Abstract: A solar power system is provided for maximizing solar power conversion. The solar power system includes n power units connected in series and n?1 DC-DC converting units, and each of the n?1 DC-DC converting units is coupled to at least one of n solar power units. Each of the n?1 DC-DC converting units is configured to control the correspondingly connected solar power units to operate at a target current generation. The solar power system further includes a controlling unit coupled to the n?1 DC-DC converting units. The controlling unit monitors and compares the n currents generated by the n solar power units. Based on the current comparison, the controlling unit determines a series current and controls the n solar power units so that each of the generated photovoltaic currents is substantially equal to the determined series current.

Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Abstract: A sequential shunt regulator switch system and method is disclosed. A power switch is controlled to switch a first current from a power source to an electrical bus. Further, a current controllable switch provides a controlled current from the power source to the electrical bus.

Abstract: A method of operating a cascaded multilevel inverter of photovoltaic system to transfer electrical power from a plurality of photovoltaic cells onto an electrical power distribution grid. Power switches in the inverter are operated in a manner effective to combine a block voltage output from each selected photovoltaic blocks series-wise to output an inverter voltage substantially equal to the grid voltage. A selected photovoltaic block may be pulse width modulated to incrementally adjust a current or voltage output by the system. The photovoltaic blocks selected to contribute to the current or voltage output by the system are selected based on a desire to operate solar panels formed by the photovoltaic cells at a maximum power point (MPP) of each solar panel in a photovoltaic block. Shuffling of which blocks are selected may occur at any time during synthesizing a sinusoidal output signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to a multilevel power converter the includes a DC power supply assembly having a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a zero terminal; a first semiconductor switch series circuit composed of first through sixth semiconductor switches connected in series between the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The converter can include a second semiconductor switch series circuit composed of a first bidirectional switch, seventh and eighth semiconductor switches, and a second bidirectional switch connected in series between the connection point of the first and second semiconductor switches and the connection point of the fifth and sixth semiconductor switches, a first capacitor connected in parallel with a series circuit of the third and fourth semiconductor switches and a second capacitor connected in parallel with the second semiconductor switch series circuit.

Abstract: A multi-cell battery stack includes a microcontroller and a string of battery management and protection IC devices connected to one another in a daisy chain configuration. Each battery management and protection IC device can include a communication interface circuit includes pairs of differential input signal lines, receivers including respective current comparator circuits to receive differential signals on the differential input signal lines, and transmitters to provide outgoing differential signals on the differential input signal lines. A digital circuit block allows signals to pass between the receivers and transmitters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling a wind power installation connected to an electrical power grid, in case of a fault in said grid. In the electrical machines that form part of the wind power installation, generators and transformers, it is possible to change the impedance of the neutral closure introducing a plurality of active and passive elements. This limits the currents during the grid fault, thereby reducing the peak torque in the mechanical train of the wind turbines and allows guaranteeing compliance with the network connection requirements, as control of the active and reactive currents is maintained at all times.

Abstract: An apparatus for inverting DC voltage to AC voltage by stacking of DC voltage sources from a series of DC voltage sources comprises a plurality of circuits. Each circuit includes a first power switch, a second power switch, and a third power switch. The first power switch allows selective connection of adjacent DC voltage sources in the series to provide stacking of DC voltage sources. The second power switch allows selective connection of a first bus to a corresponding location between adjacent DC voltage sources. The third power switch allows selective connection of a second bus to a corresponding location between adjacent DC voltage sources. Controlling the plurality of power switches produces an AC voltage output by coordinating stacking of DC voltage sources and associated connections to the first bus and the second bus.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a converter circuit with input voltage balance includes a plurality of modules having inputs electrically series-connected to each other and outputs electrically parallel-connected to each other and a plurality of switching circuits with each electrically connected to an input connection node of a corresponding module and its immediate next module, and configured such that when an input voltage of the corresponding module or its immediate next module is in a desired range from a first predetermine value to a second predetermined value greater than the first predetermined value, the switching circuit operates in an open state, while when the input voltage is out of the desired range, the switching circuit operates in a conductive state so as to regulate the input voltage of the corresponding module or its immediate next module in the desired range.

