Dynamic Distributed Power Grid Control System

Abstract

A system for dynamically managing and controlling distributed energy resources in a transmission/distribution power grid is disclosed. A plurality of regions within a transmission/distribution power grid is autonomously managed using regional control modules. Each regional control module oversees the management and control of the transmission/distribution power grid and is further associated with a plurality of local control modules that interface with distributed energy resources within a region. Power production and power consumption are monitored and analyzed by the enterprise control module which, upon determining that power consumption within a region does not match power producing capability, dynamically reallocates distributed energy resources throughout the grid keeping the system balance. Power flow at key nodes within the network are monitored and analyzed by the local control modules, regional control modules, and enterprise control modules with compensating actions taken in the event that system parameter risks violating safety, stability, or operational thresholds.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid comprised of a plurality of components that includes a plurality of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), said method comprising:
 receiving a directive directing a particular mode of operation for an isolated subset of the transmission/distribution grid wherein the isolated subset includes one or more DERs isolated from the transmission/distribution power grid;   receiving from the one or more DERs in the isolated subset data regarding their current and/or projected operating status;   predicting over a predetermined timescale transmission/distribution power grid operational parameters based on data from the one or more DERs in the isolated subset;   managing operational parameters of the one or more DERs in the isolated subset to maintain system operations of the isolated subset according to the particular mode of operation; and   reconnecting the isolated subset back to the transmission/distribution power grid.   
     
     
         3 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , wherein a user, through a user interface, issues the directive. 
     
     
         4 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , wherein the transmission/distribution power grid includes one or more enterprise control modules and a plurality of regional control modules and wherein the directive is issued by one of the one or more enterprise control modules. 
     
     
         5 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 4 , wherein the directive was issued by one of the plurality of regional control modules 
     
     
         6 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , wherein the mode of operation is choose from a group consisting of minimum fuel consumption, maximum renewables, maximum reliability, maximum power quality, maximum power, and maximum run time. 
     
     
         7 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , further comprising monitoring operational status of the isolated subset at preset or self-altered rates. 
     
     
         8 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , further comprising predicting an active power excess or an active power shortfall based on data received from the one or more DERs in the isolated subset 
     
     
         9 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , further comprising predicting a reactive power excess or a reactive power shortfall based on data received from the one or more DERs in the isolated subset 
     
     
         10 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , determining alterations in operating parameters of the one or more DERs in the isolated subset. 
     
     
         11 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , wherein transmission/distribution power grid operational parameters include power generation, power storage, or power consumption 
     
     
         12 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , wherein managing operational parameters includes optimizing system operations of the isolated subset according to the particular mode of operation. 
     
     
         13 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , wherein managing operational parameters includes modifying DER operations at a preset, user selected or self-altering rate. 
     
     
         14 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , further comprising using predictive calculations to improve performance of the isolated subset according to the particular mode of operation. 
     
     
         15 . The method for managing a transmission/distribution power grid according to  claim 2 , further comprising using self-altering calculations to improve performance of the isolated subset according to the particular mode of operation.