Tactical smart grids
View Patent ↗A tactical smart grid system and method includes a plurality of energy generators and a plurality of loads, where the loads require energy from at least some of the energy generators. A plurality of interface units are provided, where each energy generator and load are connected to one of the plurality of interface units. Each of the interface units including a controller to thereby provide distributed intelligence and distributed system control, thereby removing the requirement of a centrally controlled system.
1. A tactical smart grid system comprising:
a plurality of energy generators;
a plurality of loads, the loads requiring energy to operate;
a plurality of interface units, one of the plurality of the interface units connected to each of the energy generators and the loads, each of the interface units configured to have a controller which provides the tactical smart grid with intelligence;
a commissioning tool having access to a database of data related to the energy generators and the loads; and
a downloading mechanism to download the data regarding the energy generators and the loads to the interface unit connected to the corresponding generator or load;
wherein the interface unit is configured to act upon both:
jointly computed, near-real-time responses to changes detected in the system; and
pre-computed, locally stored rules, for a hybrid response design,
wherein the commissioning tool includes a code that is downloaded to the interface unit, wherein the interface unit uses the code to authenticate itself as a trusted interface unit, wherein the system has no central control mechanism.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the downloading mechanism is configured to download the data only when a user is within sight of the interface unit.
3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the distributed interface units contain active diagnostics for each generator and load to which it is associated, for diagnosing problems in a distributed manner while the grid is operational.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the energy generators and the loads are each associated with a unique identifier, the identifier being one of a bars code, a radiofrequency identifier, and a serial number; and
wherein the commissioning tool identifies the energy generators and the loads with the unique identifiers.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the energy generators and each of the loads is connected to the tactical smart grid by a different one of the interface units, and wherein the interface units communicate to jointly control the distribution of energy from the energy generators to the loads without use of the central controller.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein each of the interface units connects only a single load or energy source to the smart grid.
7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the loads are powered exclusively by the plurality of energy generators.
8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the pre-computed, locally stored rules are collaboratively calculated in advance by the plurality of interface units.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the commissioning tool is a handheld commissioning tool physically separate from the energy generators, the loads, and the interface units.
10. A method of operating a tactical smart grid system having a plurality of generators and a plurality of loads, the method comprising:
connecting an interface unit to each of the generators and to each of the loads;
providing information to the interface unit, upon system set-up, by use of:
a handheld commissioning tool physically separate from the generators, the loads, and the interface units having access to a database of data related to the energy generators and the loads; and
a downloading mechanism to download the data regarding the energy generators and the loads to the interface unit connected to the corresponding generator and load;
powering the loads exclusively by the generators;
performing system operations and control by the interface units communicating with each other, wherein intelligence is distributed among the interface units; and
in response to fragmentation of the system into at least two unconnected segments, automatically reconfiguring system configuration by interaction of the interface units among themselves, without use of a central controller, the reconfiguring including, for each segment:
selectively enabling or disabling one of the generators; and
selectively enabling or disabling one of the loads.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the system has no central control mechanism.
12. The method according to claim 10 , further including:
downloading the data with the downloading mechanism only when a user is within sight of the interface unit.
13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the interface unit is configured to act upon both:
jointly computed, near-real-time responses to changes detected in the system, and pre-computed, locally stored rules, for a hybrid response design for each of the generators and loads.
14. The method according to claim 10 , further including:
performing distributed active diagnostics, for diagnosing problems for each generator and load in a distributed manner while the grid is operational.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein each of the energy generators and each of the loads is connected to the tactical smart grid by a different one of the interface units.
16. The method of claim 15 , further including:
jointly controlling by the interface units the distribution of energy from the generators to the loads without use of a central controller.
17. A distributed energy management and production micro-system comprising:
at least one energy generator;
a plurality of loads requiring energy to operate and powered exclusively by the at least one energy generator;
a plurality of interface units each including a controller with embedded intelligence, wherein a different one of the interface units is connected to each of the plurality of loads and to each of the at least one energy generator, wherein the plurality of interface units communicate to jointly control the distribution of energy from the at least one energy generator to the plurality of loads without use of a central controller;
a portable handheld commissioning tool physically separate from the at least one generator, the plurality of loads and the plurality of interface units having access to a database of data related to the at least one energy generators and the plurality of loads; and
a downloading mechanism of the portable commissioning tool to download data from the database to the interface units, the data downloaded to one of the interface units including data informing the interface unit as to whether the interface unit is connected to an energy generator or a load;
wherein the controller of the one of the interface units communicates with the other interface units to jointly control the distribution of energy based on the data downloaded to the one of the interface units.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the downloading mechanism is configured to download the data only when a user is within sight of the interface unit.