Patent Description:
In recent years, power consumption data has become available to providers (e.g. power plants) utilizing" smart" power consumption meters. These power consumption meters are usually directly coupled to a consumer, for instance coupled to a power grid of a private household, such that the power provider may at any time retrieve data from the meters, for instance retrieve power consumption data via a communication network.

While a vast amount of power consumption data is available, there is still a need for a way to manage all of this data to determine power consumption data and/or power production data in electrical power grids.

Problems of optimizing the power consumption in the grid with the help of available power consumption data have been recognized in the conventional art and various techniques have been developed to provide solutions, for example:
The publication "<NPL>) discloses a multi-agent based decentralized algorithm for a residential grid-connected micro-grid. As the fluctuating nature of renewable energy systems make the energy demand control very complex, one of the challenges in micro-grid energy control and management is to handle deviation from the prior forecasted power generation/consumption by optimizing the usage of storage and backup generation units in a way that preserves the users' convenience level. The publication is focused is on how to handle possible power imbalance situations with the help of an Autonomous Decentralized Multi-agent approach consisting of user agents, storage agent, and grid agent considering the users' consumption preferences as an important factor in the decision making. Korean Patent Publication No. <CIT> discloses a method for generating an intelligent energy consumption guideline. The method comprises (a) a step for enabling an input unit included in a device for generating a building energy consumption guideline to receive the predicted power consumption amount of a future specific date, the target power amount of building equipment of the future specific date, and power rates for each time of the future specific date and (b) a step for enabling a minimal consumption amount mode unit of the device for generating the building energy consumption guideline to generate a first usage guideline of enabling the building equipment to use the predicted power consumption amount which exceeds the reference peak power amount as the target power amount when the received predicted power consumption amount exceeds the reference peak power amount. The reference peak power amount calculates a power usage amount saving curve in the building equipment by reflecting a power cost saving element and a power amount saving element to power consumption amount data for each day during a specific period prior to the future specific date. The total energy cost curve in the building equipment is calculated by reflecting a basic rate saving element, a generation cost element, and a power rate saving element to the power usage amount saving curve.

The invention is set out by the appended claims.

The subject matter regarded as the invention is set out by the appended claims.

In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components, modules, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Some features or elements described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with features or elements described with respect to other embodiments. For the sake of clarity, discussion of same or similar features or elements may not be repeated.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "establishing", "analyzing", "checking", or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information non-transitory storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms "plurality" and "a plurality" as used herein may include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more". The terms "plurality" or "a plurality" may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. The term set when used herein may include one or more items. Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performed simultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently.

Reference is made to <FIG>, which is a schematic block diagram of an example of a computing device, according to some embodiments of the invention. Computing device <NUM> may include a controller or processor <NUM> (e.g., a central processing unit processor (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a chip or any suitable computing or computational device), an operating system <NUM>, memory <NUM>, executable code <NUM>, storage <NUM>, input devices <NUM> (e.g. a keyboard or touchscreen), and output devices <NUM> (e.g., a display), a communication unit <NUM> (e.g., a cellular transmitter or modem, a Wi-Fi communication unit, or the like) for communicating with remote devices via a communication network, such as, for example, the Internet. Controller <NUM> may be configured to execute program code to perform operations described herein. The system described herein may include one or more computing device(s) <NUM>.

Operating system <NUM> may be or may include any code segment (e.g., one similar to executable code <NUM> described herein) designed and/or configured to perform tasks involving coordinating, scheduling, arbitrating, supervising, controlling or otherwise managing operation of computing device <NUM>, for example, scheduling execution of software programs or enabling software programs or other modules or units to communicate.

Memory <NUM> may be or may include, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a double data rate (DDR) memory chip, a Flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memory unit, or other suitable memory units or storage units. Memory <NUM> may be or may include a plurality of, possibly different memory units. Memory <NUM> may be a computer or processor non-transitory readable medium, or a computer non-transitory storage medium, e.g., a RAM.

