The present disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of voltage harvesting devices used in power distribution systems, and provides power distribution system architectures utilizing the voltage harvesting devices. Generally, the voltage harvesting devices transform distribution line AC voltages to produce a low wattage output for distribution system communication and control type devices. The voltage harvesting device can operate whether irrespective of the presence of load current.

An electromagnetic induction power generator includes a magnetic core attachable to a power transmission/distribution line, a power generating coil wound around the magnetic core, and a switching power supply circuit that converts AC appearing at both ends of the power generating coil into DC. The switching power supply circuit stops its switching operation based on a DC voltage level. The stop of the switching operation increases reactive power, allowing a stable power generating operation, i.e., a stable supply of active power irrespective of the amount of current flowing through the power transmission/distribution line. In addition, the amount of the reactive power can be finely adjusted based on the length of a period during which the switching operation is stopped, allowing a finer control of the reactive power.

A system receives locations of a plurality of electricity-generating units in an area, and it divides the area into a plurality of sectors. The system traverses through the sectors and forms a set of sectors. The set of sectors includes a set of electricity-generating units. The set of electricity-generating units does not exceed an aggregate voltage threshold. The system forms a circuit with the set of electricity-generating units by determining a shortest path to connect the set of electricity-generating units. The system adjusts this shortest path to incorporate environmental and physical constraints.

An isolated communications apparatus applied to a transformer. The transformer includes N first rectifier units and a second rectifier unit, and the isolated communications apparatus includes N first control units, a second control unit, and a signal convergence unit. The first control units are connected to the first rectifier units in a one-to-one correspondence. Each first control unit is connected to the signal convergence unit, and the signal convergence unit and the second control unit are connected through an optical fiber. The signal convergence unit is configured to: receive first data packets from the N first control units, send the first data packets to the second control unit, receive at least one second data packet from the second control unit, determine a first control unit corresponding to each second data packet, and send each second data packet to a corresponding first control unit.

A system includes a prime mover configured to rotate a shaft. The system also includes a wound rotor induction generator (WRIG). The WRIG includes a rotor coupled to the shaft of the prime mover and configured to rotate when the shaft rotates, where the rotor includes a rotor winding. The WRIG also includes a stator winding electrically connected to a utility source and a load. When the stator winding receives first power from the utility source, the WRIG is configured to transform at least one of a voltage and a frequency of the first power before outputting at least a portion of the first power to the load. When the stator winding does not receive the first power from the utility source, the WRIG is configured to generate second power due to kinetic energy of the rotor and output at least a portion of the second power to the load.

Provided is a method for starting a wind park including plural wind turbines connectable in a collector system connectable to a utility grid, the method including: starting at least one first wind turbine, each being equipped with an utility grid independent energy supply and a grid forming function, to produce electrical energy from wind energy, thereby utilizing the respective grid independent energy supply for starting; performing the grid forming function by the first wind turbine to achieve a reference voltage in the collector system; starting at least one second wind turbine and/or at least one third wind turbine to produce energy by conversion of wind energy, thereby utilizing energy provided in the collector system for starting.

Various examples are provided for isolated voltage optimization and control. In one example, a stackable isolated voltage optimization module (SIVOM) includes a transformer having a turns ratio between a primary winding and a secondary winding; a switching circuit configured to energize the secondary winding with a voltage provided from the three-phase power system or short the secondary winding; and a connection block configured to couple the switching circuitry to the first phase and a neutral, or to second and third phases of the three-phase power system. In another example, a system includes a SIVOM coupled to each phase of a three-phase power system, where each SIVOM comprises: a transformer and a switching circuit configured to boost or buck a voltage or change a phase angle of the phase coupled to that SIVOM by energizing a secondary winding of the transformer with a voltage provided from the three-phase power system.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To allow easy and convenient access to empty portable electrical energy storage device compartments within the vehicles, if the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as a key fob or other wireless device of a user, an empty portable electrical energy storage device compartment that is closed or locked, is unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically. Also, if the portable electrical energy storage device compartment is in another desired state to have the compartment unlocked, such as having a portable electrical energy storage device in the compartment that has a charge level below a particular threshold, the compartment will likewise be unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To allow easy and convenient access to empty portable electrical energy storage device compartments within the vehicles, if the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as a key fob or other wireless device of a user, an empty portable electrical energy storage device compartment that is closed or locked, is unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically. Also, if the portable electrical energy storage device compartment is in another desired state to have the compartment unlocked, such as having a portable electrical energy storage device in the compartment that has a charge level below a particular threshold, the compartment will likewise be unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically.

A storage battery system includes: a grid-connected storage battery; and a first current sensor that is provided in an electrical circuit linking the storage battery and the grid and detects a current in the electrical circuit the storage battery system having the electrical circuit connected with one or more power generators. The storage battery system includes: a second current sensor that is provided in the electrical circuit such that the one or more power generators are connected between the first current sensor and the second current sensor; and a controller that calculates generated power of the one or more power generators based on outputs obtained from the first current sensor and the second current sensor.