{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853445","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853445","title":"Method and system for monitoring an electrical power grid","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-04-30T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04W","H04W","H04W"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"A systems and methods for monitoring an electrical power distribution grid including a plurality of sensor devices forming a sensor wireless network are disclosed. Each sensor device monitors and measures attributes of line current for an associated electrical power distribution line at a selected location. A sensor device detects a fault on the branch of the power grid, determines if the one of the plurality of sensors is at a tail end, sends a fault detected message to an adjacent upstream sensor, or otherwise sends a sleep command to an adjacent downstream sensor from the tail end sensor to disable transmission."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent introduces a transformative approach to enhancing the reliability and efficiency of electrical power distribution networks. This innovation addresses the critical challenge of slow and inefficient fault detection, which leads to prolonged outages and significant economic losses across the energy sector.\n\nAt its core, the invention describes a sophisticated system of interconnected sensor devices that form a wireless network across the power grid. Each sensor is strategically deployed to continuously monitor and measure vital attributes of the line current, such as voltage, current, and frequency, at specific locations. This granular, real-time data collection provides unprecedented visibility into the health and performance of the grid.\n\nThe key technical approach lies in the system's intelligent fault detection and adaptive communication protocol. Upon detecting a fault on a power grid branch, a sensor device doesn't simply transmit a generic alert. Instead, it performs a crucial localized assessment: it determines if its position is at a 'tail end' of the affected branch. This determination dictates its subsequent action. If at a tail end, the sensor issues a 'sleep command' to adjacent downstream sensors, effectively disabling their transmission to conserve power and reduce unnecessary network traffic. Conversely, if located mid-branch, it sends a 'fault detected message' to an adjacent upstream sensor, ensuring that critical information propagates efficiently towards the central control system.\n\nThe business value and applications of this technology are substantial. It promises to dramatically reduce outage durations by enabling faster and more precise fault localization, thereby minimizing economic disruption for businesses and inconvenience for consumers. Utilities can expect significant operational cost savings through optimized resource allocation, reduced repair times, and the potential for predictive maintenance. This system also enhances overall grid resilience, making it more robust against environmental challenges and increasing demands. The market opportunity lies in modernizing aging infrastructure, facilitating the integration of distributed energy resources, and building truly 'smart' and self-healing grids. This patent offers a foundational technology for a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy future.","layman_explanation":"### What Problem Does This Solve?\n\nImagine the vast network of power lines that bring electricity to our homes and businesses as a sprawling, intricate highway system. Occasionally, there's an accident – a fallen tree, a broken component, or an overload. On our electricity highways, these are called 'faults,' and they cause power outages. The biggest challenge for utility companies isn't just fixing the problem, but first *finding* where the 'accident' happened on miles and miles of 'highway.' Currently, this often involves sending out crews to manually inspect sections, or relying on customer reports, which is slow, expensive, and leads to prolonged blackouts. Existing high-level monitoring systems can tell you *which large area* has a problem, but not the precise street or block, leaving utilities in a reactive, rather than proactive, mode.\n\n### How Does It Work?\n\nThe Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent introduces a brilliant solution akin to placing smart traffic cameras and sensors at every critical intersection and stretch of our electricity highways. These aren't just any cameras; they're intelligent, wireless sensor devices. Each device constantly monitors the 'traffic flow' (line current) on its section of the power line. If it detects an 'accident' (a fault), it doesn't just send a generic alert. Instead, it acts like a smart traffic controller:\n\n1.  **Local Intelligence:** It first figures out if it's at a 'dead end' or the furthest point of that particular road segment. \n2.  **Smart Messaging:** If it *is* at a dead end, and the fault is behind it, it intelligently tells all the 'traffic cameras' *further down that road* to go into a low-power, 'sleep' mode. This saves their battery life and prevents them from sending unnecessary data, much like turning off traffic cameras on a closed-off road.\n3.  **Upstream Alert:** If it's *not* at a dead end, meaning the fault is still ahead, it immediately sends a precise 'accident report' to the 'traffic cameras' *before it* (upstream), which then relay the message up to the central traffic control center. \n\nThis system ensures that critical information about the precise fault location travels quickly and efficiently, without wasting energy or clogging the network with redundant messages from unaffected areas. It's like getting an instant GPS location for every electrical 'accident.'\n\n### Why Does This Matter?