Voltage conservation using advanced metering infrastructure and substation centralized voltage control

Abstract

A voltage control and conservation (VCC) system is provided, which includes three subsystems, including an energy delivery (ED) system, an energy control (EC) system and an energy regulation (ER) system. The VCC system is configured to monitor energy usage at the ED system and determine one or more energy delivery parameters at the EC system. The EC system may then provide the one or more energy delivery parameters to the ER system to adjust the energy delivered to a plurality of users for maximum energy conservation.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A voltage control and energy conservation system for an electric power transmission and distribution grid configured to supply electric power to a plurality of user locations, the system comprising:
 a substation including a supply point configured to supply electrical power to a plurality of user locations;   a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is located at a respective one of a plurality of distribution locations on the distribution grid at or between the supply point and at least one of the plurality of user locations, and wherein each sensor is configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power at the respective distribution location and to generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage;   a voltage controller configured to receive measurement data from each sensor of a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one and substantially fewer than all of the plurality of sensors, and to generate an energy delivery parameter based on a comparison of the measurement data received from the subset to a controller target voltage band;   a voltage adjusting device configured to adjust a voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter;   wherein the energy delivery parameter is generated such that the voltage at each user location remains within a user target voltage band, the user target voltage band being a lower band of a safe nominal operating range; and   wherein at least one other sensor of the plurality of sensors that is not included in the subset is further configured to send a respective reporting signal to the voltage controller when the voltage sensed by the sensor is determined to be outside of a respective sensor target voltage band.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the subset of sensors comprises the sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed voltages. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the voltage adjusting device comprises:
 a load tap change transformer that adjusts the voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on a load tap change coefficient; or   a voltage regulator that adjusts the voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the voltage controller is further configured to determine an average voltage by averaging the measurement data received from the subset, and generate the energy delivery parameter based on the determined average voltage. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the voltage controller is further configured to adjust the energy delivery parameter when one of the voltage at a user location or the determined average voltage is below a predetermined minimum voltage value, the predetermined minimum voltage value being based on the safe nominal operating range. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the voltage controller is configured to:
 store historical component data that includes at least one of aggregated energy component data at a substation level, voltage component data at a substation level, and weather data;   determine energy usage at each of the plurality of sensors;   compare the historical component data to the determined energy usage; and   determine energy savings attributable to the system based on the results of the comparison of the historical component data to the determined energy usage.   
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 114V and about 126V and the user target voltage band is between about 114V and about 120V. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 114V and about 126V and the user target voltage band is between about 116V and about 121V. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 111V and about 129V the user target voltage band is between about 111V and about 120V. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein each sensor of the subset is located at a respective one of the plurality of user locations. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is located on the distribution grid between the supply point and at least one of the user locations. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the supply point is at a transformer at the substation. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a plurality of smart meters. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the at least one sensor target voltage band comprises a plurality of sensor target voltage bands, each of the plurality of sensor target voltage bands corresponding to a respective sensor. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the subset includes about twenty sensors on the distribution grid. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the subset includes about ten sensors on a distribution circuit of the distribution grid. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the distribution grid comprises two distribution circuits providing electric power to about 6400 user locations. 
     
     
         56 . A method for controlling electrical power supplied to a plurality of distribution locations located at or between a supply point and at least one user location, each of the plurality of distribution locations including at least one sensor configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power at the respective distribution location and generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage, the method comprising:
 receiving measurement data from a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one but substantially fewer than all of the plurality of sensors; and   adjusting a voltage at the supply point based on a comparison of the measurement data received from the subset to at least one controller target voltage band, wherein voltage at the supply point is adjusted such that a voltage at each user location remains within a user target voltage band, the user target voltage band being a lower band of a safe nominal operating range; and   receiving a reporting signal indicating that a voltage that is sensed by another sensor that is not part of the subset is outside of a respective sensor target component band.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the subset of sensors comprises the sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed voltages. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the act of adjusting a voltage at the supply point further comprises determining an average voltage by averaging the data received from the subset and adjusting the voltage at the supply point based on the determined average voltage. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the act of adjusting a voltage at the supply point further comprises adjusting the voltage at the supply point when one of the voltage at a user location or the determined average voltage is below a predetermined minimum voltage value, the predetermined minimum voltage value being based on the safe nominal operating range. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 114V and about 126V and the user target voltage band is between about 114V and about 120V. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 114V and about 126V and the user target voltage band is between about 116V and about 121V. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 111V and about 129V the user target voltage band is between about 111V and about 120V. 
     
