English:
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to systems for electrically connecting metering devices with distributed energy resource devices. More particularly this disclosure relates to establishing an electrical connection between a distributed energy resource (DER) meter, a DER device, and a meter socket using a DER collar electrically coupled between the DER meter and the DER device and the meter socket.
[0002] Distributed energy resource (DER) devices, for example, solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries, etc. are typically wired into the grid with a connection into a circuit breaker in an electrical panel within a customer’s premises. If metering of the DER device is required, a separate meter is mounted on the customer’s wall for this purpose. One or more disconnect switches are also mounted on the customer’s wall.
[0003] DER meters designed to meter electricity from the DER device and meter electricity from the grid may require a non-standard meter socket at the customer’s premises to receive electrical inputs from both the grid and the DER device. The non-standard socket for the DER meters may require an invasive installation process at the customer’s premises and may include a complicated and unaesthetic solution attached on the side of a wall, for example, at the customer’s residence.
[0004] Systems for connecting distributed energy resource devices with distributed energy resource meters are provided.
[0007] In another example, a system for connecting and metering distributed energy resource devices includes an electric meter, an electric meter socket electrically coupled to an electric distribution system, and an electric meter collar to electrically couple the electric meter with the electric meter socket. The electric meter collar includes at least one first connection path within the electric meter collar to form electrical connections between the electric meter and line voltage wirings in the electric meter socket. The electric meter collar also includes at least one second connection path within the electric meter collar to form an electrical connection between the electric meter and neutral wires of the electric distribution system, a distributed energy resource (DER) device, and a load. Further, the electric meter collar includes at least one third connection path within the electric meter collar to form electrical connections between the electric meter and output voltage wirings of the DER device. Furthermore, the electric meter collar includes at least one fourth connection path within the electric meter collar to form an electrical connection between the electric meter and the load. The electric meter collar also includes a first plurality of mating connectors, where each of the first plurality of mating connectors are electrically connected to a first end of a corresponding connection path and are configured to accept an additional mating connector of the electric meter. Moreover, the electric meter collar includes a second plurality of mating connectors, where each of the second plurality of mating connectors are electrically connected to a second end of the corresponding connection path and are configured to mate with the line voltage wirings, the neutral wires, the output voltage wirings, or the load.
[0008] These illustrative aspects and features are mentioned not to limit or define the presently described subject matter, but to provide examples to aid understanding of the concepts described in this application. Other aspects, advantages, and features of the presently described subject matter will become apparent after review of the entire application.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating electrical connections between a distributed energy resource (DER) meter and a meter socket using a DER collar according to various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram of electrical connections of the DER collar of FIG. 1 for connecting with a DER meter according to various aspects of the present disclosure; and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the DER collar of FIG. 1 in an orientation facing an ANSI standard 2S meter form socket according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
[0013] While certain examples are described herein, these examples are presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection. The apparatuses, methods, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms.
[0014] Systems are provided for connecting distributed energy resource devices with metering devices. Currently there is no standard method for connecting distributed energy resources (DER) devices to the grid. Existing methods are often complicated and present an unaesthetic solution attached on the side of a wall, for example at a customer’s residence. A DER collar is described herein that provides a mechanism to connect a DER meter with a conventional meter socket at a customer premises and with a DER device at the customer premises. For the purpose of this disclosure, a DER device is defined as any resource on an electric distribution system (i.e., a grid) that produces or stores electricity that can be provided to the distribution system, or any large load device that can be controlled to manage overall peak load of the distribution system. For example, the DER device may be a residential solar installation or a residential wind turbine installation, with or without local battery storage. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a simple, aesthetic mechanism to connect a DER device to the electric distribution system using the conventional meter socket, a DER collar, and a DER meter.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram 100 illustrating electrical connections between a distributed energy resource (DER) meter 102 and a meter socket 104 using a DER collar 106. The DER meter 102, the meter socket 104, and the DER collar 106 are located at a customer premises (e.g., a residential building, a commercial building, etc.). The DER meter 102 measures and controls electricity delivered to the customer premises via an electric distribution system (i.e., a grid 108) and electricity generated or otherwise stored at the customer premises via a DER device (i.e., a DER device 116). Accordingly, the DER meter 102 includes sufficient connection points to receive electricity provided from the grid 108, to receive electricity provided from the DER device 116, and to provide electricity to an electrical service 110.