Abstract: High power output may be obtained from a photovoltaic (PV) system by controlling each photovoltaic cell of a solar array individually to operate at its maximum power point. Each cell may have associated power electronics and control circuitry that may be integrated together on a chip which may be advantageously implemented in CMOS, enabling reductions in cost and size. A perturb and observe algorithm may be used to find the maximum power point by measuring the power produced at different operating points, and modifying the operating point in the direction of increased power production. In one aspect, performance of a perturb and observe algorithm may be improved in the presence of noise.

Abstract: According to an embodiment there is provided a multilevel power supply comprising two power sources that share a common node, a switching arrangement, a charge storage device and an output terminal. The two power sources are configured to provide a first potential V1, a second potential V2 and a third potential V3, wherein V1>V2>V3. The switching arrangement is configured to charge the charge storage device between potentials V1 and V3 in a first switching state and to connect the charge storage device between potential V2 and the output in a second switching state.

Abstract: A solar power system is provided for maximizing solar power conversion. The solar power system includes n power units connected in series and n-1 DC-DC converting units, and each of the n-1 DC-DC converting units is coupled to at least one of n solar power units. Each of the n-1 DC-DC converting units is configured to control the correspondingly connected solar power units to operate at a target current generation. The solar power system further includes a controlling unit coupled to the n-1 DC-DC converting units. The controlling unit monitors and compares the n currents generated by the n solar power units. Based on the current comparison, the controlling unit determines a series current and controls the n solar power units so that each of the generated photovoltaic currents is substantially equal to the determined series current.

Abstract: A solar power module, and related method of operation, that protects the bypass diodes in the solar power module from overheating due to partial shading, and also protects firefighters and installer personnel from electrical shock hazard. The solar power module includes active bypass switches, and isolation switches that disconnect the PV cells from the bypass switches when all the bypass switches are closed concurrently, thereby allowing the PV cells to continue supplying power to the control circuitry. The isolation switches are also used to maintain the solar power module in a safe state during installation, or in case of fire.

Abstract: In a public electric grid (30) of an energy provider, the feed-in power of photovoltaic systems (10) are controlled depending on feed-in requirements, the feed-in power of the photovoltaic systems (10) being reduced to a non-zero fraction factor (B) of the maximum possible feed-in power. The photovoltaic systems (10) each comprise a photovoltaic inverter (20) and a feed-in electricity meter (50) on the AC side (20b) of the photovoltaic inverter (20), wherein the AC side feed-in electricity meter (50) continuously measures the power actually fed into the public electric grid (30) and transmits the respective measured power data. Then, the maximum possible feed-in power of the photovoltaic systems (10) is calculated based on the fraction factor (B) and the continuously measured power data time-correlated therewith, and the feed-in remuneration for the respective photovoltaic system (10) is determined based on the thus calculated maximum possible feed-in power.

Abstract: A power conversion system (10) for converting power from a plurality of solar panels. The system (10) comprises a plurality of panel modules (14) each having an input (16) and an output (17) and being connected in series. Each panel module (14) is connected to at least one solar panel (12) that supplies power to the panel module (14). Voltage control circuitry is provided within each of the panel modules (14) to vary the voltage supplied between the input (16) and the output (17) between a maximum module voltage and a minimum module voltage. A control unit (29) in communication with the voltage control circuitry of each of the panel modules varies the voltage supplied across the input (16) and output (17) of each of the panel modules (14) such that the total voltage across the series connected panel modules (14) forms an AC signal or a rectified version of an AC signal.

Abstract: Techniques for electrical power transfer in photovoltaic systems are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic system includes an array of photovoltaic power producing elements (e.g., concentrator photovoltaic cells); a power receiving unit; and at least one ratiometric DC to DC converter connected to both the array of photovoltaic power producing elements and the power receiving unit. The array of photovoltaic power producing elements can include a plurality of the photovoltaic power producing elements connected in series or in parallel. In another aspect, a method of transferring electrical power from an array of photovoltaic power producing elements to a power receiving unit includes the following step. At least one ratiometric DC to DC converter is connected to both the array of photovoltaic power producing elements and the power receiving unit. The at least one ratiometric DC to DC converter is configured to alter a voltage output from the array.

