Utility meter for use with distributed generation device
An integrated metering device allows a resource provider to control the output of a distributed generation device onto a resource distribution network or grid. The integrated metering device may include a communications module, a metrology module, an inverter and regulator device, and a transfer switch. A resource provider may communicate with the integrated metering device via the communications module and may control the inverter and regulator device or the transfer switch. The metrology module may monitor the energy provided by the distributed generation device to the grid and may send information about the generated energy to the resource provider via the communications module.
1. An integrated metering device, comprising:
a grid interface;
a premises interface;
a distributed generation device interface;
a regulator connected to the distributed generation device interface;
a transfer switch connected to an output of the regulator and to the grid interface;
a metrology module for measuring energy delivered to the grid interface from a distributed generation device and energy delivered to the premises interface from the grid interface;
a communications module configured to receive instructions for controlling the regulator via an external network, and
a housing,
wherein the regulator, the transfer switch, the metrology module and the communication module are located within the housing, and
wherein the grid interface is configured to connect the integrated metering device to a utility grid, the premises interface is configured to connect the integrated metering device to a premises, and the distributed generation device interface is configured to connect the integrated metering device to a distributed generation device.
2. The integrated metering device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an inverter connected between the distributed generation device interface and the regulator.
3. The integrated metering device of claim 2 , wherein the communications module is further configured to receive instructions for controlling the inverter.
4. The integrated metering device of claim 1 , further comprising a socket interface for connecting to an electric meter socket.
5. The integrated metering device of claim 1 , further comprising a network interface, wherein the communication module is further configured to communicate with the metrology module and to communicate distributed generation device energy generation information to a remote system via the network interface.
6. The integrated metering device of claim 1 , wherein the communication module is further configured to receive instructions to control the transfer switch to prevent energy from the distributed generation device from passing through the grid interface.
7. The integrated metering device of claim 1 , further including a housing that includes metal fins.
8. The integrated metering device of claim 2 , wherein the metrology module is further configured to control the inverter to control a voltage output of the inverter.
9. The integrated metering device of claim 1 , wherein the metrology module is further configured to disconnect a load from the premises interface.
10. An integrated metering device, comprising:
a grid interface;
a premises interface;
a distributed generation device interface;
a network interface;
an inverter connected to the distributed generation device interface;
a transfer switch connected to an output of the inverter and to the grid interface;
a metrology module for measuring energy delivered to the grid interface from a distributed generation device and energy delivered to the premises interface from the grid interface;
a communications module connected to the network interface, the communications module configured to receive instructions for controlling the inverter or the transfer switch via an external network,
a housing,
wherein the inverter, the transfer switch, the metrology module and the communication module are located within the housing, and
wherein the grid interface is configured to connect the integrated metering device to a utility grid, the premises interface is configured to connect the integrated metering device to a premises, and the distributed generation device interface is configured to connect the integrated metering device to a distributed generation device.
11. The integrated metering device of claim 10 , further comprising:
a regulator connected between the distributed generation device interface and the inverter.
12. The integrated metering device of claim 10 , further comprising:
a regulator connected between the inverter and the transfer switch.
13. The integrated metering device of claim 11 , wherein the communications module is further configured to receive instructions for controlling the regulator via the network interface.
14. The integrated metering device of claim 10 , further comprising a socket interface for connecting to an electric meter socket.
15. The integrated metering device of claim 10 , wherein the communication module is further configured to communicate with the metrology module and to communicate information received from the metrology module to a remote system via the network interface.
16. The integrated metering device of claim 10 , wherein the communication module is further configured to receive instructions to control the transfer switch to prevent energy generated by the distributed generation device from passing through the grid interface.
17. The integrated metering device of claim 10 , further including a housing that includes metal fins.
18. The integrated metering device of claim 10 , wherein the metrology module is further configured to control the inverter to control a voltage output of the inverter.
19. The integrated metering device of claim 10 , wherein the metrology module is further configured to disconnect a load from the premises interface switch, and the metrology module within the housing.