System and method for hybrid energy conversion

A method of conditioning an output power of hybrid DC power sources in a power distribution system, the method comprising:

• generating a first output power from a first DC power source;
• generating a second output power from a second DC power source, the second DC power source being a different power source than the first DC power source such that the second output power has a different voltage characteristic than the first output power;
• performing a voltage conversion of the first output power by way of a first conversion circuit so as to generate a first modified voltage;
• performing a voltage conversion of the second output power by way of a second conversion circuit so as to generate a second modified voltage, the second conversion circuit having an identical construction as the first conversion circuit;
• and
• providing the first and second modified voltages to a common DC bus to which the first and second DC power sources and first and second conversion circuits are electrically coupled;
• wherein performing the voltage conversion of the first and second output powers by way of the first and second conversion circuits each further comprises:
• receiving a first input comprising a DC bus voltage present on the DC bus;
• receiving a second input comprising at least one parameter related to operation of the DC power source to which the respective power conversion circuit is coupled;
• determining a modified voltage to be output from the conversion circuit to the DC bus based on the received first and second inputs;
• and
• controlling operation of the respective conversion circuit in order to generate the determined modified voltage.

A DC power distribution system comprising:

• a DC bus;
• a plurality of DC power sources connected to the DC bus and configured to generate an output power for transmission to the DC bus, wherein the plurality of DC power sources include at least two different types of DC power sources having differing voltage terminal output characteristics;
• a voltage conversion circuit operatively coupled to each of the plurality of DC power sources to selectively condition the DC power generated by its respective DC power source or condition a DC power provided to its respective DC power source to provide recharging thereto, wherein each of the voltage conversion circuits has an identical construction and comprises:
• a switch arrangement comprising a plurality of switches operable in an open state and a closed state;
• a plurality of capacitors arranged to provide a charge balancing in the power conversion circuit, the plurality of capacitors including a DC link capacitor;
• and
• a controller in operable communication with the switch arrangement, the controller being programmed to:
• receive a first input comprising a DC bus voltage present on the DC bus;
• receive a second input comprising at least one parameter related to operation of the DC power source to which the respective power conversion circuit is coupled;
• determine an adjustable voltage to be output from the conversion circuit to the DC bus or to the DC power source based on the received first and second inputs, the adjustable voltage comprising a positive or negative voltage of desired magnitude;
• and
• selectively control operation of each of the plurality of switches in the switch arrangement in order to generate the determined adjustable voltage.