System, method, and apparatus for actively managing consumption of electric power supplied by one or more electric power grid operators

1. An apparatus for power management in an electric power grid, wherein a power flow to a plurality of power consuming devices in the electric power grid is enabled and disabled by a plurality of controllable devices under the control of one or more client devices, comprising:

a command processor configured to receive power control commands and issue power control event messages responsive thereto, wherein at least one of the power control commands requires a reduction in an amount of electric power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices;

an event manager module configured to receive the power control event messages, maintain at least one power management status relating to each client device and issue power control event instructions responsive to the power control event messages;

a database for storing information relating to power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices based on measurement and verification; and

a client device manager module configured to select at least one client device to which to issue a power reduction message, wherein the power reduction message comprises an amount of electric power to be reduced to at least one of the plurality of power consuming devices for a predetermined time.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the client device manager module is further configured to receive messages from each client device it services periodically or responsive to polling messages sent by the client device manage module.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the messages comprise a status response message including a type, a status, and a present power consumption of each power consuming device controlled each client device.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the type, the status and the present power consumption in the status response message are stored in the database.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the messages further comprise a security alert message.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the messages further comprise a report trigger message.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the amount of electric power comprised in the power reduction message is an instantaneous amount of power or an average amount of power per unit time.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the measurement and verification is based on standards supplied by a regulatory body for the electric power grid.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a power supply value (PSV) for each power consuming device is generated based on an actual amount of power reduction at each power consuming device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein a variation of the PSV is based on operating tolerances and operating standards for accuracy of measurement.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the PSV provides a curtailment value as a requirement for providing supply to the electric power grid.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a power savings application configured to compute an amount of electric power saved by a customer during a power reduction event affecting the customer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the power savings application further computes an amount of electric power saved by an electric utility or an electric power grid operator during the power reduction event affecting the electric utility or the electric power grid operator.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a carbon savings application that determines an amount of carbon saved by the customer during the power reduction event affecting the customer based on the amount of electric power saved by the customer as computed by the power savings application.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the carbon savings application further determines an amount of carbon saved by an electric utility or an electric power grid operator during the power reduction event.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a client interface that facilitates communication between the client device manager module and the at least one client device, and wherein the client interface is an Internet Protocol (IP)-based interface.

17. A system for power management in an electric power grid, comprising:

a server controller; at least one client device; and a plurality of power consuming devices;

wherein a power flow to the plurality of power consuming devices in the electric power grid is enabled and disabled by a plurality of controllable devices and wherein the plurality of controllable devices operate under the control of the at least one client device;

wherein the server controller comprises a command processor, an event management module, a database and a client device manager module;

wherein the command processor is configured to receive power control commands and issue power control event messages responsive thereto, wherein at least one of the power control commands requires a reduction in an amount of electric power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices;

wherein the event manager module is configured to receive the power control event messages, maintain at least one power management status relating to the at least one client device and issue power control event instructions responsive to the power control event messages;

wherein the database stores information relating to power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices based on measurement and verification; and

wherein the client device manager module is configured to select at least one client device to which to issue a power reduction message, wherein the power reduction message comprises an amount of electric power to be reduced to at least one of the plurality of power consuming devices for a predetermined time.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the power control commands are received from an electric utility control center.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein a power supply value (PSV) for each power consuming device is generated based on an amount of power reduction at each power consuming device.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the PSV is in units of electrical power flow, monetary equivalent, and combinations thereof.