[0016] The DER meter 102 may be combined with a communications module to enable the DER meter 102 to communicate with other meters and with a utility. As illustrated in FIG. 1, power from the grid 108 (i.e., the electric distribution system) is supplied to the meter socket 104 through electrical wiring LI (Line) and L2 (Line). Electrical wiring LI (Line) and L2 (Line) may provide power from two phases of the grid 108. A neutral wire N, sometimes referred to as ground, is connected between the grid 108 and an electrical service 110, for example, at an electrical service panel at a residential or commercial customer premises.
[0017] The electrical service or load 110 is also connected to the meter socket 104 via corresponding electrical wiring LI (Load) and L2 (Load). The meter socket 104 may be a standard socket, such as a form 2S socket, that includes electrical connectors to provide electrical connections to a conventional meter when a conventional meter is plugged into the meter socket 104. An electrical connection between the grid 108 and the electrical service 110 is formed through the DER meter 102 and the DER collar 106 when the DER meter 102 is plugged into the DER collar 106 and the DER collar 106 is plugged into the meter socket 104. Within the DER meter 102, voltage and current provided by the grid 108 to the electrical service 110 is measured, or metered, by measuring devices. The measuring devices may be, for example, voltage transducers 112 and current transducers 114 that measure electrical characteristics of voltage and current waveforms, respectively. Power delivered to the electrical service 110 may be calculated based on the voltage and current measurements.
[0018] Output wirings from the DER device 116 may also be connected at connection points within the DER collar 106. A neutral wire N connection 118 may be formed at a connection point within the DER collar 106 to connect the neutral wires from the grid 108, the DER device 116, the electrical service 110, and the DER meter 102. In one or more examples, the connection points for the DER device 116 may be positioned on a side 120 of the DER collar 106. For example, the side 120 of the DER collar 106 may be any side of the DER collar 106 that does not interface with the meter socket 104 or the DER meter 102 (e.g., a side that is exposed while the DER collar 106 is coupled to the DER meter 102 and the meter socket 104). Positioning the connection points on the side 120 may provide an easily accessible location for the DER device 116 to connect with the DER collar 106.
[0019] The connection points within the DER collar 106 may provide electrical connections between the meter socket 104 and the DER meter 102. For example, the connection points for the lines LI (Line) and L2 (Line) at the DER collar 106 from the grid 108 may electrically connect the lines LI (Line) and L2 (Line) from the grid 108 to the DER meter 102. Similarly, the lines LI and L2 from the DER device 116 and the lines LI (Load) and L2 (Load) to the electrical service 110 may be electrically connected to the DER meter 102 through the connection points within the DER collar 106. Similar to the lines LI (Line) and L2 (Line) from the grid 108, the lines LI and L2 from the DER device 116 may provide voltages having different electrical phases. Further, the connection point for the neutral wire N may also have an electrical connection in a corresponding receptacle of the DER collar 106.
[0020] The connection points (e.g., receptacles) included in the DER collar 106 may accommodate insertion of connecting components (e.g., blade connectors) on the DER meter 102 to form electrical connections between the DER collar 106 and the DER meter 102. Similarly, the DER collar 106 may include connection points (e.g., connecting components such as blade connectors) that are received by receptacles in the meter socket 104 and the DER device 116. Other electrical couplings are also contemplated between the meter socket 104, the DER device 116, the DER collar 106, and the DER meter 102. When the connecting components of the DER meter 102 are inserted into the receptacles of the DER collar 106, and when the connecting components of the DER collar 106 are inserted into the receptacles of the meter socket 104 and the DER device 116, electrical connections may be formed between the DER meter 102 and the lines LI (Line) and L2 (Line) from the grid 108, between the DER meter 102 and the lines LI and L2 from the DER device 116, and between the DER meter 102 and the lines LI (Load) and L2 (Load) to the electrical service 110. The connection points and connecting components (e.g., receptacles and blade connectors) may generally be referred to as mating connectors.
[0021] In addition, when the connecting components of the DER meter 102 are inserted into the receptacles of the DER collar 106, and when the connecting components of the DER collar 106 are inserted into the receptacles of the meter socket 104 and the DER device 116, an electrical connection may be formed between the neutral wire N and the DER meter 102. The electrical connection of the neutral wire N with the DER collar 106 and the DER meter 102 may provide an electrical reference point to enable voltage measurements from LI (Line) to neutral and L2 (Line) to neutral at the voltage transducers 112 within the DER meter 102. The ability to perform these voltage measurements at the DER meter 102 may allow for more advanced and higher fidelity metering than is possible with a standard 2S meter form, which only has LI (Line) and L2 (Line) connections available (i.e., no neutral N connection) and therefore can only measure line to line voltage (i.e., from LI (Line) to L2 (Line)). The DER meter 102 may also perform current measurements on the LI (Line) and L2 (Line) lines from the grid 108 using the current transducer 114a, the DER device 116 using the current transducer 114b, and the electrical service 110 using the current transducers 114c and 114d. The ability to perform LI (Line) to neutral and L2 (Line) to neutral voltage measurements at the DER meter 102 as well as performing the current measurements at the DER meter 102 may enable implementation of various applications such as load disaggregation algorithms.
