Intelligent microgrid controller
First Claim
1. A system for increasing efficiency of power generation, distribution and delivery, comprising:
- a microgrid controller having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs comprising one or more variable frequency outputs, wherein the plurality of outputs are configured to connect to a plurality of electrical loads;
a plurality of power generation units electrically connected to the plurality of inputs on the microgrid controller, the plurality of power generation units having an optimal efficiency range;
an electrical storage unit electrically connected to a second input on the microgrid controller; and
an electrical load electrically connected to an output of the microgrid controller;
wherein the microgrid controller comprises a control module connected to the plurality of power generation units and configured to operate the plurality of power generation units at or near the optimal efficiency range regardless of variations in electrical load by;
transferring power to the electrical storage unit when electrical load on an output is below a threshold; and
transferring power from the electrical storage unit when electrical load on an output is above the threshold in order to maintain the plurality of power generation units at or near the optimal efficiency range.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A microgrid controller may control the generation, distribution, storage and use of electrical power on a microgrid. Embodiments of a microgrid controller may include inputs for different types of power (e.g. AC and DC) or power sources (e.g. wind and solar), an input for utility grid power, electrical equipment for conditioning the electrical power received from the multiple sources (e.g. rectifiers and inverters), outputs to multiple types of loads (e.g. three-phase AC and single-phase AC) and control circuitry designed to control the generation, storage, distribution and usage of electrical power on the microgrid. Embodiments of microgrid systems may include multiple types of electrical generation sources (e.g. wind, solar, electromechanical and fuel cell), multiple types of electrical loads (e.g. inductive and resistive), electrical storage units (e.g. batteries) and a microgrid controller.
26 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A system for increasing efficiency of power generation, distribution and delivery, comprising:
-
a microgrid controller having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs comprising one or more variable frequency outputs, wherein the plurality of outputs are configured to connect to a plurality of electrical loads; a plurality of power generation units electrically connected to the plurality of inputs on the microgrid controller, the plurality of power generation units having an optimal efficiency range; an electrical storage unit electrically connected to a second input on the microgrid controller; and an electrical load electrically connected to an output of the microgrid controller; wherein the microgrid controller comprises a control module connected to the plurality of power generation units and configured to operate the plurality of power generation units at or near the optimal efficiency range regardless of variations in electrical load by; transferring power to the electrical storage unit when electrical load on an output is below a threshold; and transferring power from the electrical storage unit when electrical load on an output is above the threshold in order to maintain the plurality of power generation units at or near the optimal efficiency range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A microgrid controller, comprising:
-
a plurality of inputs configured to electrically connect to a plurality of power generation units, the plurality of power generation units each having an optimal efficiency range; a plurality of outputs configured to electrically connect to a plurality of electrical loads, wherein the plurality of outputs comprises one or more variable frequency outputs; and a control module comprising instructions to control the plurality of power generation units and operate the plurality of power generation units at or near the optimal efficiency range regardless of variations in electrical load by; transferring power to an electrical storage unit when electrical load on an output is below a threshold; and transferring power from the electrical storage unit when electrical load on an output is above the threshold in order to maintain the plurality of power generation units at or near their optimal efficiency range. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method in a microgrid controller for allocating power to electric loads connected to a microgrid, the method comprising:
-
receiving grid load data from at least one load electrically connected to the microgrid controller; receiving electric generation data from a plurality of power generation units electrically connected to the microgrid controller, wherein the plurality of power generation units have an optimal efficiency range and are electrically connected to the at least one load via a variable frequency output; calculating generator efficiency data for the plurality of power generation units electrically connected to the microgrid controller; and sending generator control data to the plurality of power generation units electrically connected to the microgrid controller to operate the plurality of power generation units at or near the optimal efficiency range regardless of variations in electrical load by; transferring power to an electrical storage unit when electrical load on the output is below a threshold; and transferring power from the electrical storage unit when electrical load on the output is above the threshold in order to maintain the plurality of power generation units at or near their optimal efficiency range. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
Specification