Abstract: Apparatuses and methods include a solar array having one or more string buses of series-connected solar modules. The current outputs from the solar modules on each string bus can be balanced along with the voltage output from the string buses. Local management units coupled between the solar modules and the string buses are configured to control the voltage output from each solar module. When the solar modules on each string are balanced, and when the string buses are balanced (or before the solar modules and string buses are balanced), an inverter or other device connected to the solar array can find the array's maximum power point via a maximum power point tracking algorithm.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods include a solar array having one or more strings of series-connected local management units (LMUs). Each LMU is parallel-connected to one of a plurality of solar modules. The strings are connected in parallel via a parallel bus. Local string management units (LSMUs) can increase or decrease an output voltage of the solar array by upconverting or downconverting string output voltages from each string. LSMUs can also operate in a bypass mode to increase overall power output.

Abstract: Provided are a novel distribution automation system and its voltage control method, which can supply a stable voltage to a user by properly adjusting the settings of a control device so as to compensate for reactive power at each load terminal.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a plurality of UPS modules. Each of the UPS modules has a battery that provides power to a protected load in the event of a utility power failure. A plurality of controllers control how much power each of the batteries deliver to the protected load, and a communication bus allows the controllers to exchange information about the battery voltages. One of the controllers calculates the average battery voltage of the plurality of batteries and adjusts the amount of energy provided by an individual battery such that the battery voltage is about equal to the average battery voltage.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a current overload protection circuit includes an input device, a data storage device, a central processing device, and a display. The central processing device includes a storage module, a control module, and a calculation module. The storage module stores a VI application therein. The control module receives instructions from the input device and selects virtual electronic components of the current overload protection circuit from the data storage device and connection of the selected electronic components. The current overload protection circuit is completed and run in the VI application; electronic components significantly affecting the maximum protection current are labeled. The calculation module calculates normal distribution samples of the current overload protection circuit based on the labeled electronic components. The display shows whether the current overload protection circuit meets a process capability standard.

Abstract: The invention broadly encompasses a system including a database to store demand response data, the demand response data including demand response agreement parameters, demand response load and energy demand characteristics of one or more demand response customers, the demand response load characteristics including power consumption capacity of each of one or more demand response loads, an aggregator to aggregate the demand response loads based on the demand response data and forecast data into a demand response portfolio, a monitor to monitor power demand of one or more demand response customers and one or more power grids, and a dispatcher to notify the one or more demand response customers of the demand response portfolio and to notify a utility of a response from the one or more demand response customers whether to control the demand response load to return the power consumption capacity of the demand response load back to the one or more power grids.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for controlling a photovoltaic panel while ensuring the power source operates safely include determining a temperature of the photovoltaic panel, determining a voltage provided from the photovoltaic panel, determining a parameter based on the voltage and the temperature and controlling a power converter based on the determined parameter. The power converter may be a pulse amplitude modulated current converter (PAMCC). The PAMCC may be controlled through tables of pulse durations based on the determined parameter. The voltage output may be controlled through a fast control loop and through a slower control loop, and the power demand from the solar panel may be controlled such that the output voltage does not vary from the expected value by more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A power plant for providing electric power to a power grid includes energy sources; power conditioning units and a controller configured to cause power provided to the grid to have selected electrical characteristics. The controller is in high speed real-time communication with the power conditioning units and programmed to provide instructions to the power conditioning units.

Abstract: A communication converter for connecting automation devices having different operating voltages to a host computer, including an interface component and a transceiver component coupled to the interface component, the interface component being connected on the input side via a host connector to a host interface of the host computer and the transceiver component being connected via a device connector to a device interface of the automation device, and a voltage transformer, which on the input side is connected via the host interface to an operating voltage and on the output side to a voltage supply line of the device interface. So the communication converter can communicate with devices having different interface standards, the converter has a first current/voltage measuring unit, a second current/voltage measuring unit, and a switching device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a voltage level of a power supply grid operationally connected to a source of electrical power, the method comprising the steps of determining a short circuit impedance of the power supply grid at a point of common coupling, calculating, using the determined short circuit impedance, a gain value of the power supply grid, and controlling the grid voltage level in accordance with the calculated gain value by applying said gain value as a gain parameter in a voltage controller. The method according to the present invention may be implemented as a method for configuring a voltage controller once and for all, or it may be implemented as a method for adaptively adjusting a gain of a voltage controller.

