A power system within a battery-powered node includes a primary cell, a secondary cell, and a battery controller. The battery controller includes a constant current source that draws power from the primary cell to charge the secondary cell. The battery-powered node draws power from the secondary cell across a wide range of current levels. When the voltage of the secondary cell drops beneath a minimum voltage level, the constant current source charges the secondary cell and a charging signal is sent to the battery-powered node. When the voltage of the second cell exceeds a maximum voltage level, the constant current source stops charging the secondary cell and the charging signal is terminated. The battery-powered node records the amount of time the charging signal is active and then determines a battery depletion level based on that amount of time. Battery replacement may then be efficiently scheduled based on the depletion level.

Techniques for controlling a distributed generation management system may be provided. Real-time power generation information may be collected from sensors of energy generation systems that make up a grid of controlled systems. An aggregate real-time power generation requirement may be determined for the grid based on the real-time power generation information. Using the aggregate requirements, a power profile may be calculated for the grid that indicates a level of power generation for the grid. In some examples, a control signal to control power generation may be generated and provided to the controlled systems.

The present disclosure relates to a technology for a sensor network, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and the Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure can be utilized in an intelligent service (such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected car, health care, digital education, retail business, security and safety-related services) based on the technology. A gateway device according to the present disclosure determines whether additional power consumption information on an electronic device is needed, makes a request for the additional power consumption information to a smart plug when the additional power consumption information is determined to be necessary, determines the maximum number of smart plugs capable of transmitting the additional power consumption information to the gateway device, and controls data transmission of at least a part of smart plugs transmitting the additional power consumption information to the gateway device.

A power distribution control system for controlling a plurality of power assets connected to a power grid is provided. The system includes a server which can identify a set of power assets selected from sources, loads, and stores that are to form a string and provide to the string instructions for response to a change in the power grid. The system further includes a router for each of the power assets in the string, for receiving instructions from the server and for controlling the respective power asset. The power assets in the string are selected by the server to have different response times and/or response profiles, such that the string of assets present a collective response to the change, the collective response being defined by the server.

In a particular illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an inter-island power transmission system is disclosed. An electronic box is placed on each end of a medium voltage three phase power cable running between two islands. The electronic box senses an open cable on the three phase cable and switches to direct current power transmission on the remaining two good cables. The direct current power is converted back to three phase power transmission on the receiving end of the direct current power.

Methods of microgrid communications and connection transitions are provided. The methods include methods of operating recloser and/or switch systems. The methods of operating recloser and/or switch systems include transmitting a communication from a recloser and/or switch system of a microgrid to an inverter of the microgrid to trigger a control state change of the inverter. Related methods of operating inverters are also provided.

Apparatuses including power electronics circuitry are provided. The power electronics circuitry includes at least one power converter that is coupled to a DC bus. Moreover, in some embodiments, the at least one power converter is configured to regulate a voltage of the DC bus. Related methods of operating an apparatus including power electronics circuitry are also provided.

A harmonic detection system (1) comprises a measurement component (71), a harmonic abnormality determination unit (561), and a smartphone (9). The measurement component (71) is installed at a specific position on a distribution line constituting a distribution network (100), and measures data related to the current of the distribution line. The harmonic abnormality determination unit (561) uses some or all of the data related to current as detection data to detect abnormality related to harmonics. The smartphone (9) is owned by a user (G), and notifies the user that an abnormality has occurred in the distribution line when a harmonic is detected.

A system of modules which control and measure energy usage at a building which are in communication with a software program executing on a remote server controlled by a third party. The third party said usage via the software program which communicates with the modules to modify energy usage and demand for energy and is responsible or liable for energy usage charges the building where the third party does not actually use the energy.

To provide a detection system to identify a damage or a damaged part. A detection system includes a power generator, a power storage unit that receives first power supply from the power generator via cables, and detectors that perform at least one of outputting information and transmitting the information when it becomes in a state in which a weak current does not flow by a predetermined amount during a period when the weak current is passed to the power generator via at least part of the cables under a situation where the first power supply is not provided.