Power supply system, power converter, central controller and method

Abstract

The invention discloses a power supply system, a power converter, a central controller and a method. The power supply system comprises the power converter and a load terminal. The direct-current side of the power converter is connected with a direct-current source; the AC side of the power converter is connected with a grid-connected point; the grid-connected points are connected with a power grid; the load terminal is connected with the grid-connected point; the load terminal communicates with target equipment, and the target equipment is a power converter or intermediate equipment; the power converter is used for controlling the output power according to the power instruction, the power instruction is obtained by the target device according to the power sent by the load terminal, and the technical scheme can control the output power of the power converter on the premise of reducing the design cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power electronics technology, specifically to a power supply system, a power converter, a central controller, and a method. Background Technology

[0002] Inverters or energy storage converters are increasingly being used in homes, i.e., residential power stations. For example, the DC side of an inverter can be connected to at least one of photovoltaics or batteries, while the AC side of the inverter can be connected to a grid connection point. The grid connection point can be connected to the power grid or directly connected to the load to supply power to the load.

[0003] A power meter is typically installed at the grid connection point. The meter can collect the power at the grid connection point, which is the combined power of the inverter and the load. The meter then informs the inverter of the collected power at the grid connection point, and the inverter controls the output power based on the power at the grid connection point.

[0004] However, this method requires the installation of electricity meters, and obtaining power requires setting up current transformers to measure the current, as well as designing current transformers, which is costly and complicated to debug. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, this application provides a power supply system, a power converter, a central controller, and a method that can control the output power of the power converter while reducing design costs.

[0006] This application provides a power supply system, including: a power converter and a load terminal; the DC side of the power converter is used to connect to a DC source; the AC side of the power converter is connected to a grid connection point; the grid connection point is used to connect to the power grid; the load terminal is connected to the grid connection point; the load terminal communicates with a target device, the target device being the power converter or an intermediate device; the power converter is used to control the output power according to a power command, the power command being obtained by the target device based on the power sent by the load terminal.

[0007] One possible implementation is that the target device receives the power sent by the load terminal through a home router, or receives the power sent by the load terminal through its own communication network.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the power supply system includes a primary power converter and a secondary power converter, with the primary power converter being the target device; the load terminal communicates with the primary power converter, and the primary power converter sends the power of the load terminal to the secondary power converter; the primary power converter and the secondary power converter control their respective output power based on the power of the load terminal.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the power supply system includes a main power converter and at least one slave power converter, with the target device being the main power converter; the load terminal communicates with the main power converter; the main power converter obtains the power of the load terminal, and generates power commands for each slave power converter based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each slave power converter, and sends the power commands of each slave power converter to each slave power converter respectively, with each slave power converter controlling its own output power according to its respective power commands.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the power supply system further includes a central controller, and the target device is the central controller; the load terminal communicates with the central controller, and the central controller communicates with the power converter; the power converter is specifically used to obtain the power of the load terminal through the central controller, and control its own output power according to the power of the load terminal.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the power converter is multiple units; the power supply system further includes a central controller, and the target device is the central controller; the load terminal communicates with the central controller, and the central controller communicates with the power converter; the central controller is used to generate power commands for each power converter based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each power converter, and send the power commands of each power converter to each power converter respectively, and each power converter controls its own output power according to its own power command.

[0012] One possible implementation is that, when there are multiple load terminals, the power command is obtained based on the sum of the power of all the load terminals.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the target device is further configured to obtain the operating mode of the power converter, the operating mode including any one of: zero-power grid feeding, power-limited grid feeding, power dispatch, or power-limited power draw; specifically, the target device is configured to, in the case of zero-power grid feeding, generate the power command based on the power of the load terminal, such that the output power of the power converter is equal to the power of the load terminal; in the case of power-limited grid feeding, generate the power command based on the power of the load terminal, such that the output power of the power converter is greater than the power of the load terminal, and less than or equal to the sum of the power of the load terminal and the power limit; in the case of power dispatch, generate the power command based on the power of the load terminal and the power dispatch command; and in the case of power-limited power draw, generate the power command based on the power of the load terminal and the power draw threshold from the grid.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the load terminal includes at least one of the following: a smart socket, a smart switch, or a smart load; the load terminal communicates with the target device via WIFI, Bluetooth, or power line communication.

