Patent Application
20110140880
The present invention is generally directed to electrical power generation and distribution. More particularly, the present invention is directed to power line communications which provide signal transmissions over the electrical grid or network. Even more particularly, the present invention is directed to adding signal level information to the transmission of electrical power in a manner which indicates the source of the power and which can thus identify the electrical power being supplied from amongst solar, wind, nuclear, fossil fuel or other specific sources.
The issues associated with global warming have led to a desire to produce electrical energy from renewable sources and from resources which do not produce significant levels of carbon dioxide (CO2). While some renewable sources of energy do result in the production of CO2, their production from biofuels (corn based, algae based, switch grass based, etc.) tend to be a lot more “carbon neutral” in the long run than fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal. For sources of electrical power that are most carbon neutral in the production of electrical energy, the world has looked to solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, tidal and wave conversion and nuclear energy. In terms of nuclear energy the present invention is applicable to use with any nuclear power source be it fusion or fission, and, if fission, one based on a uranium cycle or a thorium cycle. Even more to the point, the present invention is applicable to any source of electrical power and provides a mechanism for identifying the source and nature of the power generation system.
However, the power that is delivered to our homes and to the various substations in the electrical grid comes with no mechanism to determine who produced it, where it was produced or to what extent it may have contributed to the addition of CO2 to the atmosphere. Furthermore, consumers of electrical power at all levels along the grid have no way to specify any preference whatsoever for an electrical energy source or even for a specified mix of sources. If consumers could specify a source and if they could be assured that the energy they were being supplied was of the desired value, it is believed that this choice would assist in pushing the drive to more environmentally friendly sources of energy. Energy and power are not used synonymously herein since power is merely the rate at which energy is being supplied. The ultimate cost to the energy customer is the amount of energy used, a quantity usually measured in kilowatt-hours.
As presently provided and delivered, electrical energy is a fungible quantity. There is little distinction made, at least on a gross scale, as to the mechanism for its production. While it is true that the producers of electrical power can tailor the source mix based upon current demand, it is impossible for the consumer or intermediate transmitter of electrical energy to discern, on a moment to moment basis, the power source that generated the electrical energy. Thus, it is seen that a power company is able to quickly activate a hydroelectric facility to match peak demands. However, and consumers of electrical energy have little or no dynamic control over the source of that energy. In particular, it is noted that those consumers who would like to see a higher mix of renewable resources used in their homes, there is no easy mechanism for such a request to be made.
Likewise, governmental agencies are ill-equipped to discern the specific nature of the electrical power being delivered in any given state, region or area. Accordingly, if it were decided that a certain percentage of electrical energy was required to be produced from, say photovoltaic sources, it would be impossible for such controls to be imposed, especially in a dynamic modality. Such control is nonetheless desirable for several reasons. In particular, should it be discerned that atmospheric conditions including smog, acidity, carbon dioxide level and particulate concentrations were too high, it would be desirable for governmental control agencies to mandate a shift in energy generation sources on a relatively short timescale. At the moment, there is absolutely no coupling between local or regional atmospheric conditions and the generation of electrical energy.
The present invention also provides an advantage in that other points of information concerning energy sources is now made available for the long term generation of scientific data. The present invention provides a mechanism for data generation, data monitoring and data collection. This information is intended to provide baseline and future information for the purpose of tracking trends in energy generation, transmission, delivery and usage. All of these notions are in keeping with what many have referred to as the “smart grid.”
In addition to tracking the sources of electrical energy production in an electrical energy distribution system, the present invention is also capable of tracking and estimating by source the amount of carbon dioxide produced. The present invention thus provides a dynamic, short time scale indication of carbon dioxide production. As such the present invention is employable as part of an economic system in which carbon dioxide production occurs in a so-called cap and trade protocol. Since the present invention is designed to include security aspects, the present invention is thus capable of operating on relatively short time scales. More specifically, it is seen that the present invention provides an information feedback mechanism which provides a more intelligent, economic, efficient, and ecologically greener electrical energy delivering network.