[0022] The lines LI (Line) and L2 (Line) from the grid 108 may provide line voltages having different electrical phases. The different electrical phases may be generated by a local distribution transformer (e.g., a pole-mounted transformer located near the meter) or may be different electrical phases generated at a substation. Similarly, the lines LI and L2 from the DER device 116 may provide line voltages having different electrical phases. The electrical phases of the line voltages on the lines LI and L2 provided by the DER device 116 may be synchronized with the electrical phases of the line voltages on the lines LI (Line) and L2 (Line) provided by the grid 108. Embodiments of meter sockets and meters in accordance with the present disclosure may include more or fewer connection points or receptacles corresponding to different phases of line voltages. For example, when only one line voltage phase is connected (e.g., phase A) fewer connection points and receptacles may be included in the meter socket since connection points for additional phases (e.g. phase B and phase C) are not needed. Similarly, when three line voltage phases are connected (e.g., phases A, B, and C) additional connection points and receptacles may be included in the meter socket.
[0023] In an example, a disconnect switch 122 is included in the DER meter 102. In such an example, the disconnect switch 122 may remain open when the voltage transducers 112a and 112b do not detect a voltage from the grid 108. Further, the disconnect switch may be used as a mechanism to synchronize voltage phases from the DER device 116 with the grid 108. For example, the voltage transducers 112c and 112d may measure the voltage supplied by the DER device 116 while the voltage transducers 112a and 112b measure the voltage supplied by the grid 108 while the disconnect switch 122 is open. Upon reaching synchronization between the DER device 116 and the grid 108 during a synchronization operation, the disconnect switch 122 may close. Further, the disconnect switch 122 may disconnect the DER meter 102 from the LI (Line) and L2 (Line) connections to the grid 108. The ability to disconnect the DER meter 102 from the grid 108 may enable“islanding,” (i.e., disconnecting from the grid 108 and supplying power to the electrical service 110 only from the DER device 116).
[0024] The DER collar 106 may include an integrated controllable electrical disconnect switch 124, a circuit breaker 126, or both, that disconnect or protect the DER device 116. For example, a single device may perform both functions of a circuit breaker and a separate electrical disconnect device to disconnect the lines LI and L2 of the DER device 116 from the DER meter 102. Alternatively, the controllable electrical disconnect switch 124, the circuit breaker 126, or both may be located external to the DER collar 106 (e.g., on an outside of the DER collar 106) while maintaining the mechanical connections through the DER meter 102 and DER collar 106 as described above. In an example, the circuit breaker 126 may disconnect the DER device 116 from the DER meter 102 upon occurrence of an electrical fault.
[0025] The controllable electrical disconnect switch 124 may include a processor (not shown) and a communications module (not shown). The controllable electrical disconnect switch 124 may operate automatically to disconnect the DER device 116 from the grid 108, for example, when a high load is detected or when the electrical service or load 110 is disconnected from the meter. In some examples, the controllable electrical disconnect switch 124 may operate automatically to disconnect the DER device 116 from the grid 108 based on a command received from the DER meter 102 or another device. The controllable electrical disconnect switch 124 may enable connecting the DER device 116 to the DER meter 102 to measure power production or consumption of the DER device 116 as a separate value to the energy consumed from or sent back to the electric distribution system (i.e., the grid 108) thereby providing billable data. The billable data (i.e., consumption from the grid 108 or production fed back to the grid 108) may be metered within the electricity meter using“net metering” or similar methods. Further, the controllable electrical disconnect switch 124 may connect or disconnect the DER device 116 from the grid 108 based on power production or consumption requirements of the grid 108 and the DER device 116. Moreover, the disconnect switch 124 may be used to electrically disconnect the DER device 116 from a DER meter side of the DER collar 106 to enable a technician to repair the DER meter 102, install the DER meter 102, or to replace the DER meter 102.
