System, Method, and Apparatus for Settlement for Participation in an Electric Power Grid

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power, wherein Internet Protocol (IP)-based messages including IP packets are generated by transforming raw data content into settlement grade content. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. Messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for market-based settlement of transactions within an electric power grid network comprising:
 a settlement processor for market-based financial settlements comprising a server and/or a processor operatively coupled with a memory, and a database constructed and configured for electrical connection and internet protocol (IP)-based communication via a network with at least one coordinator;   wherein each of the coordinator(s) is constructed and configured for electrical connection and network-based communication with at least one active grid element;   wherein each active grid element is registered to participate within the electric power grid;   wherein the settlement processor provides a settlement message for a market-based financial settlement using revenue grade metrology for each active grid element that includes a kilowatt packet (KWP) unit; and   wherein each KWP unit comprises measured data transformed into market settlement data for financial settlement for an electric power load and an electric power supply corresponding to each of the active grid element(s) participation in the electric power grid for the corresponding electric power load and/or the electric power supply, and each KWP unit provides a quantifying market rate for monetization for any unit of kilowatts with respect to time.   
     
     
         2 . A system for market-based financial settlement of transactions within an electric power grid network comprising:
 a settlement processor for market-based financial settlements, comprising a server and/or a processor operatively coupled with a memory, and a database constructed and configured for electrical connection and internet protocol (IP)-based communication via a network with at least one coordinator;   wherein each of the coordinator(s) is constructed and configured for electrical connection and IP-based network communication with at least one active grid element that is registered to participate within the electric power grid;   wherein the settlement processor for market-based financial settlements generates information for a market-based financial settlement for each of the grid element(s) that uses revenue grade metrology for each active grid element that includes at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit;   wherein a settlement message is transmitted via IP-based messaging, and wherein the settlement message further includes an IP packet having information relating to the at least one KWP unit for the market-based financial settlement corresponding to the participation of the grid element(s) within the electric power grid; and   wherein each KWP unit comprises measured data transformed into settlement grade data for market financial settlement for load and supply corresponding to each of the active grid element(s) participation in the electric power grid for load or supply, and each KWP unit provides a quantifying market rate for monetization for any unit of kilowatts with respect to time.   
     
