# US 11,114,855 B2 · Load management in hybrid electrical systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,114,855 B2 - Document ID: US11114855B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/584,138 - Filed: 2017-05-02 - Published: 2017-11-30 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-24 - Assignees: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Applicants: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Inventors: Lior Handelsman; Yaron Binder; Yakir Loewenstern - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11114855B2 ## CPC - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02J 3/007: Arrangements for selectively connecting one or more loads to one or more power sources or power lines - H02J 3/14: by switching loads on to, or off from, the networks, e.g. progressively balanced loading - H02J 3/38: Arrangements for feeding a single network from two or more generators or sources in parallel; Arrangements for feeding already energised networks from additional generators or sources in parallel - H02J 3/466: Scheduling or selectively controlling the operation of the generators or sources, e.g. connecting or disconnecting generators to meet a demand - H02J 7/34: Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other DC sources, e.g. providing buffering (H02J7/14 takes precedence) - H02J 7/865: {Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply (H02J7/50 takes precedence)} - H02J 9/061: {for DC powered loads} - H02J 9/062: {for AC powered loads} - H02M 7/44: by static converters - H02J 2101/20: Dispersed power generation using renewable energy sources - H02J 2101/24: Photovoltaics - H02J 2101/28: Wind energy - H02J 2101/30: Fuel cells - H02J 2105/42: Home appliances - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02B 10/70: Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies - Y02B 70/30: Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level - Y02B 70/3225: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - Y02E 10/76: Power conversion electric or electronic aspects - Y04S 20/222: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving - Y04S 20/248: UPS systems or standby or emergency generators - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of throws maintain the first electrical power source and the second electrical power source in a disconnected state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the storage device is configured to output power to one or more of the plurality of electrical loads. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the first electrical power source comprises a photovoltaic generator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The electrical system of claim 3, further comprising an inverter connected between the first electrical power source and a first throw of the plurality of throws. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electrical system of claim 5, further comprising a circuit breaker connected between the first electrical power source and the second electrical power source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the second electrical power source comprises a utility electrical grid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control a first throw of the plurality of throws to disconnect a load from the first electrical power source before connecting the load to the second electrical power source. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the first electrical power source comprises a photovoltaic generator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second electrical power source comprises a utility electrical grid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising reducing the power generated by the first electrical power source. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of switches are housed by a single enclosure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The electrical system of claim 1, further comprising a communication device configured for transmitting power measurements to the controller. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The electrical system of claim 1, wherein to connect a disconnected load, each of the plurality of throws first connects the transistor, then while the transistor is connected connects the electromechanical relay, and then when the electromechanical relay is connected disconnects the transistor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The electrical system of claim 1, wherein to disconnect a connected load, each of the plurality of throws first connects the transistor, then while the transistor is connected disconnects the electromechanical relay, and then when the electromechanical relay is disconnected disconnects the transistor.