Abstract: Heat dissipation system, a power converter using such a heat dissipation system, and an associated method of thermal management of the power converter are disclosed. The heat dissipation system includes a condenser, a first cooling loop, and a second cooling loop. The first cooling loop is coupled to the condenser and includes a first two-phase heat transfer device. The second cooling loop is coupled to the condenser and includes a second two-phase heat transfer device. The condenser is disposed above the first and second two-phase heat transfer devices.

Abstract: Heat dissipation system, a power converter using such a heat dissipation system, and an associated method of thermal management of the power converter are disclosed. The heat dissipation system includes a condenser, a first cooling loop, and a second cooling loop. The first cooling loop is coupled to the condenser and includes a first two-phase heat transfer device. The second cooling loop is coupled to the condenser and includes a second two-phase heat transfer device. The condenser is disposed above the first and second two-phase heat transfer devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power system with an electric circuit connected between a power grid and a power source. The electric circuit includes a main power converter having main input terminals connected to the power source 16 by a DC link and output terminals. The main power converter is controlled by a controller. The electric circuit includes a main transformer having a primary winding 8a and a secondary winding, the primary winding being connected to the output terminals of the main power converter. Main switchgear is connected between the secondary winding of the main transformer and the power grid. An auxiliary transformer has a primary winding connected to the power grid in parallel with the main switchgear and a secondary winding connected to the controller. A pre-charge circuit is connected between the auxiliary transformer and the DC link.

Abstract: Heat dissipation system, a power converter using such a heat dissipation system, and an associated method of thermal management of the power converter are disclosed. The heat dissipation system includes a condenser, a first cooling loop, and a second cooling loop. The first cooling loop is coupled to the condenser and includes a first two-phase heat transfer device. The second cooling loop is coupled to the condenser and includes a second two-phase heat transfer device. The condenser is disposed above the first and second two-phase heat transfer devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power system with an electric circuit connected between a power grid and a power source. The electric circuit includes a main power converter having main input terminals connected to the power source 16 by a DC link and output terminals. The main power converter is controlled by a controller. The electric circuit includes a main transformer having a primary winding 8a and a secondary winding, the primary winding being connected to the output terminals of the main power converter. Main switchgear is connected between the secondary winding of the main transformer and the power grid. An auxiliary transformer has a primary winding connected to the power grid in parallel with the main switchgear and a secondary winding connected to the controller. A pre-charge circuit is connected between the auxiliary transformer and the DC link.

Abstract: A system that includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry is provided. The system may include a first over-current protection circuitry connected in a parallel circuit with the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry for suppressing a voltage level across contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry during a first switching event, such as a turn-on event. The system may further include a second over-current protection circuitry connected in a parallel circuit with the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry for suppressing a current flow through the contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry during a second switching event, such as a turn-off event.

Abstract: A power inverter system includes a plurality of power inverters such as solar inverters receiving power from at least one energy source. Each power inverter includes algorithmic maximum peak power tracking (MPPT) software or integrated MPPT firmware to calculate its own potential real power. A controller is in electrical communication with selected power inverters that are operating in curtailed modes of operation and commands each selected power inverter to shift its power production duties and to perform MPPT sweeps. Each selected power inverter then calculates its own potential real power capability in response to corresponding MPPT sweep data.

Abstract: A power conversion system configured to provide alternating current (AC) power to a transformer is described. The power conversion system includes a power conversion device that includes a device input and a device output. The power conversion device is configured to receive power from a power source at the device input and the device output is configured for coupling to a transformer input. The power conversion system also includes a sensor coupled at a first point of interconnection between the device output and the transformer input and is configured to measure a voltage level at the first point of interconnection. The power conversion system also includes a system controller communicatively coupled to the power conversion device and the sensor. The system controller is configured to determine an impedance of the power grid based at least partially on the voltage level at the first point of interconnection.

Abstract: An electrical switching device is presented. The electrical switching device includes multiple switch sets coupled in series. Each of the switch sets includes multiple switches coupled in parallel. A control circuit is coupled to the multiple switch sets and configured to control opening and closing of the switches. One or more intermediate diodes are coupled between the control circuit and each point between a respective pair of switch sets.

