Distributed control method for multiple connected generators

A method of distributing communications and processing in an energy generation network comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of energy generating elements capable of receiving system commands, generating system commands, and distributing system commands;
• providing a plurality of systems and subsystems of energy generating elements, organized using subsets of the plurality of energy generating elements;
• monitoring one or more operating parameters for one or more of a plurality of systems and subsystems of energy generating elements;
• determining energy demands;
• generating system commands;
• and
• transmitting system commands from a superior energy generating element in a system or subsystem of energy generating elements to each inferior energy generating element in the system or subsystem of energy generating elements.

An energy generation network comprising:

• a plurality of energy generating elements capable of receiving system commands, generating system commands, and distributing system commands;
• a plurality of systems and subsystems of energy generating elements, organized using subsets of the plurality of energy generating elements, such that an energy generating element is connected only to one superior energy generating element and may be connected to one or more inferior energy generating elements;
• a plurality of control systems for controlling the plurality of systems and subsystems of energy generating elements wherein the control system for an energy generating element monitors only itself and any inferior energy generating elements;
• and
• a communication network interconnecting the plurality of control systems and the plurality of systems and subsystems of energy generating elements.

A method of distributing communications and processing in an energy generation network comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of energy generating elements capable of receiving system commands, generating system commands, and distributing system commands;
• providing a plurality of systems and subsystems of energy generating elements, organized using subsets of the plurality of energy generating elements, such that an energy generating element is connected only to one superior energy generating element and may be connected to one or more inferior energy generating elements;
• determining energy demands;
• monitoring operating parameters for the energy generating elements of a subsystem of energy generating elements;
• generating total operating parameter information for the subsystem of energy generating elements;
• generating system commands for the subsystem of energy generating elements based on the total operating parameter information for the subsystem of energy generating elements and energy demand;
• monitoring the total operating parameter information for the subsystems of energy generating elements in a system of subsystems of energy generating elements;
• generating total operating parameter information for the system of subsystems of energy generating elements;
• generating system commands for the system of subsystems of energy generating elements based on the total operating parameter information for the system of subsystems of energy generating elements and energy demand;
• and
• transmitting system commands from a superior energy generating element in a system or subsystem of energy generating elements to each inferior energy generating element in the system or subsystem of energy generating elements.

An energy generation network comprised of:

• a plurality of energy generating elements capable of receiving system commands, generating system commands, and distributing system commands;
• a plurality of systems and subsystems of energy generating elements, organized using subsets of the plurality of energy generating elements;
• means for monitoring one or more operating parameters for one or more of a plurality of systems and subsystems of energy generating elements;
• means for determining energy demands;
• means for generating system commands;
• and
• means for transmitting system commands from a superior energy generating element in a system or subsystem of energy generating elements to each inferior energy generating element in the system or subsystem of energy generating elements.

An energy generation network comprised of:

• a plurality of energy generating elements capable of receiving system commands, generating system commands, and distributing system commands;
• a plurality of systems and subsystems of energy generating elements, organized using subsets of the plurality of energy generating elements, such that an energy generating element is connected only to one superior energy generating element and may be connected to one or more inferior energy generating elements;
• means for determining energy demands;
• means for monitoring operating parameters for the energy generating elements of a subsystem of energy generating elements;
• means for generating total operating parameter information for the subsystem of energy generating elements;
• means for generating system commands for the subsystem of energy generating elements based on the total operating parameter information for the subsystem of energy generating elements and energy demand;
• means for monitoring the total operating parameter information for the subsystems of energy generating elements in a system of subsystems of energy generating elements;
• means for generating total operating parameter information for the system of subsystems of energy generating elements;
• means for generating system commands for the system of subsystems of energy generating elements based on the total operating parameter information for the system of subsystems of energy generating elements and energy demand;
• and
• means for transmitting system commands from a superior energy generating element in a system or subsystem of energy generating elements to each inferior energy generating element in the system or subsystem of energy generating elements.