[0015] This application embodiment also provides a power converter, including: a controller, a first communication interface, and a power circuit; the DC side of the power circuit is used to connect to a DC source; the AC side of the power circuit is connected to a grid connection point; the grid connection point is used to connect to a power grid and a load terminal; the first communication interface is used to communicate with a target device, the target device being the power converter or an intermediate device; the controller is used to control the output power of the power circuit according to a power command obtained from the first communication interface, the power command being obtained by the target device based on the power sent by the load terminal.

[0016] In one possible implementation, when the target device is an intermediate device, the first communication interface communicates with the load terminal through a home router; or, the first communication interface communicates with the load terminal through a central controller; when the target device is the power converter itself, it communicates with the load terminal through the first communication interface, or communicates with the load terminal through the first communication interface of another power converter.

[0017] One possible implementation is that when there are multiple load terminals, all of the load terminals communicate with the target device; the power command is obtained by the target device based on the sum of the power of all load terminals.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first communication interface is further configured to obtain the operating mode of the power converter, the operating mode including: zero-power grid feeding, power-limited grid feeding, power dispatching, or power-limited power extraction; the controller is specifically configured to, in the case of zero-power grid feeding, control the output power of the power circuit according to the power command, wherein the power command makes the output power of the power circuit equal to the power of the load terminal; in the case of power-limited grid feeding, control the output power of the power circuit according to the power command to be greater than the power of the load terminal and less than or equal to the sum of the power of the load terminal and the power limit; in the case of power dispatching, control the output power of the power circuit according to the power command, wherein the power command is obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power dispatching command; in the case of power-limited power extraction, control the output power of the power circuit according to the power command, wherein the power command is obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power extraction threshold from the grid.

[0019] This application embodiment also provides a central controller, including: a second communication interface and a processor; the second communication interface communicates with the load terminal and receives power sent by the load terminal; the processor is configured to generate power instructions for a power converter based on the power and send the power instructions to the power converter.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the load terminal includes at least one, and the power converter includes multiple; the processor is configured to generate power instructions for each power converter based on the sum of the power of all load terminals and the parameters of each power converter, and send the power instructions of each power converter to each power converter respectively, wherein the power instructions are used to instruct each power converter to control its own output power according to its own power instructions.

[0021] This application also provides a control method for a power converter, wherein the DC side of the power converter is used to connect to a DC source; the AC side of the power converter is connected to a grid connection point; the grid connection point is used to connect to the power grid and a load terminal; the method includes: communicating with a target device to obtain a power command sent by the target device, wherein the target device is a power converter or an intermediate device; the power command is obtained by the target device according to the power of the load terminal; and controlling its own output power according to the power command.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the target device is a power converter, and the method further includes obtaining the power of the load terminal by: receiving the power sent by the load terminal through a home router; or, receiving the power sent by the load terminal through the power converter's own communication network.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the power converter includes a master power converter and at least one slave power converter; the master power converter obtains power commands by communicating with the load terminal to obtain the power of the load terminal; and generating power commands for each slave power converter based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each slave power converter.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the target device is a central controller; the power converter includes multiple power converters; each power converter obtains a power command by receiving a power command sent by the central controller; the power command is generated by the central controller based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each power converter.

[0025] One possible implementation is that the power converter operates in the following modes: zero-power grid feeding, power-limited grid feeding, power dispatch, or power-limited power extraction. Controlling its output power according to a power command includes: in zero-power grid feeding, controlling the output power according to the power command, where the power command makes the output power of the power circuit equal to the power of the load terminal; in power-limited grid feeding, controlling the output power according to the power command to be greater than the power of the load terminal and less than or equal to the sum of the power of the load terminal and the power limit; in power dispatch, controlling the output power of the power circuit according to the power command, where the power command is obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power dispatch command; and in power-limited power extraction, controlling the output power of the power circuit according to the power command, where the power command is obtained based on the power of the load terminal and a power extraction threshold from the grid.

