Universal distributed-resource interface

• US 6,134,124 A
• Filed: 05/12/1999
• Issued: 10/17/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ABB Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Power T&D Limited (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Stillman, Harold M., Finney, John, Oravsky, Joseph, Slump, David, Petrie, Edward, Jungreis, Aaron M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US09/310,291
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 363/34, 363/37, 363/50, 363/65, 307/48, 307/71, 307/82
• US Class Current: 363/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/10 The dispersed energy generation being of fossil origin, e.g. diesel generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/20 The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/28 The renewable source being wind energy wind motors F03D
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/40 wherein a plurality of decentralised, dispersed or local energy generation technologies are operated simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/1842 wherein at least one reactive element is actively controlled by a bridge converter, e.g. active filters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/30 using dynamo-electric machines coupled to flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/42 with automatic parallel connection when synchronisation is achieved
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/46 Controlling of the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/066 characterised by the use of dynamo-electric machines H02J9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/20 Active power filtering [APF]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

An electronic interface couples a combination of generation and storage devices with a power grid and/or a load. The interface comprises a DC bus; a DC storage device coupled to the DC bus; a first DC-to-AC inverter (N1) having a DC port operatively coupled to the DC bus, and an AC port; a second DC-to-AC inverter (N2) having a DC port operatively coupled to the DC bus, and an AC port; a switch (S4) for electrically coupling the AC port of the second DC-to-AC inverter to a first generator or an AC storage device; a first rectifier (D1) for coupling an AC output of the first generator to the DC bus; and a second rectifier (D2) for coupling an AC output of the AC storage device to the DC bus. The electronic interface provides an efficient mechanism for integrating a variety of storage and generation devices to produce high quality power and reliability to a load as well as to facilitate interfacing of the storage and generation devices to the power grid for purposes of energy control, load leveling, and peak shaving.

Claims

1. An electronic interface for coupling a combination of generation or storage devices with a power grid and/or a load, comprising:

a DC bus;

a DC storage device operatively coupled to the DC bus;

a first DC-to-AC inverter (N1) having a DC port operatively coupled to the DC bus, and an AC port;

a second DC-to-AC inverter (N2) having a DC port operatively coupled to the DC bus, and an AC port;

a switch (S4) for electrically coupling the AC port of the second DC-to-AC inverter to a first generator or an AC storage device;

a first rectifier (D1) for coupling an AC output of the first generator to the DC bus; and

a second rectifier (D2) for coupling an AC output of the AC storage device to the DC bus.

2. An electronic interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the first generator comprises a microturbine high speed generator.

3. An electronic interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the AC storage device comprises a flywheel.

4. An electronic interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the AC port of the first DC-to-AC inverter is adapted to be electrically coupled to a load.

5. An electronic interface as recited in claim 1, further comprising a transformer (T1) for electrically coupling the AC port of the first DC-to-AC inverter to the load.

6. An electronic interface as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third rectifier (D3) for interfacing an AC output of the AC storage device to a starting motor of second generator.

7. An electronic interface as recited in claim 6, wherein the second generator comprises a synchronous generator.

8. An electronic interface as recited in claim 6, wherein the second generator comprises an induction generator.

9. An electronic interface as recited in claim 1, further comprising a static switch (S1) for electrically coupling a power grid and a load connected to the electronic interface.

10. An electronic interface as recited in claim 6, further comprising a switch (S3) for switchably coupling an AC output of the second generator to a load.

11. An electronic interface as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first generator comprises a microturbine high speed generator;

the AC storage device comprises a flywheel;

the AC port of the first DC-to-AC inverter is adapted to be electrically coupled to a load; and

the second generator comprises a member of the group consisting of a synchronous generator and an induction generator.

12. An electronic interface as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

a transformer (T1) for electrically coupling the AC port of the first DC-to-AC inverter to the load;

a third rectifier (D3) for interfacing an AC output of the AC storage device to a starting motor of second generator;

a static switch (S1) for electrically coupling a power grid and a load connected to the electronic interface; and

a switch (S3) for switchably coupling an AC output of the second generator to a load.

13. An electronic interface for coupling a combination of generation or storage devices with a power grid and/or a load, comprising:

a DC bus;

a DC storage device operatively coupled to the DC bus;

a first DC-to-AC inverter (N1) having a DC port operatively coupled to the DC bus, and an AC port;

a second DC-to-AC inverter (N2) having a DC port operatively coupled to the DC bus, and an AC port;

a switch (S4) for electrically coupling the AC port of the second DC-to-AC inverter to a an AC storage device;

a first rectifier (D2) for coupling an AC output of the AC storage device to the DC bus; and

a second rectifier (D3) interfacing an AC output of the AC storage device to a starting motor of a generator.

14. An electronic interface as recited in claim 13, wherein the generator comprises an induction generator.

15. An electronic interface as recited in claim 13, wherein the generator comprises a synchronous generator.

16. An electronic interface as recited in claim 13, further comprising a static switch (S1) for electrically coupling a power grid and a load connected to the electronic interface.

17. An electronic interface as recited in claim 13, further comprising a switch (S3) for switchably coupling an AC output of the generator to a load.

18. An electronic interface as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for coupling a microturbine high speed generator to the DC bus.

19. An electronic interface as recited in claim 13, wherein the AC storage device comprises a flywheel.