It is furthermore noted that the uses and advantages of the present invention extend beyond those of merely monitoring, controlling, and tracking the source of electrical energy. The present invention also provides a mechanism under which energy generating entities are provided with incentives for the production of “premium” energy, that is energy derived from renewable resources such as solar, wind, tidal and geothermal. Additionally, energy generating entities may be provided with a distribution quota for various forms of energy production. These quotas may be exchanged between such entities in a manner similar to the so-called cap and trade systems associated with greenhouse gas production. For example, an energy producer in the Southwest United States would be allocated a high quota for the production of photovoltaically produced electrical energy. Such a producer is envisioned as being able to have an incentive to exceed this quota and to thus “sell or trade” the excess to an electrical energy producer in the northeastern United States where sunshine is less prevalent. It is furthermore noted that this “cap and trade” mechanism is not limited to a single country. Its utilization is extendable worldwide. This is significant since it is clear that the generation of greenhouse gases not only occurs on a worldwide basis but is also a worldwide problem. The ability of the present invention to identify, on a dynamic basis, the source of electrical energy is a key element in any such international system of capping and trading electrical energy production. The presentation is also useful in establishing electrical energy as a standard commodity, known in used worldwide, in much the same manner that gold and other precious metals provide bases for standards. In this way the present invention operates to foster electrical energy production as a standard operating in parallel with other economic standards relating to limited resources. Commodities that are limited in this way such as gold and monetary values have throughout the course of human history been seen to function well as standards for economy and trading. In the present instance, the use of “identified electrical energy” operates not only as a standard but also operates as a standard which fosters and promotes a greener and safer environment.
It is also noted that in the operation of the present invention, the information generated and transmitted via the system disclosed herein is intended for Internet posting so as to provide the greatest degree of transparency, especially for end users of electrical energy.
From the above, it is therefore seen that there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described herein and above.
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through a system and method in which electrical energy carrying lines also include a signal indicating the mix of energy sources which have contributed to the energy being supplied. Accordingly, a method of providing electrical energy comprises: generating the electrical energy; transmitting the electrical energy generated from a source to a destination via an electrical energy transmission network; specifying an energy source indicator for the generated energy; and transmitting the indicium over said transmission network along with the energy.
The energy source indicator includes encoded information which identifies the nature of the power source. More particularly, energy source identification includes such sources as: solar photovoltaic, wind, tidal, geothermal, solar thermal, nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, coal, oil, natural gas, biofuel, hydrogen, etc. Furthermore, as future sources of energy become available, it is contemplated that they too are provided with a indicium of its nature. Moreover, the present invention also includes transmitted information that includes, in appropriate cases, subtypes of power source generation modalities. For example, if one field in the transmitted signal indicates “coal,” then there is also provided a subfield which more particularly represents any one of the following subtypes: anthracite coal, bituminous coal or peat.
The identifying signal also preferably contains other identifying information. In particular, there is provided a field which indicates a serial number which indicates a particular source per its owner and/or location. For example, every solar panel may include its own unique identifier. Every oil fired generating plant is also preferably provided with a unique identifier in addition to a indicium that the energy that it generates is from oil.
In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention there is also provided a system for insuring that the source of power is correctly identified.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.
The recitation herein of desirable objects which are met by various embodiments of the present invention is not meant to imply or suggest that any or all of these objects are present as essential features, either individually or collectively, in the most general embodiment of the present invention or in any of its more specific embodiments.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of practice, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Each of the indicated power sources 101-105 supplies electrical energy through electrical conductors 152 to electrical power grid 110. In turn, via electrical conductors 151, electrical energy is supplied to substations 120, as shown. Likewise, substations 120 supply electrical energy through conductors 153 to end user customers 130. It is noted, that for ease of understanding and description, only one level of substation is illustrated. In operation, any number of substation levels may be disposed between a source of electrical energy and the user or consumer of that energy.
It is also important to note that the information fields illustrated in
It is also noted that the information fields shown in
It is for the more noted that information fields present also preferably include a producer identification field 205 which provides a name for the company, corporation, firm, agency, authority or business entity that is associated with the initial production of energy to be provided to the energy distribution network 110. There's also preferably provided a field indicating a unique identifier 206 for the specific device or apparatus used to produce the electrical energy. Another indicator may also be employed to indicate whether or not the energy being produced has a direct current nature or an alternating current nature. See field 207. There may also be provided field 208 which indicates an estimated level of carbon dioxide production associated with the electrical energy being supplied to the grid. Additionally fields 209, 210, and 211 may be provided as an indicator of voltage, current and, power factor, respectively. Other fields may also be provided as desired or deemed appropriate and useful.