Abstract: A load shedding system and method for controlling imbalances in a power system includes a signal generator adapted to generate a signal representative of a local system, and a modifying circuit adapted to adjust set frequencies. The system also includes a processing circuit adapted to process data received from the signal generator and modifying circuit and set load shedding priorities for the local system based on the processed data.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a wind farm having two or more wind energy plants, which has a farm control which presets a desired value for an electric variable of the wind farm which has to be generated, wherein the farm control calculates an average increase of the real values of the electric variable for at least one time interval continuously, and compares it with a maximum value for the increase of the electric variable in the respective time interval, the farm control determines a proposal of a desired value for each predetermined time interval, based on a real value of the electric variable which was averaged continuously over the time interval, and in the case that the average increase in the at least one time interval is smaller than the maximum value in the corresponding time interval, the farm control determines a new desired value of the electric variable of the wind farm, with a selection of the desired value as the smallest of several proposals for a desired value.

Abstract: A system and method of regulating the voltage of the power supplied to a plurality of power customers via a power distribution system that includes low voltage power lines and medium voltage power lines is provided. A method may include measuring the voltage of a plurality of low voltage power lines at one or more customer premises in the power distribution system with corresponding voltage monitoring devices. The voltage monitoring devices transmit voltage data in real time to a remote computer system. The computer system receives the real time voltage data of the voltage measured from the voltage monitoring devices. The computer system compares the real time voltage data with a first threshold value; and if the real time voltage data is beyond the first threshold value, transmitting a first voltage adjustment instruction to a voltage control device configured to adjust the voltage supplied to a low voltage power line.

Abstract: A power subsystem is actively optimized to improve total subsystem efficiency in a way that is responsive to changes in load requirements, power supply variations, and subsystem temperature variations. Detailed, multidimensional power loss models are developed for constituent devices which are then combined into a power subsystem containing a controller and circuity for measuring device operating parameters such as input and output voltage, output current, and temperature. Operating parameters are continually monitored, and set points are correspondingly changed based on the detailed power loss models to achieve maximum overall efficiency for the instantaneous operating state of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring power devices that are connecting in a loop to a main power line are provided. A plurality of power devices that are connected in a loop to a power grid line may be provided. The loop may include a plurality of power lines. A disturbance within the plurality of power devices may be identified, and an impact of the identified disturbance on the plurality of power lines may be determined. A power output of one or more of the plurality of power devices may be adjusted based at least in part on the determined impact.

Abstract: A method for estimating a rotor position in an electrical machine is provided. The method is applicable to electrical machines that have magnetic saliency. The method includes extracting the rotor position from a demodulated output signal generated in response to an injected high frequency carrier signal and determining a position error compensation based upon a demodulation delay and a velocity or rotational frequency of the electrical machine. The method also includes estimating the rotor position by applying the position error compensation to the extracted rotor position.

Abstract: This disclosure provides power supply control methods and apparatus. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a power supply operatively connected to a developer unit associated with a printing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes generating a modified output control signal as a function of stored gain and offset values associated with the power supply to generate a desired output voltage to drive the developer unit.

Abstract: Power output of a power generation system is controlled by measuring the output voltage of the system, dividing the measured voltage value into a target power value, then controlling the current provided by the generation system to the calculated value. In some embodiments the power generation system is connected to a grid.

Abstract: There are provided a fuel cell system capable of reducing power consumption by inhibiting an unnecessary operation of a DC-DC converter, and a power control method therefor.

Abstract: Neural Network Loadflow (NNL) computation method is invented involving input vector composed of net nodal injection of real and reactive powers and diagonal elements of conductance and susceptance matrices multiplied by the squared voltage magnitude components of the flat-start normally used as initial solution estimate guess for loadflow solution by conventional NRL or SSDL methods. Training, and testing/validating input-output data sets are generated by applying uniform and non-uniform scaling factors applied to base case loads at PQ-nodes, resistance and reactance of transmission line branches. These scale factors are increased until loadflow solution by conventional methods such as Newton-Raphson Loadflow and Super Super Decoupled Loadflow methods diverge. Divergence of loadflow methods are due to node voltage, node angle, and numerical instabilities.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for measuring energy usage in an appliance, particularly a washing appliance. A display, that may be a home energy monitor, is associated with the appliance. The appliance may include an AC-DC power supply and a controllable inverter configured to supply power to a motor associated with the appliance. Real power consumption is calculated by a controller that may also be used to control the inverter and other operational aspects of the appliance and causes the calculated real power to be displayed on the display.

