System and method for controlling the operating area of an inverter coupled to an alternative energy source
US9948211B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 21, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/56
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system includes a controller programmed to control an inverter to supply a power grid with a maximum amount AC electrical power while operating within an operating area that is pre-defined based on hardware limitations of the inverter. The system allows the inverter to operate with a variable low-DC voltage input into the inverter as opposed to a preset threshold DC voltage, thereby maximizing the amount of power the inverter supplies to a power grid. The inverter controller operates by prioritizing the reactive power output by the inverter over the active power output by the inverter so that the inverter is able to generate an output that meets the reactive power command from a utility and supplies the maximum amount of active power.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.