Packeted energy delivery system and methods

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for packetized energy distribution are provided. A data and power delivery network, called a digital grid, is provided to facilitate delivery of power upon request. Energy bits (quanta) serve as a means to deliver energy as well as coding. Voltage pulses of varying time scales are used for coding and current levels help to accurately meet customer's demand. Energy is sent as packets (a combination of energy bits), and specific energy packets are addressed to specific customers permitting accurate monitoring and distribution of electrical energy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of processing a request for energy comprising assigning an address to a customer premises, storing the address at a first node of an electric power grid, receiving at the first node a request for energy, associating the request for energy with the address, transmitting the request to a second node, aggregating at the second node the request for energy with a first group of further requests for energy, forwarding the aggregated energy requests to a power provider, evaluating at least one energy source from which to route energy to the customer premises, obtaining a link state from energy sources that are able to fulfill the request, and securing a path for energy to reach the address. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the link state is selected from delay, availability, and/or pricing. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of obtaining the link state is combined with the step of sending a power request to a node that holds the customer address. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising selecting a source to fulfill the request for energy, sending a grant to the customer, and sending energy to the customer. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising determining whether an acknowledgment receipt is received from a customer, and determining whether energy delivery should continue or terminate. 
     
     
         6 . A method of offsetting power fluctuation in power delivery to a particular energy user comprising delivering energy to and storing energy in at least one energy storage device. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the energy storage device comprises a supercapacitor, battery, or both. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the energy storage device comprises distributed large energy storage. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the distributed large energy storage is cloud storage.