Electrical energy and distribution system

• US 9,142,964 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2008
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renergyx Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Renergyx Pty Limited
• Inventors: Harrison, Craig William
• Primary Examiner(s): Amrany, Adi
• Application Number:
  US12/742,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20100320837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,531 Days
• Field of Search: 307 72- 78, 307/36
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/04 Constant-current supply systems
• 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 2300/40 wherein a plurality of decentralised, dispersed or local energy generation technologies are operated simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/36 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks via a high-tension dc link
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0074 Plural converter units whose inputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0077 Plural converter units whose outputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• 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 60/60 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between AC networks or generators via a high voltage DC link [HVCD]

Abstract

This invention concerns an electrical energy supply and distribution system. The system is able to handle both large centralized electricity generation plants, as well secondary energy sources which are becoming increasingly important. These sources may or may not be connected to deliver electrical energy to a 50 Hz AC power distribution grid. The system comprises a supply side where multiple electrical energy generators are connected via connections ports, involving conditioning circuitry, into a single DC electrical energy source. This energy source may be supplied to a common inverter system to convert it to AC for transmission on over a power grid. A rectifier may take the AC power from the grid and delivers it to loads. Whether an AC grid in involved or not, on the delivery side energy is delivered to multiple loads via connection ports involving conditioning circuitry. Any of the generators or loads may be taken offline or connected back into the system at will.

Claims

1. An electrical energy supply and distribution system suitable for medium scale supply, comprising:

(i) a supply side for supplying electrical energy, the supply side comprising;

electrical AC energy generators to generate AC power; and

a first plurality of connection ports for selective connection to the electrical AC energy generators, each connection port in the first plurality of connection ports including an AC input to receive electrical AC energy from an electrical AC generator of the electrical AC generators, a bipolar DC output to provide DC output power at a DC voltage, a bypass allowing direct current to flow through the connection port when no generator is connected at the AC input of the port, a rectifier bridge to convert the AC power from the generator connected to the AC input of the port to DC power, and a switching regulator connected to the rectifier bridge and to the DC output to control flow of power from the electrical energy generator and to vary DC output voltage and DC output power;

(ii) a delivery side for delivering electrical energy, the delivery side comprising;

electrical AC energy loads; and

a second plurality of connection ports for selective connection to the electrical AC energy loads, each connection port in the second plurality of connection ports including a bipolar DC input to receive DC input power at a DC input voltage, an AC output to provide AC output power to the electrical AC energy loads, a bypass allowing direct current to flow through the DC input of the port when no load is connected at the AC output of the port, a voltage regulator to maintain the DC input voltage constant, a battery or super capacitor connected to an output of the voltage regulator, and an inverter connected to the output of the voltage regulator and to the AC output of the port to generate, and vary the AC output power and deliver the AC output power to the electrical AC energy load connected at the port;

wherein the DC outputs of the supply side and the DC inputs of the delivery side are connected in series to form a direct current loop.

2. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, wherein all the first plurality of connection ports for selective connection to the electrical AC energy generators are together on the supply side, and all the second plurality of connection ports for selective connection to the electrical AC energy loads are together on the delivery side.

3. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of connection ports for selective connection to the electrical AC energy generators on the supply side and the second plurality of connection ports for selective connection to the electrical AC energy loads on the delivery side are arranged in any order around the direct current loop.

4. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the supply side further comprises a galvanic isolation transformer connected between the electrical AC energy and the rectifier bridge.

5. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical generators are one or more of:

a diesel power generator,

a motor generator, a gas turbine,

a tidal turbine generator,

a steam turbine, or

a reticulated supply.

6. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the rectifier bridge also functions as an additional bypass to allow direct current to flow through the DC output of the connection port when the generator is removed from the loop.

7. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a transformer connected between the AC generator and the rectifier bridge.

8. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical generator is an asynchronous induction type generator connected with a reactive magnetizing power (VAR) generator.

9. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the bypass for the electrical generator is a diode.

10. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the voltage regulator is a flyback switching regulator.

11. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 10, further comprising a galvanic isolation transformer to isolate a load.

12. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the bypass on the delivery side is a transistor, a thyristor or a mechanical switch.

13. The electrical energy supply and distribution system according to claim 1 wherein the inverters of the delivery side comprise plural parallel inverter outputs connected to individual primary windings of a multi-primary winding transformer, synchronization circuitry to develop a sinusoidal voltage on a secondary winding of the transformer, and the secondary winding of the multi primary winding transformer connected to the AC energy load.