Routing power across multiple microgrids having DC and AC buses

• US 9,459,643 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2014
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Inventors: Miller, Landon Cabell Garland, Barrett, David Michael, Kajs, John Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US14/175,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20140156101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2203 Grid, array of controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00012 using an auxiliary transmission line
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/10 The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/06 Controlling transfer of power between connected networks; Controlling sharing of load between connected networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/34 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between networks of substantially different frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a plurality of microgrid modules. A microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a control software module and a power router software module. The control software module receives data from sensors in the microgrid module and controls the flow of power with controllable elements. The power router software module controls the operation of the power router. The power router can detect changes in demand for power within the microgrid module or from other microgrid modules. The power router can adjust the flow of power between the microgrid modules in response to changes in the supply of power to the microgrid module and changes in the demand for power from the microgrid module.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable program instructions for managing the operation of a plurality of microgrid modules, the computer executable program instructions comprising:

first program instructions for receiving power flow data sensed by a sensor indicating a first microgrid module is receiving power on a DC bus, converting the power to AC power, and supplying the power to a load on an AC output bus;

second program instructions for receiving interruption data sensed by the sensor indicating an interruption in the power received by the first microgrid module on the DC bus;

third program instructions for determining that insufficient power is being supplied to the first microgrid module; and

fourth program instructions for directing a first power router of the first microgrid module and a second power router of a second microgrid module to increase an amount of power drawn from the second microgrid module in communication with the first microgrid module,

wherein the first, second, and third program instructions are executed by a first microgrid computer comprising a processor and a memory, and further wherein the fourth program instructions are executed by at least a first power router software module of the first power router and a second power router software module of the second power router.

2. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 1, wherein the computer executable program instructions further comprise fifth program instructions executed by the second power router software module for directing the second power router element to decrease the power supplied from the second microgrid module to the first microgrid module.

3. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 1, wherein the computer executable program instructions further comprise sixth program instructions executed by the second power router software module for directing the second microgrid module and a third power router of a third microgrid module to increase power drawn from the third microgrid module, wherein the sixth program instructions are executed by at least the second power router software module of the second power router and a third power router software module of the third power router.

4. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 1, wherein the computer executable program instructions further comprise seventh program instructions executed by the first power router software module for directing the first power router to increase the voltage of the power supplied to the first micro grid module.

5. A non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 1, wherein the computer executable program instructions further comprise eighth program instructions executed by the first power router software module for directing the first power router to convert the power supplied to the first microgrid module from DC power to AC power.