Abstract: An energy management system utilizing a home automation aggregation controller provides a retail energy supplier with means to manage electric energy supply characteristics.

Abstract: An energy management system serves an arbitrary collection of loads via interfacing with related field devices and external information sources and some embodiments respond to events including one or more of pricing events, demand response events, and carbon reduction events by managing the loads and local generation.

Abstract: An energy management system serves an arbitrary collection of loads via interfacing with related field devices and external information sources and responding to events including pricing events, demand response events, and carbon reduction events by managing the loads and local generation.

Abstract: An energy management system serves an arbitrary collection of loads via interfacing with related field devices and external information sources and some embodiments respond to events including one or more of pricing events, demand response events, and carbon reduction events by managing the loads and local generation.

Abstract: An energy management system serves an arbitrary collection of loads via interfacing with related field devices and external information sources and responding to events including pricing events, demand response events, and carbon reduction events by managing the loads and local generation.

Abstract: A grid performance improvement method including simultaneous use of selected indicia of performance in a performance assessment program.

Abstract: A grid performance improvement method including simultaneous use of multiple primary indicia of performance.

Abstract: A microgrid is a portion of an electric grid configured for separate management and control as compared with the rest of the grid and having attributes that can be tailored to meet specified needs including the needs of electric power consumers served by the microgrid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-turbine engine and a combustion system that include a catalytic reactor and a turbine. The catalytic reactor oxidizes low BTU fuel to generate thermal energy. The turbine converts the thermal energy produced by the catalytic reactor into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy can be used, for example, to produce electricity. The gas-turbine engine and the catalytic combustion system are capable of oxidizing fuels having a higher heating value in a range of between 1000 and 5 BTU/scf.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sustained catalytic combustion of low BTU fuels in a gas-turbine engine, and applications thereof. The method comprises ingesting fuel and combustion air into a catalytic reactor to produce thermal energy and converting the thermal energy to mechanical energy with a turbine. The fuel and the combustion air are mixed to form a fuel-air mixture. The ingested combustion air is used to oxidize the ingested fuel. Fuels having a higher heating value in a range of between 1000 and 5 BTU/scf are mixed with the combustion air and oxidized using the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a turbogenerator system may be combined with other heat/energy sources. A simple cycle or recuperated cycle turbogenerator have a variety of fuel options and grid connect or stand alone capability that can be combined with one or more external heat sources such as a Solar Collector/Receiver Heat Energy System, a Bio-mass Gasifier/Combustor Heat Energy System, a Fuel Cell Heat/Energy System, a Nuclear Heat/Energy System, a Waste Heat/Energy System, or some other suitable Heat/Energy System. The above external heat systems can be used to provide all of part of the heat/energy input to operate the turbogenerator and achieve electrical output, as well as a turbogenerator hot exhaust flow that has potential for other uses. Using an integral turbogenerator low emission combustor and fuel control as part of these combined systems has additional advantages.

Abstract: In a turbine engine with an annular recuperator surrounding the turbine, exhaust gas is directed from the turbine to the recuperator by a generally curved exhaust dome. A vortex disrupter structure extends from the exhaust dome to a point distal of the turbine to evenly distribute the exhaust gas entering the recuperator and sustain diffusion of the exhaust gas to increase the expansion ratio across the turbine.

Abstract: In a turbine engine with an annular recuperator surrounding the turbine, exhaust gas is directed from the turbine to the recuperator by a generally curved exhaust dome. A vortex disrupter structure extends from the exhaust dome to a point distal of the turbine to evenly distribute the exhaust gas entering the recuperator and sustain diffusion of the exhaust gas to increase the expansion ratio across the turbine.

Abstract: A closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle including a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator for heating a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase, and a second turbogenerator (e.g., a turbo expander) coupled to the heat exchanger for expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power. Also included is a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator for cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase, and a pumping mechanism for pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger. A computer program product and method for operating and synchronizing the generator included in the closed loop, so as to optimize the overall system efficiency is also included.

Abstract: A closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle including a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator for heating a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase, and a second turbogenerator (e.g., a turbo expander) coupled to the heat exchanger for expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power. Also included is a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator for cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase, and a pumping mechanism for pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger. A computer program product and method for operating and synchronizing the generator included in the closed loop, so as to optimize the overall system efficiency is also included.

Abstract: A turbogenerator system including a compressor rotationally coupled to a turbine and a bleed valve connected to the compressor discharge to vent a portion of the compressed air when the turbogenerator speed is within a preselected range to prevent the compressor from stalling. The turbogenerator speed is controlled to provide a required amount of power, and the turbine exit temperature is controlled in accordance with different functions of turbogenerator speed and ambient conditions to maintain an air flow that will prevent compressor from stalling, the function selected in accordance with whether the bleed valve is open of closed.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a turbogenerator system may be combined with other heat/energy sources. A simple cycle or recuperated cycle turbogenerator have a variety of fuel options and grid connect or stand alone capability that can be combined with one or more external heat sources such as a Solar Collector/Receiver Heat Energy System, a Bio-mass Gasifier/Combustor Heat Energy System, a Fuel Cell Heat/Energy System, a Nuclear Heat/Energy System, a Waste Heat/Energy System, or some other suitable Heat/Energy System. The above external heat systems can be used to provide all of part of the heat/energy input to operate the turbogenerator and achieve electrical output, as well as a turbogenerator hot exhaust flow that has potential for other uses. Using an integral turbogenerator low emission combustor and fuel control as part of these combined systems has additional advantages.

Abstract: A method of combining an impeller and a shroud includes selecting a rotatable impeller having impeller blades with radially extending distal ends defining a predetermined outer impeller diameter. A shroud element is then selected having an inner diameter less than the outer impeller diameter. The shroud element is then attached to at least some of the radially extending distal ends of the impeller blades by forming an interference fit between the inner shroud diameter and the outer impeller diameter.

Abstract: An exhaust silencing device and method for silencing a turbogenerator includes a housing, an intake manifold, at least two exhaust outlet ports and flow channels which extend in a bifurcated path from the intake manifold to the exhaust outlet ports and which provide a length to height (or diameter) ratio permitting a compact fluid flow profile.

Abstract: A closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle including a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator for heating a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase, and a second turbogenerator (e.g., a turbo expander) coupled to the heat exchanger for expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power. Also included is a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator for cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase, and a pumping mechanism for pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger. A computer program product and method for operating and synchronizing the generator included in the closed loop, so as to optimize the overall system efficiency is also included.