System and method for management of a DC and AC bus microgrid
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Publication Number
US-9035492-B1
Publication Date
2015-05-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a microgrid module. The microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a power management software module and a control software module installed on a microgrid computer. The power management software module uses received business parameters to create rules for applying to the operation of the microgrid module. The rules are stored locally at the microgrid computer so that they can be quickly accessed by a control software module. The control software module uses the rules in combination with data collected from sensors installed in the physical circuitry layer of the microgrid module to control the operations of the microgrid module.
Core Innovation
The invention manages a microgrid module using a microgrid computer that stores a business parameter and includes a power management software module and a control software module. The power management software module converts the business parameter into a rule and stores the rule in computer-readable memory within the microgrid computer for use by the control software module.
The control software module receives input from a sensor indicating an interruption in a power flow from a first power source supplying power to the microgrid module. After receiving the sensor input, the control software module compares the input to the stored rule and selects a command, and the command is sent to a controllable element so that the controllable element permits power delivery to the microgrid module from a second power source coupled to the microgrid module.
In the computer-readable medium implementation, computer-executable program instructions store the business parameter, convert the business parameter into a rule, and store the rule in computer-readable memory. The program instructions then receive data from a sensor indicating an interruption in a power flow, compare the received data to the rule to select a command, and transmit the command to a controllable element to permit power delivery from a second power source coupled to the microgrid module.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: a method claim and a computer-readable medium claim. Both are directed to rule-based microgrid-module power management that uses sensor input indicating interruption, compares the input to a stored rule, and selects and transmits a command to a controllable element to permit power delivery from a second power source.
Business-parameter-to-rule power management in a microgrid computer
Storing a business parameter in the microgrid computer, converting the business parameter into a rule by a power management software module, and storing the rule in computer-readable memory within the microgrid computer for use by a control software module.
Sensor-interruption-driven command selection for controllable element switching
Receiving input from a sensor indicating an interruption in a power flow from a first power source, comparing the input to the stored rule, selecting a command based on the comparison, and sending the command to a controllable element directing the controllable element to permit power delivery from a second power source coupled to the microgrid module.
Computer-readable medium with program instructions for rule-based microgrid management
Providing computer-executable program instructions that store a business parameter, convert the business parameter to a rule and store the rule in computer-readable memory, receive sensor data indicating an interruption in a power flow, compare the received data to the rule to select a command, and transmit the command to a controllable element to permit power delivery to the microgrid module from a second power source coupled to the microgrid module.
Across both independent claims, the core coverage is the conversion of a stored business parameter into a stored rule and the use of sensor-indicated interruption data to compare against the rule for selecting and transmitting a command to a controllable element that permits power delivery from a coupled second power source.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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