Importance

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Abstract

A methodology and related system apparatus is provided for using and coordinating the use of information conveyed over communications to most efficiently and flexibly respond to abnormalities to reconfigure and restore service to end customers in commodity distribution systems in a manner to enhance the reconfigurability of the distribution system, e.g. circuit reconfiguration in an electrical power distribution system. Methodology is also provided to appropriately allocate system resources of the distribution system when so desired, e.g. to prevent the potential overloading of electrical power sources. In one illustrative arrangement, the methodology is characterized by resources at each node and communications of source allocation data or messages to other nodes to request and establish an appropriate allocation of system resources. In a preferred arrangement and especially useful for larger distribution systems, 'teams' of nodes are defined in the distribution system having associated switching controls with the various teams communicating amongst each other to 'negotiate' or work out the most efficient and expeditious reconfiguration of the system in response to fault conditions and other circuit abnormalities.

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First Claim