     
         63 . A controller for an energy conservation system for an electric power transmission and distribution grid configured to supply electric power from a supply point to a plurality of user locations, the controller comprising:
 at least one processor configured to:   receive measurement data that is based on a measured component of electric power from each sensor of a subset of a plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors are located at respective distribution locations on the distribution grid at or between the supply point and at least one of the plurality of user locations, and wherein the subset includes more than one and substantially fewer than all of the plurality of sensors;   generate an energy delivery parameter based on a comparison of a controller target band to the measurement data received from the sensors in the subset wherein the energy delivery parameter is generated such that a voltage at each user location remains within a user target voltage band, the user target voltage band being a lower band of a safe nominal operating range; and   provide the energy delivery parameter to an adjusting device configured to adjust the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter; and   wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal indicating that the measured component of electric power sensed by at least one other sensor of the plurality of sensors is outside of a sensor target component band.   
     
     
         64 . The controller of  claim 63 , wherein the subset of sensors comprises the sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed measured component of electric power. 
     
     
         65 . The controller of  claim 63 , wherein the controller is further configured to add to the subset the at least one other sensor in response to receiving the signal indicating that the measured component of electric power sensed by the at least one other sensor is outside of the sensor target component band and to de-select at least one of the sensors in the subset when adding the at least one other sensor to the subset. 
     
     
         66 . The controller of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to maintain a set number of sensors in the subset. 
     
     
         67 . The controller of  claim 66 , wherein the set number of sensors is approximately twenty. 
     
     
         68 . The controller of  claim 63 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 114V and about 126V and the user target voltage band is between about 114V and about 120V. 
     
     
         69 . The controller of  claim 63 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 114V and about 126V and the user target voltage band is between about 116V and about 121V. 
     
     
         70 . The controller of  claim 63 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 111V and about 129V the user target voltage band is between about 111V and about 120V. 
     
     
         71 . An electric power control system for an electric power grid configured to supply electric power from a supply point to a plurality of consumption locations, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is located at a respective one of a plurality of distribution locations on the electric power grid at or between the supply point and at least one of the plurality of consumption locations, and wherein each sensor is configured to sense at least one component of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and to generate measurement data based on the sensed component;   a controller configured to receive measurement data from each sensor of a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power, and to generate an energy delivery parameter based on the measurement data received from the subset; and   an adjusting device configured to adjust a component of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter.   
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the subset of sensors comprises the bellwether sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed measured component of electric power. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the measured components of electric power comprises at least one of: a voltage; a current; and a phase. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the components of electric power adjusted by the adjusting device comprises at least one of: a voltage; a current; and a phase. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the subset includes only the sensors sensing the worst case voltages. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 75 , wherein the sensors sensing worst case voltages comprise the sensors sensing the lowest level voltages. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the subset includes more than one and substantially fewer than all of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the subset includes more than one and substantially fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the consumption locations are user locations and the plurality of sensors comprises a plurality of smart meters. 
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the consumption locations are user locations and the electric power grid is an electric power transmission and distribution grid. 
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein the subset includes about twenty sensors on the electric power grid. 
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein the subset includes about ten sensors on a distribution circuit of the electric power grid. 
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the electric power grid comprises two distribution circuits providing electric power to about 6400 user locations. 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the adjusting device comprises a voltage adjusting device. 
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 84 , wherein the voltage adjusting device comprises a load tap change transformer that adjusts the voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point at a substation level based on a load tap change coefficient. 
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 84 , wherein the voltage adjusting device comprises a voltage regulator that adjusts the voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter. 
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the voltage regulator comprises a circuit regulator that adjusts the voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point at a line regulator level based on the energy delivery parameter. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the energy delivery parameter when an electric power component at a user location is outside a predetermined electric power component range, the predetermined component range being based on a safe nominal operating range. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the energy delivery parameter when an electric power component at a user location is below a predetermined minimum electric power component value, the predetermined minimum value being based on a safe nominal operating range. 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine an average electric power component value by averaging the measurement data received from the subset, and generate the energy delivery parameter based on the determined average electric power component value. 
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 90 , wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the energy delivery parameter when the determined average electric power component value is outside a predetermined electric power component range, the predetermined component range being based on a safe nominal operating range. 
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 90 , wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the energy delivery parameter when the determined average electric power component value is below a predetermined minimum electric power component value, the predetermined minimum value being based on a safe nominal operating range. 
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 store historical component data that includes at least one of aggregated energy component data at a substation level, electric power component data at a substation level, and weather data;   determine energy usage at each of the plurality of sensors;   compare the historical component data to the determined energy usage; and   determine energy savings attributable to the system based on the results of the comparison of the historical component data to the determined energy usage.   
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the controller is further configured to generate an energy delivery parameter based on a comparison of the measurement data received from the subset to a controller target voltage band. 
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the energy delivery parameter is generated such that the electric power component remains within a target component band, the target component band being a lower band of a safe nominal operating range. 
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein at least one other sensor of the plurality of sensors that is not included in the subset is further configured to send a respective reporting signal to the controller when the electric power component sensed by the sensor is determined to be outside of a respective sensor target component band. 
     
