Abstract: Embodiments for determining an optimal configuration for a renewable energy power plant are provided. The power plant, which may be a virtual power plant, includes one or more generator devices and one or more energy storage devices that may be operated to undertake one or more operating applications. Data indicative of the power output of the power plant and the voltage level at the energy storage system connection point is received as an input. Using this data, combinations of energy storage devices and operating applications stored on a database are processed and, for each energy storage and operating application pair, a value indicative of the profitability of undertaking the operating application is determined. These values are used to rank the combinations of energy storage devices and operating applications according to their profitability, which in turn is used to select the most efficient or profitable application/energy storage pair.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a flexible-wire traction-type capsule endoscope and a manufacture method thereof, which mainly includes a capsule endoscope housed in a pockety body and leads out a flexible wire for traction. The manufacture method of the flexible-wire traction-type capsule endoscope includes steps of mold integrating, film coating, adhering, shaping, assembling, sealing and wire fixing. According to the present invention, a finished product of the flexible-wire traction-type capsule endoscope is prepared by assembling a conventional capsule endoscope with a processed pockety body, and finally sealing and fixing. The manufacturing technique of the product is simple and easy, raw materials used are natural without pollution and are cheap, and the processing procedure is easy to be automatized, i.e.

Abstract: A method for activating a local converter for one of a plurality of energy generating devices in an energy generating array is provided. The local converter includes a power stage and a local controller. The method includes comparing a device voltage for the energy generating device to a voltage activation level. The local converter is automatically activated when the device voltage exceeds the voltage activation level.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product for estimating a consumed battery life of a battery used in a wind energy application. An energy storage system for use with a wind farm includes a rechargeable battery configured to be selectively charged by wind turbines or the power grid and configured to be selectively discharged to a power grid. One or more remaining battery life algorithms are used to compute a consumed battery life for the battery. A battery life curve characteristic of the battery and a state of charge profile are used as inputs to each remaining battery life algorithm.

Abstract: A system configured to actively balance power among power cells such as batteries. The system includes a power module of series-coupled power cells, each exhibiting different charge levels during charging and discharging. A power module includes active cell balancing circuitry configured to substantially balance the charges of the power cells at least during charging. In one embodiment, the active cell balancing circuitry includes: (a) current source circuitry configured to supply extra charging current to a selected power cell; and (b) current source control circuitry configured to control the current source circuitry to supply extra charging current to the power cell with the lowest state of charge. In another embodiment, the system includes multiple power modules, each having multiple power cells coupled in series, and each having an active cell balancing circuit configured to substantially balance the charges of the power cells in an associated one of the power modules.

Abstract: A solar panel array for use in a solar cell power system is provided. The solar panel array includes a string of solar panels and multiple voltage converters. Each voltage converter is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. The solar panel array also includes multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. Each MPPT controller is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. Each MPPT controller is configured to sense an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and an inverter.

Abstract: A method of aggregation of a source address bunch. The method includes constituting a source address block, associating the source address block to form a source address bunch, and allocating, split, merging, and aggregating the source address bunch.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining an optimal configuration for a renewable energy power plant are provided. The power plant, which may be a virtual power plant, includes one or more generator devices and one or more energy storage devices that may be operated to undertake one or more operating applications. Data indicative of the power output of the power plant and the voltage level at the energy storage system connection point is received as an input. Using this data, combinations of energy storage devices and operating applications stored on a database are processed and, for each energy storage and operating application pair, a value indicative of the profitability of undertaking the operating application is determined. These values are used to rank the combinations of energy storage devices and operating applications according to their profitability, which in turn is used to select the most efficient or profitable application/energy storage pair.

Abstract: A buck/boost regulator controller is provided. The buck-boost regulator controller controls four switches in an H-bridge configuration to control voltage regulation. The buck/boost regulator controller includes a digital error amplifier and buck-boost control logic. The digital error amplifier provides a multi-bit digital error voltage signal that is based on the difference between the output voltage and the desired output voltage. The buck-boost control logic controls the opening and closing of the four switches in the H-bridge based, in part, on the multi-bit digital error voltage signal.

