Time interval production measurement and energy storage performance analytics in renewable DC energy systems

A monitoring unit for measuring production of renewable energy in a storage-independent manner in a renewable energy system, said monitoring unit is operable to perform the following:

• determine each of the following values during a pre-determined time interval:
• an “S” value, wherein the S value is an interval-specific magnitude of a first Direct Current (DC) energy flow from a renewable energy source to an intermediate unit in the renewable energy system, wherein the intermediate unit includes an inverter and a charge controller,
• an “M” value, wherein the M value is an interval-specific magnitude of an Alternating Current (AC) energy flow between the intermediate unit and an AC interconnect point in the renewable energy system, and
• a “B” value, wherein the B value is an interval-specific magnitude of a second DC energy flow between the intermediate unit and a DC storage unit in the renewable energy system,
• use the S, M, and B values to calculate a portion of the interval-specific AC energy flow attributable only to the interval-specific first DC energy flow excluding contribution to the AC energy flow from the DC storage unit to provide a storage-independent measurement of production of renewable energy;
• wherein the storage-independent measurement can be used for at least one of billing;
• maintenance, and performance analytics;
• and
• generate pricing for the interval-specific first DC energy flow based on the calculated portion of the interval-specific AC energy flow.

A data storage medium operable with a monitoring unit in a renewable energy system and containing program instructions, which, when executed by the monitoring unit, cause the monitoring unit to perform the following:

• determine each of the following values during a pre-determined time interval:
• an “S” value, wherein the S value is an interval-specific magnitude of a first Direct Current (DC) energy flow from a renewable energy source to an intermediate unit in the renewable energy system, wherein the intermediate unit includes an inverter and a charge controller,
• an “M” value, wherein the M value is an interval-specific magnitude of an Alternating Current (AC) energy flow between the intermediate unit and an AC interconnect point in the renewable energy system, and
• a “B” value, wherein the B value is an interval-specific magnitude of a second DC energy flow between the intermediate unit and a DC storage unit in the renewable energy system, and
• use the S, M, and B values to calculate a portion of the interval-specific AC energy flow attributable only to the interval-specific first DC energy flow excluding contribution to the AC energy flow from the DC storage unit to provide a stnragenindependent measurement of production of renewable energy.