Abstract: Described herein are systems for energy storage leveraging various advances in power electronics so that the systems are suitable for stationary and portable power applications. In some embodiments, a system includes a universal bus and universal battery modules connected to the universal bus, in which each module includes battery cells, a power electronics transformer converter (PETC) system, and a direct expansion (DX) based phase-change cooling system to reduce heat produced by the modules to provide a system that is suitable for stationary and portable power applications.

Abstract: A system for connecting and disconnecting rail vehicle system for storing, transporting, and delivering bulk electric energy using railroads is described. The system includes. The system includes at least one rail vehicle system. The rail vehicle system includes a locomotive and a group of rail cars. The group of rails cars includes several rail cars with energy storage, power electronics and communication system. The rail car further includes a pantograph. The system also includes a plurality of electrical feeders. The electrical feeders are substantially dedicated for providing power transfer to and from the respective groups of rail cars. The system further includes at least one position controls system.

Abstract: A system for charging electric vehicles (EVs) includes at least one transportable battery-energy-storage DC systems (BESDCS), at least one renewable direct-current (DC) power supply station at a first location. The system also includes at least one DC charging station for charging of the at least one EV at a second location different from the first location. The system further includes at least one electric tanker transport comprising at least one electric truck vehicle configured to be coupled to the at least one BESDCS. The electric tanker transport is configured to transport the at least one BESDCS from the first location to the second location for charging of the at least one EV and transport the at least one BESDCS from the second location to the first location for charging the at least one BESDCS from renewable DC power supply station.

Abstract: A system for charging electric vehicles (EVs) includes at least one transportable battery-energy-storage DC systems (BESDCS), at least one renewable direct-current (DC) power supply station at a first location. The system also includes at least one DC charging station for charging of the at least one EV at a second location different from the first location. The system further includes at least one electric tanker transport comprising at least one electric truck vehicle configured to be coupled to the at least one BESDCS. The electric tanker transport is configured to transport the at least one BESDCS from the first location to the second location for charging of the at least one EV and transport the at least one BESDCS from the second location to the first location for charging the at least one BESDCS from renewable DC power supply station.

Abstract: A system for charging electric vehicles (EVs) includes at least one transportable battery-energy-storage DC systems (BESDCS), at least one renewable direct-current (DC) power supply station at a first location. The system also includes at least one DC charging station for charging of the at least one EV at a second location different from the first location. The system further includes at least one electric tanker transport comprising at least one electric truck vehicle configured to be coupled to the at least one BESDCS. The electric tanker transport is configured to transport the at least one BESDCS from the first location to the second location for charging of the at least one EV and transport the at least one BESDCS from the second location to the first location for charging the at least one BESDCS from renewable DC power supply station.

Abstract: A system for charging electric vehicles (EVs) includes at least one transportable battery-energy-storage DC systems (BESDCS), at least one renewable direct-current (DC) power supply station at a first location. The system also includes at least one DC charging station for charging of the at least one EV at a second location different from the first location. The system further includes at least one electric tanker transport comprising at least one electric truck vehicle configured to be coupled to the at least one BESDCS. The electric tanker transport is configured to transport the at least one BESDCS from the first location to the second location for charging of the at least one EV and transport the at least one BESDCS from the second location to the first location for charging the at least one BESDCS from renewable DC power supply station.

Abstract: A hybrid HVDC converter system includes a DC bus, at least one capacitor commutated converter (CCC) and at least one self-commutated converter (SCC) coupled in series through the DC bus. The CCC induces a first voltage on the DC buses, the SCC induces a second voltage on the DC bus, the first voltage and the second voltage are summed to define a total DC voltage. The method includes at least one of regulating the total DC voltage induced on the DC buses including regulating the first DC voltage through the CCC and regulating the second DC voltage through the SCC substantially simultaneously, regulating the total DC voltage induced on the DC bus including regulating the second DC voltage through the SCC, and regulating the total DC voltage induced on the DC bus including regulating the first DC voltage through the CCC.

Abstract: A hybrid HVDC converter system includes at least one alternating current (AC) conduit, at least one transformer coupled to said at least one AC conduit, and at least one direct current (DC) conduit. The hybrid HVDC converter system also includes at least one capacitor commutated converter (CCC) configured to convert AC voltages and AC currents to a DC voltage and DC current. The at least one CCC is coupled to the at least one AC conduit through the at least one transformer. The hybrid HVDC converter system further includes at least one self-commutated converter (SCC) configured to convert AC voltages and AC currents to a regulated DC voltage and DC current. The at least one SCC includes at least one AC/DC stage and at least one DC/DC stage coupled to the at least one AC/DC stage.

Abstract: A fraction rated conversion system for coupling a plurality of high voltage direct current (HVDC) power strings in parallel to an HVDC transmission system includes at least one fraction rated power converter coupled to the plurality of HVDC power strings and at least one capacitive device coupled to the at least one fraction rated power converter. The at least one fraction rated power converter and the at least one capacitive device regulate a differential voltage across each HVDC power string of the plurality of HVDC power strings to be substantially similar to each other.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) transmission and distribution (T&D) system includes a plurality of DC-to-DC converter devices defining a plurality of isolatable portions of the DC T&D system. The DC T&D system also includes a DC T&D control system coupled to the DC-to-DC converter devices. The DC T&D control system includes a plurality of current sensors. At least one of the current sensors is positioned at one of the DC-to-DC converter devices. The current sensor is configured to transmit signals representative of a value of DC electric current transmission through the DC-to-DC converter device. The DC T&D control system also includes a plurality of processors. At least one processor is coupled to the current sensor and the DC-to-DC converter device. The processor is configured to regulate DC current transmission through the DC-to-DC converter device as a function of the value of DC current transmission through the DC-to-DC converter device.

