Abstract: A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The system includes a boost converter coupled to a photovoltaic (PV) array and configured to control a PV array voltage. The system also includes an inverter coupled to the boost converter by at least one conductor and configured to regulate a voltage drop across the at least one conductor. The system also includes a system controller configured to control operation of the boost converter and the inverter.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a remaining life period for a device. The system includes a sensor coupled to the device, wherein the sensor is configured to facilitate measuring an operating parameter of the device and generate a measurement signal that is representative of the operating parameter. The system includes a database comprising an upper limit value, a lower limit value and a reference parameter. A processor of system includes circuitry coupled to the sensor and coupled to the database The processor is configured to correlate measurements of the operating parameter with the reference parameter to facilitate estimating a remaining life period of the device.

Abstract: A system and method for supplying increased frequency supporting current from a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) to assist in maintaining grid stability is provided. The output capability of a line side converter associated with the DFIG is enhanced by significantly increasing the current handling capacity of electric switches forming the converter. A dynamic brake is also provided across a DC link bus coupling the line side converter to another converter coupled to the rotor of the DFIG. The dynamic brake is controlled based on the voltage across the DC link bus.

Abstract: An inductor device is described. The inductor device includes a core comprising two core sections, at least one gap defined between the two core sections, and at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly. The at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly includes a conductor winding and a fringe shield sealed within an insulator. The at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly is configured to at least partially surround portions of the two core sections.

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 method for coupling an energy storage system to a variable energy supply system includes providing an energy storage system including at least one Vanadium redox battery and at least one battery charge controller. The method also includes electrically coupling the at least one battery charge controller to the variable energy supply system such that the at least one battery is configured to supply a substantially consistent energy output during fluctuating energy loads of the energy supply system.

Abstract: A power generation system comprises at least two electrical systems connected at an electrical connection point. Each electrical system comprises a power conversion system comprising a converter including a plurality of switches for converting direct current power into alternating current power. The power generation system comprises a control system including at least two pulse width modulation (PWM) modulators, each PWM modulator for obtaining a fundamental waveform and a carrier signal, using the fundamental and carrier signals to generate a PWM pattern, and for providing the PWM pattern to a respective converter for driving the switches of the respective converter. The control system is configured to interleave carrier signals, fundamental waveforms, or a combination of carrier signals and fundamental waveforms of the at least two electrical systems to generate interleaved PWM patterns respectively for the at least two converters.

Abstract: A system and method for supplying increased frequency supporting current from a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) to assist in maintaining grid stability is provided. The output capability of a line side converter associated with the DFIG is enhanced by significantly increasing the current handling capacity of electric switches forming the converter. A dynamic brake is also provided across a DC link bus coupling the line side converter to another converter coupled to the rotor of the DFIG. The dynamic brake is controlled based on the voltage across the DC link bus.

Abstract: A method for coupling an energy storage system to a variable energy supply system includes providing an energy storage system including at least one Vanadium redox battery and at least one battery charge controller. The method also includes electrically coupling the at least one battery charge controller to the variable energy supply system such that the at least one battery is configured to supply a substantially consistent energy output during fluctuating energy loads of the energy supply system.

Abstract: A method for determining rotor position comprising sending a signal to a stator, receiving a first signal indicative of a first estimated stator inductance, and receiving a second signal indicative of a second estimated stator inductance. The method further includes, calculating a first rotor position angle using a function including the first estimated stator inductance and the second estimated stator inductance.

Abstract: A system for controlling a grid connected power generating system is provided. The system includes a wind turbine, a converter, a first controller and a second controller. The wind turbine supplies electrical power to a power grid and the converter couples the wind turbine to the power grid. The first controller calculates voltage commands to emulate a phasor back electromotive force behind an inductance. The controller further generates converter switching commands from the voltage commands. The voltage commands include a voltage magnitude reference and an internal frequency reference calculated from a power imbalance between an active power reference and the electrical power. The second controller is used to limit a converter current.