Executable code <NUM> may be any executable code, e.g., an application, a program, a process, task or script. Executable code <NUM> may be executed by controller <NUM> possibly under control of operating system <NUM>. For example, executable code <NUM> may be a software application that performs methods as further described herein. Although, for the sake of clarity, a single item of executable code <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, a system according to embodiments of the invention may include a plurality of executable code segments similar to executable code <NUM> that may be stored into memory <NUM> and cause controller <NUM> to carry out methods described herein.

Storage <NUM> may be or may include, for example, a hard disk drive, a universal serial bus (USB) device or other suitable removable and/or fixed storage unit. In some embodiments, some of the components shown in <FIG> may be omitted. For example, memory <NUM> may be a non-volatile memory having the storage capacity of storage <NUM>. Accordingly, although shown as a separate component, storage <NUM> may be embedded or included in memory <NUM>.

Input devices <NUM> may be or may include a keyboard, a touch screen or pad, one or more sensors or any other or additional suitable input device. Any suitable number of input devices <NUM> may be operatively connected to computing device <NUM>. Output devices <NUM> may include one or more displays or monitors and/or any other suitable output devices. Any suitable number of output devices <NUM> may be operatively connected to computing device <NUM>. Any applicable input/output (I/O) devices may be connected to computing device <NUM> as shown by blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, a wired or wireless network interface card (NIC), a universal serial bus (USB) device or external hard drive may be included in input devices <NUM> and/or output devices <NUM>.

Embodiments of the invention may include an article such as a computer or processor non-transitory readable medium, or a computer or processor non-transitory storage medium, such as for example a memory, a disk drive, or a USB flash memory, encoding, including or storing instructions, e.g., computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor or controller, carry out methods disclosed herein. For example, an article may include a storage medium such as memory <NUM>, computer-executable instructions such as executable code <NUM> and a controller such as controller <NUM>. Such a non-transitory computer readable medium may be for example a memory, a disk drive, or a USB flash memory, encoding, including or storing instructions, e.g., computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a processor or controller, carry out methods disclosed herein. The storage medium may include, but is not limited to, any type of disk including, semiconductor devices such as read-only memories (ROMs) and/or random access memories (RAMs), flash memories, electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs) or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, including programmable storage devices. For example, in some embodiments, memory <NUM> is a non-transitory machine-readable medium.

A system according to embodiments of the invention may include components such as, but not limited to, a plurality of central processing units (CPU), GPUs, or any other suitable multi-purpose or specific processors or controllers (e.g., controllers similar to controller <NUM>), a plurality of input units, a plurality of output units, a plurality of memory units, and a plurality of storage units. A system may additionally include other suitable hardware components and/or software components. In some embodiments, a system may include or may be, for example, a personal computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a workstation, a server computer, a network device, or any other suitable computing device.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which shows a block diagram of a power management system <NUM> for managing power distribution in an electrical power grid, according to some embodiments. The power management system <NUM> may allow management of power distribution, for instance manage power consumption and/or power production, in at least a portion of an electrical power grid <NUM>. Management of power consumption and/or power production may include automatic enforcement of change to power consumption and/or power production in a power grid (e.g., allocate all power produced in the power grid to a dedicated power storage instead of using for power consumption). The power grid <NUM> may include a plurality of nodes where at least one power storage facility <NUM> may be coupled to at least one node managed by the power management system <NUM>. For instance, at least one power storage facility <NUM> may be coupled to a consumer (e.g., a household) that consumes electrical power, and/or the at least one power storage facility <NUM> may be coupled to a power production facility (e.g., a renewable energy device, such as solar panels).

