In one embodiment, a power line communication system network element is provided that provides communications to one or more user devices. The device may also receive data from one or more sensors, such as current sensors, a voltage sensor, a video camera, a temperature sensor, a barometer, a motion sensor, a level sensor, and/or a vibration sensor. The device may include a controller that receives commands that relate to the collection and transmission of the sensed data via a medium voltage power line.

Power line communications device and method

A power line communication device is provided that in one embodiment includes a parameter sensor device configured to measure a parameter of a power line, a modem configured to transmit parameter data over a power line, and a controller communicatively coupled to the current sensor device and modem. The parameter sensor device may include a current sensor device that includes a Rogowski coil. For measuring the current or other parameter of a higher voltage power line conductor, the parameter sensor device may be configured to provide data to the controller via a non-conductive communication link, such as via a wireless, fiber optic, or radio frequency transponder link. In addition, the parameter sensor device may include an isolated power source and receive power via a fiber optic conductor or inductively from the power line.

Power line communication and power distribution parameter measurement system and method

A smart grid for improving the management of a power utility grid is provided. The smart grid as presently disclosed includes using sensors in various portions of the power utility grid, using communications and computing technology, such as additional bus structures, to upgrade an electric power grid so that it can operate more efficiently and reliably and support additional services to consumers. The smart grid may include distributed intelligence in the power utility grid (separate from the control center intelligence) including devices that generate data in different sections of the grid, analyze the generated data, and automatically modify the operation of a section of the power grid.

Method and system for managing a power grid

A system, device, and method of providing information for a power distribution system is provided. In one embodiment, a method of using a device that receives power from the low voltage power of the power distribution system and experiences a power loss during a local power outage may perform the processes of monitoring a voltage of the low voltage power line, detecting a voltage reduction below a threshold voltage for a predetermined time period, storing information of the voltage reduction in a non-volatile memory prior to the power outage, and transmitting a notification to a remote computer system prior to the outage. The monitoring may comprise making a plurality of measurements of the voltage during a time interval and averaging the plurality of voltage measurements. In addition, the method may include transmitting an alert message upon power up after the outage to indicate a power restoration local to the device.

Method and apparatus for communicating power distribution event and location

An electric power management system includes a monitor for the total power usage of a facility that monitors a history of power consumption during a set time interval of a distribution system having at least one electric load. Predictions of available power are generated through out the time interval by comparing the history of power consumption to a set allocation. Available power predictions are transmitted to the at least one electric load. The at least one load control receives the power capability predictions and controls the energy usage of the at least one electric load such that the total energy usage of the facility does not exceed the set allocation.

System and methods for maintaining power usage within a set allocation

In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a power adjustment process. The process for power distribution regulation includes filtering data from electrical sensors to provide conditioned data representative of a portion of a power distribution grid and determining, by a controller and based in part on the conditioned data, when an increase or decrease in an output parameter from one regulator of a plurality of regulators in the power distribution grid will reduce system power consumption. The process also includes increasing or decreasing the associated output electrical parameter in response to the controller determining that such will reduce system power consumption.

Thomas L. Wilson

Papers

Electrical power distribution control systems and processes