US 8,447,435 B1 · System and method for routing power across multiple microgrids having DC and AC buses

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a plurality of microgrid modules. A microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a control software module and a power router software module. The control software module receives data from sensors in the microgrid module and controls the flow of power with controllable elements. The power router software module controls the operation of the power router. The power router can detect changes in demand for power within the microgrid module or from other microgrid modules. The power router can adjust the flow of power between the microgrid modules in response to changes in the supply of power to the microgrid module and changes in the demand for power from the microgrid module.

Claims6

Dependent claims

An apparatus for controlling the operations of a plurality of microgrid modules comprising:

a first microgrid module comprising a first DC bus receiving power for the first microgrid module and a first AC output bus supplying power to a load;
a second microgrid module comprising a second DC bus receiving power for the second microgrid module and a second AC output bus supplying power to a load;
the first microgrid module further comprising a first power router coupled to the first DC bus, the first power router supplying power to an inter-microgrid connection for delivery to the second microgrid module;
the second microgrid module further comprising a second power router coupled to the second DC bus, the second power router receiving power from the inter-microgrid connection for supplying to the second microgrid module,
wherein at least one of the first power router and the second power router is capable of sensing demand for power from the second microgrid module.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for routing power across multiple microgrids having DC and AC buses

Life of this patent

System and method for routing power across multiple microgrids having DC and AC buses

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6