A power supply system includes a coupling device including a power conversion device, and one or more power supply units. Each of the power supply units includes a distributed power supply, a first interface outputting DC power to the power conversion device, an individual converter converting the DC power to AC power, and a second interface outputting the AC power output from the individual converter. The power conversion device includes a coupling side converter that converts the direct current power output from the power supply units to AC power, and an interface for outputting the AC power output from the coupling side converter. The power supply system includes a controller for controlling at least one of a corresponding one of the power supply units or the power conversion device based on communication information obtained by communication between the corresponding one of the power supply units or the power conversion device.

An externally-controllable electrical power generating system for providing auxiliary or backup power to a load bus or device. The system may be used indoors, and generally includes a power source comprising a first DC output, an electrical storage unit comprising a DC input coupled to the first DC output of the power source, the electrical storage unit further comprising a second DC output. An inverter coupled to the second DC output receives power, the inverter having a first AC output that can be synchronized with an AC load bus or AC grid. The system includes a contactor connected between the first AC output and an AC load bus, and is controllable with an external controller operated by a utility or a managing entity, such that the external controller can enable the controller to connect or disconnect the contactor.

An example system includes an aggregator configured to receive a service collaboration request and iteratively determine, based on minimum and maximum power values for DERs under its management, an optimized operation schedule. The aggregator may also be configured to iteratively determine, based on the optimized operation schedule, an estimated flexibility range for devices under its management and output an indication thereof. The system may also include a power management unit (PMU) configured to iteratively receive the indication and determine, based on a network model that includes the estimated flexibility range, a reconfiguration plan and an overall optimized operation schedule for the network. The PMU may also be configured to iteratively cause reconfiguration of the network based on the plan. The PMU and aggregator may also be configured to iteratively, at a fast timescale, cause energy resources under their management to modify operation based on the overall optimized operation schedule.

Various implementations power homes and businesses without needing to connect to electric utility company-provided power, i.e., they can operate off-grid. Generally the system includes solar panel racks (e.g., photovoltaic cells on sheets stabilized using ballasts, anchors, or mounting) that generate electrical power used to provide power to a building or that is stored on batteries. The system includes the solar panel racks and an enclosure to be installed at the premises and separate from the building. The enclosure includes the batteries and inverters that are electronically connected to the solar panel racks and batteries. The inverters are configured to convert direct current (DC) electricity from the solar power racks and batteries to alternating current (AC) electricity to provide power to the building via wires electrically connecting the inverters to the main panel of the building.

A method for controlling an electrical consumer is provided. The electrical consumer is coupled to an electricity supply grid using a frequency converter. The electricity supply grid has a line voltage and is characterized by a nominal line voltage. The electricity supply grid is monitored for a grid fault in which the line voltage deviates from the nominal line voltage by at least a first differential voltage. When the grid fault occurs, the electrical consumer remains coupled to the electricity supply grid, and a power consumption of the electrical consumer is changed on the basis of the deviation of the line voltage from the nominal line voltage.

The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic (PV) disconnect device used in an electrical system. The electrical system includes an energy control system electrically coupled to a utility grid. The electrical system includes a PV power generation system electrically coupled to the energy control system. The electrical system includes an energy storage system electrically coupled to the energy control system. The PV disconnect device is electrically coupled to the PV power generation system and the energy control system. The PV disconnect device electrically disconnects the PV power generation system from the energy control system.

A method and apparatus is described for conveying the amount of loading of a power source to a load control device by controlling the frequency of the AC power output from that power source in a manner that controlled frequency represents the loading. At a different location in the power system, the frequency is measured and the corresponding loading of the power source is used to prevent or alleviate a power source overload.

A method, system and apparatus are provided for optimized load shaping for optimizing production and consumption of energy. Information signals indicative of a first load shape signal are obtained corresponding to a total load, a renewable energy load of one or more renewable energy sources and a non-renewable energy load of one or more non-renewable energy sources. The first load shape signal corresponding to renewable energy load is removed from a non-renewable energy load to obtain a resulting load shape signal. The resulting load shape is flattened signal by apportioning the resulting load shape signal across time intervals to obtain a flattened load shape signal. At least a portion of the first component corresponding to the renewable energy load is added to the flattened load shape signal to create an optimized load shape signal. The optimized load shape signal is provided to modulate electric loads of energy-consuming devices.

A system includes an electrical apparatus configured to monitor or control one or more aspects of an electrical power distribution network; and a control system including more than one electronic processor, where the electronic processors are configured to cause the control system to interact with the electrical apparatus, an interaction between the control system and the electrical apparatus including one or more of the control system providing information to the electrical apparatus and the control system receiving information from the electrical apparatus, and if some of the electronic processors are unable to cause the control system to interact with the electrical apparatus, at least one of the other electronic processors is able to cause the control system to interact with the apparatus.

A fuel dispenser includes a power distribution system having an alternating current (AC) power supply and an AC to direct current (DC) power converter configured to convert a portion of the AC power to DC power for one or more DC peripheral components associated with the fuel dispenser. The power distribution system also includes processing circuitry configured to power down at least one of the DC peripheral components in response to an actuator, cause an indicator to be activated indicating that the DC peripheral components are de-energized and the AC power supply is active, power up the at least one direct current peripheral component in response to the actuator when the direct current peripherals are de-energized, and cause the indicator to be activated to indicate that both the DC peripheral components and the AC power supply are active.