Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Plural load circuit systems – Plural sources of supply
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-23
2001-08-28
Ballato, Josie (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Plural load circuit systems
Plural sources of supply
C307S047000, C290S052000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281601
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the general field of turbogenerator power control, and more particularly the method and control of a system that utilizes a turbogenerator and power controller in combination with a utility power meter, connected or paralleled to the utility grid to provide load control, peak shaving, load following, and reactive power control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In most utility grid connected applications, a utility power meter that measures the load consumption (or production when a turbogenerator system is installed) in a building or application is required. This power meter provides a feedback to the turbogenerator power controller. If a building or application requires power, the power controller sequences the turbogenerator to meet the demand.
Load management in a building can be implemented in varying degrees of complexity. The simplest application or installation is where the total load consumption is measured by a utility meter, and the turbogenerator load is switched on (maximum power) and off. Generally, for this application, the meter measures the total load consumption in a building. When the load exceeds a predetermined limit, the turbogenerator is switched to maximum power. This method of control is commonly referred to as load dispatch control.
Load transients in the load dispatch control mode have a large impact on the output of the total system. Sudden decreases in load may cause the system to back feed onto the utility grid for a short time until the turbogenerator energy can be dissipated. Rapid increases in load require the utility grid to supply power for a short time until the turbogenerator power output can be increased.
This constant changing in power demand can greatly reduce the operating efficiency of the turbogenerator system and lead to increased operating costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To prevent constant acceleration and deceleration of the engine to meet the changing load demand, the turbogenerator power control system and method of the present invention incorporates control strategies to vary power output based on the utility rate schedule. For example, if the utility rate is based on the peak power consumption over a 15-minute period the system can be programmed to meet the building load over that time period. This time averaged, load following setpoint allows the control system to slow or limit the rate of acceleration or deceleration, and reduce the starting and stopping of the turbogenerator, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the system.
This invention describes the use of a turbogenerator for: (1) load control, where a discrete control signal is received by the turbogenerator power controller for the purposes of load management; (2) load following, where the total power consumption in a building or application is measured by a bi-directional power meter, and the turbogenerator system equalizes or meets the demand; (3) peak shaving, where the total power consumption in a building or application is measured by a power meter, and the turbogenerator system reduces the utility consumption to a fixed load, thereby reducing the utility rate schedule and increasing the overall economic return of the turbogenerator, (4) regulating both the building or load's real power and reactive power to reduce the total power consumption; and (5) utilizing a microprocessor based digital power meter for monitoring long term load profiles for scheduled operation of the turbogenerator system.
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Edelman Edward C.
Gilbreth Mark G.
Wacknov Joel B.
Ballato Josie
Capstone Turbine Corporation
Irell & Manella LLP
Roberto Rios
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