\n\nThis innovation is a game-changer for the energy sector. For utility companies, it means drastically reduced operational costs – less time spent searching for faults, fewer labor hours, and optimized resource allocation. For instance, a major utility could save millions annually by cutting average outage durations by even 10-20%. This directly translates to improved financial performance and better service delivery. For businesses, it means less downtime, protecting revenue and productivity. For consumers, it means more reliable power and shorter outages, enhancing quality of life and safety. The patent also lays the groundwork for 'self-healing' grids, where the system can automatically reroute power around faults, and facilitates the integration of complex renewable energy sources by providing unprecedented network visibility. This technology is a cornerstone for building the resilient and efficient energy infrastructure required for the 21st century.\n\n### What's Next?\n\nThe Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid has immense potential for wider market adoption. We can expect to see phased rollouts by forward-thinking utilities looking to modernize their infrastructure. Future applications could include integration with advanced AI for predictive maintenance, allowing utilities to anticipate and prevent faults before they occur. For investors, this represents a significant opportunity in the rapidly growing smart grid technology market, offering solutions to universal utility challenges with clear ROI. This patent is not just about fixing today's problems; it's about building a more reliable, sustainable, and intelligent energy future.","technical_analysis":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent (US-9853445) details a robust and intelligent system designed to significantly enhance the monitoring and fault detection capabilities of electrical power distribution grids. This technical analysis delves into the architectural design, implementation specifics, algorithmic considerations, and performance implications of this innovative approach.\n\n**Technical Architecture:**\n\nThe core of this invention is a distributed, self-organizing wireless sensor network. The system comprises a plurality of individual sensor devices, each strategically deployed at selected locations along an electrical power distribution line. These devices are envisioned as compact, rugged units capable of operating autonomously, potentially powered by energy harvesting or long-life batteries. Each sensor is equipped with: \n1.  **Current/Voltage Transducers:** For accurate measurement of line current attributes (e.g., RMS current, phase angle, frequency, voltage levels). \n2.  **Microcontroller/Processor:** To process raw sensor data, execute fault detection algorithms, and manage communication protocols. \n3.  **Wireless Communication Module:** Enabling peer-to-peer communication with adjacent sensors and potentially gateway nodes for uplink to a central control system. \n4.  **Memory:** For storing operational parameters, network topology, and historical data.\n\nThe sensors form a mesh or ad-hoc network, allowing for redundant communication paths and decentralized operation, which enhances system resilience against individual sensor failures.\n\n**Implementation Details and Algorithm Specifics:**\n\n1.  **Attribute Monitoring:** Each sensor continuously samples and measures line current attributes. This involves Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) of transducer outputs, followed by digital signal processing (DSP) to extract relevant parameters. Thresholding algorithms or pattern recognition techniques are employed to identify deviations from normal operating conditions, indicating a potential fault.\n2.  **Fault Detection Logic:** The embedded software in each sensor implements a fault detection algorithm. This might involve: \n    *   **Threshold Comparison:** Simple comparison of measured values against predefined safe operating limits. \n    *   **Rate of Change Detection:** Monitoring for sudden, significant changes in current or voltage, characteristic of short circuits or line breaks. \n    *   **Waveform Analysis:** More advanced techniques could involve analyzing harmonic content or transient signatures to classify fault types.\n3.  **Tail-End Determination Algorithm:** This is a critical innovation. Upon detecting a fault, the sensor executes a logic to determine if it's at a 'tail end' of the power grid branch. This likely involves:\n    *   **Topology Awareness:** Sensors might be pre-configured with their network position or dynamically learn it through initial network discovery protocols (e.g., by identifying nodes with only one active neighbor upstream/downstream).\n    *   **Signal Propagation Analysis:** Analyzing the direction and attenuation of the fault signature to infer its relative position within the segment.\n4.  **Intelligent Communication Protocol:**\n    *   **Fault Detected Message (Upstream):** If the sensor is not at a tail end (i.e., there are downstream sensors that could still be operational or provide further fault localization), it sends a concise 'fault detected message' to its adjacent upstream sensor. This message would include essential data like fault type, time, and its own ID. This message propagates upstream until it reaches a gateway to the central control system.\n    *   **Sleep Command (Downstream):** If the sensor determines it *is* at a tail end (meaning the fault is likely downstream of it, or it marks the end of a faulty segment), it issues a 'sleep command' to its adjacent downstream sensors. This command instructs those sensors to enter a low-power state, disabling their transmission capabilities. This is a crucial energy conservation mechanism, preventing unnecessary data transmission from healthy or irrelevant sections of the grid and extending battery life.\n\n**Integration Patterns and Performance Characteristics:**\n\nThe system would integrate with existing utility infrastructure, likely via gateway devices that aggregate data from the wireless sensor network and relay it to SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Outage Management Systems (OMS). Communication standards such as IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee), LoRaWAN, or proprietary low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) protocols could be employed for the wireless sensor network, optimized for low power consumption and robust communication in challenging environments.