters or service transformers to the aggregation nodes. Commands, policies, and program updates may be transmitted from a server at an aggregation node to the ICDs and CDs. The ICDs are also capable of issuing control commands to the CDs and grid management devices, acting locally and/or in conjunction with other ICDs, CDs, aggregation nodes, and central controlling agencies. Through these communications and commands, utility services delivery and utilization is optimized.

1 . A system for the optimization of utility service parameters wherein measurements and actions can be independently and/or collectively performed at a multiplicity of distributed intelligent and/or control points at any level of hierarchy within said system, said system comprising:
 at least one aggregation node comprising at least one server and at least one receiver; and   at least one Optimization Zone containing at least one data collection node, wherein the at least one data collection node comprises at least one Intelligent Communicating Device (ICD) executing at least one application agent, said agent being locally stored on a non-volatile store in the ICD and determining the measurements, transmissions, and actions taken at the ICD.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the server at the at least one aggregation node stores the transmissions received from the ICDs at said server, and may subsequently forward them to client applications via a conventional wide-area network. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said measurements and/or actions are selected from one or more of the following: voltage, power, current, power factor, temperature, humidity, partial pressure of gasses, asset protection, load management, service rate changes, operational tolerance changes, outage and/or recovery management, device charging, power storage, distributed generation, water consumption, gas consumption, and/or predictive failure analysis. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one application agent includes locally stored procedures, and wherein policies and parameters governing said procedures act independently in support of a goal or goals that can be stated by a controlling agency. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein said locally stored procedures, policies, and/or parameters are configured to be dynamically updated at any point in time. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein communications between nodes and controlling agency, in any combination of communication topologies, are conducted over a power grid. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein alternative communication paths are used to augment communications over the grid. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises at least one data collection node comprising one or more Communicating Devices (CDs) that are capable of measurement and/or control. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein a collection of one or more CDs combined with one or more ICDs defines an Optimization Zone. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein there are one or more Optimization Zones. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the Optimization Zones are nested and/or aggregated. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein each Optimization Zone includes generation and/or consumption devices. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the operation of said stored procedure(s) is informed by data describing the static and/or dynamic schematic location(s) within said system of any or all the points of measurement, control, generation, and/or consumption. 
     
     
         14 . A method for the optimization of utility service parameters wherein measurements and actions can be independently and/or collectively performed at a multiplicity of distributed intelligent and/or control points at any level of hierarchy within a system, said method comprising:
 providing at least one aggregation node comprising at least one server and at least one receiver;   providing at least one Optimization Zone containing at least one data collection node, wherein the at least one data collection node comprises at least one Intelligent Communicating Device (ICD); and   executing at least one application agent, said agent being locally stored on a non-volatile store in the ICD and determining the measurements, transmissions, and actions taken at the ICD.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said measurements and actions are derived from a set or sets of locally stored procedures in the at least one application agent that are based upon globally and/or locally available information. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said measurements and/or action are selected from one or more of the following: voltage, power, current, power factor, temperature, humidity, partial pressure of gasses, asset protection, load management, service rate changes, operational tolerance changes, outage and/or recovery management, device charging, power storage, distributed generation, water consumption, gas consumption, and/or predictive failure analysis. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the locally stored procedures and policies and parameters governing said procedures act independently in support of a goal or goals that can be stated by a controlling agency. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said locally stored procedures, policies, and/or parameters are configured to be dynamically updated at any point in time. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein communications between nodes and controlling agency, in any combination of communication topologies, are conducted over a power grid. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein alternative communication paths are used to augment communications over the grid. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising providing at least one data collection node comprising one or more Communicating Devices (CDs) that are capable of measurement and/or control. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein a collection of one or more CDs combined with one or more ICDs defines an Optimization Zone. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein there are one or more Optimization Zones. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the Optimization Zones are nested and/or aggregated. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein each Optimization Zone includes generation and/or consumption devices. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the operation of said stored procedure(s) can be informed by data describing the static and/or dynamic schematic location(s) within said system of any or all the points of measurement, control, generation, and/or consumption. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the application node alters the behavior of at least one application agent by issuing a one-time command or changing a policy.