Battelle Memorial Institute

David P Chassin

Robert G Pratt

Jason C Fuller

Matthew K Donnelly

Andrew R Fisher

Jeffery E Dagle

Nirupama Prakash Kumar

Jeffrey E Dagle

Donald J Hammerstrom

Francis K Tuffner

Michael Cw Kintner-Meyer

Abhishek Somani

David W Winiarski

Anne Marie Boberly-Bartis

Karanjit Kalsi

Larry Dean Reid

Matthew Hauer

Maria C Tugurlan

Karan Kalsi

Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). Among the disclosed embodiments is a distributed hierarchical control architecture (DHCA) that enables smart grid assets to effectively contribute to grid operations in a controllable manner, while helping to ensure system stability and equitably rewarding their contribution. Embodiments of the disclosed architecture can help unify the dispatch of these resources to provide both market-based and balancing services.

Distributed hierarchical control architecture for integrating smart grid assets during normal and disrupted operations

Aggregate load controllers and associated methods are described. According to one aspect, a method of operating an aggregate load controller includes using an aggregate load controller having an initial state, applying a stimulus to a plurality of thermostatic controllers which are configured to control a plurality of respective thermostatic loads which receive electrical energy from an electrical utility to operate in a plurality of different operational modes, accessing data regarding a response of the thermostatic loads as a result of the applied stimulus, using the data regarding the response, determining a value of at least one design parameter of the aggregate load controller, and using the determined value of the at least one design parameter, configuring the aggregate load controller to control amounts of the electrical energy which are utilized by the thermostatic loads.

Aggregate Load Controllers and Associated Methods

Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. One of the disclosed embodiments is a method for operating a transactive thermostatic controller configured to submit bids to a market-based resource allocation system. According to the exemplary method, a first bid curve is determined, the first bid curve indicating a first set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures and being associated with a cooling mode of operation for a heating and cooling system. A second bid curve is also determined, the second bid curve indicating a second set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures and being associated with a heating mode of operation for a heating and cooling system. In this embodiment, the first bid curve, the second bid curve, or both the first bid curve and the second bid curve are modified to prevent overlap of any portion of the first bid curve and the second bid curve.

Preventing conflicts among bid curves used with transactive controllers in a market-based resource allocation system

Thermal energy storage devices, systems, and thermal energy storage device monitoring methods are described. According to one aspect, a thermal energy storage device includes a reservoir configured to hold a thermal energy storage medium, a temperature control system configured to adjust a temperature of the thermal energy storage medium, and a state observation system configured to provide information regarding an energy state of the thermal energy storage device at a plurality of different moments in time.

Thermal energy storage devices, systems, and thermal energy storage device monitoring methods

Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a system is disclosed comprising a first feeder network configured to deliver electrical power to a first plurality of customers. The first feeder network is controlled by a first market-based pricing system that computes a first feeder network price of electrical power at first periodic intervals. The system of this embodiment further comprises a second feeder network configured to deliver electrical power to a second plurality of customers. The second feeder network is controlled by a second market-based pricing system that computes a second feeder network price of electrical power at second periodic intervals. In this exemplary embodiment, the first feeder network and the second feeder network are part of a same distribution network, and the first feeder network price of electrical power is different than the second feeder network price of electrical power.

Nested, hierarchical resource allocation schema for management and control of an electric power grid

Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. One of the disclosed embodiments is a method for generating a bid value for purchasing electricity in a market-based resource allocation system. In this embodiment, a desired performance value indicative of a user's desired performance level for an electrical device is received. Price information from an electricity futures market is received. A bid value for purchasing electricity from a local resource allocation market sufficient to operate the electrical device at the desired performance level is computed. In this embodiment, the computing is performed based at least in part on the desired performance value and based at least in part on the price information from the electricity futures market.

Forward-looking transactive pricing schemes for use in a market-based resource allocation system

Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of requests for electricity are received from a plurality of end-use consumers. The requests indicate a requested quantity of electricity and a consumer-requested index value indicative of a maximum price a respective end-use consumer will pay for the requested quantity of electricity. A plurality of offers for supplying electricity are received from a plurality of resource suppliers. The offers indicate an offered quantity of electricity and a supplier-requested index value indicative of a minimum price for which a respective supplier will produce the offered quantity of electricity. A dispatched index value is computed at which electricity is to be supplied based at least in part on the consumer-requested index values and the supplier-requested index values.

Using bi-directional communications in a market-based resource allocation system

Electric power grid control using a market-based resource allocation system

Using one-way communications in a market-based resource allocation system

Growing community of inventors

Pasco, WA, United States of America

David P Chassin