Load management in hybrid electrical systems
AssigneeSolaredge Technologies Ltd.
InventorsLior Handelsman, Yaron Binder, Yakir Loewenstern
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various implementations described herein are directed to systems and methods for managing a plurality of loads connected to a plurality of power sources using a switching apparatus. Apparatuses described herein may include multi-throw switches designed for fast and efficient switching of loads. Methods described herein may include selecting one or more loads from a group of loads to connect to one or more alternative power sources, and selecting one or more loads to connect to a main (e.g. utility) electrical grid.
Claims16
An electrical system comprising:
- a first electrical power source;
- a second electrical power source;
- a plurality of switches configured to receive power from the first electrical power source and the second electrical power source, wherein each switch comprises a plurality of throws, and wherein each throw comprises a transistor coupled in parallel to a electromechanical relay;
- a plurality of electrical loads, wherein each electrical load is coupled to each of the plurality of throws of a corresponding switch of the plurality of switches, and wherein each electrical load is connectable via the plurality of throws of its corresponding switch to the first electrical power source or the second electrical power source;
- and
- a controller configured to control the plurality of throws to connect and disconnect one or more of the plurality of electrical loads to and from the first electrical power source and the second electrical power source,
- wherein the controller is configured to determine that power generated by the first electrical power source exceeds a power consumption of a first plurality of loads connected to the first electrical power source by a first value, determine that a power consumption of each electrical load of a second plurality of electrical loads connected to the second electrical power source exceeds the first value, and instruct a storage device to store excess power generated by the first electrical power source.
A method for operating an electrical system, the electrical system comprising a first electrical power source, a second electrical power source, a plurality of switches, each comprising a plurality of throws and each configured to receive power from the first electrical power source and the second electrical power source, and a plurality of electrical loads, each connected via the plurality of throws of a corresponding switch to the first electrical power source or the second electrical power source, the method comprising:
- monitoring electrical power output by the first electrical power source;
- monitoring electrical power consumed by a first plurality of electrical loads, of the plurality of electrical loads, connected to the first electrical power source;
- and
- responsive to determining that the electrical power output by the first electrical power source exceeds a power consumption of the first plurality of electrical loads by a first value and a determination that a power consumption of each electrical load of a second plurality of electrical loads, of the plurality of electrical loads, connected to the second electrical power source of the electrical system exceeds the first value, instructing a storage device to store excess power generated by the first electrical power source, and
- wherein each of the plurality of throws for switching loads comprises a transistor coupled in parallel to an electromechanical relay.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.