Abstract: A control apparatus configured to control communication between an on-vehicle device and a device coupled to the on-vehicle device via a cable, the control apparatus comprising: a cable length detecting part configured to detect a length of the cable; and a power supply voltage controlling part configured to control, based on the length of the cable detected by the cable length detecting part, a power supply voltage in a connector connected to the device by changing a power supply voltage applied to a power supply line of the cable.

Abstract: There is described a method of generating a power supply tracking a reference signal, comprising the steps of: filtering the reference signal; generating a first voltage in dependence on the filtered reference signal; generating a second voltage in dependence on the reference signal; and combining the first and second voltages to provide a power supply voltage.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and measuring the electrical and mechanical parameters of a power line conductor. Sensors of the device measure conductor temperature, the angle of inclination of the overhead conductor, current flowing in the conductor, and voltage to ground. The device has a low-power mode in which parameters of the power line conductor are not measured. Upon detecting a change in an electrical or mechanical value of the power line conductor, the device measures parameters of the power line conductor for a predetermined length of time before returning to the low power mode.

Abstract: An intelligent power saving system, disposed between a Utility Power Supply and at least a load, comprising: at least an energy storage device; at least a power supply line, connected to said Utility Power Supply and said load; at least an energy-storage-device-parallel-connection circuit, connecting said energy storage device electrically to said power supply line; and a power monitor, connected electrically to said Utility Power Supply, said energy storage device, and said energy-storage-device-parallel-connection circuit, thus determining whether said energy storage device is required to join in providing power to said load through said energy-storage-device-parallel-connection circuit, thus regulating percentage of total power supplied by said Utility Power Supply, preventing overload of said Utility Power Supply, hereby saving expense of the electric utility bills.

Abstract: A power plant for providing electric power to a power grid includes energy sources; power conditioning units and a controller configured to cause power provided to the grid to have selected electrical characteristics. The controller is in high speed real-time communication with the power conditioning units and programmed to provide instructions to the power conditioning units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of operating a controller usable for operating a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a voltage converter being connectable to a power grid via a filter arrangement. The method includes determining a line voltage and adding the determined line voltage to the output of the voltage converter with a time delay. The time delay is adjusted such that resonant effects occurring at the filter arrangement are decreased.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide power flow analysis and may process electrical power distribution system data in real time to calculate load, current, voltage, losses, fault current and other data. The power flow analysis system may include a detailed data model of the electrical power distribution system, and may accept a variety of real time measurement inputs to support its modeling calculations. The power flow analysis system may calculate data of each of the three distribution system power phases independently and include a distribution state estimation module which allows it to incorporate a variety of real time measurements with varying degrees of accuracy, reliability and latency.

Abstract: There is provided a digital controller which can generate no oscillation even if sensing a load side and enables control of supplying a desired voltage to the load. In an power amplifier which supplies an output voltage vo to the load connected via a load connecting line, a load voltage vL and the output voltage vo are periodically sampled to calculate a manipulating variable ?1 from the output voltage vo, the load voltage vL and an arbitrary target value r. Based on the manipulating variable ?1 calculated, a control signal is output to the power amplifier. As a result, when connecting an LC filter with a load device 9 of the power amplifier intended for a control target and besides the load connecting line is long, a robust digital controller without generating oscillation even if sensing the load side is performed can be realized.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for dispatching thermal energy and generating power in a solar power generating plant. The system includes a computer processor, computer readable medium, and control logic stored on the computer readable medium to direct the operation of the processor. The processor generates an optimized thermal energy dispatch schedule which controls operation of the generating plant by performing a combination of direct thermal energy and indirect thermal energy storage simulations to maximize operating revenues.

Abstract: A mechanism for managing energy consumption of electrical devices within a home or building. Energy usage data is collected for a first electrical outlet connected to an unidentified electrical device in a facility. A pattern of energy usage is determined from the energy usage data collected at the first electrical outlet. The pattern of energy usage of the first electrical outlet is then compared against known patterns of energy usage for one or more other electrical outlets. Responsive to identifying a match between the pattern of energy usage of the energy usage data collected at the first electrical outlet and a known pattern of energy usage of a second electrical outlet in the one or more other electrical outlets, the electrical device connected to the first electrical outlet is identified as the same electrical device that is associated with the known pattern of energy usage of the second electrical outlet.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power production entity is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of electric power signals by a plurality of power production entities, measuring a plurality of power levels of the plurality of power signals, modifying the plurality of power signals, supplying the plurality of modified power signals at a common node, and adjusting an operation voltage of at least one power production entity of the plurality of power production entities based on the plurality of measured power levels such that a power loss of the power signals caused by the modifying and/or supplying is minimized. Also a system for controlling a power production entity is described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for managing high or low voltage conditions from selected areas of a power system of a utility company. Rubber-banding or lassoing is used to select geographic areas. Potential low or high voltage situations are identified in the selected geographic areas. Geographic displays are overlayed with superimposed VAR reserves to create overlayed geographic displays for the selected geographic areas. The overlayed geographic displays are used to identify potential low or high voltage instances in the selected geographic areas.

