Abstract: A system for energy harvesting comprises a first interface for receiving energy from at least one renewable energy source (ERS); a second interface coupled to at least one load circuit; a third interface coupled to an least one primary energy storage (PES); a DC-to-DC converter connected to one of a single inductor and a single capacitor; a switching circuitry connected to the first, second, and third interfaces and the DC-to-DC converter; a control unit connected to the DC-to-DC converter and the switching circuitry, the control unit controls the system to operate in an operation mode including any one of: provide energy from the ERS to the at least one load via the DC-to-DC converter, charge the least one PES from the at least one ERS via the DC-to-DC converter, and provide energy from the at least one PES to the at least one load circuit via the DC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a plurality of domains each supplied power supply voltage from corresponding one of a plurality of power supply units; and a plurality of operation control units each connected to corresponding one of the plurality of domains and controlling an operational state of the corresponding domain, wherein each of the domain transmits a operation change request to the corresponding operation control unit, the operation change request representing a request for a change of the operational state with a change in current value of the domain, and the operation control unit calculates a current change rate of the domain resulted from the change of operational state upon receiving the operation change request, and transmits a response signal approving the change of operational state to the corresponding domain in case of the current change rate is within a specified value.

Abstract: In a public electric grid (30) of an energy provider, the feed-in power of photovoltaic systems (10) are controlled depending on feed-in requirements, the feed-in power of the photovoltaic systems (10) being reduced to a non-zero fraction factor (B) of the maximum possible feed-in power. The photovoltaic systems (10) each comprise a photovoltaic inverter (20) and a feed-in electricity meter (50) on the AC side (20b) of the photovoltaic inverter (20), wherein the AC side feed-in electricity meter (50) continuously measures the power actually fed into the public electric grid (30) and transmits the respective measured power data. Then, the maximum possible feed-in power of the photovoltaic systems (10) is calculated based on the fraction factor (B) and the continuously measured power data time-correlated therewith, and the feed-in remuneration for the respective photovoltaic system (10) is determined based on the thus calculated maximum possible feed-in power.

Abstract: A power switching assembly for switching power in a power distribution bus, and a power distribution system including such a power switching assembly, are disclosed. The power switching assembly includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element electrically coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal to provide controllability of a current flow from the first terminal to the second terminal and from the second terminal to the first terminal A controller for controlling the semiconductor elements may be configured to implement one or more of various control schemes such as a breaker, a current limiter, a load balancer, and a precharging device.

Abstract: A method of balancing an electrical distribution system including several generators implements a network divided into several subnetworks powered by ring-like swappers. The balancing of the network between the various generators available is obtained through switchings of subnetworks selected as a function of the order of switching of the swappers.

Abstract: A power conversion system for an energy storage system includes: at least two conversion units respectively configured to be coupled to one or more power sources or loads; and at least one output controller configured to generate at least one reference voltage to control at least one of the at least two conversion units, wherein the at least one of the at least two conversion units includes: a plurality of conversion subunits having inputs coupled to at least one of the power sources and having outputs that are coupled to one another; and at least one conversion subunit controller configured to adjust output voltages of the plurality of conversion subunits to be substantially the same corresponding to the at least one reference voltage, wherein the at least one reference voltage corresponds to the output voltages and output currents of the plurality of conversion subunits.

Abstract: Load-matched photo-voltaic power units incorporating a plurality of photo-voltaic cells for delivery of electrical power are described. A photo-voltaic system incorporates temperature and solar irradiance sensors, whose outputs are used to estimate the photo-voltaic system maximum power output voltage. Appropriate numbers of cells are suitably interconnected to assemble at least one photo-voltaic power unit intended to both satisfy the electrical requirements of a load and enable operation of the unit at an efficiency of 90% or greater of its maximum efficiency. In an embodiment, voltage-to-voltage convertors may be used to better match the photo-voltaic power unit capabilities to the load requirements. In another embodiment an alert is issued if the photo-voltaic power unit delivers a voltage which differs by a predetermined amount from an estimated maximum power voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for controlling a power down functionality for a component while limiting the number of inputs to the component. Embodiments may include a single input that may serve the dual purpose of providing both an input analog signal and a power down control. According to an embodiment, the power down threshold may be set as the defined minimum operating input voltage such that any input signals below the operating range may be interpreted as a power down command. Alternate signal ranges may be defined as indicating a power down command. According to an embodiment, an input signal having an improperly high voltage may additionally be interpreted as a power down or other predefined command such that any input signals outside of the predefined operating range may be interpreted as a power down command.