     
         97 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the consumption locations are user locations and a substation includes the supply point configured to supply electrical power to a plurality of user locations. 
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the energy delivery parameter is generated such that the electric power component at each consumption location remains within a user target component band, the user target component band being a lower band of a safe nominal operating range. 
     
     
         99 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein the component is voltage and the minimum value is about 114V. 
     
     
         100 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein the component is voltage and the minimum value is about 111V. 
     
     
         101 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein the component is voltage and the minimum value is about 116V. 
     
     
         102 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein the component is voltage and the safe nominal operating range is between about 114V and about 126V and the user target voltage band is between about 114V and about 120V. 
     
     
         103 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein the component is voltage and the safe nominal operating range is between about 114V and about 126V and the user target voltage band is between about 116V and about 121V. 
     
     
         104 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein the component is voltage and the safe nominal operating range is between about 111V and about 129V the user target voltage band is between about 111V and about 120V. 
     
     
         105 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein at least one sensor of the subset is located at a user location. 
     
     
         106 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is located on the electric power grid between the supply point and at least one of the user locations. 
     
     
         107 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the supply point is at a transformer at a substation. 
     
     
         108 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the at least one sensor target electric power component band comprises a plurality of sensor target electric power component bands, each of the plurality of sensor electric power component voltage bands corresponding to a respective sensor. 
     
     
         109 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the sensors of the subset are selected randomly. 
     
     
         110 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the sensors of the subset are selected based on predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         111 . The system of  claim 110 , wherein the predetermined criteria includes historical sensor data. 
     
     
         112 . The system of  claim 110 , wherein the predetermined criteria includes historical energy usage associated with particular sensors. 
     
     
         113 . The system of  claim 110 , wherein the predetermined criteria includes weather conditions, geographic area, or solar irradiation. 
     
     
         114 . The system of  claim 110 , wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from each sensor at time intervals having a predetermined length. 
     
     
         115 . The system of  claim 110 , wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from each sensor of the subset at time intervals having a predetermined length. 
     
     
         116 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the time intervals each have a length of approximately 5 seconds. 
     
     
         117 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the time intervals each have a length of approximately 10 seconds. 
     
     
         118 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the time intervals each have a length of approximately 30 seconds. 
     
     
         119 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the time intervals each have a length of approximately 1 minute. 
     
     
         120 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the time intervals each have a length of approximately 5 minutes. 
     
     
         121 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the time intervals each have a length of approximately 10 minutes. 
     
     
         122 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the time intervals each have a length of approximately 15 minutes. 
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the plurality of time intervals during which the controller receives measurement data from each sensor of the subset are continuous. 
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 114 , wherein the plurality of time intervals during which the controller receives measurement data from each sensor are intermittent. 
     