[0026] The DER meter 102 may measure and control the electricity delivered to the electrical service 110 via the grid 108, the DER device 116, or both. The DER meter 102 may include a communications module (not shown) and a processor (not shown). The processor may be a microprocessor; however, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are not limited to such an implementation. For example, the processor may be a microprocessor, microcomputer, computer, microcontroller, programmable controller, or other programmable device. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other variations may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0027] The communications module may communicate via RF, cellular, PLC, or any other suitable communications technology. The communications module may receive communications via a network that include instructions for controlling the controllable electrical disconnect switch. The communications module may transmit information related to the operation of the meter and the measurements performed by the measurement devices in the meter to other devices on the network or a to central system.
[0028] In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the DER device 116 includes some form of electricity generator (e.g., solar or wind electricity generation) or a storage device, the meter may use information about the electric distribution system. The information may include real-time electricity pricing or other information to make decisions and to control the DER device 116. For example, the DER meter 102 may use information to determine whether the DER device 116 should send energy to the grid 108 (e.g., from solar or battery storage, where battery storage could include batteries within an electric vehicle or similar), whether the DER device 116 should consume energy from the grid 108 (e.g., to charge storage or allow large loads such as water heaters, pool pumps, etc. to run), whether the DER device 116 should disconnect from the grid 108 (e.g., not consume energy from the grid 108 or send energy to the grid 108), or any combination thereof. Appropriate control actions may be initiated by the DER meter 102 based on the determination. One or ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above examples of decisions and control are not exhaustive and that other decisions and control operations may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a diagram 200 of electrical connections of the DER collar 102 for connecting with the DER meter 102 in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The DER collar 106 may include a plurality of receptacles 211-217 or other mating connectors, for example, seven or another number of receptacles. The number of receptacles 211-217 of the DER collar 106 may correspond to a number of mating connectors on the DER meter 102. In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, the DER collar 106 and the DER meter 102 having seven or more receptacles/connectors may be suitable for implementing load disaggregation algorithms with an appropriate number of voltage transducers 112 and current transducers 114 included in the DER meter 102. For example, the current transducers 114a and 114b are positioned to individually measure current originating from the grid 108 and the DER device 116, respectively. In combination with the voltage transducers 112, the DER meter 102 is able to accurately allot power consumption by the electrical service 110 to appropriate sources (e.g., the grid 108 or the DER device 116).
[0030] First and second receptacles 211 and 212 may provide electrical connections to the DER meter 102 for lines LI (Line) and L2 (Line) from the grid (e.g., the grid 108). Third and fourth receptacles 213 and 214, may provide electrical connections to the DER meter 102 for lines LI and L2 from the DER device (e.g., the DER device 116). Fifth and sixth receptacles 215 and 216 may provide electrical connections to the electrical service (e.g., the electrical service 110) for lines LI (Load) and L2 (Load) from the DER meter 102. Seventh receptacle 217 may provide an electrical connection from the neutral wire N in the DER collar 106 to the DER meter 102. Providing a connection of the neutral wire into the DER meter 102 may enable the measurement devices (e.g., the voltage transducers 112, the current transducers 114, or other measurement devices) contained in the DER meter 102 to perform voltage measurements at the DER meter 102 on the lines LI (Line) and L2 (Line) from the grid 108 and the lines LI and L2 from the DER device 116 to determine power provided or consumed by the grid 108 and the DER device 116. For example, the neutral wire N enables direct measurements from line LI to neutral and from line L2 to neutral rather than taking a single measurement from line LI to line L2. Since the voltage waveforms on lines LI and L2 are theoretically 180° out of phase with each other, these voltage measurements from line LI to neutral and line L2 to neutral are added together. During instances where the phases do not align perfectly, or where the voltage from line LI to neutral is not identical to the voltage from line L2 to neutral due to a specific load only being present on one of the lines LI or L2, the measurements from line LI to neutral and line L2 to neutral provide enhanced accuracy and fidelity over measurements only from line LI to line L2.
[0031] While FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the DER collar 106 and the DER meter 102 having seven connections, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are not limited to this implementation. For example, some implementations of the DER collar 106 and the
[0032] In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, methods similar to those described above may be employed to add DER device switching and measurement capability to a meter socket having ANSI IS, 2S, 3S, 4S, 5S, or 12S meter forms or any other meter forms.
[0033] An ANSI standard 2S form meter socket and meter are installed at most US residences. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the DER collar 106 in an orientation facing an ANSI standard 2S meter form socket (e.g., the meter socket 104) according to various aspects of the present disclosure. That is, FIG. 3 depicts a side of the DER collar 106 that attaches to the meter socket 104. As illustrated, the 2S form facing side 300 of the DER collar 106 provides only four receptacles 302a-302d or other mating connectors for electrical connections between the lines LI (Line) and L2 (Line) (i.e., the lines from the grid 108) and the lines LI (Load) and L2 (Load) (i.e., the lines to the electrical service 110) within the meter socket 104 to the DER meter 102. The DER collar 106 may include an additional receptacle 304 on the side 120 of the DER collar 106 for connecting the lines LI and L2 of the DER device 116 as well as the neutral wire N to the DER meter 102.