[0026] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment does not require a separate electricity meter. Instead, it utilizes existing load terminals within the power supply system to achieve power communication, allowing the power converter to control its output power based on the power of the load terminals. Since the load terminals themselves have communication capabilities, the power of existing devices is utilized, saving on electricity meters. This reduces hardware costs and simplifies the installation and debugging of electricity meters. The power supply system provided in this application embodiment effectively prevents excessive power flow from the power converter to the power grid, i.e., it prevents power reverse flow from the power converter. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a residential power station;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of one embodiment provided in this application;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of yet another power supply system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another power supply system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0031] Figure 5A A schematic diagram of another power supply system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0032] Figure 5B A schematic diagram of yet another power supply system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0033] Figure 6A A schematic diagram of a power supply system including a central processing unit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 6BAnother schematic diagram of a power supply system including a central controller provided for embodiments of this application;

[0035] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a power converter provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a central controller provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 9 A flowchart of a control method for a power converter provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a control device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the application scenarios will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0040] See Figure 1 The image shows a schematic diagram of a residential power station.

[0041] The residential power station includes a power converter 10, which can be a single unit or multiple units. The AC side of the power converter can be directly connected to a load 20, and the load 20 can also be directly connected to grid connection point A. For example, the power converter can be an inverter or an energy storage converter; this application does not impose specific limitations on the embodiments.

[0042] The power grid is connected to point A. A meter C is connected between the connection point and the power grid.

[0043] Electricity meter C is used to measure the power at grid connection point A. The power at grid connection point A is the sum of the output power of the power converter and the power of the load. For example, if the current at grid connection point A flows towards the grid in the positive direction, then electricity meter C measures the power after subtracting the load power from the output power of the power converter. The power converter needs to adjust its output power according to the power transmitted by the electricity meter.

[0044] Setting up a meter at the grid connection point requires installation, and the meter needs to measure the current to obtain power. The power is obtained from the current and voltage at the grid connection point, and a current transformer also needs to be installed. The hardware cost is high, and the installation and commissioning are relatively complicated.

[0045] Therefore, in order to reduce hardware costs and simplify the installation and commissioning process, this application eliminates the need for an electricity meter and the need for the electricity meter to transmit power to the grid connection point. The power converter can adjust its output power according to the power transmitted by the load terminal.

[0046] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, various non-limiting embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] See Figure 2 This figure is a schematic diagram of one embodiment provided in this application.

[0048] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment includes: a power converter 10 and a load terminal 100;

[0049] The DC side of the power converter 10 is used to connect to a DC source. This embodiment does not specifically limit the type of DC source; for example, the DC source can be at least one of photovoltaic or battery technology. The power converter 10 can be an inverter or an energy storage converter.

[0050] The AC side of the power converter 10 is connected to grid connection point A; the disconnection point is used to connect to the power grid.

[0051] Load terminal 100 is connected to grid connection point A; the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the type of load terminal. For example, the load terminal includes at least one of the following: smart socket, smart switch or smart load.

[0052] The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the type of load terminal; for example, there may be one or more.

[0053] The load terminal 100 communicates with the target device, which is a power converter or intermediate device.

[0054] The power converter 10 is used to control the output power according to a power command, which is obtained by the target device based on the power sent by the load terminal. For example, when the target device is the power converter itself, the power converter can communicate directly with the load terminal and obtain the power command based on the load terminal's power. When the target device is an intermediate device, it can communicate with the load terminal through the intermediate device, and the intermediate device obtains the power command.

[0055] When there are multiple load terminals, each load terminal sends its own power to the power converter; the power converter controls the output power based on the sum of the power of all load terminals.

