Solarcity Corporation

Tesla, Inc.

Eric Daniel Carlson

Karthikeyan Varadarajan

Peter J Rive

Sandeep Narla

Andrew Russell Lutkus

Nathan Murthy

Franklin Aguinaldo

Ben Tarbell

Trenton John Beals

Damien Scott

Brian L Zimmerly

Julian Ryba-White

Jean Elizabeth Theurer

Tara Elizabeth Hobbs

Techniques are disclosed for implementing a scalable hierarchical energy distribution grid utilizing homogeneous control logic are disclosed that provide distributed, autonomous control of a multitude of sites in an energy system using abstraction and aggregation techniques. A hierarchical energy distribution grid utilizing homogeneous control logic is provided that includes multiple control modules arranged in a hierarchy. Each control module can implement a same energy optimization scheme logic to directly control site energy resources and possibly energy resources of sites associated with control modules existing below it in the hierarchy. Each control module can act autonomously through use a similar set of input values to the common optimization scheme logic.

Scalable hierarchical energy distribution grid utilizing homogeneous control logic

A manually controlled coupling mechanism for onsite energy generation and storage systems includes a first contact portion having a first electrical contact for coupling to an utility grid and a second electrical contact for coupling to an on-grid AC terminal of an inverter, a second contact portion having a third electrical contact for coupling to an off-grid output terminal of the inverter, and a manually activated multi-position switch, wherein in a first position, only the first contact portion is activated to allow power transfer between the utility grid, the on-grid AC terminal of the inverter and a main electrical panel, and in the second position, only the second contact portion is activated to allow power transfer from the off-grid output terminal of the inverter to the main electrical panel.

Manual transfer switch for onsite energy generation and storage systems

Techniques for controlling a distributed generation management system may be provided. Real-time power generation information may be collected from sensors of energy generation systems that make up a grid of controlled systems. An aggregate real-time power generation requirement may be determined for the grid based on the real-time power generation information. Using the aggregate requirements, a power profile may be calculated for the grid that indicates a level of power generation for the grid. In some examples, a control signal to control power generation may be generated and provided to the controlled systems.

Controlling a distributed generation management system

A computer-implemented method includes receiving power measurement data for a photovoltaic (PV)-based energy generation (EG) sites, determining if cloud cover is present over the EG site based on a difference between a present and historical power output for the EG site, calculating a density of the cloud cover over the EG site based on the present and historical power outputs, and controlling load characteristics of the EG site based on the determined presence and calculated density of the cloud cover. The density of the cloud cover is based on a percentage difference in power output between the present power output and the historical power output. A vector for the cloud cover can be determined based on movement of a detected storm system with a boundary defined by a location of a plurality of EG sites, or by a movement of the cloud density from one EG site to the next.

Weather tracking in a photovoltaic energy generation system

Techniques for provisioning energy generation and/or storage systems. In one embodiment, a method is provided that can comprise automatically determining, by a site gateway, information pertaining to one or more components of an energy storage system, where the site gateway and the one or more components are located at a customer site. The method can further comprise configuring, by the site gateway, the energy storage system based on the automatically determined information.

Systems for provisioning energy generation and storage systems

Techniques for controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at a site are disclosed. A disclosed method includes obtaining or calculating a net load at the site and obtaining a temperature of the site during a time period. The method further includes comparing the net load to a threshold load value and comparing the temperature to a lower threshold temperature or an upper threshold temperature. The method also includes determining one or more operation parameter values for the HVAC system based at least in part on the comparison of the net load to the threshold load value and the comparison of the temperature to the lower threshold temperature or the upper threshold temperature, and setting the HVAC system based on the one or more operation parameter values.

Systems and methods for controlling operations of a heating and cooling system

Techniques for curtailing a power generation system utilizing a message bus may be provided. Power generation data of a message bus system associated with an energy generation system may be subscribed to over a network. The message bus system may be configured to manage messages between the energy generation system, a system load metering device, and/or a server computer. The power generation data of the energy generation system may be received from the message bus system. In some examples, a control signal may be generated to curtail an overgeneration condition of the energy generation system based at least in part on the received power generation data when the overgeneration condition is occurring. The control signal may be published to the message bus system for communication to the energy generation system.

Dynamic curtailment of an energy generation system

Embodiments of the present technology may include a method to enable real-time data requests. The method may include subscribing to real-time data enable requests for a device on an energy generation (EG) network. The method may also include intercepting, from a requester, a request for real-time data for the device on an EG system within the EG network. The method may further include publishing a single request to the device to post a single measurement corresponding to the real-time data request. The single request may be published at less than or equal to a predetermined frequency for a request cycle that lasts for a predetermined duration.

Real-time energy data publishing systems and methods

Methods, devices, and systems for controlling energy generation interactions that bypass the grid may be provided. Flow control devices may be directly connected with one another independent of electrical connections to the utility grid. In some examples, the direct connections between the devices may enable sharing of power, controlling power flow over the direct connections, and/or recording relative power flows between the devices.

Energy generation interactions bypassing the grid

Methods for controlling an energy storage device to reduce peak power demand at a site are provided. In one embodiment, load data corresponding to a load in a utility grid-connecting energy generation (EG) system is received. The load data may be sampled at a first predetermined interval, and the EG system may include an energy storage device. A load threshold level is received, and a discharge control signal is generated. The discharge control signal may be generated when the measured load is at or above the load threshold level. The control signal may be applied to the measured load for a second predetermined interval that is longer than the first predetermined interval.

Peak shaving using energy storage

Certain embodiments include receiving load data from an energy generation (EG) system, where the load data is provided by a load meter, and where the load data corresponds to a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be during peak daylight hours (e.g., between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M). The method includes receiving EG data from the EG system, where the EG data corresponds to EG generation by an EG circuit over the predetermined time period, and determining if an inverse relationship exists between the load data and EG data. The method includes determining that the load meter is installed upstream from the EG circuit if an inverse relationship between the load data and EG data exists, and determining that the load mater is installed downstream from the EG circuit if an inverse relationship between the load data and EG data does not exist.

Determining a load meter installation location in an energy generation system

Techniques for controlling an energy storage device to reduce peak power demand at a site are provided. In one embodiment, instantaneous power usage at the site can be monitored, where the instantaneous power usage corresponds to power that is instantaneously imported or exported at a point of common coupling (PCC) between the site and a utility-managed energy grid. A historical power usage value for the site can then be calculated based on the monitored instantaneous power usage, and the historical power usage value can be compared with a target peak value plus a buffer value. If the historical power usage value exceeds the target peak value plus the buffer value, the target peak value can be set to the historical power usage value.

A string inverter for use with a photovoltaic array includes at least one string-level DC input channel for receiving DC power from the photovoltaic array, and at least one input-output channel for connecting the string inverter to a battery pack. The string inverter also includes a DC to AC inverter having an AC output, and a switch configured to control a flow of power through the string inverter. When the switch is in a first state, AC power can flow from the string inverter to a load side of a customer utility meter and one or more back-up loads, in a second state, power can flow from the load side of a customer utility meter to the one or more back-up loads bypassing the string inverter, and in a third state, all circuits coupled to the output of the string inverter are electrically disconnected from the string inverter.

Growing community of inventors

San Mateo, CA, United States of America

Eric Daniel Carlson