The power management system <NUM> may include (e.g., smart) power consumption meters <NUM>, to measure power consumption of at least one consumer <NUM> that is coupled thereto, so as to allow monitoring of the power consumption of consumers <NUM>. In some embodiments, the power consumption meters <NUM> are configured to allow communication with at least one analysis computerized device <NUM> (or central processor). In some embodiments, the computerized device (or processor) <NUM> is a computing device <NUM> (such as shown in <FIG>) with corresponding processing and memory elements configured to allow analyzing and processing of aggregated data from all consumers <NUM>. In some embodiments, the power consumption meters <NUM> monitor power consumption of at least one electrical device of the consumers <NUM>.

It should be noted that communication with the computerized device <NUM> may be carried out via a wireless network and/or via communication cables (for instance adjacent to electrical power grid <NUM>). In some embodiments, different power consumption meters <NUM> communicate with the computerized device <NUM> via different networks, for instance a wired network and a cellular network.

According to some embodiments, the power management system <NUM> includes a dedicated power consumption database <NUM>, operably coupled to the computerized device <NUM>, including data for the at least one consumer <NUM>. In some embodiments, each consumer <NUM> has a user profile indicating typical power consumption of that user, for instance based on previous power consumption records from the power consumption database <NUM>. Thus, data received for that consumer <NUM> (e.g., from consumption meters <NUM>) may be compared to the user profile in order to detect changes in power consumption. In some embodiments, the power consumption database <NUM> maintains information regarding time-based events (e.g., annual events, holidays, weekends, etc.), also referred to herein as calendar data, for example, when people are on national holiday, for instance, they may use more electrical devices compared to weekdays where people are usually at work during the day. In some embodiments, calendar data is stored in a separate dedicated database.

According to some embodiments, the computerized device <NUM> analyzes power consumption data from at least one power consumption meter <NUM> connected to the power grid <NUM>, wherein the received power consumption data corresponds to consumption of the at least one consumer <NUM>. In some embodiments, historical data may be analyzed as well.

In some embodiments, the power management system <NUM> includes a dedicated ambient condition database <NUM> and a renewable energy source database <NUM>, operably coupled to the computerized device <NUM>. For example, on a cold day, more heaters may be turned on, thereby increasing overall power consumption. The ambient condition database <NUM> may include information for weather conditions in a predefined geographical area <NUM> (indicated with a dashed line) corresponding to the electrical power grid <NUM>. In some embodiments, weather data from ambient condition database <NUM> includes values corresponding to prospective or future production of electrical power from a renewable energy source. For example, specific solar illumination intensity may correspond to a known power production level with solar panels (e.g., determined during calibration). In some embodiments, the ambient condition database <NUM> includes information used for generation of a power production or power consumption forecast. It should be noted that, in an area having smart power consumption meters within a predetermined geographical zone, neighboring consumers may present similar power consumption behavior), such that these consumers may be grouped based on their power consumption, for instance grouped within a street, a portion of a street, a neighborhood or even within a city in order to consider the grouped consumers as a single cluster with substantially similar averaged power consumption for forecasting and managing power consumption in the grid.

According to some embodiments, the power management system <NUM> includes at least one power production facility <NUM> (e.g., solar panels) coupled to the power grid <NUM>, such that saving power from the production facility <NUM> and by the power storage facility <NUM> may be managed by the power management system <NUM>. For example, the computerized device <NUM> may analyze (e.g., using machine learning algorithms), for a particular time, the costs of consuming electrical power from the power grid <NUM> compared to predicted costs at a later time (e.g., during the night when costs are lower) and send a command to a controlling device that would cause consumption (e.g., automatically operate a washing machine at household of consumer <NUM>) to consume power from the power grid <NUM> and/or consume power from the power storage facility <NUM> and/or consume power generated from the production facility <NUM> at particular time periods such that the costs of consuming electrical power may be lower.

