Preventing conflicts among bid curves used with transactive controllers in a market-based resource allocation system

{
  "publication_number": "US9589297B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Preventing conflicts among bid curves used with transactive controllers in a market-based resource allocation system",
  "abstract": "Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. One of the disclosed embodiments is a method for operating a transactive thermostatic controller configured to submit bids to a market-based resource allocation system. According to the exemplary method, a first bid curve is determined, the first bid curve indicating a first set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures and being associated with a cooling mode of operation for a heating and cooling system. A second bid curve is also determined, the second bid curve indicating a second set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures and being associated with a heating mode of operation for a heating and cooling system. In this embodiment, the first bid curve, the second bid curve, or both the first bid curve and the second bid curve are modified to prevent overlap of any portion of the first bid curve and the second bid curve.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for operating a thermostatic controller configured to submit bids to a market-based resource allocation system, the method comprising: determining, by computing hardware, a first bid curve, the first bid curve indicating a first set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures, the first bid curve being associated with a cooling mode of operation for a heating and cooling system; determining, by the computing hardware, a second bid curve, the second bid curve indicating a second set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures, the second bid curve being associated with a heating mode of operation for the heating and cooling system; determining that an overlap exists between the first bid curve and the second bid curve over a range of temperatures for which the first and second bid curves both indicate bid prices; eliminating, by the computing hardware, the overlap between the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that the first bid curve and the second bid curve are used together without conflict in a mode of operation for the heating and cooling system in which both heating and cooling operations are automatically controlled, the eliminating comprising modifying the first bid curve, the second bid curve, or the first bid curve and the second bid curve, by modifying at least one data structure that defines the first or second bid curve; transmitting, by the computing hardware, bids to a market based resource allocation system using the first bid curve and the second bid curve together with the overlap eliminated; receiving, from the market based resource allocation system, index values determined in part from the transmitted bids; and activating or deactivating the heating and cooling system based at least in part on the transmitted bids and the received index values.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve and not the second bid curve.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the second bid curve and not the first bid curve.",
    "4. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve by eliminating at least a portion of a pre-cooling zone of the first bid curve or eliminating at least a portion of a pre-heating zone of the second bid curve.",
    "5. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that the first bid curve does not include a pre-cooling zone and the second bid curve does not include a pre-heating zone.",
    "6. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that a lower end of the first bid curve is separated from an upper end of the second bid curve by a fixed amount.",
    "7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fixed amount corresponds to a deadband setting for the HVAC system.",
    "8. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve and the second bid curve by creating a region between the first bid curve and the second bid curve that does not trigger pre-heating or pre-cooling.",
    "9. The method of claim 8, wherein the region between the first bid curve and the second bid curve is centered about an average temperature between a cooling mode set point and a heating mode set point.",
    "10. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for operating a thermostatic controller configured to submit bids to a market-based resource allocation system, the method comprising: determining a first bid curve, the first bid curve indicating a first set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures, the first bid curve being associated with a cooling mode of operation for a heating and cooling system; determining a second bid curve, the second bid curve indicating a second set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures, the second bid curve being associated with a heating mode of operation for the heating and cooling system; determining that an overlap exists between the first bid curve and the second bid curve over a range of temperatures for which the first and second bid curves both indicate bid prices; eliminating the overlap between the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that the first bid curve and the second bid curve are used together without conflict in a mode of operation for the heating and cooling system in which both heating and cooling operations are automatically controlled, the eliminating comprising modifying the first bid curve, the second bid curve, or the first bid curve and the second bid curve, by modifying at least one data structure that defines the first or second bid curve; transmitting bids to a market based resource allocation system using the first bid curve and the second bid curve together with the overlap eliminated; receiving, from the market based resource allocation system, index values determined in part from the transmitted bids; and activating or deactivating the heating and cooling system based at least in part on the transmitted bids and the received index values.",
    "11. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve and not the second bid curve.",
    "12. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the second bid curve and not the first bid curve.",
    "13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve by eliminating at least a portion of a pre-cooling zone of the first bid curve or eliminating at least a portion of a pre-heating zone of the second bid curve.",
    "14. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that the first bid curve does not include a pre-cooling zone and the second bid curve does not include a pre-heating zone.",
    "15. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that a lower end of the first bid curve is separated from an upper end of the second bid curve by a fixed amount.",
    "16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 15, wherein the fixed amount corresponds to a deadband setting for the HVAC system.",
    "17. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the modifying comprises modifying the first bid curve and the second bid curve by creating a region between the first bid curve and the second bid curve that does not trigger pre-heating or pre-cooling.",