\n\nPerformance characteristics would include: \n*   **Low Latency Fault Detection:** Near real-time fault identification due to distributed processing. \n*   **High Precision Localization:** Pinpointing faults to specific line segments, reducing search times. \n*   **Extended Network Lifespan:** Through intelligent power management, reducing maintenance cycles for battery replacement. \n*   **Scalability:** The modular nature allows for phased deployment and expansion across vast grid areas.\n\nThis technology offers a significant leap forward in grid monitoring, moving beyond simple data collection to an intelligent, adaptive, and power-efficient distributed sensing paradigm. The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid represents a robust solution for building more resilient and responsive electrical infrastructures.","business_analysis":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent (US-9853445) presents a compelling business proposition for the energy sector, offering substantial market opportunities, competitive advantages, and potential for significant return on investment. This innovation is poised to address critical inefficiencies and enhance the resilience of global power distribution networks.\n\n**Market Opportunity Size:**\n\nThe global smart grid market is projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the decade, driven by the need for grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and enhanced reliability. Within this, real-time monitoring and fault detection represent a core segment. Aging infrastructure in developed nations and rapidly expanding grids in developing economies create a massive addressable market for the Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid. Utilities worldwide grapple with high operational costs associated with outages, manual inspections, and slow fault resolution. This patent directly targets these pain points, offering a solution relevant to every utility operator, large or small.\n\n**Competitive Advantages:**\n\nThe primary competitive advantage of this patented system lies in its intelligent, distributed nature combined with adaptive communication and power management. Unlike traditional SCADA systems that provide centralized, often less granular data, or simpler sensor deployments that lack intelligent network management, this invention offers:\n\n1.  **Superior Fault Localization Speed and Precision:** By enabling localized decision-making and rapid, targeted information flow, the system significantly reduces the 'Mean Time To Repair' (MTTR) for outages.\n2.  **Optimized Energy Efficiency:** The 'sleep command' mechanism for downstream sensors is a unique feature that dramatically extends the operational lifespan of wireless, potentially battery-powered, sensor networks. This reduces maintenance costs and enhances sustainability.\n3.  **Enhanced Grid Resilience:** The ability to quickly identify and isolate faults makes the entire grid more robust against disruptions, leading to fewer and shorter outages.\n4.  **Proactive vs. Reactive Management:** The continuous, granular monitoring facilitates a shift from reactive repairs to predictive maintenance, identifying potential issues before they escalate.\n\n**Revenue Potential and Business Models:**\n\nRevenue generation for this technology could stem from several business models:\n\n*   **Hardware Sales:** Direct sales of the sensor devices and associated gateway hardware to utility companies.\n*   **Software/Platform Licensing:** Licensing the intelligent network management software, data analytics platform, and integration modules.\n*   **Service-Based Models (SaaS/PaaS):** Offering 'Grid Monitoring as a Service' (GMaaS), where utilities subscribe to the system, including installation, maintenance, and data insights, for a recurring fee.\n*   **Consulting and Integration Services:** Providing expert services for system design, deployment, and integration with existing utility IT infrastructure.\n\nThe value proposition is strong: reduced operational expenditures (OpEx) for utilities through fewer truck rolls, lower labor costs for fault tracing, and extended asset life; increased revenue protection by minimizing outage-related penalties and ensuring consistent service delivery; and improved customer satisfaction, which can translate into higher regulatory performance metrics.\n\n**Strategic Positioning:**\n\nThis technology positions companies at the forefront of smart grid innovation. It enables utilities to meet evolving regulatory requirements for grid reliability and efficiency, supports the integration of volatile renewable energy sources by providing critical network visibility, and enhances cybersecurity through a more robust and self-aware infrastructure. Strategic partnerships with existing SCADA providers, telecommunication companies (for network backbone), and energy analytics firms could accelerate market penetration.\n\n**ROI Projections:**\n\nFor utility companies, the ROI would be driven by tangible savings and intangible benefits:\n\n*   **Direct Cost Savings:** Reduction in outage-related penalties, labor costs for fault localization, and equipment damage. A 10-20% reduction in average outage duration could yield millions in savings for a large utility annually.\n*   **Increased Revenue:** Maintaining consistent power delivery minimizes lost revenue from service interruptions.\n*   **Improved Public Relations & Customer Loyalty:** A more reliable grid enhances customer satisfaction and strengthens brand image.\n*   **Asset Longevity:** Predictive maintenance informed by granular data can extend the life of critical grid components.\n\nWhile specific ROI will vary by utility, the Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid offers a clear path to substantial financial and operational benefits, making it an attractive investment for modernizing energy infrastructure.","faqs":[{"answer":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid is a patented technology (US-9853445) that introduces a novel approach to overseeing and managing electrical power distribution networks. It fundamentally aims to improve grid reliability and efficiency by providing granular, real-time data on line current attributes. This innovation moves beyond traditional, often slow, monitoring methods to a more dynamic and intelligent system.