A method and apparatus for visualizing energy flows. In one embodiment, the method comprises (I) obtaining a plurality of measured energy flow values for a plurality of energy flows between a plurality of energy sources and a plurality of energy sinks, wherein at least one of measured energy flow value is a measurement of energy flow from an energy source to two or more energy sinks; (II) computing a plurality of energy flow values based on the measured energy flow values and a set of energy priority allocation rules, wherein each computed energy flow value of the plurality of energy flow values represents energy flow between an energy source of the plurality of energy sources and an energy sink of the plurality of energy sinks; and (III) generating a display image representing at least one computed energy flow value of the plurality of energy flow values.

An energy management system having a fuel cell apparatus (150) as a power generator that generates power using fuel, and an EMS (200) that communicates with the fuel cell apparatus (150). The EMS (200) receives messages that indicate a type of the fuel cell apparatus (150), from the fuel cell apparatus (150).

A method determines the topology of a DERs system having a plurality of assets, where at least one of the assets is a controllable asset. The method injects a power signal at a given frequency from a controllable asset into the DERs system. The voltage at each of the plurality of assets is measured, and the magnitude of perturbation of the voltage at the given frequency is determined for each of the plurality of assets. The method then constructs the topology of the DERs system as a function of the differences of the magnitude of perturbations of each of the plurality of assets.

A system and method for controlling power flow in a hybrid power system includes a controller in communication with the hybrid power system. The controller is also in communication with at least one knowledge system to receive information related to power generation or power consumption within the hybrid power system. The controller generates a control command for each of the power converters in the hybrid power system and maintains a log of power flow to and from each device in the hybrid power system. The controller is also in communication with a provider of the utility grid and may generate the control commands for each of the power converters in response to commands provided from the provider of the utility grid.

A device, system, and method for communicating with a power inverter of an array of inverters includes transmitting a relay message from an inverter array controller to a relay inverter in response to failing to receive a response from at least one power inverter of the array. The relay inverter is configured to retransmit a message from the inverter array controller to a non-responsive power inverter of the array of inverters in response to receiving the relay message. The relay inverter may subsequently retransmit a reply received from the non-responsive power inverter to the inverter array controller or to another power inverter of the array of inverters.

Systems, methods, and messages of the present invention provides IP-based messages associated with the grid elements, wherein each IP-based message includes an internet protocol (IP) packet that is generated autonomously and/or automatically by the grid elements, intelligent messaging hardware associated with the grid elements, at least one coordinator, and/or a server associated with the electric power grid and its operation, energy settlement, and/or financial settlement for electricity provided or consumed, transmitted, and/or curtailed or reduced. The IP packet preferably includes a content including raw data and/or transformed data, a priority associated with the IP-based message, a security associated with the IP packet, and/or a transport route for communicating the IP-based message via the network.

A power distribution management apparatus (10) includes acquiring the amount of demand obtained by forecasting the amount of power to be used by load equipment of a customer, and the amount of power generation obtained by forecasting the amount of power to be generated by power generation equipment of the customer, and setting a plurality of voltage values as a plurality of candidates for a transmission voltage from a substation of a power distribution system, and calculating a voltage at a connection point of the load equipment of the customer and equipment of the power distribution system at each of the plurality of candidates by utilizing a difference between the demand amount and the power generation amount of each customer, and determining the transmission voltage of the substation from the plurality of candidates based on a result of the calculating.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for balancing electrical generation and electrical demand in an electrical power system. In various embodiments, a controller may receive priority designations associated with a plurality of loads and inertia of a plurality of electrical generators. A trigger event analysis subsystem may detect a trigger event based on electrical conditions at a plurality of nodes within the electrical power system. A topology detection subsystem may identify a first subset of the plurality of nodes at which electrical conditions reflect the first trigger event and may associate those nodes in an electrical island. An electrical balancing system and control system may be configured to determine and eliminate an imbalance between electrical generation and electrical demand based on the combined inertia of the subset of the plurality of electrical generators and the plurality of priority designations associated with the subset of the plurality of loads.

A micro grid stabilization device coupled to a DC bus and an AC grid in parallel is provided. A DC power generation apparatus provides power to the DC bus. An AC power generation apparatus provides power to the AC grid. A converter is coupled between the DC bus and the AC grid to transform the voltage of the DC bus and provide the transformed voltage to the AC grid. When the voltage of the DC bus or the AC grid is unstable, the micro grid stabilization device provides power to at least one of the DC bus and the AC grid to stabilize the power of the DC bus and the AC grid.

Methods, devices, and systems for controlling energy generation interactions that bypass the grid may be provided. Flow control devices may be directly connected with one another independent of electrical connections to the utility grid. In some examples, the direct connections between the devices may enable sharing of power, controlling power flow over the direct connections, and/or recording relative power flows between the devices.