Abstract: A circuit with series-connected solar modules separated into a first and second substring, wherein each substring includes a first and a second terminal, and a solar inverter configured to supply electrical energy from the solar modules to an AC power grid. The circuit includes a first switch coupled to the first terminal of the first substring to a first power cable of the inverter, and a second switch coupled to the second terminal of the first substring to a first terminal of the second substring at a center point, thereby coupling the first and second substrings to form at least one string. The circuit further includes a third switch couple to second terminal of the second substring, and a shared actuator to open the first switch, second switch, and third switch if a current between the center point and a circuit ground exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A power harvesting system including multiple parallel-connected photovoltaic strings, each photovoltaic string includes a series-connection of photovoltaic panels. Multiple voltage-compensation circuits may be connected in series respectively with the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be configured to provide respective compensation voltages to the photovoltaic strings to maximize power harvested from the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be include respective inputs which may be connected to a source of power and respective outputs which may be connected in series with the photovoltaic strings.

Abstract: A power source apparatus is provided with a plurality of battery modules connected in series, and a voltage detection circuit to detect the voltage of each battery module. Bypass-capacitors are connected at both ends of each voltage detection line to connect all adjacent voltage detection lines in series and form a series-connected line. A resistive element is connected between the bypass-capacitor at the battery module end of each voltage detection line and the battery module electrode terminal to connect one end of each voltage detection line to a battery module. A signal generator that outputs AC or pulse detection signals is connected to one end of the series-connected line while a signal detection circuit is provided at the other end of the series-connected line. Detection signals output from the signal generator are detected by the signal detection circuit to detect failure in the series-connected voltage detection lines.

Abstract: A circuit for an energy collection system is provided that includes one or more strings that are configured to couple to an electrical load. Each of the one or more strings comprises one or more string members that are coupled to each other in series. Each of the one or more string members comprises (i) a connection to receive an output from an energy output device, and (ii) an inverter configured to convert the output of the energy output device into alternating current (AC) energy. The circuit includes a controller that controls the output that is provided by the one or more strings by controlling the individual string member.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method for monitoring performance of individual powers sources in a distributed power source system. A monitoring module is coupled to each of the power sources, or to each string of serially connected power sources, to monitor and collect data regarding current, voltage, temperature and other environmental factors at the power source. The collected data is transmitted over a power line to a central analysis station for analysis. Data collected from each source indicates malfunction or degradation at the source. Comparison of data collected from adjacent sources filters for environmental factors impacting neighboring sources such as cloudy days for a solar panel. Comparison of data collected from the same source at different times indicates soiling or degradation of the source with time or periodic events such as a moving shade from an adjacent building.

Abstract: An energy storage device. An energy supply branch, with a plurality of energy storage modules is connected in series via first module connections along a first energy supply line and via second module connections along a second energy supply line. The energy storage modules include an energy storage cell module having an energy storage cell, a first coupling device having first coupling elements, configured to switch or bypass the energy storage cell module selectively between the first module connections, and a second coupling device having second coupling elements, which are designed to switch or bypass the energy storage cell module selectively between the second module connections. The energy storage device also includes an output connection coupled to an output of the first energy supply line; and two additional connections coupled to the outputs of the second energy supply line.

Abstract: A method for switching photovoltaic (PV) modules in a PV system to a safe state in the case of a hazard is described. Control units, each one associated with a corresponding one PV module, measure the voltage profile and/or the current of each associated PV module. Should the voltage of a PV module increase from the operating voltage to the idle voltage or, conversely, drop from the idle voltage to the operating voltage, or the current in the phase fall below a reference value, then the control unit associated with the PV module is activated. When activated, the PV module is either isolated from the phase on at least one connection side, with the result of at least one isolation location having a capacitor remaining connected in parallel with it, or a low-impedance load is connected in parallel to the PV module in a clocked fashion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of controlling the operation of battery modules in a battery system, which includes two or more battery modules or battery module assemblies, wherein the battery system further includes energy consuming loads for consuming charged energy, and the method includes, when a specific battery module or a specific battery module assembly is abnormally operated, connecting the abnormally operated battery module or the abnormally operated battery module assembly to the corresponding energy consuming load to forcibly discharge the charged energy, and a battery system that is capable of performing the battery system control method.

