A method and apparatus for managing one or more grid supplied and separately metered power services, backup power sources, transfer switches and related powered loads using load monitoring and control which allow selectively connecting, disconnecting, limiting and controlling various loads which are powered thereby. The method and apparatus include operating with a system with a dual revenue meters providing grid power, a backup power source and a dual transfer switch wherein the power capabilities of each are economically sized while allowing reliability and convenience in selecting and powering loads. The connections to power sources and control of the loads powered thereby take into account various parameters including cost of power, load handling capability, type of load, load size, environmental factors, load usage during and subsequent to load connection, load priority and operator wishes.

Power systems, devices, and methods include a plurality of network interfaces for providing communication to, e.g., a management server, console, or user interface. One or more controllers coupled to power circuitry determine whether a preferred one of the network interfaces has connectivity, and directs communication over the preferred network interface in response to a determination that the preferred network interface does have connectivity. The controller directs communication over an alternate one of the network interfaces in response to a determination that the preferred network interface does not have connectivity.

The present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for prioritizing one or more instructional control strategies to reduce time-variant energy demand of a built environment associated with renewable energy sources. The computer-implemented method includes collection of a first set of statistical data, fetching of a second set of statistical data, accumulation of a third set of statistical data, reception of a fourth set of statistical data and gathering of fifth set of statistical data. Further, the computer-implemented method includes parsing and comparison of the first set of statistical data, the second set of statistical data, the third set of statistical data, the fourth set of statistical data and the fifth set of statistical data. In addition, the computer-implemented method includes identification and prioritization of one or more instructional control strategies to reduce the time-variant energy demand associated with the built environment.

A vehicle management system (VMS) computer includes a data processing system comprising a processor, a memory, and a power distribution controller. The power distributions controller includes a plurality of power distribution circuits that are each controlled by the controller to supply power to end component loads. The power distribution controller is communicably coupled to the data processing system by a bus. The power distribution controller is configured to control power generation by each of the plurality of power distribution circuits such that each of the plurality of power distribution circuits generates output power at an adjustable voltage level output to a respective one of the end component loads.

A system for generating, storing and managing energy features a solar-power center, a wind-power center, a hydrogen-power center with hydrogen fuel cells, a hydrogen supply center operable for producing hydrogen, and an energy storage center with both hydrogen storage tanks and one or more rechargeable batteries. An energy management subsystem monitors energy consumption from the system and available energy reserves at the power storage center, and manages the different centers based at least partly on the monitored consumption and reserves. A cooling loop circulates hydrogen for cooling of mechanical and electrical equipment, while heating loops use fuel cell waste heat and collected solar thermal energy for heat-requiring applications, such as warming of the battery storage in cold weather climates. Black-out/brown-out restart capability is included, as well as novel wind turbines whose rotor heights are autonomously adjusted to an optimal elevation based on wind conditions.

Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of feeder line fault response are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for operating an alternating current (AC) distribution network including a first feeder line, a second feeder line, and a third feeder line. The method includes isolating a faulted portion of the first feeder line from a healthy portion of the first feeder line; closing a tie switch coupled between the healthy portion and the second feeder line in response to isolating the faulted portion from the healthy portion; determining the second feeder line is experiencing an overload condition after closing the tie switch; and transferring AC power including transferring AC power using a direct current (DC) interconnection system coupled to the third feeder line effective to remove the overload condition from the second feeder line.

The claimed system relates to electrical equipment and comprises a module that includes a module docking unit (16), a remote control device (1), electrical connectors (2, 3) for connection to sources of alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), and electrical connectors (4, 5) for connection to an AC load and to a DC load. The electrical connector (2) for connection to an AC source is connected, via a unit (6) for switching a supply of electrical energy from an AC source, to the electrical connectors (4) for connection to an AC load and to an AC/DC converter (7), and the electrical connector (3) for connection to a DC source is connected, via a unit (8) for selecting a maximum output from solar panels and a unit (9) for determining a drop in voltage from the DC source, which are connected in series, and by a storage battery charging unit (10), to a first DC converter (11) which steps up and stabilizes the voltage. The storage battery charging unit (10) is connected, via a battery management system unit (12), to a storage battery unit (13) connected to the first DC converter (11), the latter being connected to the electrical connectors (4) for connection to an AC load via an inverter (14) having the function of switching off the supply of DC electrical energy thereto, and to the electrical connectors (5) for connection to a DC load via a second DC converter (15) which steps down the voltage. The invention allows more stable and reliable functioning of the power supply system and could be used as independent power supply system with combination of photovoltaic panels.

Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of feeder line fault response are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for operating an alternating current (AC) distribution network including a first feeder line, a second feeder line, and a third feeder line. The method includes isolating a faulted portion of the first feeder line from a healthy portion of the first feeder line; closing a tie switch coupled between the healthy portion and the second feeder line in response to isolating the faulted portion from the healthy portion; determining the second feeder line is experiencing an overload condition after closing the tie switch; and transferring AC power including transferring AC power using a direct current (DC) interconnection system coupled to the third feeder line effective to remove the overload condition from the second feeder line.

A Remote Monitoring and Control System (RMCS) for an electrical power system includes a control/communication module and a test apparatus. The test apparatus includes electrical power system test components electrically coupled in or to an automatic transfer switch of the electrical power system and the control/communication module. The test components are operable by the control/communication module for controlling, monitoring, assessing, and testing one or more functions of the electrical power system. A method of assessing a backup power system includes: coupling electrical power system test components to an automatic transfer switch of the backup power system; communicatively coupling the electrical power system test components to a control/communication module; and operating the electrical power system test components to measure or test conditions in the backup power system. The RMCS can provide seamless 24/7 monitoring coverage and control capabilities to enhance system performance and reliability.

A vehicle management system (VMS) computer includes a data processing system comprising a processor, a memory, and a power distribution controller. The power distributions controller includes a plurality of power distribution circuits that are each controlled by the controller to supply power to end component loads. The power distribution controller is communicably coupled to the data processing system by a bus. The power distribution controller is configured to control power generation by each of the plurality of power distribution circuits such that each of the plurality of power distribution circuits generates output power at an adjustable voltage level output to a respective one of the end component loads.