Abstract: A distributed control node enables local control of reactive power. A consumer node generates local real power on a consumer side of a point of common coupling (PCC). The control node converts local real power into reactive power with a conversion device on the consumer side of the PCC. The control node can deliver the reactive power to the grid to provide VARs to the grid from locally generated real power.

Abstract: A control node enables distributed grid control. The control node monitors power generation and power demand at a point of common coupling (PCC) between a utility power grid and all devices downstream from the PCC. The control node can have one or more consumer nodes, which can be or include customer premises, and one or more energy sources connected downstream. The control node monitors and controls the interface via the PCC from the same side of the PCC as the power generation and power demand. The control can include adjusting the interface between the control node and the central grid management via the PCC to maintain compliance with grid regulations at the PCC.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power extractor utilizes power transfer circuitry with analysis circuitry to detect a power slope and to control the magnitude of the current in response to the detected power slope. The power analysis circuitry may increase the current as long as the power slope shows an increase in power and may decrease the current as long as the power slope shows a decrease in power. The magnitude of the current is responsive to the duty cycle of the switching circuitry and to the detected power slope. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A power transfer system provides power factor conditioning of the generated power. Power is received from a local power source, converted to usable AC power, and the power factor is conditioned to a desired value. The desired value may be a power factor at or near unity, or the desired power factor may be in response to conditions of the power grid, a tariff established, and/or determinations made remotely to the local power source. Many sources and power transfer systems can be put together and controlled as a power source farm to deliver power to the grid having a specific power factor characteristic. The farm may be a grouping of multiple local customer premises. AC power can also be conditioned prior to use by an AC to DC power supply for more efficient DC power conversion.

Abstract: A power transfer system provides power factor conditioning of the generated power. Power is received from a local power source, converted to usable AC power, and the power factor is conditioned to a desired value. The desired value may be a power factor at or near unity, or the desired power factor may be in response to conditions of the power grid, a tariff established, and/or determinations made remotely to the local power source. Many sources and power transfer systems can be put together and controlled as a power source farm to deliver power to the grid having a specific power factor characteristic. The farm may be a grouping of multiple local customer premises. AC power can also be conditioned prior to use by an AC to DC power supply for more efficient DC power conversion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power extractor's control loop detects changes in power and controls the duty cycle of the switching circuitry in response to the detected changes in power, thereby controlling the power transfer. The control loop may include a signal generator to control the duty cycle, and the frequency of the generated signal may be changed to optimize the energy transfer efficiency. The switching circuitry may control the rate at which circuits store and release the energy in response to the control signal and thereby seek to obtain a rate of storage and release that results in no detected changes in power. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamic switch power conversion circuit to improve the efficiency of a solar cell array, and specifically to operate the solar cell array under various sunlight intensities, especially under low light conditions. In an embodiment of the invention, the dynamic switch power conversion circuit comprises: a processor to continuously monitor the power output of a solar panel under varying sunlight conditions, and a switching converter circuit comprising a plurality of circuit operations for different optimum power conversion. The processor gathers the output power from the solar panel and then uses predetermined power curves related to maximum generated power versus sunlight conditions of that particular solar panel to switch the switching converter circuit to a circuit operation particular suited to that sunlight condition to achieve the maximum power generated from the solar panel.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus or system may include multiple power extractors each coupled to a different power source. The power extractors may be in parallel or in series. The extractors and power supplies may be joined together in a frame. A power source and power extractor may be included in an integrated circuit. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power extractor may operate such that the source impedance and the load impedance may have various values. The power extractor dynamically matches the impedance of the source and the load for the maximum transfer of power. The power extractor includes detection circuitry to continuously detect power changes, and is operated such that impedances of the power extractor between the source and load are dynamically changed in response to the detected power changes. The power extractor may then match an impedance of a power source to the impedance of a load. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power extractor operates in a manner to obtain more power transferred from the source to the load than typically is obtained without the power extractor. The power extractor may perform universal impedance matching as this is seen from either the power source or the load. This impedance matching allows the power source to provide an optimal amount of power transfer that is greater than would be able without the impedance matching. The power extractor transfers power between two nodes and may be operated so that the power transferred is dependent on continuously detected power changes, and the voltage and current at the first and second nodes are unregulated. