Abstract: A photovoltaic system is provided herein and comprises an array of photovoltaic modules, a plurality of microinverters coupled to the array of photovoltaic modules, and a controller configured to disconnect a primary microinverter from a microgrid during MPP curve sweep analysis, perform the MPP curve sweep analysis for the primary microinverter, and shift a pre-sweep load of the primary microinverter to other microinverters in the array of photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing distributed energy resources (DER) comprising a plurality of DER systems located behind a grid infrastructure transformer which form a DER group, and a coordinated DER controller configured to monitor parameters of the plurality of DER systems, negotiate a value for transferring energy from one DER system to another DER system, and control the plurality of DER systems based upon the parameters and the negotiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying distributed energy resource (DER) systems that are located behind a transformer of a utility grid infrastructure by receiving a power line communication (PLC) signal transmitted by at least one DER system, analyzing the PLC signal to determine if the PLC signal has characteristics indicating that the PLC signal was transmitted from a DER system that is behind the transformer and, if such characteristics are determined, transmitting an acknowledgement to the DER system that originated the transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for geotagging components of an energy production and consumption system. A user device captures an identifier of at least one component of an energy production and consumption system, determines location data related to the identifier, where the identifier and location data form geotagging data, and transmits the geotagging data to a network. Upon receiving the geotagging data from the network, a server processes the identifier to determine component information and generates a map comprising an icon for each component positioned within the map at a location derived from the geotagging data.

Abstract: An electric vehicle supply equipment system for electric vehicle charging is provided and comprises an electric vehicle supply equipment that is connectable to a distributed energy resource for charging/discharging a battery of an electric vehicle and a controller in operative communication with at least one of a communication network, an electronic device of the electric vehicle, or a distributed energy resource controller for transmitting and receiving electric vehicle supply equipment information associated with a manufacturer of at least one of the electric vehicle supply equipment or the electric vehicle to provide charging/discharging of the battery at a public charging station associated with the manufacturer.

Abstract: An electric vehicle supply equipment system for electric vehicle charging is provided and comprises an electric vehicle supply equipment that is connectable to a distributed energy resource for charging/discharging a battery of an electric vehicle and a controller in operative communication with at least one of a communication network, an electronic device of the electric vehicle, or a distributed energy resource controller for transmitting and receiving electric vehicle supply equipment information associated with a manufacturer of at least one of the electric vehicle supply equipment or the electric vehicle to provide charging/discharging of the battery at a private or public charging station associated with the manufacturer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting DC power to AC power. For example, apparatus for converting DC power to AC power comprises an input adapted to be coupled to a high-powered distributed generator having a maximum voltage at a first voltage and an arc fault mitigation device, coupled to the input, for providing a second voltage at the input that is lower than the first voltage, where a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is not large enough to cause an arc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing distributed energy resources is provided herein. For example, an apparatus for managing distributed energy resources comprises a first electrical area comprising: at least one power producing distributed energy resource (PDER); at least one power consuming distributed energy resource (CDER); and a controller configured to monitor parameters of the at least one CDER and the at least one PDER, receive second electrical area parameters from a second electrical area, and control the at least one PDER and the at least one CDER based upon the parameters of the at least one CDER and the at least one PDER and the second electrical area parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for balancing loads on a split-phase islanded system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a device, coupled between a DG and a plurality of loads, comprising: an autotransformer coupled to first and second phase lines and a neutral line of the split-phase islanded system; a plurality of switches to switch between coupling a corresponding load to the first phase line and coupling the corresponding load to the second phase line; and a controller for determining, when a load imbalance is identified, at least one load to be switched from one of the first or second phase lines to the other of the first or second phase lines to reduce the load imbalance, and controlling at least one switch to switch the at least one load from the one of the first or second phase lines to the other of the first or second phase lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for geotagging components of an energy production and consumption system. A user device captures an identifier of at least one component of an energy production and consumption system, determines location data related to the identifier, where the identifier and location data form geotagging data, and transmits the geotagging data to a network. Upon receiving the geotagging data from the network, a server processes the identifier to determine component information and generates a map comprising an icon for each component