In some embodiments, a user of the power grid <NUM>, such as a consumer <NUM> and/or an owner of a production facility <NUM> and/or a community of households trying to manage their power consumption within a predetermined range (e.g., a self-sustained community), creates at least one power consumption rule <NUM> to be enforced on the power consumption. The at least one power consumption rule <NUM> may include parameters (e.g., for time, costs, power usage, etc.), or ranges of parameters, that when these parameters occur the at least one power consumption rule <NUM> may be enforced or applied to alter the power consumption. For example, enforcement of the at least one power consumption rule <NUM> cause a particular result when a predefined condition occurs. If at least one parameter occurs in the system (e.g., if power consumption exceeds a predefined threshold), then a predefined change to the power consumption is enforced. The at least one power consumption rule <NUM> may include preferences of the user of the power grid <NUM> for power consumption behavior, for instance preferences for dates or time periods in which certain electrical appliances need to operate and/or maximal cost of power consumption from the power grid <NUM> and/or minimal power to be stored by the power storage facility <NUM> from the production facility <NUM> (e.g., as some users may desire to reduce their "ecological footprint"). If the at least one power consumption rule <NUM> is enforced by the power management system <NUM>, the power consumption by the user of the power grid <NUM> may be accordingly modified. For instance, if a first power consumption preference of the user of the power grid <NUM> is applied the power consumption may be modified by a particular selected action.

For example, the at least one power consumption rule <NUM> may include the user preferences for user defined life style or "comfort" (e.g., limiting minimal production facility charging rate, allowed flexibility of smart air conditioner temperature, etc.), and with increased flexibility on the "comfort" of the consumer (e.g., flexibility on ranges/thresholds of the at least one power consumption rule), the efficiency of the optimization of power consumption may be increased as well since there may be fewer restrictions on the optimization algorithm to reduce total costs.

According to some embodiments, the optimization algorithm may include a gradient search algorithm (or steepest descent algorithm). The gradient search algorithm may examine the status at each step all possible directions and chooses the direction with larger negative gradient, stopping at the local minimum (e.g., with minimum cost). For example, in the case of a nonlinear power production, paths may not be refined or analyzed since small change in the middle impacts the entire chain of events. In order to overcome computational complexity of the search algorithm, at least one of the following features may be introduced: "pruning of paths" to save only best N(t) paths for the next time; "post optimization refining" to partially evaluate pruned paths to check if they may lead to the better local minimum; and "price unification" to unify timestamps with similar electricity prices and thereby reduce substantially the number timestamps to optimize.

In some embodiments, the optimization algorithm may be used with a generated set of predefined actions for the system <NUM> with power production and/or power storage to minimize cost and/or maximize profit on the base of the consumption, production forecast and prices. For nonlinear power production, the gradient search driven algorithm may be used with pruning and/or refining. Thus, using the optimization algorithm, it may be possible to look up to for instance ten days ahead for optimal power storage operation windows in variable spot market environment.

The computerized device <NUM> may apply the at least one power consumption rule <NUM> on power consumption data that have been analyzed by the computerized device <NUM>, for instance applying the rule based on forecasted power consumption and/or forecasted power production and/or forecasted energy price and/or data received from the power consumption database <NUM> and/or the ambient condition database <NUM> and/or the renewable energy source database <NUM>. In some embodiments, the application of the at least one power consumption rule may be based on forecasted data. For example, if the at least one power consumption rule <NUM> states that for certain hours of the day the power consumption is to be carried out from the power storage facility <NUM> instead of being carried out from the power grid <NUM> in case that a threshold of power consumption costs is reached, then the rule may be applied on the analyzed power consumption data such that the power management system <NUM> may generate a recommendation (or result of the application of the at least one rule) for how to manage the power consumption in accordance with the preferences of the user (based on the at least one power consumption rule <NUM>). In some embodiments, the at least one power consumption rule <NUM> includes preferences for power consumption based on the power capacity status of the at least one power storage facility <NUM>, for instance if the at least one power storage facility <NUM> has less than forty percent capacity then the rule may indicate that power is to be consumed from the power grid <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the power management system <NUM> automatically manages power consumption for the at least one consumer <NUM> within at least a portion of the power grid <NUM>, based on the result of the application of the at least one power consumption rule <NUM>, and also based on a power capacity status of the at least one power storage facility <NUM>. Such management of power consumption produces optimization of power consumption that cannot be achieved by a human deciding on its own when and/or how to consume electrical power. For example, the power management system <NUM> may send instructions to electrical appliances and/or the at least one power storage facility <NUM> to consume power from the power grid <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the power grid <NUM> (e.g., defined geographically or physically based on nodes location in the power grid) may be regarded as a separate (e.g., self-sustaining) system, and the computerized device <NUM> analyzes influence of managing power consumption for the at least one consumer <NUM> on power distribution of the entire power grid <NUM> and update the at least one power consumption rule <NUM> to maintain power distribution of the power grid <NUM> below a first predefined threshold of total power consumption. The first predefined threshold may be based on power consumption data from consumers <NUM> that are geographically adjacent to the at least one consumer <NUM> (e.g., within the geographical area <NUM>).