     
         3 . A system for market-based financial settlement of transactions within an electric power grid network comprising:
 a settlement processor for market-based financial transactions, and a legacy settlement processor, each comprising a server and/or a processor operatively coupled with a memory, and a database constructed and configured for electrical connection and internet protocol (IP)-based communication via a network with at least one coordinator;   wherein each of the coordinator(s) is constructed and configured for electrical connection and IP-based network communication with at least one active grid element that is registered to participate within the electric power grid;   wherein the settlement processor generates information for a market-based financial settlement for each of the grid element(s) that uses revenue grade metrology for each active grid element that includes at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit; and   wherein a settlement message is transmitted via IP-based messaging, and wherein the settlement message further includes an IP packet having information relating to the at least one KWP unit for the market-based financial settlement corresponding to the participation of the grid element(s) within the electric power grid.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the settlement processor operates to provide an automatic and/or autonomous financial settlement for each of the active grid elements based upon their participation within the electric power grid for providing the electric power supply, for consuming the electric power load, and/or for providing a curtailment of the electric power load that is functionally equivalent to the electric power supply. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 :
 wherein the settlement processor provides a financial settlement based upon the KWP unit, a power supply value (PSV) unit, and/or a power trading block (PTB) unit;   wherein the PSV unit is a systematic unit for addressing power curtailment or power supply for providing grid stability, reliability, and frequency; and   wherein PTB unit is a standard unit that provides for blocks of energy to be introduced, aggregated, and settled for a market-based financial settlement.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the participation of the grid element is communicated to the coordinator via an IP-based message over the network. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the participation of the grid element is communicated to the coordinator via the network in real-time or in a predetermined timeframe. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a multiplicity of grid elements that aggregate and/or integrate through a master grid element and/or a virtual grid element that represents the participation of the multiplicity of grid elements as operationally equivalent to a single grid element with an aggregated KWP unit representing the participation of the multiplicity of grid elements. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the multiplicity of grid elements, upon aggregation or integrations, transform into sub-grid elements. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a unique market-based financial settlement is provided for each sub-grid element that further includes coordination with at least one virtual ID and/or smart meter. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each grid element further includes an assigned identifier including an IP address that is unique to that grid element for the market-based financial settlement. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one grid element is an electrical device that consumes power from the electric power grid, provides power to the electric power grid, and/or measures power consumed or supplied to the electric power grid. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one grid elements is a control device that operates, programs, and/or updates another grid element. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one grid element is selected from the group consisting of: a sensor, a power-consuming device, an appliance, a meter, a switch, a controller, a control device, a power control subsystem integrated with grid element for supply, a thermostat, a building control system, a security device, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one grid elements has a unique grid element identifier. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the unique grid element identifier comprises IP address, equipment identifier, mac address, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the unique grid element identifier further includes location-based factors, time-based factors, grid-function-based factors, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the financial settlement of the participation of the at least one grid element is stored in a database. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each grid element is registered with the system and wherein the registration of grid elements is stored in the databases for predetermined periods of time for use with the market-based financial settlement associated with the grid elements. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein information relating to financial settlement of the participation of the at least one grid element is stored in a database, and any raw measurement data is transformed into settled measurements for storage in a database. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein information relating to grid elements participation is transformed from raw data into market settlement data, and wherein the market settlement data is stored in a database. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the settlement message is communicated through the at least one coordinator, the settlement message further including an IP-based interface that facilitates communication of the settlement message with the grid elements. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the IP-based interface is selected from the group consisting essentially of WiMax, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Evolution for Data Only (EVDO), Long Term Evolution (LTE), any first or second generation wireless transport method such as Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or Code Division Multiple Access, Ethernet, any proprietary Layer 1-4 protocol that contains or is capable of transporting an Internet Protocol message, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a security interface associated with each of the grid elements operable to receive security system messages from at least one remotely-located security system. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the settlement message includes at least one of: a geodetic reference, a grid element identifier, a grid element type, a grid element function, a grid element capacity, a grid element profile, a grid element attachment point reference, a kilowatt packet (KWP) value, a grid element power supply value (PSV), a grid element power trade block (PTB) value, a grid element balancing authority association, a grid element owner identifier, a grid element compatibility identifier, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the financial settlement includes factors for grid stability-based market pricing, operating reserves-based market pricing, and/or peak and off-peak timing market pricing. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the grid element(s) transmits the settlement message. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coordinator aggregates the settlement messages. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coordinator aggregates KWP units. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the settlement processor provides the settlement message based upon the kilowatt packet (KWP) unit, a power supply value (PSV) unit, a power trading block (PTB) unit, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a multiplicity of grid elements that aggregate and/or integrate through a master grid element and/or a virtual grid element that represents the participation of one or the multiplicity of grid elements as operationally equivalent to a single grid element. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein each of the multiplicity of grid elements, upon aggregation or integrations, transform into sub-grid elements, and wherein a unique financial settlement is provided for each sub-grid element that further includes coordination with at least one telemetry and control grid element. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grid elements is under the control of an energy management system (EMS), a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: a customer identifier, a billing identifier, a grid element unique identifier, and combinations thereof, that are assigned to each grid element and used for financial settlements, and wherein the grid element unique identifier further includes an IP address, an equipment identifier, a mac address, location-based factors, time-based factors, grid-function-based factors, at least one grid reliability factor, at least one grid stability factor, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the settlement message is provided to at least one entity that participates in the financial settlement of the grid element(s) participation in the electric power grid. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a security interface associated with each of the grid elements. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the financial settlement includes factors for grid stability-based pricing, operating reserves-based pricing, peak and off-peak timing pricing, and estimations, network models, and/or real-time measurement of actual participation by each of the grid elements, and the losses associated with transmission, distribution, and resource nodes, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the IP packet further includes at least one of revenue grade metrology related to the participation of the grid element(s), a security interface, a delivery priority, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the settlement message is encrypted. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the IP-based settlement message is transmitted over one or more public or private carrier grade networks, including information required for generating a market-based financial settlement for participation by at least one grid element in an electric power grid. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40 , further including network-based communication of the settlement message to at least one financial institution. 
     
     
         42 . A computer readable medium having instructions executable by a processor comprising a settlement message including an internet protocol (IP) packet having information required for generating a market-based financial settlement for participation for providing power supplied to an electric power grid and/or for load consumed by at least one grid element in an electric power grid, wherein the IP packet further includes at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit, wherein the at least one KWP unit comprises measured data transformed into settlement grade data for market financial settlement for load and/or supply corresponding to each of the active grid element(s) participation in the electric power grid for load or supply, and the at least one KWP unit provides a quantifying market rate for monetization for any unit of kilowatts with respect to time. 
     
