Xcel Energy was granted a patent for frequency-based load tripping.

{
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  "signal_type": "patents-company",
  "signal_subtype": "patentGrant",
  "detected_at": "2026-09-17T20:14:04+00:00",
  "company": {
    "name": "Xcel Energy",
    "domain": "xcelenergy.com"
  },
  "data": {
    "cpc": [
      {
        "code": "H02J 3/00125"
      },
      {
        "code": "G05B 19/042"
      },
      {
        "code": "H02J 3/381"
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    ],
    "tags": [
      "Intellectual Property",
      "Research & Development",
      "Energy / Power",
      "Utility Operations"
    ],
    "detail": "In July 2026 Xcel Energy patented grid-control technology for transmission networks, helping disconnect selected electricity loads during rapidly developing frequency disturbances.",
    "summary": "Xcel Energy was granted a patent for frequency-based load tripping.",
    "event_at": "2026-07-14",
    "inventors": [
      {
        "name": "Kevin W. Jones",
        "status": "resolved",
        "is_primary": true,
        "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-jones-9b090a14"
      }
    ],
    "event_kind": "grant_date",
    "grant_date": "2026-07-14",
    "source_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12683393",
    "cpc_primary": {
      "code": "H02J 3/00125"
    },
    "patent_title": "Tripping energy loads during under-frequency events based on rate of change of frequency",
    "patent_number": "US12683393",
    "uspto_assignee": "Xcel Energy Inc.",
    "patent_abstract": "Disclosed are systems and methods for tripping energy loads in an energy transmission system based on rate of change of frequency (RoCoF). A method can include: receiving, by a control circuitry of a relay, energy-in-generation information for an energy load, determining a RoCOF for the energy load, identifying presence of first RoCoF conditions, setting first through nth timers based on a determination that at least a threshold of the first RoCoF conditions are identified, and until the first through nth timers expire: determining whether the threshold of the first RoCoF conditions is met before the first timer expires, generating instructions that cause tripping the energy load by a first predetermined amount based on a determination that the threshold of the first RoCoF conditions is met before the first timer expires, and returning the instructions for execution by the relay to cause the tripping of the energy load in near real-time.",
    "precision_class": "structural",
    "invention_explanation": "A relay watches how quickly grid frequency changes and uses timed thresholds to switch off selected loads before an under-frequency event spreads.",
    "technologies_mentioned": [
      "power-grid protection",
      "frequency monitoring",
      "load shedding",
      "control relays"
    ]
  }
}

curl https://signals.autobound.ai/v1/signals/4958199e-ad24-5a06-8893-4f0e5310823e \
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curl -X POST https://signals.autobound.ai/v1/companies/enrich \
  -H "X-API-KEY: $AUTOBOUND_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"domain":"xcelenergy.com","limit":20}'