It should be noted that while multiple elements of the power management system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, some of these elements may be omitted according to the requirements of the user of the system. In some embodiments, the management system <NUM> manages power consumption in at least a portion of the power grid <NUM> for at least one consumer <NUM> coupled to the at least one power storage facility <NUM>. In some embodiments, the management system <NUM> manages power consumption in at least a portion of the power grid <NUM> for at least one consumer <NUM> coupled to the at least one power storage facility <NUM> and also coupled to the at least one production facility <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the management system <NUM> manages power consumption in at least a portion of the power grid <NUM> for at least one production facility <NUM> coupled to the at least one power storage facility <NUM>, for instance a renewable energy power production facility that manages times when to store the power to the at least one power storage facility <NUM> and when to distribute the power to the power grid <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the result of the application of the at least one power consumption rule is calculated based on a machine learning algorithm configured to increase power distribution of the power grid <NUM> towards a second predefined threshold. The machine learning algorithm may include a decision tree generated based on a consumer feedback loop.

In some embodiments, the computerized device <NUM> carries out at least one of: allocating power resources to the at least one power storage <NUM>, retrieving power from the power grid <NUM>, consuming power from the at least one power storage <NUM> instead of the power grid <NUM>, and reallocating power resources to a different consumer <NUM> of the power grid <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which shows a block diagram of a power management system <NUM> for managing power distribution without an electrical power grid, according to some embodiments. The power management system <NUM> manages power consumption for at least one consumer <NUM> coupled to the production facility <NUM> and also coupled to the at least one power storage facility <NUM>. It should be noted that in case a consumer <NUM> wishes to manage power (e.g., in a closed community or a farm) without any connection to a power grid, the power management system <NUM> may automatically manage power for the consumer <NUM> based on the result of the application of at least one power consumption rule <NUM>. Such management of power consumption produces optimization of power consumption that cannot be achieved by a human deciding on its own when and/or how to consume electrical power.