Abstract: A charging/discharging control system of an energy storage apparatus includes a weather information collection module, a load information collection module, a load grouping module which classifies a plurality of loads into at least one load group based on a load correlation according to a predetermined condition, and an energy storage apparatus charging/discharging control module which determines a battery charging or discharging level per time slot of each of a plurality of energy storage apparatuses by using at least one of an estimated load amount of each load per time slot, a battery charging amount of the energy storage apparatus per time slot via solar generation, and a battery charging amount per time slot via system power, wherein a particular load corresponding to a lowest rate for a unit load is determined by using battery charging/discharging information and power rate information per time slot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a powering a network of devices, the apparatus comprising a power supply, means for inputting a parameter related to desired performance or power usage of the network, means for determining network load, means for generating an error signal using the parameter related to desired performance or power usage of the network, the network load, and measured power of the power supply, and means for using the error signal to determining how the power is utilised.

Abstract: Apparatus for powering devices, comprising a power supply having inputs from two or more different power sources; means for combining the power sources and providing a power supply to one or more end devices; means for comparing the two input power sources and generating an index representative of the relative proportions of each at any time and means for using the index to determine how the power is utilised.

Abstract: An overload protection circuit for supplying electric power has advantageous applications especially in supplying power to capacitive loads. In prior art circuits, the charging current is lead to the capacitive load through a linearly operating transistor or through a power resistor. Therefore, prior art circuits often involve a risk of exceeding safe operating area of a power transistor, or circuits with a large number of components are needed. The present overload protection circuit has an inductor (L) coupled in series with a switching element (Q). Load current is measured (35, 38), and the switching element (Q) is controlled (35, 36) to supply current to the load via the inductor (L) until a determined current limit is achieved. After achieving the current limit the switching element (Q) is controlled to off-state, during which the freewheeling current of the inductor (L) is lead through a voltage dependent element (Z).

Abstract: A voltage control apparatus includes: an obtaining unit which obtains voltage values at voltage measuring points; a detecting unit which detects a system impedance value; a control quantity calculating unit which calculates, as control quantity, a reactive power value to be output by a power regulating apparatus to prevent at least a voltage value deviating from a predetermined voltage range from deviating from a target voltage value; and a notifying unit which notifies the power regulating apparatus of the control quantity. The control quantity calculating unit calculates the control quantity such that the voltage value at a specific voltage measuring point is substantially equal to the target voltage value, and when all of the voltage values deviating from the target voltage value deviate from the target voltage value in a same direction, only positive or negative reactive power is output by power regulating apparatuses.

Abstract: A hybrid power plant is characterized by a substantially constant load on generators regardless of momentary swings in power load. Short changes in power load are accommodated by DC components such as capacitors, batteries, resistors, or a combination thereof. Resistors are used to consume power when loads in the power plant are generating excess power. Capacitors are used to store and deliver power when the loads in the power plant demand additional power. Reducing rapid changes in power load as seen by the generators allows the generators to operate at higher efficiencies and with reduced emissions. Additionally, power plants employing combinations of generators, loads, and energy storage devices have increased dynamic performance.

Abstract: A multi output power supply is provided. The power supply includes an input power unit which generates an LLC resonance signal using DC power, a primary output power unit which outputs a first output voltage based on a first voltage induced in response to the LLC resonance signal, a secondary output power unit which outputs a second output voltage based on a second voltage induced in response to the LLC resonance signal, and a power control unit which controls the input power unit to change the LLC resonance signal so that the first output voltage has a preset level, and controls the secondary output power unit so that the second output voltage has a preset level irrespective of a change in a level of the first output voltage.

