Abstract: Systems and methods for a mobile power conditioning platform are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a mobile power conditioning platform is positioned proximate to a power grid, coupled to the power grid via an offboard power coupling, coupled to an onboard electrical system of a vehicle via a vehicle power coupling, and transfers electric power between the power grid and the onboard electrical system. One or more onboard generators of the vehicle may modify operation at least partly in response to the transfer of electric power.

Abstract: A power system for an industrial facility includes a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell (HSOFC) system. The HSOFC system is coupled to at least one DC load and to at least one AC load. The at least one DC load defines a DC power demand value and the at least one AC load defines an AC power demand value. The DC power demand value and the AC power demand value define a power demand ratio. The HSOFC system is configured to generate DC power and generate AC power with a power generation ratio substantially complementary to the power demand ratio.

Abstract: An auxiliary equipment system includes at least one auxiliary load bus configured to receive electric power having a voltage within a first voltage tolerance range. The auxiliary equipment system also includes at least one electric power supply conduit coupled to at least one electric power source. The electric power supply conduit is configured to transmit electric power having a voltage within a second voltage tolerance range. The second voltage tolerance range is greater than the first voltage tolerance range. The auxiliary equipment system further includes at least one controlled series transformer coupled to the auxiliary load bus and to the electric power supply conduit. The controlled series transformer is configured to receive electric power having a voltage within the second voltage tolerance range and transmit electric power having a voltage within the first voltage tolerance range.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems and methods for variable speed operation of combustion engines. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method is provided for controlling the operation of the combustion engine. The method can include providing power from a power source to a converter; providing frequency variable power to a generator from the converter; accelerating the generator and associated turbine to a predetermined speed by modulating the frequency variable power from the converter; after a predetermined turbine speed is achieved, disconnecting power supplied to the generator by the converter; and modulating the subsequent operation of the generator using power from the converter.

Abstract: A power plant coupled to, and configured to provide power to, an electrical grid, is described. The power plant includes a plurality of power converters electrically coupled to, and configured to receive power from, at least one power source. The power plant also includes a voltage regulation device electrically coupled between the power converters and the electrical grid. The voltage regulation device includes a series transformer and a bi-directional converter configured to regulate a voltage at an output of the power converters.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems and methods for variable speed operation of combustion engines. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method is provided for controlling the operation of the combustion engine. The method can include providing power from a power source to a converter; providing frequency variable power to a generator from the converter; accelerating the generator and associated turbine to a predetermined speed by modulating the frequency variable power from the converter; after a predetermined turbine speed is achieved, disconnecting power supplied to the generator by the converter; and modulating subsequent operation of the generator using power from the converter.

Abstract: A power conversion system is described. The power conversion system includes a first power converter coupled to an electrical grid at a first point of interconnection (POI), a first processing device coupled to the first power converter and configured to control operation of the first power converter, and a first power measurement device coupled to the first processing device and configured to collect data associated with power output of the first power converter. The power conversion system also includes a first global positioning system (GPS) receiver coupled to the first processing device and configured to receive location information corresponding to a location of the first power converter and temporal information corresponding to a time at the location.

Abstract: A technique is provided for operating a wind farm at increased rated power output. The technique includes sensing a plurality of operating parameters of the wind turbine generator, assessing the plurality of operating parameters with respect to respective design ratings for the operating parameters, and intermittently increasing a rated power output of the wind turbine generator based upon the assessment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a mobile power conditioning platform are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a mobile power conditioning platform is positioned proximate to a power grid, coupled to the power grid via an offboard power coupling, coupled to an onboard electrical system of a vehicle via a vehicle power coupling, and transfers electric power between the power grid and the onboard electrical system. One or more onboard generators of the vehicle may modify operation at least partly in response to the transfer of electric power.

Abstract: A power generation system (10) for generating electrical power, which may vary in response to one or more weather-varying factors (11). The system may include an array of power generators (12) subject to the weather-varying factor. A module (18) may be configured to predict over a time horizon at least one power-generating condition for the array of power generators. A controller (24) may be configured to anticipatorily adjust a control strategy regarding operation of a component and/or subsystem of the power generation system based on the predicted power-generating condition for the array of power generators over the time horizon.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is described. The system includes a plurality of PV collector units that include at least one PV cell and a collector-side single-phase inverter. The plurality of PV collector units are configured for coupling with a symmetric poly-phase alternating current (AC) load. The system also includes a system controller configured to control operation of the plurality of PV collector units.