[0056] This application does not specifically limit the communication method between the load terminal and the power converter. For example, the load terminal and the power converter communicate through the power converter's own communication network, with the load terminal receiving the power sent by the load terminal. The power converter's own communication network may include the following communication methods: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Long Range Radio (Lora), or power line communication. Especially for residential power converters, homes already have home routers or Bluetooth devices, and the load terminal has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communication capabilities. Generally, power converters also have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication capabilities. This allows communication between the load terminal and the power converter, eliminating the need for a power meter to measure power before sending it to the power converter; instead, the load terminal directly sends power to the power converter. The power converter's output power must at least meet the load terminal's power requirements; excess power can be fed back to the grid, i.e., grid-connected power generation.

[0057] The power converter communicates with intermediate devices. The target device receives power from the load terminal via a home router, which can be connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. For example, if the intermediate device is a home router, the home router communicates with the load terminal via Wi-Fi and then sends power commands to the power converter via Wi-Fi. Alternatively, if the power converter is a residential inverter, communication can be completed via Wi-Fi within the home.

[0058] In addition, when the DC side of the power converter is connected to a battery, the battery can also be charged. When the output power of the power converter is low, the power supply to the load terminal can be prioritized, and the excess power can be used to charge the battery.

[0059] It should be understood that the power converter obtains power from the load terminal. This can be done proactively, for example, by sending a communication command to the load terminal to query its power level. Alternatively, the load terminal can send power to the power converter in real-time via communication commands based on its actual operating power requirements. This allows the power converter to adjust its output power to match the load terminal's power needs.

[0060] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment does not require a separate electricity meter. Instead, it utilizes existing load terminals within the power supply system to complete power communication, allowing the power converter to control its output power according to power commands, which are obtained based on the power of the load terminals. Since the load terminals themselves have communication capabilities, the power of existing devices is utilized, saving on electricity meters. This reduces hardware costs and simplifies the installation and debugging of electricity meters. The power supply system provided in this application embodiment effectively prevents excessive power flow from the power converter to the power grid, i.e., it prevents power reverse flow from the power converter.

[0061] The following describes several ways for the load terminal to communicate with the power converter.

[0062] See Figure 3 This figure is a schematic diagram of another power supply system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0063] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment is described using a load terminal including a smart load 101, a smart socket 102, and a smart switch 103 as an example.

[0064] The smart load 101, smart socket 102, and smart switch 103 communicate with the power converter 10 through the communication network of the power converter 10.

[0065] The communication network of the power converter can be one of WIFI, Bluetooth or power line carrier communication.

[0066] The power converter 10 can adjust its output power according to the power sent by the smart load 101, smart socket 102 and smart switch 103. For example, if the power sent by the smart load 101 is 50W, the power sent by the smart socket 102 is 100W and the power sent by the smart switch 103 is 80W, then the power converter must output at least 230W of power.

[0067] The power supply system provided in this embodiment may also have another configuration, namely, the smart switch 103 is also connected to a smart load. Figure 3 The smart switch 103 may connect to a single smart load, or it may connect to multiple smart loads, or it may also connect to ordinary loads. This means that ordinary loads cannot communicate directly with the power converter 10. Although the smart load connected to the smart switch 103 can communicate directly with the power converter 10, since the smart switch 103 and the power converter 10 already have communication, the power converter 10 will prioritize the power transmitted by the smart switch 103 and ignore or block the power transmitted by all smart loads connected to the smart switch. In other words, during actual operation, the communication nodes of the power converter only include the smart switch 103, the smart socket 102, and the smart load 101. Similarly, the smart socket 102 can also connect to a smart load, and the principle is the same, so it will not be elaborated further here.

[0068] See Figure 4 This figure is a schematic diagram of another power supply system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0069] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment is described using a smart load 101, a smart socket 102, and a smart switch 103 as examples of load terminals. The power supply system also includes a home router 200.

[0070] The load terminals communicate with the power converter 10 via the wireless network of the home router 200. For example, the smart load 101, smart socket 102, and smart switch 103 all communicate with the power converter 10 via the WIFI of the home router 200, sending their own power to the power converter 10.