Abstract: An energy storage system having a number of trays with each tray having a number of battery cells in which power is controllably stored and discharged. A first Battery Management System (BMS) is electrically coupled to a tray contained in a rack of trays. A second BMS is electrically coupled to and controls the first BMS. The first BMS includes a control unit electrically coupled to and controlling the battery cells. It further includes a switch unit electrically coupled to the control unit and selectively applying driving power according to a control signal from the second BMS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control apparatus and a control method which are capable of reliably preventing electric power not required to be returned to an electric power system from flowing out to the electric power system. A bidirectional DCAC converting unit 33 converts DC power stored in a storage battery 15 to AC power, and outputs the converted power to each load. Further, a current detecting unit 34 is arranged on a wire from the electric power system which is connected to a wire between the bidirectional DCAC converting unit 33 and each load, and the current detecting unit 34 detects a current flowing between the connection point and the electric power system. A control unit 36 increases/reduces an amount of AC power output of the bidirectional DCAC converting unit 33 based on an amount of current detected by the current detecting unit 34, thereby to control a supply of electric power to each load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of managing transmission of power in a power transmission network, said method comprising the steps of: establishing utility grid characteristic comprising at least one reference value based on at least one parameter reflecting the state of said transformer, continuously monitoring said at least one parameter reflecting the state of said transformer, and continuously controlling power consumption and/or power production at the lower voltage side of said transformer based on said monitoring of said at least one parameter reflecting the state of said transformer, said controlling of said power consumption and/or said power production comprising regulating said power consumption of one or more of said plurality of power consumers and/or regulating said power production of one or more decentralized power producers located at said lower voltage side of said transformer, so as to comply with said established reference value.

Abstract: Power supply equipment includes low power assemblies and high power assemblies, each of which is detachably mateable to either one of two power ports. To simultaneously power two low power devices, low power assemblies are respectively mated to each of the power ports. To simultaneously power one low power and one high power device, a low power assembly is mated to one of the power ports and a high power assembly is mated to the other power port. The low power assemblies transfer a low DC voltage, but not a high DC voltage, to low power devices. The high power assemblies transfer a high DC voltage, but not a low DC voltage, to high power devices. If a high power assembly is mated to each of the power ports, power flow is interrupted without putting the power supply in an overvoltage or overcurrent condition.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus that selectively uses as a power source one of a battery and an external power source to be powered therefrom, the electronic apparatus includes: a charging unit that charges the battery through the external power source; a power status determining unit that determines whether the external power source can drive the electronic apparatus; a history storage unit that stores a history of determination results of the power status determining unit; and a charging control unit that sets, to a maximum capacity of the battery, an upper limit of battery remaining power if the history indicates that the external power source can not drive for at least part of a specific past period, or sets the upper limit to a given value lower than the maximum capacity if the history indicates that the external power source can drive throughout the specific past period.

Abstract: A method of managing transmission of power in a power transmission network, said power transmission network comprises: at least one power producer, a utility grid comprising power transmissions lines and substations, a plurality of power consumers consuming power produced by said at least one power producer, said method comprising the steps of: establishing a plurality of individual power consumer characteristics providing information of at least a part of said plurality of power consumers, by means of a central control arrangement matching said plurality of individual power consumer characteristics to establish one or more consumer groups of power consumers based on said matching, said established one or more consumer groups having a consumer group characteristic reflecting the expected consumer characteristic of said one or more consumer groups, and by means of said central control arrangement over time monitoring the power consumed by said one or more consumer groups to validate whether the power consumed

Abstract: A method of providing power to a load, such as an IT load, includes generating an output power using at least one power module comprising at least one fuel cell segment, providing a first portion of the output power through a grid to an A-side power feed of the load, and providing a second portion of the output power to a B-side power feed of the load.

Abstract: A power distribution system connecting apparatus comprises a power generation amount calculating portion for calculating a theoretical amount of power generation of the power source apparatus from an environment measurement value, a power measuring portion for measuring an amount of power generation of the power source apparatus, a comparator portion for comparing the calculation value of the power generation amount calculating portion and the measurement value of the power measuring portion, a memory portion for memorizing a result of comparison in the comparing portion, and a display portion for displaying a condition of the power source apparatus thereon; thereby providing the power distribution system connecting apparatus for enabling to deal with suppression of a reverse power flow, while preventing ill-influences due to troubles from being transferred to a system side.

Abstract: A set of network communications devices shares available power among themselves to meet overall system power loading. An individual device is configured to include a local power supply delivering power to a local power bus at a local supply voltage varied in response to a voltage control signal. A protection component is connected between the local power bus and an external power cable used to connect the device to another device for sharing power. The protection component provides an interruptible low-impedance DC path for carrying current based on direction and magnitude of a voltage difference between the local power bus and the external power cable.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric power supply system which has: a common power source which stores and supplies a power via a local power grid; and a distributed power source which supplies a power to buildings and a surplus to the common power source. The electric power supply system further includes a first power meter measuring the amount of power supplied from a commercial power source, a second power meter measuring the amount of power received from and supplied to the common power source via the local power grid, and a distribution control device which distributes a power from the common power source to the area based on the amounts of power as measured by the first power meter and the second power meter.

