Charging profiles for a storage device in an energy generation system

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for an energy generation site includes detecting an energy storage device and its storage capacity, detecting an electrical grid operatively coupled to the energy generation site, and receiving event data corresponding to an event affecting the electrical grid. The method further includes determining a probability that the electrical grid will experience a power outage based on the event data, and charging the storage device according to a first charging profile or a second charging profile based on the probability. A maximum charge set point of the storage device for the first charging profile is less than the maximum storage capacity of the storage device, and the maximum charge set point for the second charging profile is at the maximum storage capacity of the storage device. The event data can be weather data, geological data, social media, or local alert data.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 155,444, filed Apr. 30, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND[0002]In recent years, climate change concerns, federal / state initiatives, and other factors have driven a rapid rise in the installation of renewable energy generation (EG) systems (i.e., systems that generate energy using renewable resources such as solar, wind, hydropower, etc.) at residential and non-residential sites. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, in particular, have been very popular EG systems.[0003]PV-based EG systems have continued to improve as new innovations lead to lower manufacturing and installation costs, higher solar panel efficiencies, and greater control over energy distribution. Despite these improvements, the power output for PV-based EG systems remain susceptible to bad weather conditions, including storm systems and dense cloud cover. Bad weather conditi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a computer-implemented method and system for charging an energy storage device in response to events that may affect the electrical grid. The system receives data about events, such as weather, geology, social media, or local alerts, and calculates a probability that the grid will experience a power outage. The system then charges the storage device accordingly, either using a first charging profile or a second charging profile depending on the probability. The technical effect of this invention is to improve the reliability and resilience of energy generation and distribution systems by ensuring that energy storage devices are always ready to provide power in case of a power outage or other unexpected events.

Problems solved by technology

Despite these improvements, the power output for PV-based EG systems remain susceptible to bad weather conditions, including storm systems and dense cloud cover.

Bad weather conditions can greatly reduce an amount of sunlight that reaches PV-based EG systems, which can adversely affect their corresponding power generation.

However, conventional methods of storm forecasting for downstream EG sites are typically inaccurate, costly, and involve indirect calculations, broad assumptions, and imprecise estimations.

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