[0071] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment may include multiple power converters, among which there may be a master power converter and a slave power converter. To reduce communication costs, the target device is the master power converter; only the master power converter communicates with the load terminal, and the master power converter sends the power from the load terminal to the slave power converter. The master power converter and the slave power converter control their respective output power according to the power of the load terminal.

[0072] Specifically, see Figure 5A This figure is a schematic diagram of another power supply system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0073] The load terminals are described using smart load 101, smart socket 102, and smart switch 103 as examples. Smart load 101, smart socket 102, and smart switch 103 all communicate with the main power converter 11 through the home router 200. The main power converter 11 sends the power from smart load 101, smart socket 102, and smart switch 103 to the slave power converter 12.

[0074] Figure 5A The following example illustrates the direct communication between the main power converter 11 and the slave power converter 12.

[0075] In another implementation, the main power converter 11 and the slave power converter 12 can also communicate through the home router 200. For example, the main power converter 11 and the slave power converter 12 can communicate through a serial bus such as Controller Area Network (CAN) or RS485, or through a wireless ad hoc network such as Bluetooth or WIFI.

[0076] The main power converter 11 and the slave power converter 12 control their respective output power according to the power of the load terminal. The main power converter 11 and the slave power converter 12 can distribute the power of the load terminal equally or unequally, depending on the actual operating conditions of each power converter. For example, the power can be distributed according to the rated power of the power converter, either proportionally or unequally.

[0077] When a battery is connected to the DC side of a power converter, in addition to power allocation based on the rated power of the power converter, power allocation also needs to be based on the remaining charge of the battery connected to the DC side. For example, power converters with higher remaining charge are allocated more power, and power converters with lower remaining charge are allocated less power, so that power converters with higher remaining charge can contribute more power to the power station system.

[0078] When the power supply system includes multiple slave power converters, the master power converter can perform power distribution for all power converters. See details. Figure 5B This figure is a schematic diagram of another power supply system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0079] The power supply system provided in this application includes a main power converter and at least one slave power converter, with the target device being the main power converter. The load terminal communicates with the main power converter. The main power converter obtains the power from the load terminal and, based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each slave power converter, generates power commands for each slave power converter. The main power converter then sends these power commands to each slave power converter, and each slave power converter controls its own output power according to its respective power command. This application does not specifically limit the parameters of the power converter; for example, they can be rated power or the remaining power of a DC source connected to the DC side.

[0080] For ease of explanation, Figure 5B This example uses two slave power converters, namely slave power converter 12a and slave power converter 12b. The master power converter 11 sends the power command corresponding to slave power converter 12a to slave power converter 12a, and slave power converter 12a controls its own output power according to its corresponding power command. Similarly, the master power converter 11 sends the power command corresponding to slave power converter 12b to slave power converter 12b. Slave power converter 12b controls its own output power according to its corresponding power command.

[0081] The specifics regarding power distribution are relatively mature technologies and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0082] Another implementation, the power supply system provided in this application embodiment, may further include a central controller; see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 6A The figure is a schematic diagram of a power supply system including a central controller provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0083] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment is described using a smart load 101, a smart socket 102, and a smart switch 103 as examples of load terminals. The smart load 101, smart socket 102, and smart switch 103 communicate with the central controller 300, and the central controller 300 communicates with the power converter 10; the central controller 300 can be, for example, an energy manager or a data acquisition unit.

[0084] The power converter 10 is specifically used to obtain power from load terminals, including smart load 101, smart socket 102 and smart switch 103, via the central controller 300.

[0085] See Figure 6B The figure is another schematic diagram of the power supply system provided in the embodiment of this application, including a central controller.

[0086] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment includes multiple power converters. For ease of description, it is described using an example of a power supply system including two power converters, namely power converter 10a and power converter 10b. The power supply system also includes a central controller, with the central controller 300 as the target device. Power distribution is performed by the central controller 300. The load terminals communicate with the central controller 300. The load terminals are described using an example including a smart load 101, a smart socket 102, and a smart switch 103. The smart load 101, smart socket 102, and smart switch 103 communicate with the central controller 300, and the central controller 300 communicates with power converters 10a and 10b.

