Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for autonomously regulating grid edge devices (GEDs). In one embodiment, an average reactive power value is determined, corresponding to reactive power generated by a GED over a time interval. An average voltage value is determined, corresponding to voltage received by the GED over the time interval. A setpoint voltage for the GED is updated based at least in part on the average reactive power value and a difference between the setpoint voltage and the average voltage value that exceeds a voltage threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomously regulating grid edge devices (GEDs) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include obtaining a first setpoint voltage for a GED. The GED may be implemented on a secondary side of a distribution line providing electricity for a consumer. The method may also include generating an average VAR value based on VARs generated by the GED over a first time interval. The method may include generating an average voltage value based on voltage received by the GED over a first time interval. The method may include adjusting the first setpoint voltage to a second setpoint voltage based on a difference between the average voltage value and the first setpoint voltage exceeding a voltage threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a local CVR factor using grid edge devices (GEDs) comprises: receiving, from each of the GEDs, respective voltage change values and power change values; identifying, using the processor, voltage events within at least one control zone, each of the GEDs being associated with a zone of the at least one control zone, the voltage events being identified based on the GEDs in the groups meeting one or more event parameters; identifying a plurality of CVR values for each GED, each CVR value being based on one of the voltage change values and one of the power change values associated with each identified voltage event; generating, using the processor and based on the plurality of CVR values, a local CVR factor for each GED; and, controlling one or more devices based on the local CVR factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomously regulating grid edge devices (GEDs) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include obtaining a first setpoint voltage for a GED. The GED may be implemented on a secondary side of a distribution line providing electricity for a consumer. The method may also include generating an average VAR value based on VARs generated by the GED over a first time interval. The method may include generating an average voltage value based on voltage received by the GED over a first time interval. The method may include adjusting the first setpoint voltage to a second setpoint voltage based on a difference between the average voltage value and the first setpoint voltage exceeding a voltage threshold value.

Abstract: A plurality of edge of network grid volt ampere reactive (VAR) sources are provided in a power system in order to effectuate control at a customer level, which in turn effectuates control at a feeder level, which in turn effectuates control of an entire power system or wide area electric grid network. By optimally selecting voltage setpoints and applying such voltage setpoints to the plurality of edge of network grid VAR sources, the power system can be configured to self-balance, power factor compensation can be determined without the need for measuring load power factor. Moreover, traditionally volatile voltages at the feeder can be flattened, and VAR control can be realized.

Abstract: By virtue of the ability to vary local load via inverter (e.g., solar PV inverter) volt-ampere reactive power (VAR) injection, local demand and energy consumption can be controlled at a system level. Utilities that provide solar PV systems to consumers can leverage this ability to reduce the purchase of high cost energy. Moreover, revenue for such utilities can be maximized. For example, such localized voltage and VAR control allow for precise control to achieve, e.g., plus or minus about two percent of kW and kWHr of power consumed at a node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an edge of network voltage control of a power grid are described. A system includes a distribution power network, a plurality of loads (at or near an edge of the distribution power network), and a plurality of shunt-connected, switch-controlled volt ampere reactive (VAR) sources also located at the edge or near the edge of the distribution power network where they may each detect a proximate voltage. The VAR source can determine whether to enable a VAR compensation component therein based on the proximate voltage and adjust network VAR by controlling a switch to enable the VAR compensation component. Further still, each of the VAR sources may be integrated within a customer-located asset, such as a smart meter, and a multitude of such VAR sources can be used to effectuate a distributed controllable VAR source (DCVS) cloud network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an edge of network voltage control of a power grid are described. A system includes a distribution power network, a plurality of loads (at or near an edge of the distribution power network), and a plurality of shunt-connected, switch-controlled volt ampere reactive (VAR) sources also located at the edge or near the edge of the distribution power network where they may each detect a proximate voltage. The VAR source can determine whether to enable a VAR compensation component therein based on the proximate voltage and adjust network VAR by controlling a switch to enable the VAR compensation component. Further still, each of the VAR sources may be integrated within a customer-located asset, such as a smart meter, and a multitude of such VAR sources can be used to effectuate a distributed controllable VAR source (DCVS) cloud network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an edge of network voltage control of a power grid are described. A system includes a distribution power network, a plurality of loads (at or near an edge of the distribution power network), and a plurality of shunt-connected, switch-controlled volt ampere reactive (VAR) sources also located at the edge or near the edge of the distribution power network where they may each detect a proximate voltage. The VAR source can determine whether to enable a VAR compensation component therein based on the proximate voltage and adjust network VAR by controlling a switch to enable the VAR compensation component. Further still, each of the VAR sources may be integrated within a customer-located asset, such as a smart meter, and a multitude of such VAR sources can be used to effectuate a distributed controllable VAR source (DCVS) cloud network.