Abstract: Control devices for configuring heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The control devices are designed to detect operational parameters of units within HVAC systems and present system configurations consistent with the detected parameters. In response to user selection of a system configuration, the control device may apply the system configuration to the HVAC system and may reconfigure settings of control circuits within system units. The system configurations presented by the control device may correspond to wiring diagrams that are familiar to service technicians. Methods of configuring HVAC systems with the control devices are also provided.

Abstract: A digital control device for a parallel PMOS transistor board, includes: an operative memory for digitally storing error data between a target voltage and a setpoint voltage as well as control data, each datum being provided with a time marker, a digital selected order filter (36) for computing setpoint incrementation data from error data in the operative memory selected based on input error data, and for storing the input error data with a corresponding time marker in the operative memory, and a control computer (38) for computing new control data from the control incrementation data and control data in the operative memory selected based on input error data and for storing the new control data in the operative memory.

Abstract: The disclosed power distribution system regulates the transfer of energy from a source 1 to a load 3. Source Controller 5 on the source side closes Disconnect Device 7 and monitors the transfer of a pulse or “packet” of energy to the load side. A Load Controller 9 on the load side communicates the amount of energy received at the load back to the source controller via Communication Link 11. If it is confirmed that the energy received on the load side corresponds to that sent by the source side, another energy packet is sent. If the energy received does not correspond with that sent by the source side, energy transfer is stopped, indicating a system fault or safety hazard. The energy content of a single packet is kept small, such that if it is not properly delivered, it can not cause damage to equipment or harm personnel.

Abstract: The plant comprises: a DC-voltage electric power source (3), whose operating conditions vary as a function of at least one uncontrollable quantity, for each value of the uncontrollable quantity the source presenting a characteristic curve of the supplied power as a function of a controlled quantity, wherein each characteristic curve presents a maximum for an optimal value of said controlled quantity; a power conditioning circuit (5); a regulation loop (9) to adjust the controlled quantity maximizing the power supplied by the source when said uncontrollable quantity varies. The regulation loop is de- signed in such a way as to determine whether, for the actual value of said uncontrollable quantity, the actual value of the controlled quantity (V.in) is greater or lower than the optimal value and to generate a regulation signal (V.in-REF) to modify the actual value of the controlled quantity towards the optimal value.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a device and a method for controlling an inverter associated with a power source, which typically will be a distributed power source. The role of an inverter is to modulate the electrical power output, e.g. to provide a three phase AC electrical output at suitable voltage, where the output is to be supplied to a conventional power distribution, grid. The invention involves modelling the behaviour of a synchronous electrical generator. Variables represent the angular position and rotational speed of the virtual rotor (14) of this virtual synchronous generator. The torque electromagnetically exerted on the rotor is calculated from a measured inverter output current, and from a variable representing excitation current in the rotor.

Abstract: An electronic module compares the output voltage of a solar panel to an expected value and controls the power demand from the solar panel such that the output voltage does not vary from the expected value by more than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be determined by correcting a room temperature value for the temperature dependence of the photodiodes comprising the solar panel and manufacturing tolerance.

Abstract: A system and method for managing power uses a power meter that is electronically connected to a first point on a multiphase power distribution system to measure power information at that point. It determines harmonic distortion and true power factor correction based on the power information, and then determines configuration information for an active filter. The configuration information is send to one or more active filter to adjust harmonic distortion and true power factor correction on a second point in the distribution system.

Abstract: An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) designed to switch power inputs between an alternating current mode and a battery mode by adjusting the amplitude and/or frequency windows of the input voltage so that the uninterruptible power supply accepts the unstable voltage and/or frequency. This prevents the uninterruptible power supply to switch back to the battery mode during a transfer time between the battery mode and the AC mode. The uninterruptable power supply includes a control circuit. The control circuit modifies the monitored value and/or actual amplitude and/or the frequency window when unstable amplitude and/or an unstable frequency are detected at the input terminal of the input voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method with a cooperative control algorithm that can appraise voltage stability of a power system in cooperation with a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)/emergency management system (EMS) for cooperative control on multiple parallel flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) to enhance voltage stability, and that can calculate individual operation points of the FACTS.

