Automated method and apparatus for testing a power converter

A method for coupling one or more energy storage devices to an existing power conversion assembly of a renewable energy system via a power converter, the power converter having a bridge circuit and a power filter, the method comprising:

• implementing, by a converter controller, a test sequence for testing operability of the power converter with the existing power conversion assembly, wherein the test sequence comprises:
• transferring, by the existing power conversion assembly, a first pulse of energy from the existing power conversion assembly to the power filter through one or more first cells within the bridge circuit,
• determining, by the converter controller, a first current-voltage feedback associated with the first pulse of energy,
• transferring, by the existing power conversion assembly, a second pulse of energy from the power filter to the existing power conversion assembly through one or more second cells within the bridge circuit such that at least a portion of the first pulse of energy within the power filter moves back to the existing power conversion assembly,
• determining, by the converter controller, a second current-voltage feedback associated with the second pulse of energy, and,
• comparing, by the converter controller, the first and second current-voltage feedbacks with nominal tolerances of the power converter to ensure that the power converter is operating properly;
• and
• electrically coupling one or more energy storage devices with the power converter when the first and second current-voltage feedbacks are within the nominal tolerances.

An apparatus for testing operability of a power converter with an existing power conversion assembly of a renewable energy system, the apparatus comprising:

• the power converter electrically coupled with the existing power conversion assembly, the power converter comprising a bridge circuit and a power filter, the bridge circuit comprising one or more first cells and one or more second cells;
• and,
• a converter controller communicatively coupled to the power converter and the existing power conversion assembly, the converter controller configured to perform a plurality of operations of the power converter and the existing power conversion assembly, the operations comprising:
• transferring a first pulse of energy from the existing power conversion assembly to the power filter through one or more first cells within the bridge circuit;
• determining a first current-voltage feedback associated with the first pulse of energy;
• transferring a second pulse of from the power filter to the existing power conversion assembly through one or more second cells within the bridge circuit such that at least a portion of the first pulse of energy within the power filter moves back to the existing power conversion assembly;
• determining a second current-voltage feedback associated with the second pulse of energy;
• and,
• comparing the first current-voltage feedback and the second current-voltage feedback with nominal tolerances of the power converter to ensure that the power converter is operating properly.