Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomous rapid shut-down of a power conditioner. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining an amount of active and reactive current generated by a power conditioner; determining whether the amount of active and reactive current satisfies an open circuit threshold; and initiating, when the amount of active and reactive current satisfies the open circuit threshold, deactivation of the power conditioner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomous charge balancing of an energy storage device of the microgrid. In one embodiment the method comprises obtaining, at a droop control module of a power conditioner coupled to an energy storage device in a microgrid, an estimate of a state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device; introducing a bias, the bias based on (I) the estimate of the SOC and (II) a target SOC value for each energy storage device of a plurality of energy storage devices in the microgrid, to a droop control determination made by the droop control module; and generating, by the power conditioner, an output based on the droop control determination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for grid connectivity control are provided herein. For example, a method can include receiving status information of a microgrid configured to connect to a grid, transmitting a live status update screen of the microgrid to a user, the live status update screen comprising a grid connectivity button configured to receive a user input and based on a received user input, transmitting a control signal to a microgrid interconnect device connected between the microgrid and the grid for coordinating one of connection or disconnection microgrid connected to the grid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tertiary control with over-current protection. In one embodiment, the method comprises calculating at least one unconstrained optimal net intertie target for an area of a power network; calculating, for each resource within the area, optimal scheduled current to achieve the at least one unconstrained optimal net intertie target; calculating, using the optimal scheduled currents and a plurality of stress coefficients, net scheduled current for each power line segment within the area; comparing the net scheduled currents to corresponding stress thresholds to identify any stress violations; reducing, when the comparing step identifies one or more stress violations, the optimal scheduled current for one or more resources contributing to the one or more stress violations; and calculating, when the comparing step identifies the one or more stress violations, updated optimal scheduled current for one or more resources not contributing to the one or more stress violations.

Abstract: A distributed energy conversion system may include one or more DC power sources and two or more inverters to convert DC power from the power sources to AC power. The AC power from the two or more inverters may be combined to provide a single AC output. A module may include one or more photovoltaic cells and two or more inverters. An integrated circuit may include power electronics to convert DC input power to AC output power and processing circuitry to control the power electronics. The AC output power may be synchronized with an AC power distribution system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a 3D model of a roof of a building are provided. In a described embodiment, the method includes receiving point cloud data comprising a plurality of data points corresponding to height measurements at a given location; processing the point cloud data to identify roof surfaces; generating a 3D model of the roof using the identified surfaces; receiving aerial imagery of the roof; registering the aerial imagery with the point cloud data; and refining the 3D model using the aerial imagery. A corresponding computing system and non-transitory computer readable medium for carrying out the methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for flexibly mounting a power module to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of distributed mounting points adapted to be adhered to a face of the PV module for mechanically coupling the power module to the PV module, wherein the plurality of distributed mounting points flexibly retain the power module such that the PV module is able to flex without subjecting the power module to stress from flexure of the PV module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for secondary control in a power network. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a frequency area controller error (ACE) equation for an area and a voltage ACE for the area; decomposing the frequency ACE equation and the voltage ACE equation to generate a first set of symmetric sequences for the frequency ACE equation and a second set of symmetric sequences for the voltage ACE equation, respectively, wherein the first and second sets of symmetric sequences represent positive and negative sequences; and implementing, by an area controller for the area, secondary control on each sequence in the first and second sets of symmetric sequences separately.

Abstract: An AC trunk cable assembly and a system for coupling AC power to a power grid. In one embodiment, the AC trunk cable assembly comprises an AC trunk cable that (i) comprises at least two wires for carrying AC voltage phases, and (ii) does not have a ground wire; and a plurality of AC trunk splice connectors, spaced along the AC trunk cable, for coupling to a plurality of inverters in a one-to-one-correspondence, wherein each AC trunk splice connector of the plurality of AC trunk splice connectors comprises at least two phase-line conductors for coupling AC power from the corresponding inverter to the at least two wires of the AC trunk cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a power electronic device to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a mounting bracket that mechanically couples the power electronic device to the backsheet of the PV module such that positioning of the power electronic device can be dynamically interchanged between a retracted position in which the power electronic device is pressed flat to the backsheet, and an extended position in which the power electronic device is coupled to the backsheet with an air gap between the power electronic device and the backsheet.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for use in energy conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one power converter for producing power at a first level while receiving an indicium of proper operation and, upon not receiving the indicium of proper operation, producing power at a second level, where the second level is less than the first level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for balancing loads on a split-phase islanded system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a device, coupled between a DG and a plurality of loads, comprising: an autotransformer coupled to first and second phase lines and a neutral line of the split-phase islanded system; a plurality of switches to switch between coupling a corresponding load to the first phase line and coupling the corresponding load to the second phase line; and a controller for determining, when a load imbalance is identified, at least one load to be switched from one of the first or second phase lines to the other of the first or second phase lines to reduce the load imbalance, and controlling at least one switch to switch the at least one load from the one of the first or second phase lines to the other of the first or second phase lines.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for mechanically coupling a power conditioning unit (PCU) to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a base member, adapted for mounting a power conditioning unit (PCU) on a PV module backsheet, comprising a plurality of PCU retention members for retaining the PCU; and at least one compression spring, coupled to the base member, for maintaining the PCU in a position, with respect to the PV module backsheet, that can be dynamically changed between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power converter current control. In one embodiment, the method comprises controlling an instantaneous current generated by a power converter such that that power converter appears, from the perspective of an AC line coupled to the power converter, as a virtual AC voltage source in series with a virtual impedance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a power converter are provided herein. For example, apparatus can include a series resonant circuit including transformer with a primary side winding directly coupled to a DC bridge drive and a control system connected to the series resonant circuit and configured to measure a voltage at the primary side winding for determining a bias signal that can be applied to a resonant capacitor voltage at a secondary side winding of the transformer for restoring a DC content of the DC bridge drive to about zero.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating capacity of a system including an energy generation system, an energy storage system or both. The method and apparatus initially estimate the system capacity based on a facility location and size. The initial estimate may be adjusted through adjustment of at least one parameter. An updated capacity estimate is generated and displayed.

Abstract: A method and computer readable medium for communication on a shared media. In one embodiment, the method comprises holding a token by a first coordinator on a virtual ring, only a token-holding coordinator is permitted to transmit data associated with a first service level; transmitting data associated with the first service level, by the first coordinator, to device(s) on a first local domain; passing, by the first coordinator, the token to a second coordinator; periodically transmitting data associated with the first service level, by the second coordinator, to device(s) on a second local domain; receiving, by a third coordinator while the second coordinator holds the token, a message to transmit data associated with a second service level to device(s) of a third local domain; and transmitting, by the third coordinator while the second coordinator is not transmitting, the data associated with the second service level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating capacity of a system including an energy generation system, an energy storage system or both. The method and apparatus initially estimate the system capacity based on a facility location and size. The initial estimate may be adjusted through adjustment of at least one parameter. An updated capacity estimate is generated and displayed.

Abstract: An energy management system is provided and includes a smart switch includes an input that is configured to connect to one of meter at a service entrance or a main load panel; a storage system connected to the smart switch; and a combiner connected to one of the smart switch or the main load panel and one or more photovoltaics (PVs).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting an impedance of a power conditioning unit (PCU). In one embodiment, the method comprises applying a disturbance to a virtual AC voltage produced by a power conditioning unit (PCU) that is coupled to a power grid, where the disturbance has a first phase; measuring a second phase of the applied disturbance on the power grid; comparing the second phase of the applied disturbance to the first phase of the disturbance; and adjusting, when the second phase differs from the first phase by more than a threshold amount, an impedance of the PCU.