Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomous control of a microgrid load. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining, by a load controller that comprises a processor and is part of a load in a microgrid, a primary control response based on at least one grid parameter measured locally with respect to the load; and modifying, by the load controller, operation of the load based on the primary control response.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling power conditioners in a distributed resource island. In one embodiment, the method comprises comparing, at a power conditioner operating in a de-energized state, an input of the power conditioner to an input threshold, wherein the power conditioner is coupled to an islanded grid; operating the power conditioner, when the input exceeds the input threshold, in a soft-grid mode to generate a touch-safe AC voltage that is coupled to the islanded grid; and activating the power conditioner, based on an impedance of the islanded grid and load demand for the power conditioner, to operate proximate its nominal output voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a microgrid load. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring at least one grid parameter of a microgrid transmission line coupled to a load in a microgrid; computing, using the at least one grid parameter and a droop control technique, at least one virtual set-point; determining a modification to operation of the load based on the at least one virtual set-point; and modifying operation of the load based on the modification.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling power conditioners in a distributed resource island. In one embodiment, the method comprises comparing, at a power conditioner operating in a de-energized state, an input of the power conditioner to an input threshold, wherein the power conditioner is coupled to an islanded grid; operating the power conditioner, when the input exceeds the input threshold, in a soft-grid mode to generate a touch-safe AC voltage that is coupled to the islanded grid; and activating the power conditioner, based on an impedance of the islanded grid and load demand for the power conditioner, to operate proximate its nominal output voltage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling power conditioners in a distributed resource island. In one embodiment, the method comprises comparing, at a power conditioner operating in a de-energized state, an input of the power conditioner to an input threshold, wherein the power conditioner is coupled to an islanded grid; operating the power conditioner, when the input exceeds the input threshold, in a soft-grid mode to generate a touch-safe AC voltage that is coupled to the islanded grid; comparing, by the power conditioner, an impedance of the islanded grid to a grid impedance range; comparing, by the power conditioner, load demand of the power conditioner to an activate threshold; and activating the power conditioner, when the impedance is within the grid impedance range and the load demand exceeds the activate threshold, to operate proximate its nominal output voltage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling power conditioners in a distributed resource island. In one embodiment, the method comprises comparing, at a power conditioner operating in a de-energized state, an input of the power conditioner to an input threshold, wherein the power conditioner is coupled to an islanded grid; operating the power conditioner, when the input exceeds the input threshold, in a soft-grid mode to generate a touch-safe AC voltage that is coupled to the islanded grid; comparing, by the power conditioner, an impedance of the islanded grid to a grid impedance range; comparing, by the power conditioner, load demand of the power conditioner to an activate threshold; and activating the power conditioner, when the impedance is within the grid impedance range and the load demand exceeds the activate threshold, to operate proximate its nominal output voltage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling power conditioners in a distributed resource island are provided herein. In one embodiment, an input of a power conditioner that is operating in a de-energized state and coupled to an islanded grid is compared to an input threshold. When the input exceeds the input threshold, the power conditioner is operated in a soft-grid mode to generate a touch-safe AC voltage that is coupled to the islanded grid. The power conditioner compares an impedance of the islanded grid to a grid impedance range and compares load demand of the power conditioner to an activate threshold; when the impedance is within the grid impedance range and the load demand exceeds the activate threshold, the power conditioner is activated to operate proximate its nominal output voltage.

Abstract: System and apparatus for electrically coupling a microgrid to and from a power distribution grid. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an interconnect device, coupled to the microgrid and the power distribution grid, comprising (i) an overcurrent protection component (OPC) for interrupting a circuit during an overcurrent condition; and (2) a contactor component, coupled in series with the OPC and independently operable from the OPC, comprising (a) a set of contacts movable between a first position and a second position; (b) a first coil energizable to move the set of contacts from the first position into the second position; and (c) a second coil energizable, independently of the first coil, to maintain the contacts in the second position after the first coil is de-energized until a level of current flowing through the set of contacts is less than a lower current level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a microgrid load. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring at least one grid parameter of a microgrid transmission line coupled to a load in a microgrid; computing, using the at least one grid parameter and a droop control technique, at least one virtual set-point; determining a modification to operation of the load based on the at least one virtual set-point; and modifying operation of the load based on the modification.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling power conditioners in a distributed resource island. In one embodiment, the method comprises comparing, at a power conditioner operating in a de-energized state, an input of the power conditioner to an input threshold, wherein the power conditioner is coupled to an islanded grid; operating the power conditioner, when the input exceeds the input threshold, in a soft-grid mode to generate a touch-safe AC voltage that is coupled to the islanded grid; comparing, by the power conditioner, an impedance of the islanded grid to a grid impedance range; comparing, by the power conditioner, load demand of the power conditioner to an activate threshold; and activating the power conditioner, when the impedance is within the grid impedance range and the load demand exceeds the activate threshold, to operate proximate its nominal output voltage.