Most importantly for the present invention, signal constructor 300, and in particular the front end buffering portion 313 thereof, receives fixed identification parameters 320. These identification parameters include the nature of electrical power generating source 100 (solar, fossil, renewable, geothermal, nuclear, etc., etc.). This information also includes identifiers for source subtype field 201. This information is buffered in the front end of signal constructor 300. It is also noted that this information is preferably protected by an outside controlled security function which prevents a given utility from falsely indicating that its electrical energy source is, say renewable, when it is not. For this functionality see
It is particularly noted here that power line communication technology is a well known art. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 7,339,466 issued to Mansfield et al. on Mar. 4, 2008 based upon an application filed on Jan. 11, 2006 describes a power line communication system in which identification between subscribing members is provided. It is noted however that there is no indication of identification of power sources. It is, nonetheless, one example of a power line communication system, albeit a relatively local one. Attention is also drawn to U.S. Pat. No. 6,281,784 issued to Redgate et al. on Aug. 28, 2001 based on an application filed on Feb. 26, 1999. This patent also describes powerline communication systems. However, as above, the patent does not describe identification of electrical energy sources as part of the information transferred.
The present invention also provides a mechanism for the secure control of the impressing of source identifying information onto electrical conductors 150, 151 and 153. In particular, as shown in
The present invention also contemplates the situation in which electrical signals carrying power and information arrive at substation 110 from a plurality of sources, as seen in
The description provided above emphasizes the transmission of electrical energy by means of electrical conductors. However, it is noted, that the present invention is also employable in situations in which electrical energy is transmitted via microwave radiation. In particular, it is noted that an orbital-based microwave energy transmission satellite system capable of transmitting microwave radiation to earth-based receivers is also capable of impressing upon the power signal an information signal relating to the generation of electrical energy in Earth orbit. In such cases, parameters such as altitude, orientation, solar distance (a seasonal factor) and time of day become useful information to transmit along with the power signal.
Should the transmission of electrical energy via a plasma conductor be employed, it is seen that the simultaneous transmission of electrical energy source identifying information may also be provided. The present invention is also applicable in those situations in which the transmission of electrical energy occurs via a superconductor. Furthermore, it in terms of the present invention it is irrelevant as to whether the transmission line for electrical energy is above ground or is provided through an underground network, even if transmission is only partially underground. In short, the present invention is not limited to the transmission of electrical energy by means of metallic conductors.
The present invention contemplates the simultaneous transmission of electrical energy source identifying information as provided on a unit by unit basis with the capability of retrofitting existing units with information signal transmission devices. In particular, the present invention is not limited to source identification being associated with large multi-megawatt generating plants. The present invention is also intended to cover source identification down to the level of an individual energy generating unit, a solar panel, for example, even if that panel is present on a minivan or other vehicle. Accordingly, the present invention also contemplates the situation in which automobiles and other vehicles are provided with solar photovoltaic panels which not only operate to provide a certain level of energy to the vehicles on which they are mounted, but which also operate to supply power to the power grid. As electrical refueling stations for hybrid and totally electric vehicles become more commonplace, each vehicle is provided with its own unique identifier so that, as it feeds back energy to the electrical grid, the source of that energy is identified.
The present invention also particularly contemplates the situation in which vehicles having a fuel cell as an energy source are employed as sources which are capable of supplying energy to an electrical energy distribution network or grid. As indicated above, such vehicles are provided with their own unique identifying number which is transmitted along with the electrical energy that they supply to the grid when they are so connected. This is in keeping with the notion that an economy based in whole or in part upon energy as a commodity of exchange, and in particular using hydrogen as a fuel, lends itself to the situation in which automobiles and other related vehicles are capable of operating on their own as a source of electrical energy as opposed to merely being a sink for it. Such fuel cell-based vehicles are capable of supplying household electrical energy as well as electrical energy to the grid and to the vehicle itself. This becomes more significant as the capability for local or homeowner generation of hydrogen becomes more commonplace. It is also contemplated that, by means of the existence of a unique electrical energy source identifying datum, it then becomes possible to communicate with such a vehicle and in response to a high energy demand, controlling the energy source for that vehicle (be it a solar roof panel or on board fuel cell) so as to direct the vehicle to supply energy to the grid to which it is connected. If it is connected to the grid, such a control signal may be sent to the vehicle over the grid connection. Such a control signal may also be sent to the vehicle wirelessly via an Internet connection.
The present invention provides a number of significant advantages most notably in the area of energy production and distribution monitoring. The present invention makes it possible for individual homeowners and businesses to determine where their electrical energy is being generated that is, to determine the nature of the energy mechanism being used to generate their electricity. This monitoring capability is not only available to individuals and end-user consumers, it is also available to various regional authorities and/or other watchdog groups. Monitoring is capable of being performed by various entities including states, regions, counties, countries, solar energy generating districts, power companies, the power industry itself and even the United Nations. The present invention thus provides an information feedback loop that makes a smart grid that much smarter.
While the invention has been described in detail herein in accordance with certain preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and changes therein may be effected by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