Abstract: A high-voltage DC (HVDC) power system and a method of controlling and protecting the HVDC power system includes a plurality of sending-end (SE) modules coupled in electrical series and a plurality of receiving-end (RE) power converter modules electrically coupled to said plurality of SE modules, the RE modules coupled in a switchyard configuration, the switchyard configuration including a plurality of load branches coupled together in electrical series, each load branch including a branch bypass switch configured to bypass load current around an associated load branch, and a branch protection system.

Abstract: A high voltage, high power multi-level drive structure includes a plurality of neutral-point-piloted (NPP) converter cells stacked together. At least one clamping diode is connected to one or many NPP converter cells to provide a neutral-point-pilot-clamped (NPPC) converter structure. Flying capacitors connected to the NPPC converter structure yield a neutral-point-clamped-flying-capacitor converter cell structure.

Abstract: A hybrid HVDC converter system includes a DC bus, at least one capacitor commutated converter (CCC) and at least one self-commutated converter (SCC) coupled in series through the DC bus. The CCC induces a first voltage on the DC buses, the SCC induces a second voltage on the DC bus, the first voltage and the second voltage are summed to define a total DC voltage. The method includes at least one of regulating the total DC voltage induced on the DC buses including regulating the first DC voltage through the CCC and regulating the second DC voltage through the SCC substantially simultaneously, regulating the total DC voltage induced on the DC bus including regulating the second DC voltage through the SCC, and regulating the total DC voltage induced on the DC bus including regulating the first DC voltage through the CCC.

Abstract: A hybrid HVDC converter system includes at least one alternating current (AC) conduit, at least one transformer coupled to said at least one AC conduit, and at least one direct current (DC) conduit. The hybrid HVDC converter system also includes at least one capacitor commutated converter (CCC) configured to convert AC voltages and AC currents to a DC voltage and DC current. The at least one CCC is coupled to the at least one AC conduit through the at least one transformer. The hybrid HVDC converter system further includes at least one self-commutated converter (SCC) configured to convert AC voltages and AC currents to a regulated DC voltage and DC current. The at least one SCC includes at least one AC/DC stage and at least one DC/DC stage coupled to the at least one AC/DC stage.

Abstract: A high voltage direct current (HVDC) converter system includes a line commutated converter (LCC) configured to convert a plurality of AC voltages and currents to a regulated DC voltage of one of positive and negative polarity and a DC current transmitted in only one direction. The HVDC converter system also includes a buck converter configured to convert a plurality of AC voltages and currents to a regulated DC voltage of one of positive and negative polarity and a DC current transmitted in one of two directions. The LCC and the buck converter are coupled in parallel to an AC conduit and are coupled in series to a DC conduit. The HVDC converter system further includes a filtering device coupled in parallel to the buck converter through the AC conduit. The filtering device is configured to inject AC current having at least one harmonic frequency into the AC conduit.

Abstract: A fraction rated conversion system for coupling a plurality of high voltage direct current (HVDC) power strings in parallel to an HVDC transmission system includes at least one fraction rated power converter coupled to the plurality of HVDC power strings and at least one capacitive device coupled to the at least one fraction rated power converter. The at least one fraction rated power converter and the at least one capacitive device regulate a differential voltage across each HVDC power string of the plurality of HVDC power strings to be substantially similar to each other.

Abstract: An electric power conversion system is coupled to a high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system. The electric power conversion system includes a plurality of power conversion modules. At least one of the power conversion modules includes at least one power converter coupled to at least one DC power terminal. The power conversion module also includes at least one isolation device coupled to the at least one power converter. The at least one power converter and the at least one isolation device at least partially define an isolatable portion of the electric power conversion system. The at least one isolation device is configured to remove the isolatable portion from service. The at least one power converter is configured to decrease electric current transmission through the isolatable portion prior to opening the at least one isolation device.

Abstract: A high-voltage DC (HVDC) power system and a method of controlling and protecting the HVDC power system includes a plurality of sending-end (SE) modules coupled in electrical series and a plurality of receiving-end (RE) power converter modules electrically coupled to said plurality of SE modules, the RE modules coupled in a switchyard configuration, the switchyard configuration including a plurality of load branches coupled together in electrical series, each load branch including a branch bypass switch configured to bypass load current around an associated load branch, and a branch protection system.

Abstract: A power converter module is provided. The power converter module includes a first converter leg and a second converter leg. The first converter leg includes a first switching unit and a second switching unit coupled in series. The second switching unit is disposed in a reverse orientation with respect to an orientation of the first switching unit. The second converter leg includes a third switching unit and a diode coupled in series. The third switching unit is disposed in a reverse orientation with respect to the orientation of the first switching unit. The power converter also includes a first energy storage device operatively coupled between the first converter leg and the second converter leg. The power converter module further includes a second energy storage device operatively coupled between the first converter leg and the second converter leg.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) transmission and distribution (T&D) system includes a plurality of DC-to-DC converter devices defining a plurality of isolatable portions of the DC T&D system. The DC T&D system also includes a DC T&D control system coupled to the DC-to-DC converter devices. The DC T&D control system includes a plurality of current sensors. At least one of the current sensors is positioned at one of the DC-to-DC converter devices. The current sensor is configured to transmit signals representative of a value of DC electric current transmission through the DC-to-DC converter device. The DC T&D control system also includes a plurality of processors. At least one processor is coupled to the current sensor and the DC-to-DC converter device. The processor is configured to regulate DC current transmission through the DC-to-DC converter device as a function of the value of DC current transmission through the DC-to-DC converter device.