Abstract: A voltage control arrangement for a system of multiple windfarms with transmission lines. Voltage is regulated at a point of regulation on the system, such as a high voltage substation or other system bus. Regulation is achieved at the point of regulation by sensing the voltage, comparing to a reference voltage, and adjusting the reactive power output of the wind turbines and other equipment in the system. The regulation point may be shifted to another point if needed to respect voltage limits at that points of the system after attempting to shift reactive load to restore voltage within limits at the other points in the system. The reference voltage may be adjusted to minimize losses for the system of multiple windfarms and transmission lines. A loss optimizing algorithm is applied to the combined multiple windfarm and transmission line to shift reactive load among local windfarms to minimize losses and to shift reactive load among individual wind turbines within an individual windfarm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for connecting and/or interfacing a converter, such as a switched mode converter, to an electrical power grid. The invention furthermore relates to control of the converter. The present invention facilitates that the point of common coupling (PCC) between a utility grid and a converter is provided at the converter output. This facilitates that a converter, and thereby an electrical power source, may be connected to an electrical power grid without use of an inductor, such as a reactor.

Abstract: Power feeding is performed in a non-contact manner from a power feeding device to an electrical powered vehicle by resonance of a primary self-resonant coil of the power feeding device and a secondary self-resonant coil of the electrical powered vehicle through an electromagnetic field. The electric power received by the secondary self-resonant coil is rectified by a rectifier, and voltage-converted by a DC/DC converter to be supplied to a power storage device. A vehicle ECU controls the DC/DC converter such that the voltage between the rectifier and the DC/DC converter attains a target voltage.

Abstract: A user may invoke energy savings in the operation of a computational device performing a processing task. The device performs the processing task in the invoked energy savings mode and determines an energy amount expended by the device in performing the processing task in the energy savings mode, creating a net energy savings value as a difference between the energy amount expended and a standard energy expenditure amount predicted as required for the computational device to perform the processing task in high-performance mode. The device displays the net energy savings value to the user, with the user continuing the invoking of the energy savings mode or engaging another performance mode for the computational device as a function of the displaying.

Abstract: A method of monitoring voltage stability within an electrical power system comprises the steps of establishing a dynamic power system stability margin based on an operating characteristic of the power system; indicating that the power system has become unstable when the dynamic power system stability margin falls below a predetermined value; and initiating dynamic load shedding and/or restoration depending on stability margin.

Abstract: Even in a case where a rapid variance is demanded as to the input voltage of a converter and the output terminal voltage of a fuel cell, stable converter control is realized. On judging that the change ratio of the demand power of a fuel cell exceeds a set threshold value, a controller executes converter stabilization processing. First, the controller controls a battery converter so that an input voltage of an inverter becomes a set target input voltage. Then, after the input voltage of the inverter reaches the target input voltage, the controller controls an FC converter so that an output terminal voltage of the fuel cell becomes a set target output terminal voltage.

Abstract: A system, method and product for modifying the volt-ampere reactive (VARs) in a power distribution system is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes determining the VARs at a location on the power distribution system and based on the determined VARs, determining whether to modify the VARs. If it is determined to modify the VARs the method includes identifying a plurality a capacitor banks connected to a power line and from the identified plurality of capacitor banks, generating a list of eligible capacitor banks that satisfy inclusion criteria. If the list of eligible capacitor banks includes at least one capacitor bank the method includes selecting a capacitor bank from the list of eligible capacitor banks and transmitting a switching command for the selected capacitor bank.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system includes: an energy harvesting unit for converting energy from a natural energy source into an electrical power signal; a power point tracking unit including a current tracing module capable of detecting a current of the electrical power signal, and a boundary control module; a microcontroller including a voltage detecting module capable of detecting a voltage of the electrical power signal, and a computing module for determining a maximum power point with reference to the voltage and the current of the electrical power signal, the boundary control module generating a switch control voltage signal with reference to the maximum power point; a storage unit capable of storing energy; and a pulse frequency modulation regulator for converting the electrical power signal into an intermediate signal with reference to the switch control voltage signal for subsequent storage of energy of the intermediate signal in the storage unit.