Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Electrical power generation or distribution system
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-24
2004-05-18
Picard, Leo (Department: 2125)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Electrical power generation or distribution system
C361S614000, C361S648000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06738692
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to power conversion and energy management systems for Distributed Energy Resources (DER). This invention further relates to electrical power conditioning, controlling, and/or metering devices, including, but not limited to, UPS systems, remote power systems, backup power systems, harmonic filters, and voltage or frequency regulators or adapters.
2. Description of Related Art
Broadly speaking, DER includes all power generators and energy storage systems other than medium and large-scale conventional power plants. Medium and large-scale power plants include, for instance, coal fired steam turbine generators and hydroelectric generators that are rated at hundreds of megawatts up to thousands of megawatts. The fundamental and distinguishing feature of DER power systems is that they can be largely or completely factory manufactured, assembled, and tested. They can also be easily commissioned, shipped, and installed as complete modules. Hence, they can go into service very quickly, where and when needed. Lead times are very short compared to those required to bring a large-scale power plant on-line.
Stated another way, DER or Distributed Generation (DG), includes the use of small generators (typically ranging in capacity from 1 to 10,000 kW), scattered throughout a power system, to provide the electric power needed by electrical consumers. DG typically includes all uses of small electric power generators, whether located on the utility system, at the site of a utility customer, or at an isolated site that is not connected to the power grid.
Dispersed generation is a subset of distributed generation, which refers to generation that is located at customer facilities off the utility system. Dispersed generation is also typically understood to include only very small generation units, of the size needed to serve individual households or small businesses, in the capacity range of 10 to 250 kW.
Most types of distributed generators utilize traditional power generation paradigms—e.g., diesel, combustion turbine, combined cycle turbine, low-head hydro, or other rotating machinery. DG also, however, includes the use of fuel cells and renewable power generation methods such as wind, solar, or low-head hydro generation. These types of renewable generators are included in DG because their small size makes them very convenient to connect to the lower voltage (distribution) parts of the electric utility grid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a modular, integrated Power Conversion and Energy Management System preferably includes a plurality of independent power module(s) integrated together with communication module(s) and a configurable controller.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, for example, an integrated Power Conversion and Energy Management System includes an integrated controller, one or more standard modules, and a custom (or semi-custom) backplane. The integrated controller preferably accommodates one or more power or communication modules and uses those modules to control power quality and/or flow to one or more input and/or output connections. The integrated controller preferably includes controller software, control circuits, power circuits, protection circuits, external electrical connections, an interface with one or more integrated or modular communications module, and an interface with one or more power modules.
The standard modules are preferably power modules. Each power module can include power circuits and a driver circuit, if necessary, to receive control signals from an external source. Each module also preferably includes a memory that can be polled by the backplane to identify the module and provide “plug-and-work” functionality. In other words, the memory can pass all of the module's design parameters to the controller on the backplane, thereby informing the controller how best to operate it.
For each application, a custom (or semi-custom) backplane can be developed to accomodate the standard modules. The backplane preferably includes everything but the power electronics. The backplane can, for example, include the external connectors, disconnects, fusing, and so forth, that are required for the application. The backplane can further include the various internal DC and AC buses that are required to interconnect the modules. The backplane also preferably includes the communications module, a user interface, a supervisory controller, a socket for control firmware, and an appropriate number of slots for accommodating the standard modules. For semi-custom backplanes, the control firmware preferably provides the full customization for each application.
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Droppo Gerald W.
Hammerstrom Donald J.
Harris Brent Earle
Schienbein Lawrence A.
Lee Douglas S.
Marger & Johnson & McCollom, P.C.
Picard Leo
Sustainable Energy Technologies
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