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A power transfer system provides power factor conditioning of the generated power. Power is received from a local power source, converted to usable AC power, and the power factor is conditioned to a desired value. The desired value may be a power factor at or near unity, or the desired power factor may be in response to conditions of the power grid, a tariff established, and/or determinations made remotely to the local power source. Many sources and power transfer systems can be put together and controlled as a power source farm to deliver power to the grid having a specific power factor characteristic. The farm may be a grouping of multiple local customer premises. AC power can also be conditioned prior to use by an AC to DC power supply for more efficient DC power conversion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power extractor's control loop detects changes in power and controls the duty cycle of the switching circuitry in response to the detected changes in power, thereby controlling the power transfer. The control loop may include a signal generator to control the duty cycle, and the frequency of the generated signal may be changed to optimize the energy transfer efficiency. The switching circuitry may control the rate at which circuits store and release the energy in response to the control signal and thereby seek to obtain a rate of storage and release that results in no detected changes in power. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power extractor utilizes power transfer circuitry with analysis circuitry to detect a power slope and to control the magnitude of the current in response to the detected power slope. The power analysis circuitry may increase the current as long as the power slope shows an increase in power and may decrease the current as long as the power slope shows a decrease in power. The magnitude of the current is responsive to the duty cycle of the switching circuitry and to the detected power slope. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power extractor operates in a manner to obtain more power transferred from the source to the load than typically is obtained without the power extractor. The power extractor may perform universal impedance matching as this is seen from either the power source or the load. This impedance matching allows the power source to provide an optimal amount of power transfer that is greater than would be able without the impedance matching. The power extractor transfers power between two nodes and may be operated so that the power transferred is dependent on continuously detected power changes, and the voltage and current at the first and second nodes are unregulated. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power extractor may operate such that the source impedance and the load impedance may have various values. The power extractor dynamically matches the impedance of the source and the load for the maximum transfer of power. The power extractor includes detection circuitry to continuously detect power changes, and is operated such that impedances of the power extractor between the source and load are dynamically changed in response to the detected power changes. The power extractor may then match an impedance of a power source to the impedance of a load. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems enable power transfer from one or more energy sources to one or more loads. The input power from the energy sources may be unregulated, and the output power to the loads is managed. The power transfer is based on a dynamic implementation of Jacobi's Law (also known as the Maximum Power Theorem). In some embodiments, the energy sources are selectively coupled and decoupled from the power transfer circuitry. In some embodiments, the loads are selectively coupled and decoupled from the power transfer circuitry. Power transfer to the loads is dynamically controlled.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus or system may include multiple power extractors each coupled to a different power source. The power extractors may be in parallel or in series. The extractors and power supplies may be joined together in a frame. A power source and power extractor may be included in an integrated circuit. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamic switch power conversion circuit to improve the efficiency of a solar cell array, and specifically to operate the solar cell array under various sunlight intensities, especially under low light conditions. In an embodiment of the invention, the dynamic switch power conversion circuit comprises: a processor to continuously monitor the power output of a solar panel under varying sunlight conditions, and a switching converter circuit comprising a plurality of circuit operations for different optimum power conversion. The processor gathers the output power from the solar panel and then uses predetermined power curves related to maximum generated power versus sunlight conditions of that particular solar panel to switch the switching converter circuit to a circuit operation particular suited to that sunlight condition to achieve the maximum power generated from the solar panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a converter circuit and accompanying switch mode power conversion technique to efficiently capture the power generated from a solar cell array that would normally have been lost, for example, under reduced incident solar radiation. In an embodiment of the invention, the converter circuit generates an output current from the solar cell power source using a switch mode power converter. A control loop is closed around the input voltage to the converter circuit and not around the output voltage. The output voltage is allowed to float, being clamped by the loading conditions. If the outputs from multiple units are tied together, the currents will sum. If the output(s) are connected to a battery, the battery's potential will clamp the voltage during charge. This technique allows all solar cells in an array that are producing power and connected in parallel to work at their peak efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficiency booster circuit and accompanying switch mode power conversion technique to efficiently capture the power generated from a solar cell array that would normally have been lost, for example, under reduced incident solar radiation. In an embodiment of the invention, the efficiency booster circuit generates an output current from the solar cell power source using a switch mode power converter. A control loop is closed around the input voltage to the converter circuit and not around the output voltage. The output voltage is allowed to float, being clamped by the loading conditions. If the outputs from multiple units are tied together, the currents will sum. If the output(s) are connected to a battery, the battery's potential will clamp the voltage during charge. This technique allows all solar cells in an array that are producing power and connected in parallel to work at their peak efficiency.