Methods for coupling an energy storage system to a variable energy supply system

• US 7,923,965 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2005
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Harbourt, Cyrus David, Wagoner, Robert Gregory, Ritter, Allen Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Bao Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran; Nguyen
• Application Number:
  US11/247,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20070080666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,010 Days
• Field of Search: 320/128, 320/127, 320/135, 320/137
• US Class Current: 320/127
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/28 The renewable source being wind energy
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• 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: Y02E 10/76 Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A method for coupling an energy storage system to a variable energy supply system includes providing an energy storage system including at least one Vanadium redox battery and at least one battery charge controller. The method also includes electrically coupling the at least one battery charge controller to the variable energy supply system such that the at least one battery is configured to supply a substantially consistent energy output during fluctuating energy loads of the energy supply system.

Claims

1. A method for coupling an energy storage system to a variable alternating current energy supply system having a direct current (DC) bus side, said method comprising:

providing an energy storage system including at least one Vanadium redox battery and at least one battery charge controller, wherein the at least one battery charge controller has a DC bus side and a battery side that is coupled to the at least one battery, the at least one battery charge controller including a DC/DC converter; and

electrically coupling the DC bus side of the at least one battery charge controller to the DC bus side of the variable alternating current energy supply system such that the at least one battery is configured to supply a substantially consistent energy output to at least one of a utility grid and a critical load when an input to the variable alternating current energy supply system prevents the variable alternating current energy supply system from generating the substantially consistent energy output, wherein the at least one battery charge controller and the at least one battery are configured to absorb an entire output power of the variable alternating current energy supply system as needed for dynamic braking within the variable alternating current energy supply system.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing the at least one battery charge controller comprises providing a bidirectional buck and boost converter.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the variable alternating current energy supply system comprises a wind turbine generator system including at least one alternating current wind turbine generator.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling the battery charge controller to the variable alternating current energy supply system further comprises coupling the battery charge controller to the variable alternating current energy supply system such that an output from the variable alternating current energy supply system above the substantially consistent energy output of the variable alternating current energy supply system charges the at least one battery.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling the battery charge controller to the variable alternating current energy supply system further comprises coupling the battery charge controller to a wind turbine generator system such that electrical power is provided to a wind turbine pitch control system in the event of a pitch control system failure.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein coupling the battery charge controller to the variable alternating current energy supply system further comprises providing electrical power to the critical load, from the at least one Vanadium redox battery, when wind speed is below a level that allows the wind turbine generator system to generate the substantially consistent energy output.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling the battery charge controller to the variable alternating current energy supply system further comprises storing bulk power in a Vanadium redox battery coupled to a plurality of interleaved IGBT converters to convert the battery voltage to AC and storing bulk power in a DC link within the converters.