    "18. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 17, wherein the region between the first bid curve and the second bid curve is centered about an average temperature between a cooling mode set point and a heating mode set point.",
    "19. A transactive controller for a thermostat comprising: computing hardware configured to: determine a first bid curve, the first bid curve indicating a first set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures, the first bid curve being associated with a cooling mode of operation for a heating and cooling system; determine a second bid curve, the second bid curve indicating a second set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures, the second bid curve being associated with a heating mode of operation for the heating and cooling system; determine that an overlap exists between the first bid curve and the second bid curve over a range of temperatures for which the first and second bid curves both indicate bid prices; eliminate the overlap between the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that the first bid curve and the second bid curve are used together without conflict in a mode of operation for the heating and cooling system in which both heating and cooling operations are automatically controlled, the eliminating comprising modifying the first bid curve, the second bid curve, or the first bid curve and the second bid curve, by modifying at least one data structure that defines the first or second bid curve; transmit bids to a market based resource allocation system using the first bid curve and the second bid curve together with the overlap eliminated; receive, from the market based resource allocation system, index values determined in part from the transmitted bids; and activate or deactivate the heating and cooling system based at least in part on the transmitted bids and the received index values.",
    "20. The transactive controller of claim 19, wherein the computing hardware is configured to modify the first bid curve and not the second bid curve.",
    "21. The transactive controller of claim 19, wherein the computing hardware is configured to modify the second bid curve and not the first bid curve.",
    "22. The transactive controller of claim 19, wherein the computing hardware is configured to modify the first bid curve by eliminating at least a portion of a pre-cooling zone of the first bid curve or eliminating at least a portion of a pre-heating zone of the second bid curve.",
    "23. The transactive controller of claim 19, wherein the computing hardware is configured to modify the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that the first bid curve does not include a pre-cooling zone and the second bid curve does not include a pre-heating zone.",
    "24. The transactive controller of claim 19, wherein the computing hardware is configured to modify the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that a lower end of the first bid curve is separated from an upper end of the second bid curve by a fixed amount.",
    "25. The transactive controller of claim 24, wherein the fixed amount corresponds to a deadband setting for the heating and cooling system.",
    "26. The transactive controller of claim 19, wherein the computing hardware is configured to modify the first bid curve and the second bid curve by creating a region between the first bid curve and the second bid curve that does not trigger pre- heating or pre-cooling.",
    "27. The transactive controller of claim 26, wherein the region between the first bid curve and the second bid curve is centered about an average temperature between a cooling mode set point and a heating mode set point.",
    "28. A system, comprising: means for determining a first bid curve, the first bid curve indicating a first set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures, the first bid curve being associated with a cooling mode of operation for a heating and cooling system; means for determining a second bid curve, the second bid curve indicating a second set of bid prices for corresponding temperatures, the second bid curve being associated with a heating mode of operation for the heating and cooling system; means for determining that an overlap exists between the first bid curve and the second bid curve over a range of temperatures for which the first and second bid curves both indicate bid prices; means for eliminating the overlap between the first bid curve and the second bid curve so that the first bid curve and the second bid curve are used together without conflict in a mode of operation for the heating and cooling system in which both heating and cooling operations are automatically controlled, the eliminating comprising modifying the first bid curve, the second bid curve, or the first bid curve and the second bid curve, by modifying at least one data structure that defines the first or second bid curve; means for transmitting bids to a market based resource allocation system using the first bid curve and the second bid curve together with the overlap eliminated; means for receiving, from the market based resource allocation system, index values determined in part from the transmitted bids; and means for activating or deactivating the heating and cooling system based at least in part on the transmitted bids and the received index values."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application relates generally to the field of power grid management and control.\n\nDemand response and dynamic pricing programs are expected to play increasing roles in the modern smart grid environment. These programs typically utilize a price signal as a means to control demand. Active markets allow customers to respond to fluctuations in wholesale electrical costs, but may not allow the utility to directly and completely control demand. Transactive markets, utilizing distributed transactive controllers and a centralized auction, can provide an interactive system that helps ensure that consumer demand is met, supply limits are not exceeded, and that price volatility is reduced. With the current proliferation of computing and communication resources, the ability now exists to create transactive demand response programs at the residential level.\n\nDisclosed below are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity). For example, improved systems and methods for computing demand bids in a transactive and active market are described herein. In particular embodiments, bids are computed using a cooling mode bid curve and a heating mode bid curve that are adapted so that they do not conflict with one another.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06Q 40/00",
    "G06Q 30/08"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06Q 40/00",
    "G06Q 30/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Battelle Memorial Institute Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jason C. Fuller",
    "David P. Chassin",
    "Robert G. Pratt",
    "Matthew Hauer",
    "Francis K. Tuffner"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2011-04-28",
  "publication_date": "2017-03-07",
  "grant_date": "2017-03-07",
  "priority_date": "2011-04-28",
  "application_number": "US-201113096770-A",
  "family_id": "47068711",
  "cited_by_count": 86,
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