\n\nAt its core, this invention utilizes a network of sophisticated sensor devices strategically deployed across the electrical power grid. Each sensor acts as a vigilant guardian, continuously measuring critical electrical characteristics like voltage, current, and frequency at its specific location. This distributed data collection provides an unprecedented level of visibility into the health and performance of the grid at various points.\n\nThe system's intelligence is particularly evident in its ability to not only detect faults but also to manage communication and power consumption within the sensor network. When a fault occurs, the sensors don't just send a generic alert; they make smart decisions about how to relay information and conserve energy, ensuring that critical data is delivered efficiently.\n\nThis patented method represents a significant advancement in smart grid technology, laying the groundwork for more resilient, responsive, and ultimately, self-healing power infrastructures. It addresses the long-standing industry challenge of quickly and precisely identifying problems on vast power distribution networks.","question":"What is Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid?"},{"answer":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid operates through a network of intelligent, wireless sensor devices strategically placed on electrical power distribution lines. Each sensor is designed to perform continuous, real-time measurements of various attributes of the line current, such as voltage, current, and frequency, at its specific location. This constant vigilance allows for immediate detection of any deviations from normal operating parameters.\n\nWhen a sensor device detects a fault on a branch of the power grid, its intelligence comes into play. It doesn't simply broadcast an alert; instead, it executes a crucial internal logic to determine its position within the affected network segment. Specifically, it ascertains whether it is located at a 'tail end' of the power grid branch where the fault has occurred. This 'tail-end' determination is a key innovation of the system.\n\nBased on this determination, the sensor then takes one of two adaptive communication actions: If it confirms it's at a tail end (meaning the fault is likely behind it, or it marks the end of an affected segment), it sends a 'sleep command' to adjacent downstream sensors. This command instructs those sensors to enter a low-power mode, effectively disabling their transmission capabilities to conserve energy and reduce unnecessary network traffic. Conversely, if the sensor is not at a tail end, it sends a 'fault detected message' to an adjacent upstream sensor, ensuring that critical information about the fault's location propagates quickly and efficiently towards the central control system. This adaptive communication strategy optimizes resource use and accelerates fault localization.","question":"How does Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid work?"},{"answer":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent primarily solves the critical and costly problem of slow, inefficient, and imprecise fault detection in electrical power distribution networks. This long-standing issue leads to prolonged power outages, significant economic losses for businesses, considerable inconvenience for consumers, and high operational expenditures for utility companies.\n\nTraditionally, when a fault occurs (e.g., a downed line, equipment failure), utilities often rely on high-level SCADA data, which indicates a problem in a broad area but not its exact location. Pinpointing the fault often requires manual inspections, which are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expose personnel to risks. This reactive approach means that the 'Mean Time To Repair' (MTTR) for outages is often unacceptably long.\n\nThis patented innovation addresses this by providing granular, real-time monitoring combined with intelligent, distributed decision-making. By allowing individual sensors to detect faults precisely and then intelligently manage the communication flow – conserving power in non-critical areas and rapidly relaying information from critical ones – the system drastically reduces the time and effort required to locate problems. This shift from reactive searching to proactive, precise localization is fundamental to building a more resilient, reliable, and cost-effective power grid.","question":"What problem does Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid solve?"},{"answer":"The specific inventors for the Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent (US-9853445) are not provided in the given patent data. Patent filings typically list inventors, but this information was omitted from the provided abstract and description sections. However, the patent was filed by an assignee, which is the entity (often a company) that owns the patent rights.\n\nWhile the individual innovators are not detailed here, the invention itself represents a collaborative effort typical of advanced technological development in the energy sector. Such breakthroughs often emerge from research and development teams within corporations, universities, or specialized tech firms dedicated to smart grid solutions. The focus of this patent is on enhancing critical infrastructure, suggesting a background in electrical engineering, wireless communications, and distributed systems.\n\nFor precise inventor information, one would typically refer to the full patent document available through official patent databases like the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) or Google Patents, where the inventor names are formally listed alongside the assignee (if applicable) and other bibliographic data. The absence of specific inventor names in this context does not diminish the significance of the technological advancement presented by this patent.","question":"Who invented Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid?"},{"answer":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid offers a multitude of key benefits that significantly enhance the performance and reliability of electrical distribution networks. These advantages are crucial for modernizing aging infrastructure and meeting future energy demands.