Abstract: A galvanic isolated DC-DC and DC-AC power conversion system is coupled to a plurality of DC sources which are derived from a combination of a plurality of single-phase and three-phase AC-DC converters. The DC-DC and DC-AC power conversion system in one embodiment is configured to provide mixed type outputs (mixed frequency, e.g. DC with 50 or 60 Hz, with 400 Hz; mixed voltage levels).

Abstract: An inductor device is described. The inductor device includes a core comprising two core sections, at least one gap defined between the two core sections, and at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly. The at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly includes a conductor winding and a fringe shield sealed within an insulator. The at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly is configured to at least partially surround portions of the two core sections.

Abstract: A power generation system comprises at least two electrical systems connected at an electrical connection point. Each electrical system comprises a power conversion system comprising a converter including a plurality of switches for converting direct current power into alternating current power. The power generation system comprises a control system including at least two pulse width modulation (PWM) modulators, each PWM modulator for obtaining a fundamental waveform and a carrier signal, using the fundamental and carrier signals to generate a PWM pattern, and for providing the PWM pattern to a respective converter for driving the switches of the respective converter. The control system is configured to interleave carrier signals, fundamental waveforms, or a combination of carrier signals and fundamental waveforms of the at least two electrical systems to generate interleaved PWM patterns respectively for the at least two converters.

Abstract: A system for controlling a grid connected power generating system is provided. The system includes a wind turbine, a converter, a first controller and a second controller. The wind turbine supplies electrical power to a power grid and the converter couples the wind turbine to the power grid. The first controller calculates voltage commands to emulate a phasor back electromotive force behind an inductance. The controller further generates converter switching commands from the voltage commands. The voltage commands include a voltage magnitude reference and an internal frequency reference calculated from a power imbalance between an active power reference and the electrical power. The second controller is used to limit a converter current.

Abstract: A line side crowbar circuit for an energy converter is disclosed. In one aspect there is a power unit that includes an energy converter; a transformer configured to transfer electrical energy generated from the energy converter to an electrical grid; and a crowbar coupled to the energy converter and the transformer that is configured to prevent an overvoltage event from damaging electrical components associated with the energy converter and the transformer.

Abstract: A power conversion system has a three-phase AC input, where each AC input phase is linked to a string of cascaded single-phase AC-DC converters placed in series with a three-phase AC-DC converter. Each single-phase AC-DC converter in one embodiment includes a silicon carbide (SiC) pulse width modulated MOSFET H-bridge that placed in series with the three-phase AC-DC converter that includes a silicon (Si) SCR bridge. The single-phase AC-DC converters and the three-phase AC-DC converter together in one embodiment include a mixed silicon-carbide (SiC) and silicon (Si) device topology.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems of a system for simulating a plant are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a system for simulating a plant. The system may include a controller including plant operation logic for executing control commands to the plant. The system may further include a simulator in communication with the controller, where the simulator may consist of high bandwidth hardware having at least one high bandwidth model of at least a first plant behavior. The simulator may also consist of at least one processor with at least one low bandwidth model of at least a second plant behavior.

Abstract: A method for determining rotor position comprising sending a signal to a stator, receiving a first signal indicative of a first estimated stator inductance, and receiving a second signal indicative of a second estimated stator inductance. The method further includes, calculating a first rotor position angle using a function including the first estimated stator inductance and the second estimated stator inductance.

Abstract: A power generation system for supplying a resultant output voltage is provided. The system comprises a power converter system. The power converter system comprises at least two power converter bridges, each configured for switching at a low frequency and generating a corresponding converter output voltage including a fundamental voltage component and harmonic components, and at least two power converter transformers. Each power converter bridge is coupled to a primary winding of a corresponding power converter transformer and a secondary winding of one power converter transformer is coupled to a secondary winding of a second power converter transformer. The resultant output voltage comprises a sum of the fundamental voltage components of each converter output voltage.