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: An integrated photovoltaic panel has one or more integral DC-DC converter circuits. The DC-DC converter input port couples to a section of at least one photovoltaic (PV) device of the panel separate from PV devices feeding other converters. The converter has an MPPT controller for operating the converter to transfer maximum power from coupled photovoltaic devices to its output port. The PV panel has a transparent substrate to which PV devices are mounted. A laminating material seals PV devices and converters to the substrate. In embodiments, the panel has multiple converters connected with output ports in series. The integrated PV panel provides summed maximum powers of each section of PV devices. In some embodiments the DC-DC converters are complete with inductors, in other embodiments a common inductor is shared by multiple converters of the panel, in a particular embodiment the common inductor is parasitic inductance of the panel.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes: a master cell; a plurality of power cells, each power cell including a plurality of nodes capable of delivering power to a load; a maintenance cell configured to present at least one of (i) information to be forwarded to the plurality of power cells or (ii) information received from the plurality of power cells; and a communication bus for distribution of data between at least one of the master cell and one of the power cells or the power cells themselves.

Abstract: A system includes multiple power supplies connected in series and an active balancing circuit. The active balancing circuit includes an LC resonance circuit and multiple switches configured to selectively couple different ones of the power supplies to the LC resonance circuit. The LC resonance circuit includes an inductor, a capacitor, and an additional switch. The inductor is configured to store energy to be transferred between two or more of the power supplies. The additional switch is configured to selectively create a resonance between the inductor and the capacitor in order to reverse a direction of a current flow through the inductor. The active balancing circuit can transfer energy between individual power supplies or groups of power supplies.

Abstract: A battery power system, adapted for driving a motor system of a power unit with respect to at least one power mode signal and at least one motor control signal generated from the motor system, which comprises: a battery pack, an electrolytic capacitor, a boost converter, a first contactor, a first switch, an ultracapacitor, a first diode, a second contactor, a second switch, a current limiting element, a plurality of measuring elements, and an electrical energy controller; wherein the electrical energy controller is enabled to analyze the electrical power level of the ultracapacitor according the power mode signal, the motor control signal and the voltage/current signals generated from the plural measuring elements while using the result of the analysis to control the current directions and conductivity of the boost converter, the first contactor, the second contactor, the first switch and the second switch so as to achieve a variety of control modes accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling a PV inverter to be connected to a string of series connected PV modules without exposing the inverter to elevated voltage stresses. The input voltage to the inverter is gradually built up by sequentially switching in more series PV modules. This system and method are simple to implement in both centralized and distributed PV power plants and in either case, it significantly increases the utilization of the PV inverter. The input switching elements can be implemented using a wide variety of parts including electro-mechanical switches, semiconductor switches (IGBTs, MOSFETs . . . , etc.) as well as MEMS devices depending on the current level and target cost. A mix of switches can also be used to assist in minimizing impedance of the final switching stage that remains connected during normal operation.

Abstract: An electronic circuit to increase voltages from one or more energy sources. The electronic circuit can include a first set of capacitors and a second set of capacitors, and a first set of switches associated with the first set of capacitors and a second set of switches associated with the second set of capacitors. Also included is at least one energy source and an external load. The first and second set of capacitors, first and second set of switches, the at least one energy source, and the external load are arranged and connected such that the first set of capacitors is connected to the at least one energy source in parallel while the second set of capacitors is connected to the external load in series, and vice versa.

Abstract: An adapter is provided with a connecter portion configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the electric power tool and at least one battery receiving portion configured to be detachably attached to the battery pack. The battery pack attached to the battery receiving portion is electrically coupled with the main body of the power tool attached to the connecter portion via a power supply circuit of the adapter. The adapter is provided with a measuring portion configured to measure an index corresponding to a charged level of the battery pack and a signal receiving portion configured to receive an alarm signal outputted from the battery pack, and is configured to stop or restrict power supply to the main body of the electric power tool based upon a measurement by the measuring portion and the alarm signal that is received.

Abstract: A remote control is powered by multiple batteries connected in series. The remote control includes a voltage comparison circuit configured to compare a midpoint voltage from a node connecting two of the batteries to a reference voltage. The remote control is able to determine if there is a non-uniform drain rate in the batteries based on the comparison.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units, and a voltage across a first one of the energy storage devices has a first polarity. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units, and the voltage across the first one of the energy storage devices has a second polarity that is different from the first polarity. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units.