Abstract: A residential electric power storage system includes a lead-in wire, a distribution line, an electric power storage device, a voltage sensor sensing a voltage of the lead-in wire, a current sensor sensing a current charged to the electric power storage device through the distribution line and an electric power adjustment unit adjusting electric power charged to the electric power storage device through the distribution line; and a controller controlling the electric power adjustment unit. If the lead-in wire has voltage smaller than a threshold voltage, the controller controls the electric power adjustment unit to match the current that is charged to the electric power storage device to a command value to provide current control, whereas if the lead-in wire has voltage larger than the threshold voltage, the controller controls the electric power adjustment unit to match the voltage of the lead-in wire to a command value to provide voltage control.

Abstract: A method for controlling the distribution of electric power from a wind farm to a plurality of hydrogen producing electrolysers. The method includes estimating available DC power from the wind farm, which is controlled independently from the hydrogen producing electrolysers. A target current set point is determined for each electrolyser based on the estimated available DC power, the number of available electrolysers, and the voltage of each electrolyser. DC current supplied by at least one DC-DC power converter to each electrolyser is controlled to bring the DC current to the target current set point. The method is periodically repeated to compensate for changes in the DC power available from the wind farm.

Abstract: A semiconductor IC device capable of power-sharing includes a first power line configured to be supplied with a first power, a second power line configured to be supplied with a second power, a switching block configured to connect the first power line with the second power line in response to a first control signal, and a power-sharing control block configured to generate the control signal in accordance with a plurality of operation command signals.

Abstract: A multi-current-source comprises a voltage converter (VC), a first current source (CS1) with a first terminal (A1) which is adapted to be coupled to an output (OUT) of a voltage converter (VC) and with a second terminal (B1) which is adapted to be coupled to an input (IN) of the voltage converter (VC), at least a second current source (CS2) with a first terminal (A2) which is adapted to be coupled to the output (OUT) of the voltage converter (VC) and with a second terminal (B2) which is adapted to be coupled to the input (IN) of the voltage converter (VC), wherein the first current source (CS1) being adapted to provide a first load current (Il1) at its first terminal (A1) the first load current (Il1) being regulated to a first constant value and to provide a first unidirectional error current (Ierr1) at its second terminal (B1), wherein the at least one second current source (CS2) being adapted to provide a second load current (I12) at its first terminal (A2), the second load current (I12) being regulated to

Abstract: This electric power generation system comprises a power generator configured to generate electric power using renewable energy, a battery configured to store electric power generated by the power generator, a detector configured to acquire a first power amount data for every first time interval and a second power amount data for every second time interval which is shorter than the first time interval, and a controller configured to determine whether to perform a charge and discharge control of the battery based on the second power amount data, to compute a target output value for the electric power to be supplied to the electric power transmission system based on the first power amount data when the charge and discharge control is performed, to charge or discharge the line with electric power from the battery so that the target output value is supplied to the electric power transmission system.

Abstract: A method for starting up a fuel cell arrangement includes receiving a first electrical signal from an alternative power source. At least a portion of the first electrical signal is provided to a balance of plant (BOP) load, where the BOP load is in electrical communication with a fuel cell system. It is determined whether a startup threshold of the fuel cell system is met. If the startup threshold is met, a second electrical signal is provided from the fuel cell system to the BOP load, where a combination of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal corresponds to a load demand of the BOP load. A value of the second electrical signal is increased and a value of the first electrical signal is decreased until the load demand of the BOP load is met by the fuel cell system.

Abstract: Electrical currents are detected and analyzed across structural members in a structural joint, such as a fastener of a vehicle. In some aspects, printed circuit boards etched with Rogowski coil circuits are inserted proximate the structural members in the structural joint. The Rogowski coil circuits may detect an electrical current as it flows through the structural joint. An integrator may integrate a transient current to generate an output signal, such as when the vehicle is subjected to an electrical charge. The output signal may be transmitted to an Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) system for analysis. In various aspects, the IVHM system may enable recording and reporting of various aspects of the current to enable maintenance, inspection, or real time/near real time health assessment of the vehicle.