[0087] The central controller generates power commands for each power converter based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each power converter. It then sends the power commands to each power converter, and each power converter controls its own output power according to its respective power commands.

[0088] The central controller 300 sends the power command corresponding to the power converter 10a to the power converter 10a. The power converter 10a controls its own output power according to its own power command. Similarly, the power converter 10b controls its own output power according to its own power command.

[0089] The power allocation of the central controller to each power converter can be referred to the power allocation of the main power converter to each power converter above. The principle is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0090] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment requires the power converter to adjust its output power according to the operating mode, in addition to obtaining the power from the load terminal. This will be described in detail below.

[0091] The target device is also used to obtain the operating mode of the power converter, which includes any one of the following: zero power feed, limited power feed, power dispatch, or limited power draw.

[0092] The target device is specifically used in zero-power grid feeding, that is, when the power converter does not transmit power to the grid and all power is supplied to the load terminal, it generates a power command based on the power of the load terminal so that the output power of the power converter is equal to the power of the load terminal.

[0093] In power-limited grid feeding, the power converter cannot transmit power to the grid without limit. The grid sends a power limit to the power converter, and the power transmitted by the power converter to the grid cannot exceed the power limit. Based on the power generation command from the load terminal, the output power of the power converter is made to be greater than the power of the load terminal, but less than or equal to the sum of the power of the load terminal and the power limit.

[0094] During power dispatch, the power converter receives a power dispatch instruction from the power grid and generates a power instruction based on the power of the load terminal and the power dispatch instruction.

[0095] When power is limited, the DC side of the power converter is connected to the battery to charge it by drawing power from the grid. However, it cannot draw power from the grid indefinitely. Power commands are generated based on the power of the load terminal and the power threshold for drawing power from the grid.

[0096] The power supply system provided in this application embodiment may include load terminals that cannot communicate. Such load terminals do not require special power configuration by power converters and can draw power from the power grid to meet their own power requirements.

[0097] Power converter examples

[0098] Based on the power supply system provided in the above embodiments, this application also provides a power converter, which will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0099] See Figure 7 This figure is a schematic diagram of a power converter provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0100] The power converter provided in this application embodiment includes: a controller 701, a first communication interface 702, and a power circuit 703;

[0101] The DC side of the power circuit 703 is used to connect a DC source, which can be at least one of photovoltaic or battery.

[0102] The AC side of the power circuit 703 is connected to the grid connection point; the disconnect point is used to connect the power grid and the load terminal.

[0103] The first communication interface 702 is used to communicate with the target device, which is a power converter or intermediate device.

[0104] The controller 701 is used to control the output power of the power circuit according to the power command obtained from the first communication interface 702. The power command is obtained by the target device according to the power sent by the load terminal.

[0105] It should be understood that the target device obtains power commands based on the power of the load terminal. This can be done proactively, for example, by sending a communication command to the load terminal to query its power. Alternatively, the load terminal sends power commands to the target device in real-time, based on its actual operating power requirements. The target device then generates corresponding power commands based on the load terminal's needs and sends them to the power converter. Similarly, the converter adjusts its output power accordingly to match the load terminal's power requirements.

[0106] The power converter provided in this application utilizes an existing load terminal to directly or indirectly complete power communication. The power command is obtained based on the power of the load terminal. Therefore, the power converter can control its own output power according to the power command to meet the power requirements of the load terminal. Since the load terminal itself has communication capabilities, there is no need to set up a separate dedicated communication device or communication line, which can reduce the communication cost between the power converter and the load terminal.

[0107] One possible implementation is that, when the target device is an intermediate device, the first communication interface communicates with the load terminal through a home router; or, the first communication interface communicates with the load terminal through a central controller.

[0108] When the target device is the power converter itself, it communicates with the load terminal through the first communication interface, or communicates with the load terminal through the first communication interface of other power converters.