Abstract: The two ends of a battery circuit (18), in which a first power supply (11) is connected in series to a second power supply (12), are connected to the respective first and third lines (L1 and L3), while a junction (18a) between the first power supply (11) and the second power supply (12) is connected to a second line (L2). The two ends of a switching circuit (33) are connected to the respective first and third lines (L1 and L3). An end of a reactor (34) is connected to a junction between first and second switching elements (31 and 32), while the other end of the reactor (34) is connected to the second line (L2). The power supply apparatus (10), when activated, executes an operation in which, while the ON state of the first switching element (31) is inhibited, only the second switching element (32) is alternately turned ON and OFF with the ON state duration changed such that the ON state duration has a tendency to become longer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes N sub-modules electrically connected to each other such that the negative terminal of any one but the last sub-module is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the immediate next sub-module, and N?1 voltage balancers, each having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal. The second and third terminals of any one but the last voltage balancer are electrically connected to the third and first terminal of the immediate next voltage balancer, respectively. The first terminal of the first voltage balancer is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the first sub-module. The second terminal of the last voltage balancer is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the last sub-module. The third terminal of the j-th voltage balancer is electrically connected to both the negative terminal of the j-th sub-module and the positive terminal of the (j+1)-th sub-module.

Abstract: A voltage source converter having a plurality of cell modules connected in series, each cell module including a converter unit having an ac-side and a dc-side, and the voltage source converter includes a control unit adapted to control the converter units, where at least one of the cell modules includes a second redundant converter unit having an ac-side which is connected in parallel with the ac-side of the first converter unit and the control unit is configured to substantially synchronously control the first and the second converter units.

Abstract: A solar power generating system includes at least one solar panel and at least one junction box. The solar panel includes at least one photovoltaic cell group. The photovoltaic cell group includes plural serially-connected photovoltaic cells. The junction box includes a casing, a first power output terminal, a second power output terminal, and at least one localized maximum power point tracking unit. The casing has a receiving space. The localized maximum power point tracking unit is disposed within the receiving space of the casing. An input side of the localized maximum power point tracking unit is electrically connected with the at least one photovoltaic cell group of the solar panel. An output side of the localized maximum power point tracking unit is electrically connected with the first power output terminal and the second power output terminal.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for configuring and managing solar panels to form strings of photovoltaic energy generators with improved performance and reduced cost. The photovoltaic energy generators are connected via one or more combined local management units (CLMUs), each having a plurality of direct current converters connected to and configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel. A controller unit shared by the CLMU's direct current converters is utilized to separately control the operation of each converter such that the power extracted from the solar panels is maximized. A communications unit coupled with the controller unit is utilized to facilitate communications between the controller unit and a system unit remote from the CLMU to report measurements and receive control signals.

Abstract: The invention discloses a green power converter which omits the pulse width modulation (PWM) technique in the traditional power converter, does not have high-frequency power device, does not generate EMI interference, simultaneously adopts the symmetry basic primitive (SBP) technique, the amplitude high modulate (AHM) technique and the dynamic rectification (DR) technique, and only needs to perform traditional power conversion on a small part of the input power so as to acquire the whole output power, namely that a large part of the output power neither need traditional power conversion nor need to pass through a magnetic core transformer. The input AC voltage neither needs to be rectified and filtered nor has large inductance and large capacitance, thus the power factor is 1, and the total harmonic distortion (THD) is 0. A transformer secondary side adopts dynamic rectification, can acquire a DC circuit, and can also acquire an AC voltage.

Abstract: A remote resource can be configured to control connectivity of the power generator modules in a string. For example, a respective power generator module can include a current sense circuit that monitors for presence of communication signal. The power generator module can monitor for a presence of a remotely generated control signal over power line that is used by the respective power generator module to convey power to the external load. If the control signal is present on the power line, as generated by the remote resource, the control circuit in the respective power generator module activates the switch to an ON state such that respective activated power generator module is connected in series with the other activated power generator modules. If no keep-alive control signal is detected within a timeout period, the controller deactivates the respective power generator module.

