Method and system for providing central control in an energy generating system
First Claim
1. A central array controller for an energy generating array that comprises a plurality of energy generating devices in a system, each energy generating device coupled to a corresponding local converter, the central array controller comprising:
- a diagnostic module configured to receive data from each local converter in the array, the data comprising at least one of;
device data for the energy generating device corresponding to the local converter and local converter data for the local converter; and
a control module configured to send a control signal to each of the local converters based on the data in order to prompt at least one of the local converters to take at least one action identified by the control signal;
wherein;
each local converter comprises a local controller configured to determine a maximum power point for its corresponding energy generating device;
the system is configured to operate in a distributed mode and a centralized mode; and
the control signal comprises at least one of;
a correction signal that corrects at least one of the maximum power points determined by at least one of the local controllers when the system is in the distributed mode, an enable signal that enables the local controllers in the distributed mode, and a disable signal that disables the local controllers in the centralized mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A central array controller for an energy generating array is provided. The array includes a plurality of energy generating devices, and each energy generating device is coupled to a corresponding local converter. The central array controller includes a diagnostic module that is capable of receiving, from each local converter in the array, device data for the energy generating device corresponding to the local converter. In one embodiment, the diagnostic module is also capable of receiving, from each local converter in the array, local converter data for the local converter.
136 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A central array controller for an energy generating array that comprises a plurality of energy generating devices in a system, each energy generating device coupled to a corresponding local converter, the central array controller comprising:
-
a diagnostic module configured to receive data from each local converter in the array, the data comprising at least one of;
device data for the energy generating device corresponding to the local converter and local converter data for the local converter; anda control module configured to send a control signal to each of the local converters based on the data in order to prompt at least one of the local converters to take at least one action identified by the control signal; wherein; each local converter comprises a local controller configured to determine a maximum power point for its corresponding energy generating device; the system is configured to operate in a distributed mode and a centralized mode; and the control signal comprises at least one of;
a correction signal that corrects at least one of the maximum power points determined by at least one of the local controllers when the system is in the distributed mode, an enable signal that enables the local controllers in the distributed mode, and a disable signal that disables the local controllers in the centralized mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An energy generating system comprising:
-
an energy generating array that comprises a plurality of energy generating devices, each energy generating device coupled to a corresponding local converter; and a central array controller comprising; a diagnostic module configured to receive data from each local converter in the array, the data comprising at least one of;
(i) device data for the energy generating device corresponding to the local converter and (ii) local converter data for the local converter; anda control module configured to send a control signal to each of the local converters based on the data in order to prompt at least one of the local converters to take at least one action identified by the control signal; wherein; each local converter comprises a local controller configured to determine a maximum power point for its corresponding energy generating device; the system is configured to operate in a distributed mode and a centralized mode; and the control signal comprises at least one of;
a correction signal that corrects at least one of the maximum power points determined by at least one of the local controllers when the system is in the distributed mode, an enable signal that enables the local controllers in the distributed mode, and a disable signal that disables the local controllers in the centralized mode. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for providing central control in an energy generating system that comprises an energy generating array, the array comprising a plurality of energy generating devices, each energy generating device coupled to a corresponding local converter, the method comprising:
-
receiving data from each local converter in the array, the data comprising at least one of;
(i) device data for the energy generating device corresponding to the local converter and (ii) local converter data for the local converter; andsending a control signal to each of the local converters based on the data in order to prompt at least one of the local converters to take at least one action identified by the control signal; wherein; each local converter comprises a local controller configured to determine a maximum power point for its corresponding energy generating device; the system is configured to operate in a distributed mode and a centralized mode; and the control signal comprises at least one of;
a correction signal that corrects at least one of the maximum power points determined by at least one of the local controllers when the system is in the distributed mode, an enable signal that enables the local controllers in the distributed mode, and a disable signal that disables the local controllers in the centralized mode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification