Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for modulating a voltage output of a hybrid converter system having first and second set of Si-based power electronic devices coupled to first and second voltage source, respectively, and a first set of SiC-based power electronic devices coupled to the first and second sets of Si-based power electronic devices. The method includes switching between operational states of the hybrid converter system based on a desired voltage output, wherein each operational state includes one of the Si-based power electronic devices from the first and second sets of Si-based power electronic devices and one of the SiC-based devices from the first set of SiC-based power electronic devices being switched on and the remaining power electronic devices being switched off.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for modulating a voltage output of a hybrid converter system having first and second set of Si-based power electronic devices coupled to first and second voltage source, respectively, and a first set of SiC-based power electronic devices coupled to the first and second sets of Si-based power electronic devices. The method includes switching between operational states of the hybrid converter system based on a desired voltage output, wherein each operational state includes one of the Si-based power electronic devices from the first and second sets of Si-based power electronic devices and one of the SiC-based devices from the first set of SiC-based power electronic devices being switched on and the remaining power electronic devices being switched off.

Abstract: A bidirectional buck-boost power converter 13 including a pair of inverter modules 14, 15 disposed at an output of a machine, and an inductor Lo connected between the pair of inverter modules 14, 15. A method for controlling a voltage output of a machine starter generator having an inverter rectifier and bidirectional buck-boost converter, includes outputting a dc voltage controlled by bidirectional buck-boost pulse width modulation (PWM) switching control, when the starter generator is in a generator mode.

Abstract: Power balancing techniques for a synchronous power generation system are provided. One exemplary method for balancing power in a synchronous generator system includes determining an output power characteristic of a synchronous generator driven by a prime mover and comparing the characteristic to a value derived from the output power of a plurality of synchronous generators. The method also includes providing a correction signal to the synchronous generator to modify the output power produced by that generator. A synchronous power generation system having a plurality of synchronous generators driven by a common prime mover is also provided.

Abstract: A plurality of power generating assets are connected to a power grid. The grid may, if desired, be a local grid or a utility grid. The power grid is connected to a plurality of loads. The loads may, if desired, be controllable and non-controllable. Distribution of the power to the loads is via a controller that has a program stored therein that optimizes the controllable loads and the power generating assets. The optimization process is via multi-tier benefit construct.

Abstract: A brushless exciter for a synchronous generator or motor generally includes a stator and a rotor rotatably disposed within the stator. The rotor has a field winding and a voltage rectifying bridge circuit connected in parallel to the field winding. A plurality of firing circuits are connected the voltage rectifying bridge circuit. The firing circuit is configured to fire a signal at an angle of less than 90° or at an angle greater than 90°. The voltage rectifying bridge circuit rectifies the AC voltage to excite or de-excite the field winding.

Abstract: Power balancing techniques for a synchronous power generation system are provided. One exemplary method for balancing power in a synchronous generator system includes determining an output power characteristic of a synchronous generator driven by a prime mover and comparing the characteristic to a value derived from the output power of a plurality of synchronous generators. The method also includes providing a correction signal to the synchronous generator to modify the output power produced by that generator. A synchronous power generation system having a plurality of synchronous generators driven by a common prime mover is also provided.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system and method for generating electrical power are provided. The electrical power generation system utilizes a master controller for controlling operation of devices coupled to an AC electrical grid and DC electrical grid based on parameter values associated with a renewable power generator.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is a cryogenic static exciter. The cryogenic static exciter is connected to a synchronous electric machine that has a field winding. The synchronous electric machine is cooled via a refrigerator or cryogen like liquid nitrogen. The static exciter is in communication with the field winding and is operating at ambient temperature. The static exciter receives cooling from a refrigerator or cryogen source, which may also service the synchronous machine, to selected areas of the static exciter and the cooling selectively reduces the operating temperature of the selected areas of the static exciter.

Abstract: An integrated, wind-pumped hydro power generation system includes at least one wind turbine generator device configured to generate output power for a common bus, and at least one hydro generator device configured to generate output power for the common bus. The hydro generator device is powered by water flow. The wind turbine generator device and the hydro generator device include corresponding local controls associated therewith, and a set of supervisory controls is in communication with the common bus and each of the local controls.

Abstract: A system and method for charging and discharging a superconducting coil. The system comprising a boost converter coupled between a low-voltage bus and a high voltage bus, and a buck converter coupled between the high-voltage bus and the coil. The system being configured to charge and discharge the coil without reversing the current while reversing polarity, and to only supply high-voltages when necessary. The system further comprising means to dissipate excess energy during discharge. The method comprising pulse width modulating the solid-state switch of a boost converter to achieve a high-voltage from a low-voltage and then switching solid-state switches of a buck regulator to charge or discharge the coil in a non current reversing, polarity reversing manner.

Abstract: A plurality of power generating assets are connected to a power grid. The grid may, if desired, be a local grid or a utility grid. The power grid is connected to a plurality of loads. The loads may, if desired, be controllable and non-controllable. Distribution of the power to the loads is via a controller that has a program stored therein that optimizes the controllable loads and the power generating assets. The optimization process is via multi-tier benefit construct.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting power from a power source are described. In one example embodiment, the method includes controlling multiple transformer and switchgear units coupled to a power source, and controlling multiple converter units connected in parallel. Each converter unit is coupled to a respective one of the transformer and switchgear units to form an individual thread. The transformer and switchgear unit and power converters are controlled so that the carrier waveforms for each individual thread are interleaved between each other over a carrier cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for power control in wind turbines are provided. The method includes switching a plurality of switching devices in a power conversion component of the wind turbine system in a normal switching mode to provide power flow through the power conversion component. The method further includes switching the plurality of switches devices in the power conversion component of the wind turbine system in a short circuit switching mode to prevent power flow through the power conversion component.

Abstract: A method for regulating power in a grid is disclosed. The method involves generating a controllable DC power to an electrolyzer via power conversion circuitry to produce hydrogen. The method further involves providing a controllable reactive power to the grid via the power conversion circuitry to regulate power in the grid.

Abstract: A bidirectional buck-boost power converter 13 including a pair of inverter modules 14, 15 disposed at an output of a machine, and an inductor Lo connected between the pair of inverter modules 14, 15. A method for controlling a voltage output of a machine starter generator having an inverter rectifier and bidirectional buck-boost converter, includes outputting a dc voltage controlled by bidirectional buck-boost pulse width modulation (PWM) switching control, when the starter generator is in a generator mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for anti-islanding protection of a distributed generation with respect to a feeder connected to an electrical grid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor adapted to generate a voltage signal representative of an output voltage and/or a current signal representative of an output current at the distributed generation, and a controller responsive to the signals from the sensor. The controller is productive of a control signal directed to the distributed generation to drive an operating characteristic of the distributed generation out of a nominal range in response to the electrical grid being disconnected from the feeder.

Abstract: A gradient amplifier arrangement is described that comprises a gradient amplifier power stage. The device may be employed to provide a current to a gradient coil, as in a MRI system. The circuitry disclosed includes a series coupling of a first bridge amplifier operating at a first voltage, a second bridge amplifier operating at a second voltage, a third bridge amplifier operating at a third voltage, and a gradient amplifier control stage. The amplifiers may provide output voltages at different levels, and may be switched at different times and frequencies to provide a range of output voltage and current levels.

Abstract: A synchronous electric machine having a rotor member and a stator member having a stator core is provided. The electric machine further includes a main machine having a direct current (DC) rotor field winding mounted on the rotor member; and a dual (AC/DC) excitation system. The excitation system includes a rotatable polyphase armature winding in electrical communication with a rectifier assembly for conducting direct current to the rotor field winding of the main machine, and a plurality of DC salient poles and at least one alternating current (AC) salient pole both included in the stator core. A magnetic axis of respective AC field coils is disposed substantially in electromagnetic space-quadrature relation with respect to magnetic axes of adjacent DC field coils, wherein when the respective AC field coils are energized, an alternating current is induced in the polyphase armature winding for providing excitation to the main machine.

Abstract: A control device for a multi-phase inverter is connected to a power supply source through a DC circuit and controlled in pulse width modulation by a control circuit (20), including several pairs of static switches installed in parallel with free wheel diodes, the mid-point of each pair being connected to a load; switching is done by comparison in said control circuit between an input signal defined by control voltages that are a function of simple voltage set values and a triangular carrier wave output by a triangular wave generator. The device uses a constant switching frequency and a parameter other than the frequency of the carrier wave, the value of which varies in a random manner in order to obtain after switching the simple voltage set values between the phases and the neutral of the load.