Method and apparatus for actively managing electric power supply for an electric power grid

1. A system for managing power supplied to an electric power grid from a plurality of power supply sources, comprising:

a coordinator constructed and configured in networked communication with a server;

wherein the server is operable to initiate power commands;

wherein the coordinator is operable to dispatch one or more energy resources;

wherein the coordinator is operable to coordinate and manage IP-based communications between the server and a plurality of power supply sources;

wherein the plurality of power supply sources comprises at least one power storage device, wherein the at least one power storage device includes an IP address;

wherein the coordinator is further operable to receive messages from the plurality of power supply sources for registration;

wherein the plurality of power supply sources are automatically registered with the coordinator after the coordinator receives the message;

wherein the IP-based communications comprise an actual amount of power supply available for the electric power grid from the plurality of power supply sources based on revenue grade metrology;

wherein the plurality of power supply sources are operable to provide power supply to the electric power grid based on the power commands;

wherein the coordinator is operable to prioritize the order in which the plurality of power supply sources supply power based on a profile or characteristics of each of the plurality of power supply sources; and

wherein compensation for the power supplied by each of the plurality of power supply sources is settled in real time or near real time.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one power storage device is selected from the group consisting of fuel cells, battery devices, energy potential devices and systems, and any devices for storing energy that is convertible into electric power for introduction to the electric power grid.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one power storage device is a battery device, wherein the battery device registers its capacity, amp-hour, discharge rate, voltage, and any relevant manufacturer-specific information that may impact a discharge profile of the battery device.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coordinator is further operable to characterize and monitor voltage and current degradation of the at least one power storage device when the at least one power storage device provides power supply to the electric power grid.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of power supply sources further comprises at least one renewable energy resource.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coordinator is further operable to perform a least cost analysis, and provide for the most cost-effective energy resource to be dispatched and the most reliable balancing to occur autonomously.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the IP-based communications are communicated in real time, near real time, or based on a timing required by a grid operator entity for generating operating reserves for grid stability.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a database for storing information relating to an amount of power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid by each of the plurality of power supply sources.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the amount of power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid is aggregated to provide at least one Power Trade Block (PTB) unit.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein information stored in the database further includes a status of each of the plurality of power supply sources.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the status includes change-in-state or delta messaging.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coordinator is operable to generate, manage and communicate an amount of power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid by each of the plurality of power supply sources.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actual amount of power supply available for the electric power grid from the plurality of power supply sources is an actual value that includes measurement and verification of power supplied to the electric power grid by the plurality of power supply sources.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the power commands includes a power supply command requiring an introduction of an amount of electric power available for supply or to be supplied to the electric power grid.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power commands include information about attachment points of the plurality of power supply sources.

16. A method for managing power supplied to an electric power grid from a plurality of power supply sources, comprising:

a coordinator coordinating and managing IP-based communications between a server and the plurality of power supply sources; wherein the plurality of power supply sources comprises at least one power storage device, wherein the at least one power storage device includes an IP address, and wherein the IP-based communications comprise an actual amount of power supply available for the electric power grid from the plurality of power supply sources based on revenue grade metrology;

the coordinator receiving messages from the plurality of power supply sources for registration;

the plurality of power supply sources automatically registering with the coordinator after the coordinator receives the messages;

the server initiating power commands to the coordinator;

the coordinator dispatching one or more energy resources;

the plurality of power supply sources providing power supply to the electric power grid based on the power commands; and

the server settling the compensation for the power supplied by each of the plurality of power supply sources in real time or near real time;

wherein the coordinator is operable to prioritize the order in which the plurality of power supply sources supply power based on a profile or characteristics of each of the plurality of power supply sources.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the coordinator selecting at least one of the plurality of power supply sources for providing power supply to the electric power grid based on an amount of power supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid by each of the plurality of power supply sources.

18. A system for managing power supplied to an electric power grid from a plurality of power supply sources, comprising:

a coordinator constructed and configured in networked communication with a server;

wherein the server is operable to initiate power commands;

wherein the coordinator is operable to dispatch one or more energy resources;

wherein the coordinator is operable to coordinate and manage communications between the server and the plurality of power supply sources;

wherein the plurality of power supply sources comprises at least one power storage device;

wherein the coordinator is further operable to receive messages from the plurality of power supply sources for registration;

wherein the plurality of power supply sources are automatically registered with the coordinator after the coordinator receives the message;

wherein the communications comprise an actual amount of power supply available for the electric power grid from the plurality of power supply sources;

wherein the plurality of power supply sources is operable to provide power supply to the electric power grid based on the power commands;

wherein the coordinator is operable to prioritize the order in which the plurality of power supply sources supply power based on a profile or characteristics of each of the plurality of power supply sources; and

wherein compensation for the power supplied by each of the plurality of power supply sources is settled in real time or near real time.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the actual amount of power supply available for the electric power grid is determined based on revenue grade metrology.