中文:
[0001]本公开总体上涉及用于将计量设备与分布式能源设备电连接的系统。更特别地,本公开涉及使用电耦合在分布式能源(DER)计量表和DER设备以及计量表插座之间的DER套环,在DER计量表、DER设备和计量表插座之间建立电连接。
[0002]例如太阳能面板、风力涡轮机、电动车辆电池等分布式能源(DER)设备通常利用至客户房屋内的电面板中的断路器中的连接而接线到电网中。如果需要对DER设备进行计量,则为此目的在客户的墙壁上安装单独的计量表。一个或多个断连开关也安装在客户的墙壁上。
[0003]设计用以计量来自DER设备的电能和计量来自电网的电能的DER计量表可能需要在客户房屋处的非标准计量表插座,以接收来自电网和DER设备两者的电输入。DER计量表的非标准插座可能需要在客户房屋处的侵入式安装过程,并且可能包括附接在(例如在客户的住宅处的)墙壁侧面上的复杂且不美观的解决方案。
[0004]提供了用于将分布式能源设备与分布式能源计量表连接的系统。
[0007]在另一示例中,一种用于连接和计量分布式能源设备的系统包括电计量表、电耦合到配电系统的电计量表插座、以及将电计量表与电计量表插座电耦合的电计量表套环。电计量表套环包括电计量表套环内的至少一个第一连接路径,以在电计量表和电计量表插座中的线路电压布线之间形成电连接。电计量表套环还包括电计量表套环内的至少一个第二连接路径,以在电计量表和配电系统、分布式能源(DER)设备和负载的中性线之间形成电连接。此外,电计量表套环包括电计量表套环内的至少一个第三连接路径,以在电计量表和DER设备的输出电压布线之间形成电连接。此外,电计量表套环包括电计量表套环内的至少一个第四连接路径,以在电计量表和负载之间形成电连接。电计量表套环还包括第一多个配合连接器,其中第一多个配合连接器中的每一个电连接到对应连接路径的第一端,并且被配置为接纳电计量表的附加配合连接器。此外,电计量表套环包括第二多个配合连接器,其中第二多个配合连接器中的每一个电连接到对应连接路径的第二端,并且被配置为与线路电压布线、中性线、输出电压布线或负载配合。
[0008]提及这些说明性的方面和特征不是为了限制或限定当前描述的主题,而是为了提供示例来帮助理解本申请中描述的概念。在审阅整个申请之后,当前描述的主题的其他方面、优点和特征将变得清楚。
[0010]图1是图示了根据本公开各个方面的使用分布式能源(DER)套环在DER计量表和计量表插座之间的电连接的框图;
[0011]图2是根据本公开各个方面的用于与DER计量表连接的图1的DER套环的电连接图;和
[0012]图3是图示了根据本公开各个方面的面向ANSI标准2S计量表形式插座的定向中的图1的DER套环的图。
[0013]虽然本文描述了某些示例,但是这些示例仅作为举例呈现,并不旨在限制保护范围。本文描述的装置、方法和系统可以以各种其他形式来体现。此外,在不脱离保护范围的情况下,可以在本文描述的示例方法和系统的形式方面进行各种省略、替换和改变。
[0014]提供了用于将分布式能源设备与计量设备连接的系统。目前没有用于将分布式能源(DER)设备连接到电网的标准方法。现有的方法通常是复杂的,并且呈现出附接在(例如在客户的住宅处的)墙壁侧面上的不美观的解决方案。本文描述了一种DER套环,其提供了一种将DER计量表与客户房屋处的常规计量表插座以及与客户房屋处的DER设备相连接的机制。出于本公开的目的,DER设备被定义为配电系统(即,电网)上产生或存储可以提供给配电系统的电能的任何资源,或者可以被控制以管理配电系统的总峰值负载的任何大负载设备。例如,DER设备可以是具有或不具有本地电池存储装置的住宅太阳能装置或住宅风力涡轮机装置。本公开的各个方面提供了一种简单、美观的机制,以使用常规的计量表插座、DER套环和DER计量表将DER设备连接到配电系统。
[0015]图1是图示了使用分布式能源(DER)套环106在DER计量表102和计量表插座104之间的电连接的框图100。DER计量表102、计量表插座104和DER套环106位于客户房屋(例如,住宅建筑、商业建筑等)处。DER计量表102测量和控制经由配电系统(即电网108)输送到客户房屋的电能以及经由DER设备(即DER设备116)在客户房屋处生成或以其他方式存储的电能。因此,DER计量表102包括足够的连接点来接收从电网108提供的电能,接收从DER设备116提供的电能,并向电力服务110提供电能。