[0109] The term "first communication interface" here refers to all communication interfaces of the power converter. These interfaces should be connected. The interface through which the power converter communicates directly with the load terminal may be different from the interface through which the power converter communicates with intermediate devices, but all of these communication interfaces are on the power converter.

[0110] One possible implementation is that when there are multiple load terminals, all load terminals communicate with the target device; the power command is obtained by the target device based on the sum of the power of all load terminals.

[0111] One possible implementation involves a first communication interface, which is also used to obtain the operating mode of the power converter, including: zero-power grid feeding, power-limited grid feeding, power dispatch, or power-limited power extraction. Specifically, the controller is used to control the output power of the power circuit according to a power command during zero-power grid feeding, where the power command makes the output power of the power circuit equal to the power of the load terminal; during power-limited grid feeding, it controls the output power of the power circuit to be greater than the power of the load terminal and less than or equal to the sum of the power of the load terminal and the power limit, according to the power command; during power dispatch, it controls the output power of the power circuit according to a power command obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power dispatch command; and during power-limited power extraction, it controls the output power of the power circuit according to a power command obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power extraction threshold from the grid.

[0112] Central controller implementation

[0113] See Figure 8 The figure is a schematic diagram of a central controller provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0114] The central controller provided in this application includes: a second communication interface 801 and a processor 802; the second communication interface 801 communicates with the load terminal and receives power sent by the load terminal.

[0115] The processor 802 is used to generate power instructions for the power converter and send the power instructions to the power converter.

[0116] The central controller provided in this embodiment utilizes an existing load terminal with communication capabilities to complete communication. The central controller obtains power commands based on the power of the load terminal and sends these commands to the power converter. Therefore, the power converter can control its output power according to the power commands to meet the power requirements of the load terminal. Since the load terminal itself has communication capabilities, there is no need to set up separate dedicated communication equipment or communication lines, thus reducing the communication cost between the power converter and the load terminal.

[0117] The load terminal includes at least one, and the power converter includes multiple; the central controller can complete the power distribution among the various power converters.

[0118] The processor is used to generate power instructions for each power converter based on the sum of the power of all load terminals and the parameters of each power converter, and to send the power instructions of each power converter to each power converter respectively. The power instructions are used to instruct each power converter to control its own output power according to its own power instructions.

[0119] The power allocation of the central controller to each power converter can be referred to the power allocation of the main power converter to each power converter above. The principle is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0120] Method Implementation Examples

[0121] Based on the power supply system and power converter provided in the above embodiments, this application also provides a control method for the power converter, which will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0122] See Figure 9 The figure is a flowchart of the control method for the power converter provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0123] The power converter control method provided in this application includes:

[0124] S901: Communicate with the target device to obtain the power command sent by the target device, which is a power converter or intermediate device; the power command is obtained by the target device based on the power of the load terminal.

[0125] It should be understood that the power converter obtains power from the load terminal. This can be done proactively, for example, by sending a communication command to the load terminal to query its power level. Alternatively, the load terminal can send power to the power converter in real-time via communication commands based on its actual operating power requirements. This allows the power converter to adjust its output power to match the load terminal's power needs.

[0126] S902: Controls its own output power according to power commands.

[0127] The control method provided in this application does not require a separate electricity meter. Instead, it utilizes the existing load terminals in the power supply system to complete power communication, allowing the power converter to control its output power according to power commands, which are obtained based on the power of the load terminals. Since the load terminals themselves have communication capabilities, the power of existing devices is utilized to save on electricity meters and reduce hardware costs.

[0128] One possible implementation involves a power converter as the target device, and the method further includes obtaining the power of the load terminal by: receiving the power sent by the load terminal through a home router; or, receiving the power sent by the load terminal through the power converter's own communication network.

[0129] One possible implementation is that the power converter includes a master power converter and at least one slave power converter; the master power converter obtains power commands by communicating with the load terminal to obtain the power of the load terminal; and generates power commands for each slave power converter based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each slave power converter.

