National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC

Michigan Technological University

Madelyn G Veurink

Rush D Robinett, Iii

David G Wilson

Steven F Glover

Raymond H Byrne

Wayne W Weaver

Tu Anh Nguyen

One of the biggest challenges for all renewable energy sources (RES) is that they are variable power generators which will require reactive power or energy storage systems (ESS) to provide reliable power quality (ideally power factor of one) at the power grid generation side. The present invention is directed to a power packet network (PPN) for integrating wave energy converter (WEC) arrays into microgrids. Specifically, an array of WECs can be physically positioned such that the incoming regular waves will produce an output emulating an N-phase AC system such that the PPN output power is constant. ESS requirements are thereby minimized whilst maintaining grid stability with high power quality. This will enable RES integration onto a future smart grid for large-scale adoption and cost reduction while preserving high efficiency, reliability, and resiliency.

Power packet networks for wave energy converter arrays

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Madelyn G Veurink