A method for designing a distributed communication topology of a micro-grid based on network mirroring and global propagation rates includes the following steps: first, determining the communication connectivity of distributed directed networks in the micro-grid; next, obtaining, for connected directed communication networks, mirror networks thereof based on a mirroring operation, and selecting an optimal distributed directed communication topology corresponding to a maximum performance indicator based on algebraic connectivity and communication costs; solving, for the optimized distributed communication topology, pinned distributed generation sets corresponding to different pinning numbers based on global propagation rates and out-degrees; and finally, establishing a distributed secondary voltage control of the micro-grid based on the optimal distributed communication network and pinned nodes of the micro-grid, to achieve accurate reactive power sharing and average voltage restoration.

A processor receives an indication of a fault from a first isolation device. The processor sends a first open command to a downstream isolation device downstream of the fault, identifies a tie-in isolation device, and identifies a line section without current monitoring positioned between the tie-in isolation device and the downstream isolation device. The line section has a plurality of line segments, each having a load rating. The processor receives incoming and exiting current measurements for the line section and estimates a first current load for each of the line segments in the line section based on the incoming and exiting current measurements and the load ratings. The processor selects an intermediate isolation device between the tie-in isolation device and the downstream isolation device based on the first current loads, sends a second open command to the intermediate isolation device, and sends a close command to the tie-in isolation device.

A method, system and computer-readable medium where an integrator application identifies an excess energy condition based on a supply load of electricity exceeding a consumptive load. The integrator application directs an air scrubber to utilize the excess electricity to remove carbon dioxide from the ambient air and routes the carbon dioxide to an enhanced coal bed methane well where methane is displaced by the carbon dioxide. In response to identifying an energy deficient condition based on the consumptive load exceeding the supply load, the integrator application routes the methane to a gas power plant and directs the gas power plant to convent the methane to electricity.

An energy saving support system according to an embodiment is configured to provide a consumer, who has an electric load to which electric energy is supplied from an electric power supply system within a house, with energy consumption-related information through a photo frame or the like. The information providing apparatus is configured to acquire an acceptability level, which stepwise indicates a degree of interest of the consumer in the energy consumption-related information, and to determine the energy consumption-related information to be newly provided to the consumer based on the acceptability level.

Systems and methods for financial settlement of transactions within an electric power grid network are disclosed. A multiplicity of active grid elements are constructed and configured for electric connection and network-based communication over a blockchain-based platform. The multiplicity of active grid elements are operable to make peer-to-peer transactions based on their participation within the electric power grid by generating and executing a digital contract. The multiplicity of active grid elements generate messages autonomously and/or automatically within a predetermined time interval. The messages comprise energy related data and settlement related data. The energy related data of the multiplicity of active grid elements are based on measurement and verification. The energy related data and the settlement related data are validated and recorded on a distributed ledger with a time stamp and a geodetic reference.

Systems and methods for financial settlement of transactions within an electric power grid network are disclosed. A multiplicity of active grid elements are constructed and configured for electric connection and network-based communication over a blockchain-based platform. The multiplicity of active grid elements are operable to make peer-to-peer transactions based on their participation within the electric power grid by generating and executing a digital contract. The multiplicity of active grid elements generate messages autonomously and/or automatically within a predetermined time interval. The messages comprise energy related data and settlement related data. The energy related data of the multiplicity of active grid elements are based on measurement and verification. The energy related data and the settlement related data are validated and recorded on a distributed ledger with a time stamp and a geodetic reference.

A power distribution network monitoring system includes a plurality of measuring instruments that are installed at predetermined positions on power lines constituting a power distribution network and configured to perform electrical measurement of the power lines; a data collection relay configured to receive data related to measurement results from the plurality of measuring instruments; an imaging unit that is disposed near the data collection relay and configured to capture an image including the data collection relay; an abnormality detector configured to use the image captured by the imaging unit to detect an abnormality in the data collection relay; and a storage unit configured to store image data taken by the imaging unit. The image data consists of a single image previously captured by the imaging unit. The abnormality detector compares the latest image captured by the imaging unit and the image data stored by the storage unit and determines whether or not an appearance of the data collection relay changes. If it is determined that there is no change in the appearance of the data collection relay, the image data in the storage unit is updated with the latest image captured by the imaging unit.

A power distribution network monitoring system includes a plurality of measuring instruments that are installed at predetermined positions on power lines constituting a power distribution network and configured to perform electrical measurement of the power lines; a data collection relay configured to receive data related to measurement results from the plurality of measuring instruments; an imaging unit that is disposed near the data collection relay and configured to capture an image including the data collection relay; an abnormality detector configured to use the image captured by the imaging unit to detect an abnormality in the data collection relay; and a storage unit configured to store image data taken by the imaging unit. The image data consists of a single image previously captured by the imaging unit. The abnormality detector compares the latest image captured by the imaging unit and the image data stored by the storage unit and determines whether or not an appearance of the data collection relay changes. If it is determined that there is no change in the appearance of the data collection relay, the image data in the storage unit is updated with the latest image captured by the imaging unit.

An equipment management method comprises a step A of predicting, at an equipment management apparatus, occurrence of a first abnormality which is an abnormality occurred in a fuel cell system and not predicted by the fuel cell system; and a step B of transmitting, at the equipment management apparatus, a message associated with a prediction for the occurrence of the first abnormality when the occurrence of the first abnormality is predicted.

This energy management device is provided at a customer and is capable of controlling an electric appliance of the customer by communicating with a server. The server is configured to send a request for demand response. The energy management device includes: a receiver configured to receive the request for the demand response from the server; a transmitter configured to transmit a response indicating participation or nonparticipation with respect to the request; an electric appliance control unit configured to control the electric appliance; and an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information of the electric appliance. When determination that the request for the demand response is not achievable has been made after the response indicating participation has been transmitted, a response indicating nonparticipation is transmitted.