Faith Technologies, Inc.

Ensync, Inc.

Zbb Energy Corporation

Other

Kevin Dennis

Joel L Haynie

Jim Koeppe

Jeffrey A Reichard

Thomas Alan Laubenstein

Jeffrey James Wood

Nathan Coad

Mike Hughes

Peter Lex

Romano Pauli

Steven Seeker

Der Vang

Bradley L Hansen

Michael Raasch

Theodore Peck

Nicholas James Chapin

James Koeppe

Joel Haynie

A power system connectable to an electric utility grid includes a local bus connected to at least one source of electrical energy; a connection to an electric utility grid; an inverter electrically interposed between the electric utility grid and the local bus, the inverter having an AC side and a DC side; a user-selectable switch electrically connected between the electric utility grid and the inverter, the switch having an open position and a closed position; and a local controller in communication with the inverter and the switch, the local controller configured to selectively open the switch to disconnect the power system from the electric utility grid and to selectively close the switch to reconnect the power system to the electric utility grid.

Controlling local generation capacity independently of the power grid

A power system connectable to an electric utility grid includes a local bus connected to at least one non-grid source of electrical energy; an electrical connection between the local bus and an electric utility grid; and a unidirectional AC-to-DC power supply electrically interposed between the electric utility grid and the local bus, the power supply having an AC side and a DC side, wherein the power supply is configured to allow energy flow only from the AC side to the DC side.

Grid-connected unidirectional power supply

A peer-to-peer energy sharing network includes a common bus; a first node including a first local bus electrically connected to the common bus, at least one of a load, a storage device, and a generating capacity electrically connected to the first local bus through a first interface device, and a first local controller in communication with the first interface device; and a second node including a second local bus electrically connected to the common bus, at least one of a load, a storage device, and a generating capacity electrically connected to the second local bus through a second interface device, and a second local controller in communication with the second interface device, wherein the each interface device is controlled by its local controller to selectively pass electrical energy to and/or from the common bus via its local bus.

Peer-to-peer DC or AC distribution network

A power control system for managing energy transfer includes a shared electrical bus including an electrical energy generating source, an electrical energy storage device, and an electrical load, each connected to the shared electrical bus; and a controller operable to execute a plurality of instructions stored in a non-transitory memory on the controller to: receive a command corresponding to a desired operation of the power control system, generate a plurality of control commands as a function of a signal received from at least one sensor, and generate a log storing the present operating state for each of the electrical energy generating source, the electrical energy storage device, and the electrical load over a predefined duration, and wherein the at least one input corresponding to the past operating state of the power control system is the log.

Method and apparatus for controlling power flow in a hybrid power system

A system and method for controlling power flow in a hybrid power system includes a controller in communication with the hybrid power system. The controller is also in communication with at least one knowledge system to receive information related to power generation or power consumption within the hybrid power system. The controller generates a control command for each of the power converters in the hybrid power system and maintains a log of power flow to and from each device in the hybrid power system. The controller is also in communication with a provider of the utility grid and may generate the control commands for each of the power converters in response to commands provided from the provider of the utility grid.

A system that efficiently captures and utilizes the maximum generation capacity of an alternate energy source is disclosed. A first power converter is provided between the alternate energy source and a load. The first power converter is selected such that the capacity of the power converter is less than the generation capacity of the alternate energy source. A second power converter is selected such that the capacity of the second converter is at least equal to the difference between the capacity of the alternate energy source and the first power converter. A battery is provided to store the additional energy generated by the alternate energy source, and the second power converter is connected between the output of the alternate energy source and the battery. The power output from the first power converter is utilized to control operation of the second power converter.

Method and apparatus for managing power flow between an alternate energy source and a storage device

An improved electrolyte battery is provided that includes a tank assembly adapted to hold an amount of an anolyte and a catholyte, a number of cell stacks operably connected to the tank assembly, each stack formed of a number of flow frames disposed between end caps and a number of power converters operatively connected to the cell stacks. The cell stacks are formed with a number of flow frames each including individual inlets and outlets for anolyte and catholyte fluids and a separator disposed between flow frames defining anodic and cathodic half cells between each pair of flow frames. The power converter is configured to connect the battery with either forward or reverse polarity to a DC power source, such as a DC bus. The anodic and cathodic half cells switch as a function of the polarity by which the battery is connected to the Dc power source.

Reversible polarity operation and switching method for ZnBr flow battery when connected to common DC bus

The present invention provides a simplified method of controlling power among the various sources and loads in a power system. Power generating sources are each connected to a common DC bus through a converter. The converter selectively transfers energy to the DC bus at a maximum rate or at a reduced rate according to the level of the DC voltage present on the DC bus. At least one storage device is preferably connected to the common DC bus through a power regulator. The power regulator selectively transfers energy to or from the DC bus as a function of DC voltage level present on the DC bus. Further, an inverter may be provided to bidirectionally convert between the DC voltage and an AC voltage for connection to a customer load or the utility grid. Each power conversion device is independently controlled to provide a modular and simplified power control system.

Method and apparatus for controlling a hybrid power system

The present invention provides a simplified method of controlling power among the various sources and loads in a power system. Power generating sources are each connected to a common DC bus through a converter designed to optimize power flow to the DC bus. A DC storage device is connected to the common DC bus through a power regulator designed to maintain a constant voltage on the DC bus. Further, an inverter may be provided to convert the DC voltage to an AC voltage for a customer load or for connection to the utility grid. Each power conversion device is independently controlled to provide a modular and simplified power control system.

Growing community of inventors

Waukesha, WI, United States of America

Kevin Dennis