Abstract: An auxiliary equipment system includes at least one auxiliary load bus configured to receive electric power having a voltage within a first voltage tolerance range. The auxiliary equipment system also includes at least one electric power supply conduit coupled to at least one electric power source. The electric power supply conduit is configured to transmit electric power having a voltage within a second voltage tolerance range. The second voltage tolerance range is greater than the first voltage tolerance range. The auxiliary equipment system further includes at least one controlled series transformer coupled to the auxiliary load bus and to the electric power supply conduit. The controlled series transformer is configured to receive electric power having a voltage within the second voltage tolerance range and transmit electric power having a voltage within the first voltage tolerance range.

Abstract: A power plant coupled to, and configured to provide power to, an electrical grid, is described. The power plant includes a plurality of power converters electrically coupled to, and configured to receive power from, at least one power source. The power plant also includes a voltage regulation device electrically coupled between the power converters and the electrical grid. The voltage regulation device includes a series transformer and a bi-directional converter configured to regulate a voltage at an output of the power converters.

Abstract: A solar power generation system includes photovoltaic modules electrically coupled to each other for generating DC power having a voltage at least as large as a minimum threshold voltage but no greater than a maximum threshold voltage. The system also includes a DC-AC power converter including a plurality of semiconductor switches for converting the DC power to AC power for transmission to a power grid. The minimum threshold voltage is based at least in part on grid voltage requirements, and the maximum threshold voltage is based on a voltage rating of the power converter.

Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes a photovoltaic power converter. The photovoltaic power converter includes one or more photovoltaic arrays configured convert solar energy into a DC signal and two or more N-level converters coupled to a common DC bus (N being an integer greater than 2).

Abstract: A power generation system (10) for generating electrical power, which may vary in response to one or more weather-varying factors (11). The system may include an array of power generators (12) subject to the weather-varying factor. A module (18) may be configured to predict over a time horizon at least one power-generating condition for the array of power generators. A controller (24) may be configured to anticipatorily adjust a control strategy regarding operation of a component and/or subsystem of the power generation system based on the predicted power-generating condition for the array of power generators over the time horizon.

Abstract: A marine vessel power and propulsion system that provides a vessel-wide uninterruptible power supply is described. The power and propulsion system includes a propulsion system including a prime mover coupled to a motor/generator and a propulsion device. The motor/generator is configured to be driven by the prime mover and to generate alternating current (AC) electric power. The power and propulsion system also includes a ship-service electrical system including a generator set and a ship-service bus. The generator set is configured to generate ship-service electric power for distribution over the ship-service bus. The power and propulsion system also includes a bi-directional converter configured to couple the propulsion system to the ship-service electrical system and to convert AC electric power generated by the propulsion system to ship-service electric power for distribution over the ship-service electrical system.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes a photovoltaic source to generate direct current (DC) power; a direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC) single stage inverter to convert the direct current (DC) power from the photovoltaic source to alternating current (AC) power for delivery to a power grid, and a load balancing unit coupled to the single stage inverter. The power conversion system also includes a controller configured to determine a maximum power point for the power conversion system, regulate an output voltage of the single stage inverter, compute a power balance difference between a power demand from the power grid and an output power of the single stage inverter obtainable at the maximum power point and control in real-time the load balancing unit based on the power balance difference.

Abstract: A method of controlling electrical power systems coupled to an electrical connection point includes obtaining carrier signals and fundamental waveforms from electrical power systems coupled to at least two renewable energy sources, generating pulse width modulation (PWM) signals using the carrier signals and the fundamental waveforms while interleaving carrier signals, fundamental waveforms, or a combination of carrier signals and fundamental waveforms of the electrical power systems, and driving grid side converters of the electrical power systems with the PWM signals.

Abstract: A marine vessel power and propulsion system that provides a vessel-wide uninterruptible power supply is described. The power and propulsion system includes a propulsion system including a prime mover coupled to a motor/generator and a propulsion device. The motor/generator is configured to be driven by the prime mover and to generate alternating current (AC) electric power. The power and propulsion system also includes a ship-service electrical system including a generator set and a ship-service bus. The generator set is configured to generate ship-service electric power for distribution over the ship-service bus. The power and propulsion system also includes a bi-directional converter configured to couple the propulsion system to the ship-service electrical system and to convert AC electric power generated by the propulsion system to ship-service electric power for distribution over the ship-service electrical system.