Abstract: Power inverters are controlled in response to reactive power support commands received from a power grid such that at least one power inverter provides reactive power to the power grid. The reactive power provided is based on each power inverter's reactive power capacity only while the total power capacity of each power inverter providing the reactive power is not exhausted in generating real power.

Abstract: A power plant for providing alternating current (AC) power to an electrical grid is described. The power plant includes a first power converter couplable to the electrical grid at a first point of interconnection for receiving power from a first power source. The power plant also includes a second power converter couplable to the electrical grid at the first point of interconnection for receiving power from a second power source. The power plant also includes at least one sensor for measuring a voltage level at the first point of interconnection and a central controller for coordinating operation of the first power converter and the second power converter to determine an impedance of the electrical grid.

Abstract: A power conversion system configured to provide alternating current (AC) power to a transformer is described. The power conversion system includes a power conversion device that includes a device input and a device output. The power conversion device is configured to receive power from a power source at the device input and the device output is configured for coupling to a transformer input. The power conversion system also includes a sensor coupled at a first point of interconnection between the device output and the transformer input and is configured to measure a voltage level at the first point of interconnection. The power conversion system also includes a system controller communicatively coupled to the power conversion device and the sensor. The system controller is configured to determine an impedance of the power grid based at least partially on the voltage level at the first point of interconnection.

Abstract: A power inverter system includes a plurality of power inverters such as solar inverters receiving power from at least one energy source. Each power inverter includes algorithmic maximum peak power tracking (MPPT) software or integrated MPPT firmware to calculate its own potential real power. A controller is in electrical communication with selected power inverters that are operating in curtailed modes of operation and commands each selected power inverter to shift its power production duties and to perform MPPT sweeps. Each selected power inverter then calculates its own potential real power capability in response to corresponding MPPT sweep data.

Abstract: A power generation system includes photovoltaic (PV) modules for generating power and power converters coupled to receive power from the PV modules. The power generation system further includes converter controllers to control the power converters, each converter controller includes a maximum power point tracking control element. A master controller in the power generation system is configured to coordinate power outputs of the power converters by controlling the timing and numbers of power converters having power-voltage (P-V) curves sweeping between maximum power points and power points off the maximum power points.

Abstract: Power inverters are controlled in response to reactive power support commands received from a power grid such that at least one power inverter provides reactive power to the power grid. The reactive power provided is based on each power inverter's reactive power capacity only while the total power capacity of each power inverter providing the reactive power is not exhausted in generating real power.

Abstract: A system that includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry, such as may be made up of a plurality of micro-electromechanical switches, is provided. The plurality of micro-electromechanical switches may generally operate in a closed switching condition during system operation. A controller is coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to actuate at least one of the micro-electromechanical switches to a temporary open switching condition while a remainder of micro-electromechanical switches remains in the closed switching condition to conduct a load current and avoid interrupting system operation. The temporary open switching condition of the switch is useful to avoid a tendency of switch contacts to stick to one another.

Abstract: An electrical switching device is presented. The electrical switching device includes multiple switch sets coupled in series. Each of the switch sets includes multiple switches coupled in parallel. A control circuit is coupled to the multiple switch sets and configured to control opening and closing of the switches. One or more intermediate diodes are coupled between the control circuit and each point between a respective pair of switch sets.

Abstract: A system that includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry, such as may be made up of a plurality of micro-electromechanical switches, is provided. The plurality of micro-electromechanical switches may generally operate in a closed switching condition during system operation. A controller is coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to actuate at least one of the micro-electromechanical switches to a temporary open switching condition while a remainder of micro-electromechanical switches remains in the closed switching condition to conduct a load current and avoid interrupting system operation. The temporary open switching condition of the switch is useful to avoid a tendency of switch contacts to stick to one another.

Abstract: A system that includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry is provided. The system may include a first over-current protection circuitry connected in a parallel circuit with the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry for suppressing a voltage level across contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry during a first switching event, such as a turn-on event. The system may further include a second over-current protection circuitry connected in a parallel circuit with the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry for suppressing a current flow through the contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry during a second switching event, such as a turn-off event.