Abstract: A battery monitor circuit includes a first monitoring unit for detecting voltages of battery cells in a first group, a second monitoring unit for detecting voltages of battery cells in a second group, and a current cancellation unit for canceling a difference between first and second currents that flow through the first and second monitoring units, respectively. One terminal of a series connection of the battery cells in the first and second groups and one terminal of the first monitoring unit are connected, the other terminal of the first monitoring unit and one terminal of the second monitoring unit are connected, and the other terminal of the second monitoring unit and the other terminal of the series connection are connected. The current cancellation unit is disposed between a connection point between the first and second monitoring units and a middle connection point in the middle of the series connection.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power plant design is disclosed where a two-tier DC power collection method is used in concert with specific array field geometries and equipment locations to minimize system wiring costs and/or resistive wiring losses.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) array system may include multiple PV strings, each PV string including respective PV panels coupled in series. Each PV string may be coupled in series with a first terminal of a respective string equalizer module. The string equalizer module may equalize a maximum power-point voltage (VMP) of the PV string before the PV strings combine to produce a single, composite DC bus voltage on a DC bus. To accomplish this, each string equalizer module may generate a respective adaptive string equalizer output voltage at its first terminal to tune a respective PV string voltage of its corresponding respective PV string to have the VMP of its corresponding PV string match respective VMP's of other PV strings. That is, PV strings may sink or source power from/to other PV strings, to equalize the VMP of each corresponding respective PV string.

Abstract: A distributed power system wherein a plurality of power converters are connected in parallel and share the power conversion load according to a prescribed function, but each power converter autonomously determines its share of power conversion. Each power converter operates according to its own power conversion formula/function, such that overall the parallel-connected converters share the power conversion load in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A solar power generation system for providing operating power for a desired application, the system includes one or more solar-array modules, wherein each of the one or more solar-array modules includes a multiplicity of solar cells and a high efficiency DC to DC power converter. The multiplicity of solar cells is arranged in strings of serial-units electrically connected in parallel to form a crisscross matrix array of solar cells, which matrix allows currents to bypass malfunctioning cells, thereby improving the performance of the system. The power converter includes fast MOSFET transistors having duty cycle that is operationally constant and is almost 50%. Optionally, the power converter includes a plus conductive pad and a minus conductive pad, wherein each of the strings of serial-units is individually wired to the plus conductive pad and the minus conductive pad.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to energy storage and generation systems, e.g., combination of flow battery and hydrogen fuel cell, that exhibit operational stability in harsh environments, e.g., both charging and discharging reactions in a regenerative fuel cell in the presence of a halogen ion or a mixture of halogen ions. This disclosure also relates to energy storage and generation systems that are capable of conducting both hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) and hydrogen oxidation reactions (HORs) in the same system. This disclosure further relates to energy storage and generation systems having low cost, fast response time, and acceptable life and performance.

Abstract: The present system and method manage a rechargeable battery comprising two or more battery cells or series stacks of cells. The system includes a set of switches, each of which connects a cell or stack of cells between positive and negative nodes when actuated, or connects one cell in a stack of cells to another cell in the stack when actuated, such that when all the switches in a given stack are actuated, it is connected between the positive and negative nodes. An electrical load is directly connected to the positive and negative nodes. A controller determines the state of each cell or stack of cells by measuring and/or calculating one or more predetermined characteristics, and selectively actuates the switches based on the states of the cells or stacks of cells so as to enhance the life of the battery.

Abstract: Provided is a cell capacity adjusting device for reducing fluctuations in state of charge (SOC) among cells of a battery pack 101, which is formed by connecting a plurality of cells 111-116 in series, during suspension of operation of electrically-powered equipment whose main power source is the battery pack 101. From among the plurality of cells 111-116, one or a plurality of cells having a voltage value equal to or higher than a cell capacity adjustment target voltage are selected. By the selected cells, an intermittent operation unit 105, which operates even during the suspension of operation of the electrically-powered equipment, is caused to perform an intermittent operation. Through repetition of the intermittent operation, voltage values of the selected cells are decreased. Thus, fluctuations in state of charge (SOC) among cells are reduced without unnecessarily discharging battery stored energy of the battery pack 101.