Abstract: A method for providing a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) process for an energy generating device is provided. The method includes coupling a local converter to the energy generating device. A determination is made regarding whether the local converter is operating at or below a maximum acceptable temperature. A determination is made regarding whether at least one current associated with the local converter is acceptable. When the local converter is determined to be operating at or below the maximum acceptable temperature and when the at least one current associated with the local converter is determined to be acceptable, the MPPT process is enabled within the local converter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques and apparatus for accurately estimating an aged capacity (Eaged) of a battery in an energy storage system (ESS) used on a wind farm. Eaged throughout the life of the battery may be estimated by measuring the internal impedance of the battery and using a relationship between the age of the battery (e.g., a number of charging cycles) and a maximum capacity corresponding to the battery. The state of charge (SOC) may be calculated based on the electromotive force (EMF) of the battery. The actual available energy (Eavailable) of the battery may be calculated based on the Eaged of the battery and the calculated SOC. In this manner, embodiments of the present invention may allow a wind farm to function as a virtual power plant (VPP) and deliver peak load electricity, regardless of intermittent wind velocity.

Abstract: A system for integrating local maximum power point tracking (MPPT) into an energy generating system having centralized MPPT is provided. The system includes a system control loop and a plurality of local control loops. The system control loop comprises a system operating frequency, and each local control loop comprises a corresponding local operating frequency. Each of the local operating frequencies is spaced apart from the system operating frequency by at least a predefined distance. For a particular embodiment, a settling time corresponding to the local operating frequency of each local control loop is at least five times faster than a time constant corresponding to the system operating frequency.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product for estimating a consumed battery life of a battery used in a wind energy application. An energy storage system for use with a wind farm includes a rechargeable battery configured to be selectively charged by wind turbines or the power grid and configured to be selectively discharged to a power grid. One or more remaining battery life algorithms are used to compute a consumed battery life for the battery. A battery life curve characteristic of the battery and a state of charge profile are used as inputs to each remaining battery life algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for driving high-side switching devices in an H-Bridge circuit. The apparatus includes first and second N-Channel high-side switching devices. Each of the high-side switching devices is associated with, and is selectively driven by, a driver circuit. Each of the driver circuits is associated with, and is powered from, a bootstrap capacitor. The apparatus further includes a cross-couple circuit that is arranged to charge each of the bootstrap capacitors based, at least in part, on whether the low-side switching device that is associated with the other bootstrap capacitor is open or closed.

Abstract: A method for selecting between centralized and distributed maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system is provided. The energy generating system includes a plurality of energy generating devices, each of which is coupled to a corresponding local converter that includes a local controller. The method includes determining whether there is at least a threshold amount of mismatch between operating characteristics of the energy generating devices. The energy generating system is placed in a centralized maximum power point tracking (CMPPT) mode when there is not at least the threshold amount of mismatch and is placed in a distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) mode when there is at least the threshold amount of mismatch.

Abstract: Voltage conversion and charging circuitry and method for converting an alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for charging an energy storage element (e.g., battery or supercapacitor). An output capacitance, which is initially charged quickly for use in the slower charging of a battery, also maintains the charge on an input capacitance which provides power for the charging control circuitry during such charging process. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the DC charging current is substantially constant during a first time interval following which the DC charging power is substantially constant during a second time interval.

Abstract: A method for providing maximum power point tracking for an energy generating device using a local buck-boost converter coupled to the device is provided. The method includes operating in a tracking mode, which includes initializing a conversion ratio for the buck-boost converter based on a previous optimum conversion ratio. A device power associated with the initialized conversion ratio is calculated. The conversion ratio is repeatedly modified and a device power associated with each of the modified conversion ratios is calculated. A current optimum conversion ratio for the buck-boost converter is identified based on the calculated device powers. The current optimum conversion ratio corresponds to one of a buck mode, a boost mode and a buck-boost mode for the buck-boost converter.

Abstract: A central array controller for an energy generating array is provided. The array includes a plurality of energy generating devices, and each energy generating device is coupled to a corresponding local converter. The central array controller includes a diagnostic module that is capable of receiving, from each local converter in the array, device data for the energy generating device corresponding to the local converter. In one embodiment, the diagnostic module is also capable of receiving, from each local converter in the array, local converter data for the local converter.

Abstract: A system includes multiple power modules, each having multiple power cells coupled in series. Each power module has a charge that is based on charges of the power cells in that power module. The system also includes multiple active cell balancing circuits, each configured to substantially balance the charges of the power cells in an associated one of the power modules. The system further includes an active module balancing system configured to substantially balance the charges of the power modules by charging a first subset of the power modules and/or discharging a second subset of the power modules. The active module balancing system could include multiple module balancing circuits, each associated with one of the power modules and configured to charge or discharge its associated power module. A direct current (DC) bus can be configured to transport DC power between the module balancing circuits.

Abstract: A solar panel array for use in a solar cell power system is provided. The solar panel array includes a string of solar panels and multiple voltage converters. Each voltage converter is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. The solar panel array also includes multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. Each MPPT controller is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. Each MPPT controller is configured to sense an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and an inverter.