System, method, and apparatus for electric power grid and network management of grid elements

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of active grid elements. Grid elements are transformed into active grid elements 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. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity. Also preferably, messaging 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 network registration and management of grid elements in an electric power grid, comprising:
 at least one grid element in network-based communication with a server associated with a load management system;   wherein the at least one grid element communicates an initial message to the server;   wherein the at least one grid element is transformed into at least one active grid element based on the initial message;   wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to actively control at least one electric vehicle within the electric power grid based on the initial message; and   wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to transmit a confirmation message to the server, confirming participation of the at least one electric vehicle with the electric power grid.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the initial message includes a profile for the control and operation of the at least electric vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the participation of the at least one electric vehicle with the electric power grid includes consuming an amount of power from the electric power grid and/or supply an amount of power to the electric power grid. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the confirmation message includes a measurement and verification of an amount of power consumed by the at least one electric vehicle and/or an amount of power supplied by the at least one electric vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to register the at least one electric vehicle with the load management system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one coordinator routing the messages between the at least one grid element and the server. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network-based communication is Internet Protocol (IP) based messaging. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the initial message is registered in a database associated with the load management system, and wherein the load management system is operated by a utility or a market participant. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein registration of the at least one grid element with the electric power grid is stored in a database for a predetermined period of time for use in settlement associated with the at least one active grid element. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the initial message is sent to the server based on a command message sent to the at least one grid element by a grid operator or a market participant. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the initial message is automatically sent to the server by the at least one grid element based on at least one preset setting of the server and/or the at least one grid element. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to receive messages with the server via network-based communication. 
     
     
         13 . A system for network registration and management of grid elements in an electric power grid, comprising:
 at least one grid element in network-based communication with a server associated with the load management system;   wherein the at least one grid element communicates an initial message including a priority of delivery to the server;   wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to actively control at least one electric vehicle within the electric power grid based on the initial message;   wherein the at least one active grid element is operable to transmit a confirmation message to the server, confirming participation of the at least one electric vehicle with the electric power grid; and   wherein the confirmation message includes a measurement and verification of an amount of power consumed by the at least one electric vehicle and/or an amount of power supplied by the at least one electric vehicle.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the initial message is automatically sent to the server by the at least one grid element based on at least one preset setting of the server and/or the at least one grid element. 
     
     
         15 . A method for electric power grid network management, comprising:
 providing at least one grid element configured for network-based communication with a server;   the at least one grid element communicating an initial message to the server and becoming registered within the load management system based on the initial message;   the at least one grid element transforming into at least one active load management grid element based on the registration and actively controlling at least one electric vehicle within the electric power grid based on the initial message; and   the at least one active grid element transmitting a confirmation message to the server;   wherein the confirmation message confirms participation of the at least one electric vehicle with the electric power grid.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the participation of the at least one electric vehicle with the electric power grid includes consuming an amount of power from the electric power grid and/or supply an amount of power to the electric power grid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the confirmation message includes a measurement and verification of an amount of power consumed by the at least one electric vehicle and/or an amount of power supplied by the at least one electric vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the at least one grid element receiving messages with the server via network-based communication. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising at least one coordinator routing the messages between the at least one grid element and the server. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the initial message comprises at least one power event message based upon inputs initiated from a market participant, a utility, or an electric grid operator.