Systems and method for routing power across multiple microgrids having DC and AC buses

• US 10,459,473 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2016
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Inventors: Miller, Landon Cabell Garland, Barrett, David Michael, Kajs, John Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael D
• Application Number:
  US15/265,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20170003701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2203 Grid, array of controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00012 using an auxiliary transmission line
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/10 The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/06 Controlling transfer of power between connected networks; Controlling sharing of load between connected networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/34 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between networks of substantially different frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a plurality of microgrid modules. A microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a control software module and a power router software module. The control software module receives data from sensors in the microgrid module and controls the flow of power with controllable elements. The power router software module controls the operation of the power router. The power router can detect changes in demand for power within the microgrid module or from other microgrid modules. The power router can adjust the flow of power between the microgrid modules in response to changes in the supply of power to the microgrid module and changes in the demand for power from the microgrid module.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable program instructions for managing the operation of a plurality of microgrid modules, the computer executable program instructions comprising:

first program instructions for receiving power flow data sensed by a sensor indicating a first microgrid module is receiving power on a DC bus, converting the power to AC power, and supplying the power directly to a load which is a second microgrid module on an AC output bus via an inter-microgrid connection;

second program instructions for receiving demand data sensed by a sensor indicating a demand for additional power from the load;

third program instructions for comparing the demand data to rules stored in a computer readable memory, determining a command to send to a controllable element of the first microgrid module, and sending the command to the controllable element to control an operation of the first microgrid module,

wherein the non-transitory computer executable program instructions are executed on a computer comprising a processor and a memory.

2. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 1, wherein demand data is received by a sensor of the first microgrid module.

3. A computer readable medium according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is capable of sensing one or more of the group consisting of:

a direction, voltage, current, power, change in direction, change in voltage, change in current, change in power, rate of change in direction, rate of change in voltage, rate of change in current, and a rate of change in power.

4. A computer readable medium according to claim 1, wherein:

the controllable element is a power router element; and

the command is to increase the power supplied to the load.

5. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 4, wherein the computer executable program instructions further comprise:

fourth program instructions to retrieve one or more business parameters stored in the computer-readable memory and to convert the one or more business parameters into the rules.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 5, wherein the business parameters comprise one or more of the group consisting of:

a cost of power from an AC power grid, a cost of power from an alternate power source coupled to the first microgrid module, an expected load demand, and a power source preference.

7. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 6, wherein the rules comprise one or more of the group consisting of:

a time when the first microgrid module will draw power from the AC power grid, the alternate power source, or from the second microgrid module.

8. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 7, wherein the computer executable program instructions further comprise:

fifth program instructions to adjust the rules based on historical demand data and log data describing operation of the first microgrid module over time.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable program instructions for managing the operation of a plurality of microgrid modules, the computer executable program instructions comprising:

first program instructions for receiving power flow data sensed by a sensor indicating a first microgrid module is receiving power on a DC bus, converting the power to AC power, and supplying the power directly to a second microgrid module on an AC output bus via an inter-microgrid connection;

second program instructions for receiving demand data sensed by a sensor indicating a demand for additional power from a second microgrid module;

third program instructions for comparing the demand data to rules stored in a computer readable memory, determining a command to increase the power supplied to the second microgrid module, and sending the command to a controllable element to control an operation of the first microgrid module, wherein the rules include a time when the first microgrid module will draw power from one of an AC power grid and an alternate power source,

and further wherein the non-transitory computer executable program instructions are executed on a computer comprising a processor and a memory.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 9, wherein the computer executable program instructions further comprise:

fourth program instructions to retrieve one or more business parameters stored in the computer-readable memory and to convert the one or more business parameters into the rules.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 10, wherein the business parameters comprise one or more of the group consisting of:

a cost of power from an AC power grid, a cost of power from an alternate power source coupled to the first microgrid module, an expected load demand, and a power source preference.

12. A computer readable medium according to claim 9, wherein:

the controllable element is a power router element.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable program instructions for managing the operation of a plurality of microgrid modules, the computer executable program instructions comprising:

first program instructions for receiving power flow data sensed by a sensor indicating a first microgrid module is receiving power on a DC bus, converting the power to AC power, and supplying the power directly to a load which is a second microgrid module on an AC output bus via an inter-microgrid connection;

second program instructions for receiving demand data sensed by a sensor indicating a demand for additional power from the load;

third program instructions for comparing the demand data to rules stored in a computer readable memory, determining a command to send to a controllable element of the first microgrid module, and sending the command to the controllable element to control an operation of the first microgrid module;

fourth program instructions to retrieve one or more business parameters stored in the computer-readable memory and to convert the one or more business parameters into the rules;

fifth program instructions to adjust the rules based on historical demand data and log data describing operation of the first microgrid module over time,

wherein the non-transitory computer executable program instructions are executed on a computer comprising a processor and a memory.

14. A computer readable medium according to claim 13, wherein:

the controllable element is a power router element; and

the command is to increase the power supplied to the load.