Patent ID: 9425620
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: G06Q,H02J,Y04S

Claim Text:
1. A method, comprising: receiving a first plurality of requests for electrical power from a corresponding first plurality of electrical-power users, wherein the first plurality of electrical-power users receive electrical power through a first feeder network controlled by a first transmission node of an electrical power distribution network, wherein each of the first plurality of requests indicates a requested quantity of electrical power and a requested price for the requested quantity of electrical power, and wherein one or more of the first plurality of requests for electrical power are associated with price-responsive electrical devices; receiving a second plurality of requests for electrical power from a corresponding second plurality of electrical-power users, wherein the second plurality of electrical-power users receive electrical power through a second feeder network controlled by a second transmission node of the electrical power distribution network, wherein each of the second plurality of requests indicates a requested quantity of electrical power and a requested price for the requested quantity of electrical power, and wherein one or more of the second plurality of requests for electrical power are associated with price-responsive electrical devices; receiving a plurality of offers for supplying electrical power to the first and second feeder networks, the plurality of offers being from a corresponding plurality of resource suppliers, wherein each of the plurality of offers indicates an offered quantity of electrical power and an offered price for the requested quantity of electrical power; by computing hardware associated with the first feeder network, determining a first common price at which electrical power is to be supplied to the first plurality of electrical-power users on the first feeder network based at least in part on the requested prices and the offered prices of the first plurality of requests, the first determined common price being unique to the first feeder network; by computing hardware associated with the second feeder network, determining a second common price at which electrical power is to be supplied to the second plurality of electrical-power users on the second feeder network based at least in part on the requested prices and the offered prices of the second plurality of requests, the second determined common price being unique to the second feeder network; altering the electrical loads on the first and second feeder networks by transmitting the value of the determined first common price to the first plurality of electrical-power users on the first feeder network and transmitting the value of the determined second common price to the second plurality of electrical-power users on the second feeder network, and causing the price-responsive electrical devices to automatically adjust their power consumption in response to the values of the first and second determined common prices; and transmitting power from the first feeder network to the second feeder network or transmitting power from the second feeder network to the first feeder network.