\n\nFirstly, it enables **Faster and More Precise Fault Localization**. By deploying intelligent sensors directly on power lines, the system can pinpoint the exact location of a fault in near real-time, drastically reducing the time it takes for utility crews to identify and reach the problem area. This minimizes Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) and gets power restored much quicker.\n\nSecondly, the invention ensures **Enhanced Grid Reliability and Resilience**. Fewer and shorter outages mean a more stable and dependable power supply for consumers and businesses. This improved resilience helps the grid withstand environmental challenges and operational stresses, contributing to greater energy security.\n\nThirdly, it provides **Optimized Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings** for utility companies. Reduced labor hours for fault tracing, fewer truck rolls, and the potential for predictive maintenance translate into significant operational expenditure reductions. The intelligent power management feature, which allows sensors to 'sleep,' also extends their battery life, lowering maintenance and replacement costs.\n\nFinally, this system contributes to a **Smarter, More Sustainable Grid**. It lays the groundwork for self-healing grids and facilitates the seamless integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar and wind, which require granular grid visibility. This makes the Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid a vital component for building the energy infrastructure of the future.","question":"What are the key benefits of Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid?"},{"answer":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid distinguishes itself significantly from prior art in electrical grid monitoring through its unique combination of distributed intelligence and adaptive communication protocols. Traditional systems, such as SCADA, provide centralized, high-level data that often lacks the granular precision needed for fault localization at the distribution level. Basic fault indicators are passive and require manual inspection, offering limited real-time insight.\n\nWhere prior art wireless sensor networks (WSNs) might simply collect and transmit data, often leading to excessive power consumption and network congestion during fault events (as all affected sensors might broadcast simultaneously), this patented system introduces a crucial layer of intelligence. Each sensor device is not merely a data collector; it's a decision-making node. Upon detecting a fault, it actively determines its topological position, specifically if it's at a 'tail end' of the affected branch.\n\nThis 'tail-end' determination enables an adaptive communication strategy that is a significant departure from prior art. If a sensor is at a tail end, it intelligently issues a 'sleep command' to adjacent downstream sensors, conserving their battery life and reducing unnecessary network traffic. This prevents redundant transmissions from healthy or irrelevant sections of the grid. Conversely, if not at a tail end, it sends a targeted 'fault detected message' upstream. This selective and intelligent communication optimizes resource utilization, enhances the speed and precision of fault localization, and ultimately provides a more efficient and resilient monitoring solution than previously available technologies.","question":"How is Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid different from prior art?"},{"answer":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent is set to profoundly impact several key industries, with the primary beneficiary being the **Electrical Utilities and Energy Distribution** sector. This technology directly addresses their core challenges of grid reliability, operational efficiency, and fault management. Utilities will see reduced outage times, lower maintenance costs, and improved customer satisfaction, making their operations more sustainable and profitable.\n\nBeyond direct utility application, the **Smart Grid Technology and Infrastructure Development** industry will experience significant growth and innovation. This patent provides a foundational component for advanced smart grid solutions, including self-healing grids, microgrids, and intelligent energy management systems. Companies developing hardware, software, and services for smart grids will find this technology a critical enabler.\n\nFurthermore, the **Renewable Energy Integration** sector will benefit immensely. As more intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind are added to the grid, the need for granular, real-time monitoring to maintain stability becomes paramount. This system provides the visibility required to manage complex bidirectional power flows and ensure grid stability with high penetrations of renewables. Industries involved in **Industrial Automation and IoT (Internet of Things)** will also find opportunities, as the patent leverages distributed sensor networks and intelligent communication, aligning with broader trends in industrial IoT for critical infrastructure monitoring. Ultimately, any industry reliant on a stable and reliable power supply, from manufacturing to data centers, will indirectly benefit from the enhanced grid resilience this technology offers.","question":"What industries will Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid impact?"},{"answer":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent (US-9853445) was filed on **April 30, 2015**. The filing date marks the official submission of the patent application to the relevant patent office, in this case, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This date is crucial as it typically establishes the priority date for the invention, meaning that the invention's novelty and non-obviousness are assessed against the prior art existing before this date.\n\nThe patent was subsequently published, and the publication date, which often indicates when the patent was officially granted or made publicly available, is **December 26, 2017**. This date signifies that the patent application successfully navigated the examination process, including reviews for novelty, inventiveness, and industrial applicability, and was formally issued as a patent. The period between the filing and publication dates is typically spent on examination, potential revisions, and responses to office actions from the patent examiner.