System and method for associating a load demand with a variable power generation

• US 8,548,637 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2012
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunpower Corporation (Totalenergies Se)
• Original Assignee: Sunpower Corporation (Totalenergies Se)
• Inventors: Lenox, Carl J. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Padmanabhan, Kavita
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEVENS, THOMAS H
• Application Number:
  US13/354,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 700/291, 700/295, 606/418
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/46 Controlling of the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/70 Smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the energy generation sector
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/123 the energy generation units being or involving renewable energy sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

Systems and methods for associating a load demand with a variable power generation are described. For example, a method of providing power from a renewable resource includes receiving a signal including an output capability value for a renewable variable power generation module. An input power demand value is calculated for a load demand module based on the output capability value of the received signal. A customer load is controlled on a power transmission and distribution grid based on the calculated input power demand value.

Claims

1. A method for associating a load demand with a variable power generation, the method comprising:

determining an output power capability value for a renewable variable power generation module;

determining, for a load demand module, an input power demand value based on the output power capability value, wherein a power transmission and distribution grid is coupled with, and disposed in between, the renewable variable power generation module and the load demand module;

controlling a power consumption level of the load demand module in response to a change in the input power demand value, the change in the input power demand value based on a change in the output power capability value of the renewable variable power generation module; and

decreasing the power consumption level of the load demand module in response to a decrease in the input power demand value, the decrease in the input power demand value based on a decrease in the output power capability value of the renewable variable power generation module.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the load demand module comprises a smart appliance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the output power capability value for the renewable variable power generation module comprises determining the output power capability value for a solar variable power generation module.

4. A method for associating a load demand with a variable power generation, the method comprising:

determining an output power capability value for a renewable variable power generation module;

determining, for a load demand module, an input power demand value based on the output power capability value, wherein a power transmission and distribution grid is coupled with, and disposed in between, the renewable variable power generation module and the load demand module;

controlling a power consumption level of the load demand module in response to a change in the input power demand value, the change in the input power demand value based on a change in the output power capability value of the renewable variable power generation module; and

increasing the power consumption level of the load demand module in response to an increase in the input power demand value, the increase in the input power demand value based on an increase in the output power capability value of the renewable variable power generation module.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the load demand module comprises a smart appliance.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein determining the output power capability value for the renewable variable power generation module comprises determining the output power capability value for a solar variable power generation module.