A method for maintaining reliability of a distributed power system including a power converter having input terminals and output terminals. Input power is received at the input terminals. The input power is converted to an output power at the output terminals. A temperature is measured in or in the environment of the power converter. The power conversion of the input power to the output power may be controlled to maximize the input power by setting at the input terminals the input voltage or the input current according to predetermined criteria. One of the predetermined criteria is configured to reduce the input power based on the temperature signal responsive to the temperature. The adjustment of input power reduces the input voltage and/or input current thereby lowering the temperature of the power converter.

A method for maintaining reliability of a distributed power system including a power converter having input terminals and output terminals. Input power is received at the input terminals. The input power is converted to an output power at the output terminals. A temperature is measured in or in the environment of the power converter. The power conversion of the input power to the output power may be controlled to maximize the input power by setting at the input terminals the input voltage or the input current according to predetermined criteria. One of the predetermined criteria is configured to reduce the input power based on the temperature signal responsive to the temperature. The adjustment of input power reduces the input voltage and/or input current thereby lowering the temperature of the power converter.

A direct current power system. The direct current power system includes a direct current bus system, a solar power system, an energy storage system and a wind power system. The solar power system is configured to supply a first direct current power. The energy storage system has an input electrically coupled to the solar power system and is configured to supply a second direct current power at 380 volts to the direct current bus system. The wind power system includes is electrically coupled to the energy storage system and is configured to supply a third direct current power.

A control method for a power source, the method including the following steps: detecting the electric power quality of multiple channels of inputs of a power source; in response to the electric power quality of the multiple channels of inputs being normal, acquiring and comparing the resistance of a relay when the power source is respectively working at each channel of input; in response to the resistance of the relay at each channel of input meeting a preset condition, acquiring the duration how long each power source is working at one channel of input among the multiple channels of inputs; and in response to the duration how long the power source is working at the channel of input in the multiple channels of inputs being greater than a threshold value, adjusting the power source to work at other channel of input.

A motorized window treatment may be configured to adjust a position of a covering material to control the amount of daylight entering a space. The motorized window treatment may include a DC power source for charging an energy storage element, such as a supercapacitor and/or rechargeable battery. The energy storage element may be configured to provide power for the operation of a motor used to adjust the position of the covering material. The energy storage element may discharge when providing power to the motor and may charge such that the current it draws from a battery is at a desired average current level that extends the lifetime of the battery.

A system and method for controlling power flow in a hybrid power system includes a controller in communication with the hybrid power system. The controller is also in communication with at least one knowledge system to receive information related to power generation or power consumption within the hybrid power system. The controller generates a control command for each of the power converters in the hybrid power system and maintains a log of power flow to and from each device in the hybrid power system. The controller is also in communication with a provider of the utility grid and may generate the control commands for each of the power converters in response to commands provided from the provider of the utility grid.

A voltage conversion apparatus includes connection terminals to which a battery, a capacitor, and a protected load are respectively connected, a first DC-DC converter having input/output terminals, a second DC-DC converter having input/output terminals, a first power path having one end connected to the first connection terminal and the other end connected to the first input/output terminal, a second power path having one end connected to the second input/output terminal and the other end connected to the third input/output terminal, a third power path having one end connected to the fourth input/output terminal and the other end connected to the second connection terminal, and a fourth power path having one end connected to a midway part of the second power path and the other end connected to the third connection terminal.

A voltage conversion apparatus includes connection terminals to which a battery, a capacitor, and a protected load are respectively connected, a first DC-DC converter having input/output terminals, a second DC-DC converter having input/output terminals, a first power path having one end connected to the first connection terminal and the other end connected to the first input/output terminal, a second power path having one end connected to the second input/output terminal and the other end connected to the third input/output terminal, a third power path having one end connected to the fourth input/output terminal and the other end connected to the second connection terminal, and a fourth power path having one end connected to a midway part of the second power path and the other end connected to the third connection terminal.

A power generation grid for a vessel, rig or platform includes a primary energy source located above the waterline and a plurality of DC sub-assemblies, located below the waterline. Each DC sub-assembly has a DC bus, a DC/DC converter adapted to couple the DC bus to a DC energy source; an AC/DC converter adapted to couple the DC bus to an AC energy source; a DC/AC converter adapted to couple the DC bus to a corresponding load, and a first switch adapted to couple the DC bus to a DC bus of another DC sub-assembly.

A power generation grid for a vessel, rig or platform includes a primary energy source located above the waterline and a plurality of DC sub-assemblies, located below the waterline. Each DC sub-assembly has a DC bus, a DC/DC converter adapted to couple the DC bus to a DC energy source; an AC/DC converter adapted to couple the DC bus to an AC energy source; a DC/AC converter adapted to couple the DC bus to a corresponding load, and a first switch adapted to couple the DC bus to a DC bus of another DC sub-assembly.