     
         43 . A computer readable medium having instructions executable by a processor comprising an internet protocol (IP) packet that is generated automatically by transforming a raw data content into a settlement grade content, and further including a settlement message used with the settlement grade content for determining a market-based financial settlement corresponding to participation for providing power supplied to an electric power grid and/or for load consumed in an electric power grid by at least one grid element. 
     
     
         44 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the IP packet further includes at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit, wherein each KWP unit comprises measured data transformed into settlement grade data for market financial settlement for load and supply corresponding to each of the active grid element(s) participation in the electric power grid for load or supply, and each KWP unit provides a quantifying market rate for monetization for any unit of kilowatts with respect to time. 
     
     
         45 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the IP packet further includes revenue grade metrology related to the participation of the grid element(s). 
     
     
         46 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , further including at least one of a security interface, a delivery priority, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         47 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the settlement message is encrypted. 
     
     
         48 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the settlement message includes a power supply value (PSV) associated with the grid element(s). 
     
     
         49 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the settlement message is transmitted over one or more public or private carrier grade networks, and includes information required for generating a financial settlement for participation by at least one grid element in an electric power grid. 
     
     
         50 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the IP packet is constructed and configured for transmission over an IP-based network used for energy market-based financial settlements communications. 
     
     
         51 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the IP packet is routable through the network by a coordinator. 
     
     
         52 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the IP packet is automatically generated by the at least one grid element. 
     
     
         53 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the IP packet is automatically generated by a settlement processor, an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) head end, or a subsystem that is used to generate information related to energy market-based financial settlements. 
     
     
         54 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the settlement message is generated by a settlement processor, at least one grid element, or a market participant. 
     
     
         55 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the settlement message initiates the transformation of the raw data content into the settlement grade content. 
     
     
         56 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the IP packet further includes a Power Supply Value (PSV) corresponding to the participation in the electric power grid by the at least one grid element. 
     
     
         57 . The computer readable medium of  claim 42 , wherein the settlement message further includes billing determinants, revenue grade metrology, transmission losses, distribution losses, transmission reservations, and/or energy flows across boundaries. 
     
     
         58 . A system for energy data management for market-based financial settlements comprising:
 a computer readable medium having instructions executable by a settlement processor for market-based financial settlements, comprising a server and/or a processor operatively coupled with a memory, and a database constructed and configured for electrical connection and IP-based communication via a network;   a settlement message transmittable over the network via IP-based messaging, the settlement message further including an internet protocol (IP) packet for the market-based financial settlement corresponding to the participation of at least one grid element operable within an electric power grid.   
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58 , further including at least one coordinator, wherein each of the coordinator(s) is constructed and configured for electrical connection and IP-based network communication with the at least one grid element. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the at least one grid element is registered with the settlement processor to participate within the electric power grid. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the settlement processor generates information for a financial settlement for each of the grid element(s). 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the market-based financial settlement information corresponds to at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit of participation by the at least one grid element, wherein each KWP unit comprises measured data transformed into settlement grade data for market financial settlement for load and supply corresponding to each of the active grid element(s) participation in the electric power grid for load or supply, and each KWP unit provides a quantifying market rate for monetization for any unit of kilowatts with respect to time. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the IP packet includes at least one of revenue grade data and non-revenue grade data. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the IP packet is generated automatically by transforming a raw data content into a settlement grade content, and further including a settlement message used with the settlement grade content for determining financial settlement corresponding to participation in an electric power grid by at least one grid element. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the IP packet is encapsulated, constructed and configured for transmission over an IP-based network used for energy financial settlements communications. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the IP packet is routable through the network by a coordinator. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the IP packet is automatically generated by the at least one grid element. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the IP packet further includes a Power Supply Value (PSV) corresponding to participation in an electric power grid by at least one grid element. 
     
     
         69 . A computer readable medium having instructions executable by a processor comprising a message for market-based financial settlement of transactions within an electric power grid network comprising an IP-based settlement message that is transmitted over one or more public or private carrier grade networks, including information required for generating a market-based financial settlement for participation by at least one grid element in an electric power grid. 
     