Abstract: The control of users and generators of electrical energy behind the legal interface with the energy provider. In particular, the invention relates to the generation of renewable electrical energy, such as wind energy, solar energy, energy from biogas plants, geothermal energy etc., and to the electricity thus generated. The proposed technical energy management avoids feeding energy into the central grid without precluding the use of energy from the central power grid if necessary.

Abstract: Electrical energy consumption control apparatuses and electrical energy consumption control methods are described. According to one aspect, an electrical energy consumption control apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to receive a signal which is indicative of current of electrical energy which is consumed by a plurality of loads at a site, to compare the signal which is indicative of current of electrical energy which is consumed by the plurality of loads at the site with a desired substantially sinusoidal waveform of current of electrical energy which is received at the site from an electrical power system, and to use the comparison to control an amount of the electrical energy which is consumed by at least one of the loads of the site.

Abstract: A circuit may include a switch mode power converter that intermittently enables a current path in response to a switch control signal; a duty cycle measurement circuit that generates a duty cycle value corresponding to a duty cycle of the switch control signal; and an evaluation circuit that activates a failure indication in response to the duty cycle value being outside of at least one limit.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electric power supply to devices is provided. The system includes a plurality of power supply sources, devices operated by an electric power, and a control part that determines the power supply source to be used for supplying the electric power to the devices. Further, the control part controls the amount of electric power to be supplied to the devices by the determined power supply source.

Abstract: A redundant power system regulating operation according to loads includes a power back panel and a plurality of power supplies electrically connected to a plurality of input ports on the power back panel. The power back panel has a plurality of output ports electrically connected to at least one load. Each power supply has an ON/OFF control terminal to receive an ON/OFF signal to determine ON or OFF thereof. The power back panel further has a power source management unit to detect the number of the load being activated. The power source management unit includes a plurality of ON/OFF signal terminals electrically connected to the ON/OFF control terminals. The power source management unit determines the number of the ON/OFF signal terminals to output the ON/OFF signal according to the number of the activated load.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide medication dispensing carts and methods. The medication dispensing carts may include a base having wheels that allow the carts to be transported within a facility, a computing device configured to receive input from a user, a display device communicatively coupled with the computing device for displaying information to the user, a post that couples the display device with the base, and a plurality of cassettes that have one or more bins within which medical supplies are stored. The plurality of cassettes may be coupled with the post and the post may include a plurality of communication ports that communicatively couple one or more of the cassettes with the computing device to perform or provide various functions.

Abstract: A power converter that gives priority to the high power output and only provides power to the low power output when the total potential output power is equal to or less than the rated power of the power converter. A specific power threshold is established, and when the high power output remains below this threshold for a period of time the low power output is allowed to turn on. If the high power output subsequently exceeds this threshold for a period of time, then an electronic circuit powers down the low power output in order to keep the total output power below the rated power of the power converter. Subsequently, the high power output is checked against the threshold to determine if the low power output can be turned on again. If the high power output is below the threshold, then the low power output is turned on.

Abstract: Provided are a terminal device and a consumption current control method which enable reliable charging with a current obtained by power generation. In a terminal device (100), a charging display control unit (106) changes the current amount adjustment value set in a constant current control unit (107) on the basis of a current value (the current value of a current (A)) detected by a current detection unit (102) and a current value (the current value of a current (E)) detected by a current detection unit (105). More specifically, when the current value of the current (A) is smaller than the current value of the current (E), the current amount adjustment value is changed. This change makes the current value of the composite current (E) after the change smaller than that before the change.

Abstract: A system for balancing energy being consumed by a first device against the available energy being produced by a second separate device. One application for the invention is monitoring the amount of energy being produced by a photovoltaic array and using that information to control a load so that the load consumes substantially the same amount of energy as is then being produced by the array.

Abstract: Distributed power generation systems generally include a number of power sources and electrical power loads interconnected by a distribution network. Electrical switches and fuses are provided such that local groups of power sources and power loads can be established. Should there be a degradation in the distribution network in terms of a set of criteria such as electrical frequency, current or voltage then the switch or fuse may be thrown to establish each local group as an island. By monitoring divergence from a set of criteria a method and controller may be utilised whereby the distribution network as a whole is considered and configured to establish virtual islands which operate prior to the establishment whether inadvertently or deliberately of actual islands within the distribution network.

