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Title: Load controller and method to enhance effective capacity of a photovoltaic power supply using a dynamically determined expected peak loading

Abstract

A load controller and method are provided for maximizing effective capacity of a non-controllable, renewable power supply coupled to a variable electrical load also coupled to a conventional power grid. Effective capacity is enhanced by monitoring power output of the renewable supply and loading, and comparing the loading against the power output and a load adjustment threshold determined from an expected peak loading. A value for a load adjustment parameter is calculated by subtracting the renewable supply output and the load adjustment parameter from the current load. This value is then employed to control the variable load in an amount proportional to the value of the load control parameter when the parameter is within a predefined range. By so controlling the load, the effective capacity of the non-controllable, renewable power supply is increased without any attempt at operational feedback control of the renewable supply.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1175343
Patent Number(s):
6889122
Application Number:
10/391,273
Assignee:
The Research Foundation of State University of New York (Albany, NY)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G05 - CONTROLLING G05F - SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02J - CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER
DOE Contract Number:  
AC36-98GO10337
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

Citation Formats

Perez, Richard. Load controller and method to enhance effective capacity of a photovoltaic power supply using a dynamically determined expected peak loading. United States: N. p., 2005. Web.
Perez, Richard. Load controller and method to enhance effective capacity of a photovoltaic power supply using a dynamically determined expected peak loading. United States.
Perez, Richard. Tue . "Load controller and method to enhance effective capacity of a photovoltaic power supply using a dynamically determined expected peak loading". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1175343.
@article{osti_1175343,
title = {Load controller and method to enhance effective capacity of a photovoltaic power supply using a dynamically determined expected peak loading},
author = {Perez, Richard},
abstractNote = {A load controller and method are provided for maximizing effective capacity of a non-controllable, renewable power supply coupled to a variable electrical load also coupled to a conventional power grid. Effective capacity is enhanced by monitoring power output of the renewable supply and loading, and comparing the loading against the power output and a load adjustment threshold determined from an expected peak loading. A value for a load adjustment parameter is calculated by subtracting the renewable supply output and the load adjustment parameter from the current load. This value is then employed to control the variable load in an amount proportional to the value of the load control parameter when the parameter is within a predefined range. By so controlling the load, the effective capacity of the non-controllable, renewable power supply is increased without any attempt at operational feedback control of the renewable supply.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2005},
month = {5}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Assessing the load matching capability of photovoltaics for US utilities based upon satellite-derived insolation data
conference, January 1993