[0016]DER计量表102可以与通信模块相组合,以使得DER计量表102能够与其他计量表和与公用设施通信。如图1中所图示的,来自电网108(即,配电系统)的电力通过电布线L1(线路)和L2(线路)供应给计量表插座104。电布线L1(线路)和L2(线路)可以从电网108的两个相位提供电力。中性线N(有时称为接地)连接在电网108和电力服务110之间,例如,在住宅或商业客户房屋处的电力服务面板处。
[0017]电力服务或负载110也经由对应的电布线L1(负载)和L2(负载)连接到计量表插座104。计量表插座104可以是标准插座、诸如形式2S插座,其包括电连接器,以在常规计量表插入计量表插座104中时提供到常规计量表的电连接。当DER计量表102插入DER套环106中并且DER套环106插入计量表插座104中时,电网108和电力服务110之间的电连接通过DER计量表102和DER套环106形成。在DER计量表102内,由电网108提供给电力服务110的电压和电流由测量设备测量或计量。测量设备可以是例如分别测量电压和电流波形的电特性的电压传感器112和电流传感器114。可以基于电压和电流测量来计算输送到电力服务110的电力。
[0018]来自DER设备116的输出布线也可以连接在DER套环106内的连接点处。中性线N连接118可以形成在DER套环106内的连接点处,以连接来自电网108、DER设备116、电力服务110的中性线和DER计量表102。在一个或多个示例中,DER设备116的连接点可以定位在DER套环106的侧面120上。例如,DER套环106的侧面120可以是DER套环106的不与计量表插座104或DER计量表102对接的任何侧面(例如,当DER套环106耦合到DER计量表102和计量表插座104时暴露的侧面)。将连接点定位在侧面120上可以提供容易接近的位置,以便DER设备116与DER套环106连接。
[0019]DER套环106内的连接点可以提供计量表插座104和DER计量表102之间的电连接。例如,DER套环106处来自电网108的线路L1(线路)和L2(线路)的连接点可以将来自电网108的线路L1(线路)和L2(线路)电连接到DER计量表102。类似地,来自DER设备116的线路L1和L2以及去往电力服务110的线路L1(负载)和L2(负载)可以通过DER套环106内的连接点电连接到DER计量表102。类似于来自电网108的线路L1(线路)和L2(线路),来自DER设备116的线路L1和L2可以提供具有不同电相位的电压。此外,中性线N的连接点也可以在DER套环106的对应插头中具有电连接。
[0020]包括在DER套环106中的连接点(例如插头)可以容纳DER计量表102上的连接组件(例如刀片连接器)的插入,以在DER套环106和DER计量表102之间形成电连接。类似地,DER套环106可以包括由计量表插座104和DER设备116中的插头接收的连接点(例如,诸如刀片连接器的连接组件)。在计量表插座104、DER设备116、DER套环106和DER计量表102之间还设想到其他电耦合。当DER计量表102的连接组件插入到DER套环106的插头中时,并且当DER套环106的连接组件插入到计量表插座104和DER设备116的插头中时,可以在DER计量表102和来自电网108的线路L1(线路)和L2(线路)之间、在DER计量表102和来自DER设备116的线路L1和L2之间、以及在DER计量表102和去往电力服务110的线路L1(负载)和L2(负载)之间形成电连接。连接点和连接组件(例如插头和刀片连接器)总体上可以被称为配合连接器。
[0021]此外,当DER计量表102的连接组件插入DER套环106的插头中时,以及当DER套环106的连接组件插入计量表插座104和DER设备116的插头中时,可以在中性线N和DER计量表102之间形成电连接。中性线N与DER套环106和DER计量表102的电连接可以提供电参考点,以使得能够在DER计量表102内的电压传感器112处进行从L1(线路)到中性和从L2(线路)到中性的电压测量。在DER计量表102处执行这些电压测量的能力可以允许比标准2S计量表形式所可能的更先进和更高保真度的计量,标准2S计量表形式仅具有可用的L1(线路)和L2(线路)连接(即,没有中性N连接),并且因此仅能测量线路到线路的电压(即,从L1(线路)到L2(线路))。DER计量表102还可以使用电流传感器114a对来自电网108的L1(线路)和L2(线路)线路、使用电流传感器114b对来自DER设备116的L1(线路)和L2(线路)线路、并且使用电流传感器114c和114d对来自电力服务110的L1(线路)和L2(线路)线路执行电流测量。在DER计量表102处执行L1(线路)到中性和L2(线路)到中性电压测量以及在DER计量表102处执行电流测量的能力可以使能实现各种应用,诸如负载分解算法。