     
         125 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the plurality of time intervals during which the controller receives measurement data from each sensor of the subset are intermittent. 
     
     
         126 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the time intervals have an average length of 15 minutes. 
     
     
         127 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the time intervals each have a length of less than 15 minutes. 
     
     
         128 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from a sensor in response to a request by the controller. 
     
     
         129 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from a sensor when a predetermined event is detected. 
     
     
         130 . A method for controlling electrical power supplied to a plurality of distribution locations located at or between a supply point and at least one consumption location, each of the plurality of distribution locations including at least one sensor configured to sense at least one component of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and generate measurement data based on the sensed component, the method comprising:
 receiving measurement data from a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power; and   adjusting a component of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the measurement data received from the subset.   
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the subset of sensors comprises the bellwether sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed measured component of electric power. 
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the subset includes more than one and substantially fewer than all of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the subset includes more than one and substantially fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power. 
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 130 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving measurement data from a subset of the plurality of sensors at each of a plurality of time intervals having a predetermined length; and   adjusting a component of the supplied power at the supply point based on a comparison of the measurement data received from the subset to at least one controller target component band.   
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein the time intervals have a length of about five seconds to about fifteen minutes. 
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the sensors of the subset are selected based on predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the predetermined criteria includes historical sensor data. 
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein at least one other sensor of the plurality of sensors that is not included in the subset is further configured to send a respective reporting signal to the controller when the voltage sensed by the sensor is determined to be outside of a respective sensor target voltage band. 
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the sensors of the subset are selected based on predetermined criteria, the subset of sensors includes the bellwether sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed voltage, and the selection includes the initial selection. 
     
     
         140 . A voltage control and energy conservation system for an electric power transmission and distribution grid configured to supply electric power from a supply point to a plurality of user locations, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is located at a respective one of a plurality of distribution locations on the distribution grid at or between the supply point and at least one of the plurality of user locations, and wherein each sensor is configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and to generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage;   a voltage controller configured to generate an energy delivery parameter based on the measurement data received from a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power;   a voltage adjusting device configured to adjust a voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter; and   wherein the energy delivery parameter is generated such that the voltage remains within a target voltage band.   
     
     
         141 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the subset of sensors comprises the bellwether sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed voltage. 
     
     
         142 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the subset includes more than one and substantially fewer than all of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         143 . The system of  claim 142 , wherein the subset includes about twenty sensors on the electric power grid. 
     
     
         144 . The system of  claim 142 , wherein the subset includes about ten sensors on a distribution circuit of the electric power grid. 
     
     
         145 . The system of  claim 144 , wherein the electric power grid comprises two distribution circuits providing electric power to about 6400 user locations. 
     
     
         146 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the voltage adjusting device comprises a load tap change transformer that adjusts the voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point at a substation level based on a load tap change coefficient. 
     
     
         147 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the voltage adjusting device comprises a voltage regulator that adjusts the voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter. 
     
     
         148 . The system of  claim 147 , wherein the voltage regulator comprises a circuit regulator that adjusts the voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point at a line regulator level based on the energy delivery parameter. 
     
     
         149 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the energy delivery parameter is generated such that the voltage at each user location remains within a user target voltage band, the user target voltage band being a lower band of a safe nominal operating range. 
     
     
         150 . The system of  claim 149 , wherein the safe nominal operating range is between about 114V and about 126V and the user target voltage band is between about 114V and about 120V. 
     
     
         151 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the sensors of the subset are selected based on predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         152 . The system of  claim 151 , wherein the predetermined criteria includes historical sensor data. 
     
     
         153 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from each sensor at time intervals having a predetermined length. 
     
     
         154 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from each sensor of the subset at time intervals having a predetermined length. 
     
     
         155 . The system of  claim 154 , wherein the time intervals each have a length of about five seconds to about fifteen minutes. 
     
     
         156 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from a sensor in response to a request by the controller. 
     
     
         157 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from a sensor when a predetermined event is detected. 
     
