A distributed power harvesting system including multiple direct current (DC) power sources with respective DC outputs adapted for interconnection into a interconnected DC power source output. A converter includes input terminals adapted for coupling to the interconnected DC power source output. A circuit loop sets the voltage and current at the input terminals of the converter according to predetermined criteria. A power conversion portion converts the power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. A power supplier is coupled to the output terminals. The power supplier includes a control part for maintaining the input to the power supplier at a predetermined value. The control part maintains the input voltage and/or input current to the power supplier at a predetermined value.

A distributed power harvesting system including multiple direct current (DC) power sources with respective DC outputs adapted for interconnection into a interconnected DC power source output. A converter includes input terminals adapted for coupling to the interconnected DC power source output. A circuit loop sets the voltage and current at the input terminals of the converter according to predetermined criteria. A power conversion portion converts the power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. A power supplier is coupled to the output terminals. The power supplier includes a control part for maintaining the input to the power supplier at a predetermined value. The control part maintains the input voltage and/or input current to the power supplier at a predetermined value.

A power unit including multiple generators supplies power to a load or loads that may be variable. The generators can differ, e.g., in generating capacities, rates at which their outputs can be changed, maintenance requirements, and/or different energy-conversion efficiencies. A control unit throttles the generators independently according to a digitally implemented algorithm that may, but need not, use the difference(s) in supplying power to the load. In some cases, the controller regulates monitored power delivered to the load or loads. A power combiner is connected to the outputs of the generators. If desired, a buffer can be used between the generators and the load or loads to provide energy storage that can allow for the load or loads to change at a faster rate than the generators are throttled and for peak loads that temporarily exceed the capacity of the generators.

A power unit including multiple generators supplies power to a load or loads that may be variable. The generators can differ, e.g., in generating capacities, rates at which their outputs can be changed, maintenance requirements, and/or different energy-conversion efficiencies. A control unit throttles the generators independently according to a digitally implemented algorithm that may, but need not, use the difference(s) in supplying power to the load. In some cases, the controller regulates monitored power delivered to the load or loads. A power combiner is connected to the outputs of the generators. If desired, a buffer can be used between the generators and the load or loads to provide energy storage that can allow for the load or loads to change at a faster rate than the generators are throttled and for peak loads that temporarily exceed the capacity of the generators.

A method for controlling an inverter-based resource (IBR) having a power converter and a generator connected to an electrical grid includes determining an available active power of the electrical grid. The method also includes determining an available active power of the IBR based on an effect of a speed and a rating of the generator. Further, the method includes determining a minimum available active power based on the available active power of the electrical grid and the available active power of the IBR. Moreover, the method includes determining an active power limit change for the IBR based on one or more thermal margins of the IBR. In addition, the method includes determining an active power estimation as a function of the minimum available active power and the active power limit change. The method further includes providing the active power estimation to a supervisory controller for controlling the IBR.

A method for controlling an inverter-based resource (IBR) having a power converter and a generator connected to an electrical grid includes determining an available active power of the electrical grid. The method also includes determining an available active power of the IBR based on an effect of a speed and a rating of the generator. Further, the method includes determining a minimum available active power based on the available active power of the electrical grid and the available active power of the IBR. Moreover, the method includes determining an active power limit change for the IBR based on one or more thermal margins of the IBR. In addition, the method includes determining an active power estimation as a function of the minimum available active power and the active power limit change. The method further includes providing the active power estimation to a supervisory controller for controlling the IBR.

A controller, a system including such a controller, and a method for controlling discharging of a plurality of battery packs are provided. The controller includes one or more processor and at least one tangible, non-transitory machine readable medium encoded with one or more programs configured to perform steps to determine a respective discharge power or discharge share for each battery pack for maximizing objective function (J) of the plurality of battery packs defined in Equation (1). The controller provides signals with instructions to the plurality of battery packs and/or the one or more power converters for discharging power from the plurality of battery packs based on the respective discharging share and power of each battery pack and/or keeping a certain battery pack idle.

A controller, a system including such a controller, and a method for controlling discharging of a plurality of battery packs are provided. The controller includes one or more processor and at least one tangible, non-transitory machine readable medium encoded with one or more programs configured to perform steps to determine a respective discharge power or discharge share for each battery pack for maximizing objective function (J) of the plurality of battery packs defined in Equation (1). The controller provides signals with instructions to the plurality of battery packs and/or the one or more power converters for discharging power from the plurality of battery packs based on the respective discharging share and power of each battery pack and/or keeping a certain battery pack idle.

A dual start control circuit for auxiliary inverters of a railway vehicle is provided. An external dual circuit is designed for controlling a start and stop of the auxiliary inverters; and an APS START signal is added to start conditions of the auxiliary inverters. When a start-stop switch is turned to an “on” position, an APS start train line is electrified, APS start relays in cabs at both ends are electrified and corresponding normally-open contacts of the APS start relays are closed, a self-locking circuit is kept electrified, the APS start train line is kept electrified, and a start signal is transmitted to the auxiliary inverters through a hard wire; and when the start-stop switch is turned to an “off” position, an APS stop train line is electrified, APS stop relays in the cabs at both ends are electrified and corresponding normally-closed contacts of the APS stop relays are disconnected.

A dual start control circuit for auxiliary inverters of a railway vehicle is provided. An external dual circuit is designed for controlling a start and stop of the auxiliary inverters; and an APS START signal is added to start conditions of the auxiliary inverters. When a start-stop switch is turned to an “on” position, an APS start train line is electrified, APS start relays in cabs at both ends are electrified and corresponding normally-open contacts of the APS start relays are closed, a self-locking circuit is kept electrified, the APS start train line is kept electrified, and a start signal is transmitted to the auxiliary inverters through a hard wire; and when the start-stop switch is turned to an “off” position, an APS stop train line is electrified, APS stop relays in the cabs at both ends are electrified and corresponding normally-closed contacts of the APS stop relays are disconnected.