A utility is distributed to a group of subscribers via a distribution network. At least one parameter reflecting an instantaneous overall consumption of the utility in the distribution network is measured repeatedly, and an amount of the utility delivered to each subscriber in the group is controlled in response thereto. It is checked whether the instantaneous overall consumption of the utility is within an acceptable interval. If it is below a lower threshold level, at least one load is controlled to increase its consumption of the utility according to a pre-defined scheme in proportion to a deviation of the instantaneous overall consumption of the utility from the lower threshold level. If it is above an upper threshold level, at least one load is controlled to decrease its consumption of the utility according to the pre-defined scheme in proportion to a deviation of the overall consumption of the utility from the upper threshold level.

A utility is distributed to a group of subscribers via a distribution network. At least one parameter reflecting an instantaneous overall consumption of the utility in the distribution network is measured repeatedly, and an amount of the utility delivered to each subscriber in the group is controlled in response thereto. It is checked whether the instantaneous overall consumption of the utility is within an acceptable interval. If it is below a lower threshold level, at least one load is controlled to increase its consumption of the utility according to a pre-defined scheme in proportion to a deviation of the instantaneous overall consumption of the utility from the lower threshold level. If it is above an upper threshold level, at least one load is controlled to decrease its consumption of the utility according to the pre-defined scheme in proportion to a deviation of the overall consumption of the utility from the upper threshold level.

A method for generating a net load forecast for a utility grid, the grid including intermittent distributed energy resources and loads, comprising: defining two or more load forecast zones, each zone being associated with a load profile type and a climate zone type; assigning each of the loads to one of the zones based on the load profile and climate zone types associated with the load; assigning each of the energy resources to at least one of the zones based on the climate zone type associated with the energy resource; for each zone, generating an electrical energy consumption forecast for loads, an electric power generation forecast for energy resources, and a net load forecast from the electrical energy consumption and electric power generation forecasts; combining the net load forecast for each zone to generate the net load forecast for the grid; and, presenting the net load forecast on a display.

A method for generating a net load forecast for a utility grid, the grid including intermittent distributed energy resources and loads, comprising: defining two or more load forecast zones, each zone being associated with a load profile type and a climate zone type; assigning each of the loads to one of the zones based on the load profile and climate zone types associated with the load; assigning each of the energy resources to at least one of the zones based on the climate zone type associated with the energy resource; for each zone, generating an electrical energy consumption forecast for loads, an electric power generation forecast for energy resources, and a net load forecast from the electrical energy consumption and electric power generation forecasts; combining the net load forecast for each zone to generate the net load forecast for the grid; and, presenting the net load forecast on a display.

A computer-implemented method for controlling voltage fluctuations of a microgrid including a plurality of distributed generators (DGs) is presented. The computer-implemented method includes collecting, by a resiliency controller including at least a voltage control module, measurement data from the microgrid, using, by a reactive power estimator, reactive power estimations to calculate an amount of reactive power for each of the DGs, and using a dynamic droop control unit to distribute the reactive power to each of the DGs of the microgrid.

An energy planning system that proposes an appropriate energy plan for a home includes: a sensor that senses a state of an energy facility in a home; a predictor that predicts a future lifestyle of a resident of the home; and a proposer that determines information about an energy plan for the home based on a result of the sensing by the sensor and the lifestyle predicted by the predictor, and outputs the information.

An energy planning system that proposes an appropriate energy plan for a home includes: a sensor that senses a state of an energy facility in a home; a predictor that predicts a future lifestyle of a resident of the home; and a proposer that determines information about an energy plan for the home based on a result of the sensing by the sensor and the lifestyle predicted by the predictor, and outputs the information.

A load balancing apparatus for balancing the current supplied on each phase of a multiple phase supply, Each supply phase feeds an AC load, as well as an AC-DC converter. The apparatus measures the current supplied from each phase of the supply as well as the power consumed by each of the AC loads. The power consumed by each of the AC-DC converters is adjusted so that the sum of the current drawn by any one of the AC loads, plus the current drawn by the AC-DC converter on the same supply phase, is substantially balanced between the supply phases. Typically the AC-DC converters supply a common DC battery. In some embodiments each AC load includes a DC-AC converter configured to supply power from the common DC battery to one or more of the AC loads.

A load balancing apparatus for balancing the current supplied on each phase of a multiple phase supply, Each supply phase feeds an AC load, as well as an AC-DC converter. The apparatus measures the current supplied from each phase of the supply as well as the power consumed by each of the AC loads. The power consumed by each of the AC-DC converters is adjusted so that the sum of the current drawn by any one of the AC loads, plus the current drawn by the AC-DC converter on the same supply phase, is substantially balanced between the supply phases. Typically the AC-DC converters supply a common DC battery. In some embodiments each AC load includes a DC-AC converter configured to supply power from the common DC battery to one or more of the AC loads.

At least one aspect of the invention is directed to a power monitoring system including a generator coupled to a fuel tank, a plurality of monitors, and a processor configured to monitor one or more loads drawing power from the generator; monitor one or more parameters that affect the amount of power drawn by the one or more loads; monitor a fuel consumption rate of the generator; generate one or more load profiles for each of the one or more loads; receive a set of the one or more loads for which a predicted time is to be generated; receive values for the one or more parameters; generate a predicted load profile for the set of the one or more loads and the values of the one or more parameters; receive information indicating an amount of remaining fuel; and calculate a predicted available run time.