A universal smart energy transformer module (USETM) that uses an array of sensors to monitor and measure characteristics of the electrical power delivered and utilized at a location, along with other conditions in the area surrounding the location. The invention then uses the data from these sensors to determine the condition and performance of the transformer (for example, its input and output, power quality etc.) and also to identify any anomalies detected within the local power system that could threaten reliable electric supply on the electric grid, or pose a danger to people. A notification of such condition may be distributed using the secure, uninterruptible communications system.

A power management method comprises a step A of transmitting a first message from a power management server to a local control apparatus according to a first protocol. The power management server manages a facility connected to a power grid. The local control apparatus is provided in the facility. A communication between the local control apparatus and an equipment provided in the facility is performed according to a second protocol different from the first protocol. The step A includes a step of transmitting the first message in a manner capable of identifying a control for the local control apparatus and a control for a target equipment which is the equipment designated by the power management server.

Systems and methods dynamically assess energy efficiency by obtaining a minimum energy consumption of a system, receiving in a substantially continuous way a measurement of actual energy consumption of the system, and comparing the minimum energy consumption to the measurement of actual energy consumption to calculate a substantially continuous energy performance assessment. The system further provides at least one of a theoretical minimum energy consumption based at least in part on theoretical performance limits of system components, an achievable minimum energy consumption based at least in part on specifications for high energy efficient equivalents of the system components, and the designed minimum energy consumption based at least in part on specifications for the system components.

A microgrid power flow monitoring and control system is described herein. The control system may determine active and reactive power sharing shortage on the electric power delivery system. The control system may utilize the control strategies of generation units, such as ISO control, droop control and constant power control to estimate power flow within a microgrid or other isolated system. A control strategy of one or more generators may be modified based on the determined power flow.

A cloud connected lighting system may include a wireless lighting network of coordinated lighting devices and a bridge to provide connectivity to external devices such as a cell phone, home automation system or security system. The cloud connected lighting system may be implemented locally with a cell phone communicating with the bridge for control, status and alerts. The cloud connected lighting system may operate over the cloud via an Internet connection allowing the bridge to communicate with a server on the Internet that may implement software for the interface with the wireless lighting network and to capture data regarding activity detected by motion sensor associated with the wireless lighting network.

A computer program product for recharging a number of battery electric vehicles includes computer usable program code. The computer usable program code is configured to receive, from the number of battery electric vehicles that are to recharge at a number of recharging stations, usage data. The usage data includes a current charge level, a current location, and a planned itinerary that includes a destination. The computer usable program code is configured to determine anticipated electrical loads in the number of sectors of the electrical grid system based on the usage data of the number of battery electric vehicles. The computer usable program code is configured to redistribute the electrical supply on the electrical grid system to at least one recharging station of the number of recharging stations based on the anticipated electrical loads, prior to actual usage defined by the usage data by the number of battery electrical vehicles.

A method for configuring a distribution grid with smart communication devices has steps of assuming specific communication technologies to be considered for intermediate intelligent communication devices in the distribution grid, assuming number and location of smart distribution nodes (SDNs) in the distribution grid, executing a cost optimal calculation model determining exact quantity and specific technology of intelligent communication devices at intermediate nodes, nt=n1; n2:::nj with minimal cost subject to Quality of Service (QoS) parameters of each technology and QoS requirement of a data packet generated by a Smart Consumer Node (SCN) at a smart building in the distribution grid, and placing and powering the determined number and specific communication technology of intelligent communication devices at the SDNs of the distribution grid.

The apparatuses and methods herein facilitate generation of energy-related revenue for an energy customer of an electricity supplier, for a system that includes an energy storage asset. The apparatuses and methods herein can be used to generate operating schedules for a controller of the energy storage asset. When implemented, the generated operating schedules facilitates derivation of the energy-related revenue, over a time period T, associated with operation of the at least one energy storage asset according to the generated operating schedule. The energy-related revenue available to the energy customer over the time period T is based at least in part on a wholesale electricity market.

Building-integrated photovoltaic devices can be provided, which function as sensors, wherein the output parameters from the device are used to provide information about light intensity and ambient temperature, in addition to providing power, to an intelligent building energy management system.

A method and apparatus for optimally allocating resources of a provider according to a contribution margin ratio of a resource consumer in a distributed energy resource environment are described. An embodiment is a method for distributing energy resources in a distributed energy resource system. The method may include receiving information about the amount of available energy resources from each of one or more providers, receiving information about the amount of required energy resources from each of one or more consumers, assessing a contribution margin ratio for each of the one or more consumers, calculating an energy resource allocation amount for each of the one or more consumers based on the assessed contribution margin ratio, and distributing energy resources to each of the one or more consumers based on the calculated energy resource allocation amount.