[0022]来自电网108的线路L1(线路)和L2(线路)可以提供具有不同电相位的线路电压。不同的电相位可以由本地配电变压器(例如,位于计量表附近的安装在杆上的变压器)生成,或者可以是在变电站处生成的不同电相位。类似地,来自DER设备116的线路L1和L2可以提供具有不同电相位的线路电压。由DER设备116提供的线路L1和L2上的线路电压的电相位可以与由电网108提供的线路L1(线路)和L2(线路)上的线路电压的电相位同步。根据本公开的计量表插座和计量表的实施例可以包括对应于线路电压的不同相位的更多或更少的连接点或插头。例如,当仅连接一个线路电压相位(例如,相位A)时,由于不需要附加相位(例如,相位B和相位C)的连接点,所以在计量表插座中可以包括更少的连接点和插头。类似地,当连接三个线路电压相位(例如,相位A、B和C)时,在计量表插座中可以包括附加的连接点和插头。
[0023]在示例中,断连开关122被包括在DER计量表102中。在这样的示例中,当电压传感器112a和112b没有检测到来自电网108的电压时,断连开关122可以保持断开。此外,断连开关可以用作使来自DER设备116的电压相位与电网108同步的机制。例如,当断连开关122断开时,电压传感器112c和112d可以测量由DER设备116供应的电压,而电压传感器112a和112b测量由电网108供应的电压。在同步操作期间在DER设备116和电网108之间达到同步后,断连开关122可以闭合。此外,断连开关122可以将DER计量表102从去往电网108的L1(线路)和L2(线路)连接断连。将DER计量表102从电网108断连的能力可以使能实现“孤岛化”(即,从电网108断连并且仅从DER设备116向电力服务110供电)。
[0024]DER套环106可以包括集成的可控电断连开关124、断路器126或两者,其断连或保护DER设备116。例如,单个设备可以执行断路器和单独的电断连设备两者的功能,以将DER设备116的线路L1和L2从DER计量表102断连。替代地,可控电断连开关124、断路器126或两者可以位于DER套环106的外部(例如,在DER套环106外侧),同时如上所述维持通过DER计量表102和DER套环106的机械连接。在示例中,在发生电故障后,断路器126可以将DER设备116从DER计量表102断连。
[0025]可控电断连开关124可以包括处理器(未示出)和通信模块(未示出)。例如,当检测到高负载时或当电力服务或负载110从计量表断连时,可控电断连开关124可以自动操作以将DER设备116从电网108断连。在一些示例中,可控电断连开关124可以基于从DER计量表102或另一设备接收的命令自动操作以将DER设备116从电网108断连。可控电断连开关124可以使得能够将DER设备116连接到DER计量表102,以测量DER设备116的电力生产或消耗,作为从配电系统(即,电网108)消耗或发送回配电系统(即,电网108)的能量的独立值,从而提供可记账数据。可记账数据(即,来自电网108的消耗或馈送回电网108的生产)可以使用“净计量”或类似方法在电能计量表内进行计量。此外,可控电断连开关124可以基于电网108和DER设备116的电力生产或消耗需求将DER设备116与电网108连接或断连。此外,断连开关124可以用于将DER设备116从DER套环106的DER计量表侧电断连,以使得技术人员能够修理DER计量表102、安装DER计量表102或更换DER计量表102。
[0026]DER计量表102可以测量和控制经由电网108、DER设备116或两者输送到电力服务110的电能。DER计量表102可以包括通信模块(未示出)和处理器(未示出)。处理器可以是微处理器;然而,根据本公开的实施例不限于这样的实现。例如,处理器可以是微处理器、微型计算机、计算机、微控制器、可编程控制器或其他可编程设备。本领域的普通技术人员将领会,在不脱离本公开的范围的情况下,可以实现其他变型。
[0027]通信模块可以经由RF、蜂窝、PLC或任何其他合适的通信技术进行通信。通信模块可以经由网络接收通信,该网络包括用于控制可控电断连开关的指令。通信模块可以将与计量表的操作和计量表中的测量设备执行的测量相关的信息传输到网络上的其他设备或中央系统。
