Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of operating a power plant, comprising: obtaining an energy production forecast for a forecast period; generating a plurality of simulation results associated with simulated operation of the power plant for the forecast period, wherein the plurality of simulation results are generated by simulating operation of the power plant using a plurality of control algorithms; assigning a score to each of the plurality of control algorithms based on the generated plurality of simulation results; selecting a control algorithm from the plurality of control algorithms for the forecast period based on the assigned score for the control algorithm; and operating the power plant in accordance with the control algorithm for a duration of the forecast period.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing a temperature of a battery energy storage system (“BESS”). A method may comprise identifying operating temperature limitations of the BESS; obtaining a forecast horizon comprising a forecast of external environmental conditions for a time period; identifying a charging/discharging schedule of the BESS; simulating operation of the BESS for the time period for each of a plurality of sequences of thermal management modes according to the charging/discharging schedule and the forecast horizon, the simulating generating an energy consumption and an operating temperature forecast of for each of the plurality of sequences of thermal management modes; selecting a sequence of thermal management modes of the plurality of sequences; and operating the equipment according to the selected sequence of thermal management modes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for an operation of an electric power plant comprising a renewable energy resource and an energy storage device. The method may comprise determining, at a first time, a forecast of predicted energy production by the electric power plant over a time period subsequent to the first time based on a forecast for the time period; detecting a current state of charge of the energy storage device; calculating a range of automatic generation controls the electric power plant is capable of satisfying for the time period based on the forecast of predicted energy production and the detected current state of charge of the energy storage device; and signaling, from the electric power plant to a central utility controlling a power grid, the range of automatic generation controls the electric power plant is capable of satisfying for the time period.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing a temperature of a battery energy storage system (“BESS”). A method may comprise identifying operating temperature limitations of the BESS; obtaining a forecast horizon comprising a forecast of external environmental conditions for a time period; identifying a charging/discharging schedule of the BESS; simulating operation of the BESS for the time period for each of a plurality of sequences of thermal management modes according to the charging/discharging schedule and the forecast horizon, the simulating generating an energy consumption and an operating temperature forecast of for each of the plurality of sequences of thermal management modes; selecting a sequence of thermal management modes of the plurality of sequences; and operating the equipment according to the selected sequence of thermal management modes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing electrical energy generated by a renewable microgrid. One or more processors of a system may store priorities for one or more consumer loads; forecast an amount of available electrical energy for a time period; allocate a first electrical energy amount to a first consumer load to a first energy limit for the time period; determine more electrical energy is forecast to be available from the RES or the ESS for the time period; identify a second consumer load of the one or more consumer loads; allocate a second electrical energy amount to the second consumer load for the time period; and direct electrical energy from the RES or the ESS to the first and second consumer loads according to the allocations.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing electrical energy generated by a renewable microgrid. One or more processors of a system may store priorities for one or more consumer loads; forecast an amount of available electrical energy for a time period; allocate a first electrical energy amount to a first consumer load to a first energy limit for the time period; determine more electrical energy is forecast to be available from the RES or the ESS for the time period; identify a second consumer load of the one or more consumer loads; allocate a second electrical energy amount to the second consumer load for the time period; and direct electrical energy from the RES or the ESS to the first and second consumer loads according to the allocations.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for an operation of an electric power plant comprising a renewable energy resource and an energy storage device. The method may comprise determining, at a first time, a forecast of predicted energy production by the electric power plant over a time period subsequent to the first time based on a forecast for the time period; detecting a current state of charge of the energy storage device; calculating a range of automatic generation controls the electric power plant is capable of satisfying for the time period based on the forecast of predicted energy production and the detected current state of charge of the energy storage device; and signaling, from the electric power plant to a central utility controlling a power grid, the range of automatic generation controls the electric power plant is capable of satisfying for the time period.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for accelerating a user's access to the contents of an e-commerce Web site. Many consumers access wide area networks through relatively slow connections, such as dial-up connections. Some files, such as images, are relatively large and download relatively slowly to a user computer. The slow connections can make browsing through a merchant's online catalog time-consuming and frustrating. Embodiments of the invention distribute the online catalog between at least the Web server and a Distributed Electronic Catalog Component (DECC), such as a CD-ROM, that can be removably inserted into and out of the user's computer. The DECC and corresponding software detect when data can be extracted from the DECC, rather than merely slowly downloaded over a network. This provides relatively fast access to at least a portion of the online catalog, thereby providing the user with faster access to the online catalog.

Abstract: The present system relates to systems and methods for providing delivery of goods purchased through electronic commerce. An embodiment of the present invention allows a user to purchase an item from a vendor or merchant in an e-commerce environment and have the item shipped to a selected Will-Call Center for pick up by a recipient. The recipient can be the user or some other designated party. The Will-Call Center further automatically notifies the recipient of the availability of the item to be picked up.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator in which the input electromagnetic signal is launched as a substrate mode in the electro-optic material. Broadband endfire antennas on the top surface of the substrate couple the signal to electrodes positioned above the optical waveguide in the substrate to concentrate the input signal and achieve high electric field strength in the vicinity of the optical waveguide. The endfire antennas are oriented with respect to the optical waveguides so as to compensate for the phase velocity mismatch between the electromagnetic signal and the light beam in the optical waveguide.