Method and system for controlling and recovering short duration bridge power to maximize backup power

Abstract

A system for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source comprises: a fuel cell arrangement for generating back-up power for the load, a bridging power source for generating bridge power for the load, and a controller in operable communication with the fuel cell arrangement and the bridging power source. The controller is adapted to initiate application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source, and is further adapted to initiate application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 065,387 filed Oct. 11, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 328,996, filed Oct. 12, 2001 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 410,412, filed Sep. 13, 2002; the contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] This disclosure relates generally to power systems, and especially relates to the storage and recovery of energy from a renewable power source and electrochemical cells. [0003] Geographically remote areas such as islands or mountainous regions are often not connected to main utility electrical grids due to the cost of installing and maintaining the necessary transmission lines to carry the electricity. Even in remote communities where the transmission lines are in place, it is not uncommon for frequent and extended power outages due to weather related...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Geographically remote areas such as islands or mountainous regions are often not connected to main utility electrical grids due to the cost of installing and maintaining the necessary transmission lines to carry the electricity.

Even in remote communities where the transmission lines are in place, it is not uncommon for frequent and extended power outages due to weather related faults.

In either case, to prevent economic loss in times of an electrical outage, it is often necessary for these communities or industries in these regions to create local “micro” electrical grids to ensure a reliable and uninterruptible power system.

This uninterruptible power system may be either a primary system where there is no connection to the main utility grid, or a backup system that activates when an outage occurs.

Since it is not often practical or possible to turn generation sources on and off, inevitably excess power will be generated.

As the load requirements of the grid increase, it is difficult or impossible to recapture the converted energy back into electrical energy for use in the electrical grid.

Further complicating matters is that renewable power sources do not typically run continuously at full power and will experience extended periods of low to no energy output (e.g. night time or seasonal low wind periods).

However, because regenerative fuel cell systems generally take a certain amount of time from the point of initial activation to delivering full power, there may be a brief delay of power attendant thereto when switching over from a primary power supply to backup power generated by a fuel cell supply.

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