positioned within the map at a location derived from the geotagging data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting DC power to AC power. For example, apparatus for converting DC power to AC power comprises an input adapted to be coupled to a high-powered distributed generator having a maximum voltage at a first voltage and an arc fault mitigation device, coupled to the input, for providing a second voltage at the input that is lower than the first voltage, where a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is not large enough to cause an arc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for balancing loads on a split-phase islanded system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a device, coupled between a DG and a plurality of loads, comprising: an autotransformer coupled to first and second phase lines and a neutral line of the split-phase islanded system; a plurality of switches to switch between coupling a corresponding load to the first phase line and coupling the corresponding load to the second phase line; and a controller for determining, when a load imbalance is identified, at least one load to be switched from one of the first or second phase lines to the other of the first or second phase lines to reduce the load imbalance, and controlling at least one switch to switch the at least one load from the one of the first or second phase lines to the other of the first or second phase lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and prioritizing loads comprising a load analyzer configured to receive at least one load monitoring signal from at least one channel, where each channel is configured to be coupled to at least one load, and analyze at least one load signature derived from the at least one load monitoring signal to detect a load type that is connected to the at least one channel and assign an energy consumption priority to the at least one load.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for coupling power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a trunk cable comprising a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor; a first connector, wherein a first terminal of the first connector is conductively coupled to the first conductor; a second connector, wherein a first terminal of the second connector is conductively coupled to the second conductor; and a third connector, wherein a first terminal of the third connector is conductively coupled to the third conductor, and wherein the first, the second, and the third connectors are each adapted to couple to a different DC-AC power converter and an output of the trunk cable comprises three-phase AC power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power imbalance correction comprising: a plurality of converters for converting a plurality of DC inputs to a multi-phase AC output, and coupling the multi-phase AC output to a multi-phase AC line, and a controller coupled to the plurality of converters. The controller determining whether phases of the multi-phase AC output are balanced, and controlling when all phases of the multi-phase AC output are not balanced, at least one converter of the plurality of converters to balance the multi-phase AC output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power wiring. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a splice box comprising (i) a plug having a plurality of plug pins, each plug pin of the plurality of plug pins for coupling to a conductor within a cable adapted for coupling to a power line; (ii) a first pin receptacle for coupling to a first guide pin of a connector; and (iii) a first pair of retention bars disposed within the first pin receptacle, the first pair of retention bars for retaining the first guide pin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power imbalance correction comprising: a plurality of converters for converting a plurality of DC inputs to a multi-phase AC output, and coupling the multi-phase AC output to a multi-phase AC line, and a controller coupled to the plurality of converters. The controller determining whether phases of the multi-phase AC output are balanced, and controlling when all phases of the multi-phase AC output are not balanced, at least one converter of the plurality of converters to balance the multi-phase AC output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating a disconnection within a Distributed Generator (DG). In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an alarm module electrically coupled to a conductive portion of a component within the DG, wherein the conductive portion is grounded via a ground rod system, and wherein the alarm module (i) is further coupled to a ground line, (ii) couples a monitoring current to the conductive portion, (iii) monitors flow of the monitoring current to determine a change in the flow, and (iv) generates, as a result of the change in the flow, a notification of the disconnection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the cost of scheduling maintenance of a distributed energy generator. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining information, from a controller, related to impaired operation of at least one component in a distributed energy generator, wherein the distributed energy generator comprises a plurality of components; calculating a cost to restore non-impaired operation of the distributed energy generator; calculating a cost of lost power due to the impaired operation of the distributed energy generator; and determining an optimal time to schedule maintenance of the distributed energy generator based on the calculated cost to restore non-impaired operation and the calculated cost of lost power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power wiring. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a splice box comprising (i) a plug having a plurality of plug pins, each plug pin of the plurality of plug pins for coupling to a conductor within a cable adapted for coupling to a power line; (ii) a first pin receptacle for coupling to a first guide pin of a connector; and (iii) a first pair of retention bars disposed within the first pin receptacle, the first pair of retention bars for retaining the first guide pin.