Device and method for controlling decentralized power generation plants

A modular power generation plant controller for controlling one or more decentralized power generation plants, comprising:

• a programmable control module for generating first inverter-specific control signals for controlling a first power inverter;
• a program memory of the programmable control module for a control program;
• an extension system for modular addition of extension modules to the programmable control module;
• a first extension module with at least one inverter interface, which can be coupled to the programmable control module as a first inverter interface module for establishing a connection to the first power inverter and for outputting first inverter-specific control signals to the first power inverter via the inverter interface;
• and
• a second extension module comprising a second inverter interface module with at least one inverter interface for establishing a connection to a second power inverter different from the first power inverter by type or manufacturer, and for outputting second inverter-specific control signals to the second power inverter via the inverter interface of the second inverter interface module,
• wherein the program memory of the programmable control module stores a first predefined software component adapted to communicate with the first extension module and a second predefined software component adapted to communicate with the second extension module to enable control of a plurality of power inverters that vary by type or manufacturer.

A decentralized power generation plant, comprising:

• a modular power generation plant controller for controlling parameters of the decentralized power generation plant, the controller including
• a programmable control module for generating inverter-specific control signals for controlling a first power inverter;
• a program memory of the programmable control module for a control program;
• an extension system for modular addition of extension modules to the programmable control module;
• a first extension module with at least one inverter interface, which can be coupled to the programmable control module as a first inverter interface module for establishing a connection to the first power inverter and for outputting inverter-specific control signals to the first power inverter via the inverter interface;
• and
• a second extension module comprising a second inverter interface module with at least one inverter interface for establishing a connection to a second power inverter different from the first power inverter by type or manufacturer, and for outputting second inverter-specific control signals to the second power inverter via the inverter interface of the second inverter interface module,
• wherein the program memory of the programmable control module stores a first predefined software component adapted to communicate with the first extension module and a second predefined software component adapted to communicate with the second extension module to enable control of a plurality of power inverters that vary by type or manufacturer;
• electrical power generators including at least one of photovoltaic modules, wind turbines, biomass systems, or combined heat and power units;
• and
• the first power inverter for adapting electrical parameters of the decentralized power generation plant to those of a supply network.