Abstract: A solar power system is provided for maximizing solar power conversion. The solar power system includes n power units connected in series and n-1 DC-DC converting units, and each of the n-1 DC-DC converting units is coupled to at least one of n solar power units. Each of the n-1 DC-DC converting units is configured to control the correspondingly connected solar power units to operate at a target current generation. The solar power system further includes a controlling unit coupled to the n-1 DC-DC converting units. The controlling unit monitors and compares the n currents generated by the n solar power units. Based on the current comparison, the controlling unit determines a series current and controls the n solar power units so that each of the generated photovoltaic currents is substantially equal to the determined series current.

Abstract: A core module for a portable computing device includes a wireless power receiver module, a battery power module, a power supply module, a processing module, and an RF link interface. The wireless power receiver module, when operable, receives a wireless power transmit signal and converts it into a supply voltage. The battery power module, when operable, outputs a battery voltage. The power supply module, when operable, converts the supply voltage or the battery voltage into one or more power supply voltages. The processing module is operable to select one of the battery voltage, the supply voltage, and one of the one or more power supply voltages to produce a selected voltage. The RF link interface outputs the selected voltage on to an RF link of the portable computing device for providing power to one or more multi mode RF units within the portable computing device.

Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a first power device, a second power unit, and controlling means. Each of the first power device and the second power unit supplies DC power to a DC supply line. The first power device makes constant voltage control. The second power unit includes a second power device configured to make inclination control of monotonically decreasing its output voltage with an increase of its output current, and of monotonically increasing its output voltage with a decrease of its output current. Upon acknowledging that a measurement (a magnitude of a current flowing through the DC supply line) exceeds an optimal current magnitude (a magnitude of a current supplied to the DC supply line from the first power device operating at maximum conversion efficiency), the controlling means outputs an instruction such that a magnitude of a current supplied to the DC supply line from the second power unit is identical to a difference between the measurement and the optimal current magnitude.

Abstract: A power system includes a plurality of DC/DC converters and a DC/AC inverter. The plurality of DC/DC converters having outputs electrically connected in parallel for supplying a DC voltage bus to an input of the DC/AC inverter. The plurality of DC/DC converters each include a maximum power point tracker (MPPT). Various DC/DC converters and DC/AC inverters suitable for use in this system and others are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of microgrid systems which may be used as stand-alone systems or may be connected to a larger, integrate power supply system. In some embodiments, a system comprises smart microgrid system comprising at least one electrical power bus connectable to at least one input power source by one or more switchable connections, a communication network coupled to the smart microgrid system, and a controller coupled to the communication network. In some embodiments the controller comprises logic to monitor power outputs from the at least one input power source monitor one or more power loads coupled to the at least one and selectively connect one or more of the input power sources to the at least one electrical power bus.

Abstract: Load sharing apparatus for load sharing between a plurality of power supplies (1, 2). The apparatus comprises one or more load sharing modules (Share1, Share2), each for association with a respective power supply. The or each load sharing module comprises load determining means for generating a signal which represents a load value corresponding to the power or current supplied by the respective power supply, and voltage control means for controlling the output voltage of the respective power supply to vary inversely with said load value at a first rate when the load value is below a threshold value, and for controlling the output voltage of the respective power supply to vary inversely with said load value at a second rate when the load value equals or exceeds said (first) threshold value. Said second rate is greater than said first rate.

Abstract: An electronic system includes two power supplies to supply an operating voltage to a switching power converter. The first power supply, referred to as a start-up power supply, includes a first source follower transistor to conduct a start-up current for a controller and supply an operating voltage for the controller. The controller controls operation of the switching power converter. A second power supply, referred to as an auxiliary power supply, includes a second source follower transistor to conduct a steady-state operational current for the controller and supply an operating voltage for the controller. In at least one embodiment, once the second power supply begins supplying the operating voltage to the controller, the start-up power supply automatically ceases supplying the start-up current to the controller.

Abstract: A modular data center is collocated with a primary electric generating station and receives its operating power from connections upstream of any step-up transformer for transmission lines or grids. The data center itself comprises a building shell with a modular common power and cooling infrastructure to support data center containers brought in later by unrelated modular data center unit tenants. The heat and loads the data center containers each produce are isolated from the common areas and kept within the respective data center containers. The costs, maintenance, environmental, and security issues are therefore independent of the other modular data center unit tenants, and more easily managed, projected, and financed.