In some embodiments, the computerized device <NUM> carries out at least one of: allocating power resources from the at least one power production facility to the at least one power storage, and allocating power resources from the at least one power production facility to the power grid.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which shows a flowchart of a method of managing power distribution in a portion of an electrical power grid <NUM>, wherein the power grid <NUM> includes at least one power storage facility <NUM>, according to some embodiments. At least one power consumption rule <NUM> may be received <NUM> from at least one consumer <NUM> of the power grid <NUM> such that power consumption data from at least one power consumption meter <NUM> connected to the power grid <NUM> may be analyzed <NUM> (e.g., by the computerized device <NUM>), wherein the received power consumption data may correspond to consumption of the at least one consumer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the at least one power consumption rule <NUM> is applied <NUM> on the analyzed power consumption data, for instance based on forecasted power consumption and/or forecasted power production and/or forecasted energy price such that power consumption is automatically managed <NUM> for the at least one consumer <NUM>, based on the result of the application of the at least one power consumption rule <NUM>, and also based on a power capacity status (e.g., empty or <NUM>% full) of the at least one power storage facility <NUM>. Such management of power consumption produces optimization of power consumption that cannot be achieved by a human deciding on its own when and/or how to consume electrical power. For example, upon analysis of the received power consumption data, the power management system may automatically distribute power between the power grid and/or the power storage facility and/or individual electric appliances with the washing machine may be automatically operated at night by the power management system.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which shows a flowchart of a method of determining optimal power consumption scenario, according to some embodiments. The power management system may determine optimal management of power for the at least one consumer <NUM>, taking as input at least one of forecasted power consumption and/or forecasted power production and/or forecasted energy costs. Multiple possible scenarios may be calculated based on the forecasted input and at least one (deterministic) action plan may be determined for each such scenario. The forecasted data may be analyzed <NUM> to calculate at least one possible scenario and determine <NUM> at least one action plan for each calculated scenario. At least one (conditional) action strategy may be determined <NUM> for each determined action plan, and a single optimal scenario may be determined <NUM> based on the determined at least one action strategy. For instance, a single optimal scenario may be determined using the at least one power consumption rule <NUM>. In some embodiments, determination of the optimal scenario is carried out using a hidden Markov model and/or using a Monte-Carlo evaluator.

It should be noted that a power management system as described above may have an advantage for managing power over a plurality of consumers, compared to power consumption management for a single consumer (e.g., a single household). At least some of the reasons for the advantages may include: learning the relation between the user preferences (indicated in the at least one power consumption rule <NUM>) and the corresponding effect on the power distribution within the power grid may be achieved faster when the learning is performed on multiple users, additionally a group of multiple users may share a common goal (e.g., reduce consumption from the power grid <NUM>) and thereby automatically manage their power consumption based on that goal, with corresponding power consumption rules. Since most households may have common hardware (electrical infrastructure, appliances, solar panels, etc.), these consumers may share similar constraints and thereby benefit from a system that manages power for a plurality of consumers.

In some embodiments, a group of users/consumers working for a "common goal" shares power therebetween, for instance if at least one user of the group has a production facility <NUM> then other users may buy/sell power produced within the group instead of consuming power from the power grid <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the power management system maintains power consumption within a predefined range in order to prevent sharp changes, for instance with a predefined set of rules for each power grid. For example, in case that electrical power price forecast indicates low prices the power management system may prevent all users consuming at the same time, thereby possibly damaging the power grid and/or cause increase of the price due to the high consumption.

Claim 1:
A method of managing power distribution in a portion of an electrical power grid, wherein the power grid (<NUM>) comprises at least one power storage (<NUM>), the method comprising:
receiving at least one power consumption rule (<NUM>) from at least one consumer (<NUM>) of the power grid (<NUM>), wherein the at least one power consumption rule to be enforced to alter the power consumption when a predefined condition occurs;
analyzing power consumption data from at least one power consumption meter (<NUM>) connected to the power grid (<NUM>), wherein the received power consumption data corresponds to consumption of the at least one consumer (<NUM>);
receiving forecasted power consumption data selected from the group consisting of forecasted power consumption, forecasted power production, and forecasted energy prices;
applying the at least one power consumption rule (<NUM>) on the analyzed power consumption data, wherein the applying the at least one power consumption rule is also based on forecasted power consumption data; and
managing power consumption for the at least one consumer (<NUM>), based on the result of the applying the at least one power consumption rule (<NUM>), and also based on a power capacity status of the at least one power storage (<NUM>),
analyzing influence of the managing power consumption for the at least one consumer (<NUM>) on power distribution of the power grid (<NUM>); and
updating the at least one power consumption rule (<NUM>) to maintain power distribution of the power grid (<NUM>) below a first predefined threshold of total power consumption.