Method and apparatus for effective utilization of energy storage components within a microgid

• US 8,946,929 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2011
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Singh, Harmohan N., Anghel, Cristian
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shiao, David
• Application Number:
  US13/289,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20130113287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 307/52
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/14 Balancing the load in a network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/10 The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/14 District level solutions, i.e. local energy networks

Abstract

A method for effectively utilizing energy storage components within a microgrid may include the steps of connecting a first plurality of energy storage components to a DC bus through switches, connecting a second plurality of energy storage components to an AC bus through inverters, connecting controllers to the energy storage components, connecting a first plurality of the controllers to the DC bus to regulate bidirectional flow of energy between the DC bus and the first plurality of energy storage components and connecting a second plurality of the controllers to the AC bus to regulate bidirectional flow of energy between the AC bus and the second plurality of energy storage components. The controllers may be interconnected with a local energy storage system bus and controlled via a master microgrid controller connected to the local energy storage system bus. The controllers may have a state of charge and a state of health algorithm adapted to measure the state of charge and the state of health of the energy storage components under dynamic charge or discharge conditions.

Claims

1. A method for effectively utilizing energy storage components within a microgrid, the method comprising:

connecting a first plurality of energy storage components to a DC bus through switches;

connecting a second plurality of energy storage components to an AC bus through inverters;

connecting controllers to the energy storage components, the controllers having a state of charge and a state of health algorithm adapted to measure the state of charge and the state of health of the energy storage components under dynamic charge or discharge conditions;

connecting a first plurality of the controllers to the DC bus to regulate bidirectional flow of energy between the DC bus and the first plurality of energy storage components;

connecting a second plurality of the controllers to the AC bus to regulate bidirectional flow of energy between the AC bus and the second plurality of energy storage components;

interconnecting the controllers with a local energy storage system bus; and

controlling the controllers via a master microgrid controller connected to the local energy storage system bus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy storage components include at least one of a battery, a supercapacitor, and a fuel cell.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps:

connecting a third plurality of energy storage components to the DC bus through a DC/DC converter;

connecting a third plurality of the controllers to the DC bus to regulate bidirectional flow of energy between the DC bus and the third plurality of energy storage components.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of energy storage components have terminal voltages substantially equal to a voltage of the DC bus.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving commands from the master microgrid controller with an energy storage system controller prior to delivering the commands to the local energy storage system bus.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps:

managing a state of charge of the energy storage components to preserve a lifespan of the energy storage components; and

performing trend analysis of a state of health of the energy storage components to predict advance maintenance actions.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising balancing charge and discharge of like energy storage components via duty cycling.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising controlling charge and discharge via a controller electrically connected to the energy storage components, the controller having algorithms for determining the state of charge and the state of health of the energy storage components.

9. A microgrid energy storage component system comprising:

a first plurality of energy storage components connectable with a DC bus through switches;

a second plurality of energy storage components connectable to an AC bus through inverters;

a controller connected to each of the energy storage components, the controller having a state of charge and a state of health algorithm adapted to measure the state of charge and the state of health of the energy storage components under dynamic charge or discharge conditions;

the controllers being configured to regulate bidirectional flow of energy between the energy storage components and the buses to which the corresponding energy storage components are connectable;

a local energy storage system bus interconnected with the controllers; and

a master microgrid controller connected to the local energy storage system bus.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a third plurality of energy storage components connectable to the DC bus via bidirectional DC to DC converters.