Hybrid energy storage system, renewable energy system including the storage system, and method of using same

A system for providing power to a load comprising:

• an energy source for providing power;
• a first energy storage device for selectively capturing power from the energy source and selectively providing captured power to the load;
• a second energy storage device for selectively capturing power from the energy source and selectively providing captured power to the load;
• an energy flow controller comprising:
• a power monitor for monitoring a difference between power provided by the energy source and an immediate energy requirement of the load and producing a power signal indicative of the monitored difference;
• a first energy level monitor for monitoring an energy level of the first energy storage device and providing a first energy level signal indicative of the energy level of the first energy storage device;
• a second energy level monitor for monitoring an energy level of the second energy storage device and providing a second energy level signal indicative of the energy level of the second energy storage device;
• an energy converter responsive to (i) a capture signal for converting power from the energy source into power for at least one of the first and second energy storage devices, (ii) a switch signal for directing the converted power to at least one of the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device, and (iii) a first transfer signal from the controller for transferring energy from the first energy storage device to the second energy storage device;
• and
• a controller for receiving the power signal, the first energy level signal, and the second energy level signal, said controller:
• determining from the power signal that the power provided by the energy source exceeds an immediate energy requirement of the load and providing the capture signal and the switch signal to the energy converter such that the energy provided by the energy source in excess of the immediate energy requirement of the load is captured in the first energy storage device unless the first energy level signal indicates that the energy level of the first energy storage device is at a first maximum threshold whereupon the controller alters the switch signal such that the energy converter directs the energy in excess of the of the immediate energy requirement of the load to the second energy storage device unless the second energy level signal indicates that the energy level of the second energy storage device is at a second maximum threshold, and
• providing the first transfer signal when the first energy level signal indicates that the energy level of the first energy storage device has reached the first maximum threshold whereupon the controller ceases providing the first transfer signal in response to (i) the first energy level signal indicating that the energy level of the first energy storage device has reached a first predetermined level, or (ii) the second energy level signal indicating that the energy level of the second energy storage device has reached the second maximum threshold.