[0028]根据本公开的各个方面,在DER设备116包括某种形式的发电机(例如,太阳能或风力发电)或存储设备的情况下,计量表可以使用关于配电系统的信息。该信息可以包括实时电价或其他信息,以做出决策并控制DER设备116。例如,DER计量表102可以使用信息来确定:DER设备116是否应当向电网108发送能量(例如,来自太阳能或电池存储装置,其中电池存储装置可以包括电动车辆内的电池等等),DER设备116是否应当消耗来自电网108的能量(例如,为存储装置充电或允许诸如热水器、池泵等大负载运行),DER设备116是否应当从电网108断连(例如,不消耗来自电网108的能量或将能量发送到电网108),或者其任何组合。基于该确定,DER计量表102可以启动适当的控制动作。本领域普通技术人员将领会,上述决策和控制的示例不是穷举的,并且在不脱离本公开的范围的情况下,可以执行其他决策和控制操作。
[0029]图2是根据本公开各个方面的用于与DER计量表102连接的DER套环102的电连接图200。DER套环106可以包括多个插头211-217或其他配合连接器,例如七个或另一数量的插头。DER套环106的插头211-217的数量可以对应于DER计量表102上的配合连接器的数量。根据本公开的各个方面,具有七个或更多个插头/连接器的DER套环106和DER计量表102可以适用于利用DER计量表102中包括的适当数量的电压传感器112和电流传感器114来实现负载分解算法。例如,电流传感器114a和114b被定位成分别单独测量源自电网108和DER设备116的电流。与电压传感器112相组合,DER计量表102能够将电力服务110的电力消耗准确地分配给适当的源(例如,电网108或DER设备116)。
[0030]第一和第二插头211和212可以为来自电网(例如,电网108)的线路L1(线路)和L2(线路)提供去往DER计量表102的电连接。第三和第四插头213和214可以为来自DER设备(例如,DER设备116)的线路L1和L2提供去往DER计量表102的电连接。第五和第六插头215和216可以为来自DER计量表102的线路L1(负载)和L2(负载)提供去往电力服务(例如,电力服务110)的电连接。第七插头217可以提供从DER套环106中的中性线N到DER计量表102的电连接。提供中性线到DER计量表102中的连接可以使得DER计量表102中包含的测量设备(例如,电压传感器112、电流传感器114或其他测量设备)能够在DER计量表102处对来自电网108的线路L1(线路)和L2(线路)以及来自DER设备116的线路L1和L2执行电压测量,以确定由电网108和DER设备116提供或消耗的电力。例如,中性线N使能实现了从线路L1到中性和从线路L2到中性的直接测量,而不是取得从线路L1到线路L2的单一测量。由于线路L1和L2上的电压波形理论上是180°彼此异相的,所以从线路L1到中性和从线路L2到中性的这些电压测量被相加在一起。在其中相位不完全对齐、或者其中由于特定负载仅存在于线路L1或L2之一上因此从线路L1到中性的电压与从线路L2到中性的电压不等同的实例期间,从线路L1到中性和从线路L2到中性的测量比仅从线路L1到线路L2的测量提供了增强的准确度和保真度。
[0031]虽然图1和2图示了具有七个连接的DER套环106和DER计量表102,但是根据本公开的实施例不限于该实现。例如,在不脱离本公开的范围的情况下,DER套环106和DER计量表102的一些实现可以包括不同数量的连接(例如,多于或少于七个连接)。
[0032]根据本公开的各个方面,类似于上述那些方法的方法可以用于将DER设备切换和测量能力添加到具有ANSI 1S、2S、3S、4S、5S或12S计量表形式或任何其他计量表形式的计量表插座。
[0033]大多数美国住宅处安装了ANSI标准2S形式的计量表插座和计量表。图3是图示了根据本公开各个方面的面向ANSI标准2S计量表形式插座(例如,计量表插座104)的定向中的DER套环106的图。也就是说,图3描绘了DER套环106的附接到计量表插座104的侧面。如图示的,DER套环106的2S形式面对侧面300仅提供了四个插头302a-302d或其他配合连接器,用于线路L1(线路)和L2(线路)(即,来自电网108的线路)和计量表插座104内的线路L1(负载)和L2(负载)(即,去往电力服务110的线路)到DER计量表102之间的电连接。DER套环106可以包括在DER套环106的侧面120上的附加插头304,用于将DER设备116的线路L1和L2以及中性线N连接到DER计量表102。