     
         158 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein at least one other sensor of the plurality of sensors that is not included in the subset is further configured to send a respective reporting signal to the controller when the voltage sensed by the sensor is determined to be outside of a respective sensor target voltage band. 
     
     
         159 . The system of  claim 140 , wherein the sensors of the subset are selected based on predetermined criteria, the subset of sensors includes the bellwether sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed voltage, and the selection includes the initial selection. 
     
     
         160 . A method for controlling electrical power supplied to a plurality of distribution locations located at or between a supply point and at least one user location, each of the plurality of distribution locations including at least one sensor configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage, the method comprising:
 receiving measurement data from a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power; and   adjusting a voltage at the supply point based on a comparison of the measurement data received from the subset to at least one target voltage band, the target voltage band being a lower band of a nominal operating range.   
     
     
         161 . A method for controlling electrical power supplied to a plurality of distribution locations located at or between a supply point and at least one user location, each of the plurality of distribution locations including at least one sensor configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage, the method comprising:
 receiving measurement data from a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one but fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving supplied electric power; and   adjusting a voltage at the supply point based on a comparison of the measurement data received from the subset to at least one controller target voltage band;   adjusting the sensors included in the subset based on the voltage sensed at least one of the plurality of sensors.   
     
     
         162 . A voltage control and energy conservation system for an electric power transmission and distribution grid configured to supply electric power from a supply point to a plurality of user locations, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is located at a respective one of a plurality of distribution locations on the distribution grid at or between the supply point and at least one of the plurality of user locations, and wherein each sensor is configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and to generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage;   a voltage controller configured to generate an energy delivery parameter based on the measurement data received from a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power, and wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from each sensor of the subset at time intervals having a predetermined length of from about five minutes to about fifteen minutes, wherein the controller is further configured to add to the subset at least one other sensor in response to receiving a signal indicating that the voltage sensed by the at least one other sensor is outside a predetermined voltage band; and   a voltage adjusting device configured to adjust a voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter, wherein the voltage adjusting device includes a load tap change transformer that adjusts the set-point voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point at a substation level.   
     
     
         163 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein an operator controls the controller in generating the energy delivery parameter and in adding to the subset. 
     
     
         164 . A voltage control and energy conservation system for an electric power transmission and distribution grid configured to supply electric power from a supply point to a plurality of user locations, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is located at a respective one of a plurality of distribution locations on the distribution grid at or between the supply point and at least one of the plurality of user locations, and wherein each sensor is configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and to generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage;   a voltage controller configured to generate an energy delivery parameter based on the measurement data received from a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power, wherein the controller is further configured to, in response to operator control, add to the subset at least one other sensor based on the voltage sensed by the at least one other sensor being outside a predetermined voltage band.   
     
     
         165 . A voltage control and energy conservation system for an electric power transmission and distribution grid configured to supply electric power from a supply point to a plurality of user locations, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is located at a respective one of a plurality of distribution locations on the distribution grid at or between the supply point and at least one of the plurality of user locations, and wherein each sensor is configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and to generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage;   a voltage controller configured to generate an energy delivery parameter based on the measurement data received from a subset of the plurality of sensors, the measurement data being averaged over a predetermined period of time, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power, and wherein the voltage controller receives measurement data from each sensor of the subset at sensing time intervals having a predetermined length, wherein the controller is further configured to select the sensors for the subset based on predetermined criteria.   
     
     
         166 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the measurement data is averaged by at least one of the controller, a collector or the sensors. 
     
     
         167 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the sensing time intervals have a predetermined length of from about five minutes to about fifteen minutes. 
     
     
         168 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the predetermined period of time is about one hour. 
     
     
         169 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the measurement data of an individual sensor is averaged together. 
     
     
         170 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the measurement data of more than one sensor is averaged together. 
     
     
         171 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the selection includes the initial selection. 
     
     
         172 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the selection includes selections subsequent to an initial selection, the subsequent selections made at a predetermined selection time interval. 
     
     
         173 . The system of  claim 172 , wherein the predetermined selection time interval is about twenty-four hours. 
     
     
         174 . The system of  claim 172 , wherein the predetermined criteria includes the lowest sensed voltage averaged over the predetermined period of time and the lowest average voltage over the selection time interval. 
     