\n\nTherefore, the innovation described in the Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid has been a protected and recognized intellectual property since late 2017, providing its owners with exclusive rights to the invention for a specified period.","question":"When was Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid filed/granted?"},{"answer":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent holds significant commercial potential across various applications within the energy sector, primarily driven by its ability to enhance grid reliability and operational efficiency. The most direct and impactful commercial application is in **Utility Grid Modernization and Operations**. Utility companies can deploy this system to drastically reduce power outage durations, lower operational costs associated with fault detection and repair, and improve overall service reliability. This translates into tangible financial savings through reduced penalties, optimized labor, and enhanced customer satisfaction.\n\nAnother key application is in **Smart City Infrastructure Development**. As cities become 'smarter,' reliable power is paramount. This technology can be integrated into urban power grids to create more resilient infrastructure, supporting everything from public transportation to smart lighting and communication networks. Its distributed nature makes it ideal for managing complex urban distribution challenges.\n\nFurthermore, the system is commercially valuable for **Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Management and Integration**. With the proliferation of rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging stations, managing bidirectional power flow and grid stability becomes increasingly complex. This patent provides the granular visibility needed to effectively integrate and manage these DERs, ensuring grid stability and efficiency. Lastly, the data generated by the Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid can be leveraged for **Advanced Analytics and Predictive Maintenance Solutions**. This enables third-party vendors to offer software and consulting services that analyze grid data to predict equipment failures, optimize asset management, and inform infrastructure investment decisions, creating an ecosystem of value-added services around the core technology.","question":"What are the commercial applications of Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid?"},{"answer":"The Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid patent lays a robust foundation for numerous future developments that will further enhance grid intelligence and autonomy. One significant expected development is the integration with **Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)**. Future iterations could embed more sophisticated AI algorithms directly on the sensor devices for edge computing, enabling real-time fault classification, prediction of impending failures, and even autonomous decision-making regarding grid reconfiguration. This moves beyond simple fault detection to predictive and prescriptive grid management.\n\nAnother key area of development is towards **Fully Self-Healing Grids**. The precise fault localization provided by this system is a critical prerequisite for automated grid self-healing. Future systems could integrate with automated switching devices, allowing the grid to detect, isolate, and reroute power around faults autonomously, minimizing human intervention and outage durations to mere seconds. This would fundamentally transform grid resilience.\n\nFurthermore, expect advancements in **Energy Harvesting and Ultra-Low Power Communication**. While the current patent includes intelligent power management, future developments will likely focus on making the sensor devices even more energy-independent, perhaps through more efficient solar, vibration, or inductive energy harvesting directly from power lines. This would reduce maintenance requirements to near zero. Lastly, the Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid will likely evolve to support **Enhanced Grid Cybersecurity**. As grids become more digitized and interconnected, robust security measures are paramount. Future developments could include advanced encryption, anomaly detection specific to cyber threats at the sensor level, and secure communication protocols to protect against unauthorized access and manipulation, making the entire energy infrastructure more secure and resilient.","question":"What are the future developments expected for Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid?"}],"topics":["Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid","power grid monitoring","electrical fault detection","smart grid technology","wireless sensor networks","relentless","pursuit","resilience"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Smart Grid Monitoring: Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid - US-9853445","description":"Discover the Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid, a patent revolutionizing fault detection and grid resilience. Explore its smart sensor network, intelligent communication, and energy-saving features for modern power distribution. US-9853445.","keywords":["Method and System for Monitoring an Electrical Power Grid","power grid monitoring","electrical fault detection","smart grid technology","wireless sensor networks","grid resilience","energy innovation","utility tech","power distribution patent","US-9853445","intelligent grid sensors","energy management systems"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853445","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853445","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Method and system for monitoring an electrical power grid\" (US-9853445). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853445","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853445","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853445","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T11:37:27.556Z"}