     
         70 . A system for settlement of transactions within an electric power grid network comprising:
 a settlement processor for energy market-based financial settlements associated with the participation of at least one grid elements operable in an electric power grid, comprising a server and/or a processor operatively coupled with a memory, database, constructed and configured for electrical connection and network-based communication via a network with at least one coordinator;   wherein each of the coordinator(s) is constructed and configured for electrical connection and network-based communication with at least one active grid element that is registered to participate within the electric power grid;   wherein the settlement processor operates to provide an automatic and/or autonomous messaging for a market-based financial settlement for each of the active grid elements that uses revenue grade metrology for each active grid element that includes at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit;   wherein each KWP unit comprises measured data transformed into settlement grade data for market financial settlement for load and supply corresponding to each of the active grid element(s) participation in the electric power grid for load or supply, and each KWP unit provides a quantifying market rate for monetization for any unit of kilowatts with respect to time.   
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 70 , further including a translator constructed and configured in network-based communication with the coordinator and with at least one legacy system for financial settlement processing. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the financial settlement includes factors for at least one of the kilowatt packet (KWP) unit, a power supply value (PSV) unit, a power trading block (PTB) unit, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein the financial settlement is optimized for each KWP, PSV, PTB, and combinations thereof for each grid element that participates in the electric power grid. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the financial settlement is processed by the settlement processor in a predetermined timeframe associated with reporting frequency associated with the participation of grid element(s) within the electric power grid. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the at least one coordinator is remotely positioned from the settlement processor. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the participation of the grid element is automatically communicated to the coordinator via the network in real-time or in a predetermined timeframe, and wherein the network-based communication is a standards-based Internet Protocol (IP) communication or a proprietary IP communication that is routable through a router and/or through a coordinator. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 70 , further including a multiplicity of grid elements that aggregate and/or integrate through a master grid element and/or a virtual grid element that represents the participation of the multiplicity of grid elements as one grid element. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein each of the multiplicity of grid elements, upon aggregation or integrations, transform into sub-grid elements. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 78 , wherein the sub-grid elements have corresponding financial settlements that are unique and correspond to each of the sub-grid elements, and unique to the location and function of each sub-grid element for its participation in the electric grid, and includes coordination with at least one virtual ID and/or smart meter. 
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the at least one grid element is a device that consumes, stores, or supplies any electrical power that is monetized and recognized by a governing entity associated with the electric power grid. 
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the at least one grid element is selected from the group consisting of: a sensor, a power-consuming device, an appliance, a meter, a switch, a controller, a control device, a power control subsystem integrated with grid element for supply, a thermostat, a building control system, a security device, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein each of the at least one grid elements has a unique grid element identifier used in connection with its corresponding financial settlement for participation in the electric power grid. 
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the unique grid element identifier further includes market location-based factors, market time-based factors, market grid-function-based factors, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the financial settlement of the participation of the at least one grid element is stored in a database, and wherein the database is registered with an international organization for standardization (ISO), balancing authority (BA), control area, utility service area, any geodetic junction where settlements are performed as determined by the governing entity, and/or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). 
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 70 , further including at least one coordinator for routing messages from the multiplicity of grid elements through the network connecting the databases, and wherein servers operating the databases exchange information associated with the grid elements for affecting grid stabilization. 
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein each grid element is registered with the system and wherein the registration of grid elements is stored in the databases for predetermined periods of time for use with the financial settlement associated with the grid elements. 
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein registration information associated with each of the grid elements is used to determine attachment points to the electric power grid for distribution and transmission of power, and wherein the attachment point information associated with the grid elements is communicated to the settlement processor. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein settlement information associated with grid elements is communicated over the network to at least one of a market participant, a utility, a grid operator, international organization for standardization (ISO), emergency management system (EMS), a financial institution, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the settlement message has a delivery priority including at least one of a plurality of methods to include priority access flags, virtual private networks, independent identifying addresses such as media access control (MAC), IP or Electronic Serial Numbers), manufacturers specific identifying codes, or combinations thereof, wherein the methods comply with standards as determined by the governing entity that regulates grid operations for utilities, market participants or grid operators. 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the settlement message further includes at least one of: a geodetic reference, an element identifier, a grid element type, a grid element function, a grid element capacity, a grid element profile, a grid element attachment point reference, a kilowatt packet (KWP) value, a grid element power supply value (PSV), a grid element power trade block (PTB) value, a grid element balancing authority association, a grid element owner identifier, a grid element compatibility identifier, factors for grid stability market-based pricing, operating reserves market-based pricing, peak and off-peak market-based pricing, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the financial settlements are managed by a clearinghouse between market participants and utilities. 
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein each of the grid elements have a home location identifier and a non-home location identifier, and wherein the financial settlement includes factors and attributes for grid element participation associated with the home location identifier and with the non-home location identifier. 
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 70 , further including a resource settlement point providing for grid element mobility for financial settlement at more than one location within the electric power grid.