US 9,880,230 B1Granted

System and method for inferring operational specifications of a photovoltaic power generation system using net load with the aid of a digital computer

AssigneeClean Power Research, L.L.C.

InventorThomas E. Hoff

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method for inferring operational specifications of a photovoltaic power generation system using net load is provided. Photovoltaic plant configuration specifications can be accurately inferred with net load data and measured solar resource data. A time series of net load data is evaluated to identify, if possible, a time period with preferably minimum and consistent power consumption. Power generation data is simulated for a range of hypothetical photovoltaic system configurations based on a normalized solar power simulation model. Net load data is estimated based on a base load and, if applicable, any binary loads and any variable loads. The set of key parameters corresponding to the net load estimate that minimizes total squared error represents the inferred specifications of the photovoltaic plant configuration.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for inferring operational specifications of a photovoltaic power generation system using net load with the aid of a digital computer, comprising:

a data storage comprising computer-readable data, comprising:
a time series of net load data for power consumed within a building measured over a plurality of time periods, the building also receiving power produced by a photovoltaic power generation plant;
a preexisting configuration for the plant;
a time series of historical measured irradiance data over the same time periods;
a plurality of photovoltaic plant configurations that each comprise a power rating and operational features hypothesized for the plant;
and
a plurality of key parameters that each comprise a base load of power consumed, the base load representing a constant power load drawn at all times within the building;
a computer comprising a processor and memory within which code for execution by the processor is stored, the computer configured to:
choose at least one of the time periods and to select the net load data in the net load data time series corresponding to the at least one chosen time period;
simulate power output production data for each of the photovoltaic plant configurations based on a normalized photovoltaic power generation plant using the historical measured irradiance data for the at least one chosen time period;
estimate net load data for the at least one chosen time period based on the simulated power output production data and the base load;
infer the plant's configuration from the estimated net load data that exhibits a total squared error that is minimized with the selected net load data;
and
modify the preexisting configuration used by a production output controller for the plant with the inferred configuration;
and
the production output controller to operate the plant based on the modified preexisting configuration.

13 more elements

A method for inferring operational specifications of a photovoltaic power generation system using net load with the aid of a digital computer, comprising the steps of:

providing a computer with a time series of net load data for power consumed within a building measured over a plurality of time periods, the building also receiving power produced by a photovoltaic power generation plant;
providing the computer with a preexisting configuration for the plant;
providing the computer with a time series of historical measured irradiance data over the same time periods;
defining with the computer a plurality of photovoltaic plant configurations that each comprise a power rating and operational features hypothesized for the plant;
defining with the computer a plurality of key parameters that each comprise a base load of power consumed, the base load representing a constant power load drawn at all times within the building;
choosing with the computer at least one of the time periods and selecting the net load data in the net load data time series corresponding to the at least one chosen time period;
simulating with the computer power output production data for each of the photovoltaic plant configurations based on a normalized photovoltaic power generation plant using the historical measured irradiance data for the at least one chosen time period;
estimating with the computer net load data for the at least one chosen time period based on the simulated power output production data and the base load;
inferring with the computer the plant's configuration from the estimated net load data that exhibits a total squared error that is minimized with the selected net load data;
modifying with the computer the preexisting configuration used by a production output controller for the plant with the inferred configuration for the plant;
and
operating the plant based on the modified preexisting configuration.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/224,018Filed 24 Mar 2014 · continuation in part
Priority: 25 Jul 2011
Granted: 30 Jan 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification31 codes

H02S 50/10
Monitoring or testing of PV systems, e.g. load balancing or fault identification: testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells
G01W 1/12
Meteorology: sunshine duration recorders
G06F 30/00
Computer-aided design [cad]
G06F 30/20
Computer-aided design [CAD]: design optimisation, verification or simulation

Family

Application13/190,442Parent of this continuation · filed 25 Jul 2011
Application13/453,956Parent of this continuation · filed 23 Apr 2012
US 8,165,812 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 24 Apr 2012
Application13/462,505Parent of this continuation · filed 2 May 2012
US 8,335,649 B1Parent of this continuation · filed 18 Dec 2012
Application13/784,560Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 4 Mar 2013
US 8,437,959 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 7 May 2013
US 8,682,585 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part
Application13/784,560Parent of this continuation
US 2011/0282601 A1Published application
US 2013/0030703 A1Published application
US 9,880,230 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.