Abstract: The present invention describes systems and methods for determining current flow through a current-carrying utility asset. An exemplary embodiment can include measuring a first magnetic induction value at a first location near a targeted current-carrying utility asset and a second magnetic induction value at a second location near the targeted asset where the first location is a known distance from the second location; determining a correlation between a spatial angle and an electrical phase angle between the targeted asset and a second asset where the second asset contributes a first and second error component to the first and second magnetic induction values respectively; estimating error values for the first and second error components using the correlation between the spatial angle and the electrical phase angle; and estimating a current flowing through the targeted asset using the first and second magnetic induction values, the known distance, and the error values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling grid voltage include a distribution power network and one or more smart inverters at or near the edge of the distribution power network, each smart inverter configured to absorb or insert VARs to control the voltage based on a reference Q value, wherein the reference Q value is calculated by a reference Q calculator. A reference Q calculator includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable memory with software embedded thereon, the software configured to cause the processor to receive a voltage measurement taken at or near the edge of a power distribution grid, a voltage band value, and a voltage set point value, determine a difference, ev, between the voltage measurement and the voltage set point, generate a new reference Q value if an absolute value of ev is greater than the voltage band value, and cause the smart inverter to either absorb or insert VARs depending on the sign of ev.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a floating voltage sensor system comprising a metallic enclosure, a conductive sensor plate, a signal conditioning circuit, and a microcontroller unit. The metallic enclosure can be configured for electrical communication with an asset carrying a voltage. The conductive sensor plate can be positioned adjacent to a surface of the metallic enclosure, such that the conductive plate and the surface of the metallic enclosure are not in contact with each other. The signal conditioning circuit can comprise a first connection point and a second connection point. The first connection point can be in electrical communication with the conductive sensor plate. The second connection point can be in electrical communication with the metallic enclosure. The microcontroller unit can be configured to receive an output of the signal conditioning circuit and measure the voltage of the asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling grid voltage include a distribution power network and one or more smart inverters at or near the edge of the distribution power network, each smart inverter configured to absorb or insert VARs to control the voltage based on a reference Q value, wherein the reference Q value is calculated by a reference Q calculator. A reference Q calculator includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable memory with software embedded thereon, the software configured to cause the processor to receive a voltage measurement taken at or near the edge of a power distribution grid, a voltage band value, and a voltage set point value, determine a difference, ev, between the voltage measurement and the voltage set point, generate a new reference Q value if an absolute value of ev is greater than the voltage band value, and cause the smart inverter to either absorb or insert VARs depending on the sign of ev.

Abstract: Power flow controllers based on Imputed DC Link (IDCL) cells are provided. The IDCL cell is a self-contained power electronic building block (PEBB). The IDCL cell may be stacked in series and parallel to achieve power flow control at higher voltage and current levels. Each IDCL cell may comprise a gate drive, a voltage sharing module, and a thermal management component in order to facilitate easy integration of the cell into a variety of applications. By providing direct AC conversion, the IDCL cell based AC/AC converters reduce device count, eliminate the use of electrolytic capacitors that have life and reliability issues, and improve system efficiency compared with similarly rated back-to-back inverter system.

Abstract: By virtue of the ability to vary local load via inverter (e.g., solar PV inverter) volt-ampere reactive power (VAR) injection, local demand and energy consumption can be controlled at a system level. Utilities that provide solar PV systems to consumers can leverage this ability to reduce the purchase of high cost energy. Moreover, revenue for such utilities can be maximized. For example, such localized voltage and VAR control allow for precise control to achieve, e.g., plus or minus about two percent of kW and kWHr of power consumed at a node.

Abstract: Multi-level rectifiers are provided. A multi-level rectifier may convert a medium AC voltage to a medium DC voltage. A multi-level rectifier may comprise an input inductor, a set of diodes, a set of switches, and a DC link comprising a set of capacitors. One end of the input inductor is coupled to the input AC voltage and the other end of the input inductor is coupled to a pair of diodes that are series connected. The set of switches may be regulated such that the inductor may be coupled to a DC voltage point of the DC link. A multi-level rectifier may operate under a set of operation modes. Each operation mode may be determined from the input voltage and the inductor current. Accordingly, a sinusoidal voltage at the fundamental frequency of the input voltage may be synthesized by selectively switching between adjacent operation modes of the set of operation modes.

Abstract: A plurality of edge of network grid volt ampere reactive (VAR) sources are provided in a power system in order to effectuate control at a customer level, which in turn effectuates control at a feeder level, which in turn effectuates control of an entire power system or wide area electric grid network. By optimally selecting voltage setpoints and applying such voltage setpoints to the plurality of edge of network grid VAR sources, the power system can be configured to self-balance, power factor compensation can be determined without the need for measuring load power factor. Moreover, traditionally volatile voltages at the feeder can be flattened, and VAR control can be realized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an edge of network voltage control of a power grid are described. A system includes a distribution power network, a plurality of loads (at or near an edge of the distribution power network), and a plurality of shunt-connected, switch-controlled volt ampere reactive (VAR) sources also located at the edge or near the edge of the distribution power network where they may each detect a proximate voltage. The VAR source can determine whether to enable a VAR compensation component therein based on the proximate voltage and adjust network VAR by controlling a switch to enable the VAR compensation component. Further still, each of the VAR sources may be integrated within a customer-located asset, such as a smart meter, and a multitude of such VAR sources can be used to effectuate a distributed controllable VAR source (DCVS) cloud network.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a floating voltage sensor system comprising a metallic enclosure, a conductive sensor plate, a signal conditioning circuit, and a microcontroller unit. The metallic enclosure can be configured for electrical communication with an asset carrying a voltage. The conductive sensor plate can be positioned adjacent to a surface of the metallic enclosure, such that the conductive plate and the surface of the metallic enclosure are not in contact with each other. The signal conditioning circuit can comprise a first connection point and a second connection point. The first connection point can be in electrical communication with the conductive sensor plate. The second connection point can be in electrical communication with the metallic enclosure. The microcontroller unit can be configured to receive an output of the signal conditioning circuit and measure the voltage of the asset.

Abstract: The present invention describes systems and methods for harvesting energy from an alternating magnetic field. An exemplary embodiment can include a flux concentrator having an open core coil wherein a first current with a first voltage is induced in the flux concentrator when placed proximate an alternating magnetic field. Additionally, the system can include a transformer, having a first and second winding, connected to the flux concentrator and inducing a second current in the second winding, wherein the second current has a second voltage higher than the first voltage and a threshold voltage of a first and second diode. Furthermore, the system can include a converter, connected to the secondary winding for charging the leakage inductance of the secondary winding by creating a short circuit between the secondary winding and the converter; and the diodes connected to the secondary winding and the converter for discharging the leakage inductance.