     
         175 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the subset of sensors includes the sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed voltage. 
     
     
         176 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the controller is further configured to select the subset in response to operator control. 
     
     
         177 . The system of  claim 165 , further comprising an adjusting device configured to adjust a component of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter. 
     
     
         178 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein the energy delivery parameter is generated such that the voltage remains within a target voltage band, the target voltage band being a lower band of a nominal operating range. 
     
     
         179 . The system of  claim 178 , wherein the target voltage band is a lower band of a nominal operating range. 
     
     
         180 . The system of  claim 165 , wherein the predetermined criteria includes historical sensor data. 
     
     
         181 . A method for controlling electrical power supplied to a plurality of distribution locations located at or between a supply point and at least one use location, each of the plurality of distribution locations including at least one sensor configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage, the method comprising:
 generating an energy delivery parameter based on the measurement data received from a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power, and receiving measurement data from each sensor of the subset at time intervals having a predetermined length of from about five minutes to about fifteen minutes;   adding to the subset at least one other sensor in response to receiving a signal indicating that the voltage sensed by the at least one other sensor is outside a predetermined voltage band; and   adjusting a voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter, wherein the voltage adjusting device includes a load tap change transformer that adjusts the set-point voltage of the electric power supplied at the supply point at a substation level.   
     
     
         182 . The method of  claim 181 , wherein an operator controls a controller in generating the energy delivery parameter and in adding to the subset. 
     
     
         183 . A method for controlling electrical power supplied to a plurality of distribution locations located at or between a supply point and at least one use location, each of the plurality of distribution locations including at least one sensor configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage, the method comprising:
 generating an energy delivery parameter based on the measurement data received from a subset of the plurality of sensors, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power, and, in response to operator control, adding to the subset at least one other sensor based on the voltage sensed by the at least one other sensor being outside a predetermined voltage band.   
     
     
         184 . A method for controlling electrical power supplied to a plurality of distribution locations located at or between a supply point and at least one use location, each of the plurality of distribution locations including at least one sensor configured to sense a voltage of the supplied electric power received by the sensor at the respective distribution location and generate measurement data based on the sensed voltage, the method comprising:
 generating an energy delivery parameter based on the measurement data received from a subset of the plurality of sensors, the measurement data being averaged over a predetermined period of time, wherein the subset includes more than one and fewer than all of the plurality of sensors receiving the supplied electric power, receiving measurement data from each sensor of the subset at sensing time intervals having a predetermined length, and selecting the sensors for the subset based on predetermined criteria.   
     
     
         185 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the measurement data is averaged by at least one of a voltage controller, a collector or the sensors. 
     
     
         186 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the sensing time intervals have a predetermined length of from about five minutes to about fifteen minutes. 
     
     
         187 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the predetermined period of time is about one hour. 
     
     
         188 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the measurement data of an individual sensor is averaged together. 
     
     
         189 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the measurement data of more than one sensor is averaged together. 
     
     
         190 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the selection includes the initial selection. 
     
     
         191 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the selection includes selections subsequent to an initial selection, the subsequent selections made at a predetermined selection time interval. 
     
     
         192 . The method of  claim 191 , wherein the predetermined selection time interval is about twenty-four hours. 
     
     
         193 . The method of  claim 191 , wherein the predetermined criteria includes the lowest sensed voltage averaged over the predetermined period of time and the lowest average voltage over the selection time interval. 
     
     
         194 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the subset of sensors includes the sensors of the plurality of sensors that have the lowest sensed voltage. 
     
     
         195 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the subset is selected in response to operator control. 
     
     
         196 . The method of  claim 184 , further comprising adjusting a component of the electric power supplied at the supply point based on the energy delivery parameter. 
     
     
         197 . The method of  claim 196 , wherein the energy delivery parameter is generated such that the voltage remains within a target voltage band, the target voltage band being a lower band of a nominal operating range. 
     
     
         198 . The method of  claim 197 , wherein the target voltage band is a lower band of a nominal operating range. 
     
     
         199 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein the predetermined criteria includes historical sensor data.