[0130] One possible implementation is that the target device is a central controller; the power converter includes multiple power converters; any power converter obtains a power command by receiving a power command sent by the central controller; the power command is generated by the central controller based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each power converter.

[0131] Another possible implementation includes:

[0132] The operating modes of the power converter include: zero-power grid feeding, power-limited grid feeding, power dispatching, or power-limited power extraction;

[0133] Controlling its own output power according to power commands includes:

[0134] In zero-power grid feeding, the output power is controlled according to the power command, which makes the output power of the power circuit equal to the power of the load terminal;

[0135] When feeding into a power-limited grid, the output power is controlled according to the power command to be greater than the power of the load terminal and less than or equal to the sum of the power of the load terminal and the limited power;

[0136] During power scheduling, the output power of the power circuit is controlled according to the power command, which is obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power scheduling command.

[0137] When power is limited, the output power of the power circuit is controlled according to the power command, which is obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power threshold for power taken from the grid.

[0138] The control method provided in this application embodiment monitors the power required for its own operation by the load terminal and sends the required power to the power converter, main power converter, or central controller in real time via communication. This allows the power converter in the power supply system to dynamically adjust its output power based on the received power. The power supply system does not require the installation of electricity meters; the output power of the power converter is directly adjusted by the power required by the load terminal. This method is low-cost and simple to implement.

[0139] In one possible implementation, see Figure 10 The figure is a schematic diagram of a control device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0140] The control device may include a memory 1011 and a processor 1012. The processor 1012 may be connected to the power converter and can drive the switches in the various power conversion circuits of the power converter. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the memory can be random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, non-volatile read-only memory (Electronic Programmable ROM), registers, hard disks, removable disks, etc.

[0141] The memory 1011 can store computer instructions. When the computer instructions stored in the memory 1011 are executed by the processor 1012, the processor 1012 can be used to execute the control method of the power converter. The memory 1011 can also store data.

[0142] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape) or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0143] This application also provides a readable storage medium for storing the methods provided in the above embodiments. Examples include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, non-volatile read-only memory (EPROM), registers, hard disks, removable disks, or any other form of storage medium in the art.

[0144] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Regarding the methods disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the product embodiments disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to in the description of the product embodiments.

[0145] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A power supply system, characterized in that, include: Power converters and load terminals; The DC side of the power converter is used to connect to a DC source; The AC side of the power converter is connected to the grid connection point; the grid connection point is used to connect to the power grid. The load terminal is connected to the grid connection point; The load terminal communicates with the target device, which is a power converter or an intermediate device. The power converter is used to control the output power according to a power command, which is obtained by the target device based on the power sent by the load terminal.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The target device receives the power sent by the load terminal through a home router, or receives the power sent by the load terminal through its own communication network.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply system includes a main power converter and a slave power converter, and the target device is the main power converter; The load terminal communicates with the main power converter, and the main power converter sends the power of the load terminal to the slave power converter; The main power converter and the slave power converter control their respective output power according to the power of the load terminal.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply system includes a main power converter and at least one slave power converter, and the target device is the main power converter; the load terminal communicates with the main power converter. The master power converter obtains the power of the load terminal, and generates power commands for each slave power converter according to the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each slave power converter. The master power converter sends the power commands of each slave power converter to each slave power converter respectively, and each slave power converter controls its own output power according to its own power commands.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply system also includes a central controller, and the target device is the central controller; the load terminal communicates with the central controller, and the central controller communicates with the power converter; The power converter is specifically used to obtain the power of the load terminal through the central controller, and control its own output power according to the power of the load terminal.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power converter is a multiple unit; the power supply system also includes a central controller, and the target device is the central controller; the load terminal communicates with the central controller, and the central controller communicates with the power converter; The central controller is used to generate power commands for each power converter based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each power converter, and send the power commands of each power converter to each power converter respectively, so that each power converter controls its own output power according to its own power command.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, When there are multiple load terminals, the power command is obtained based on the sum of the power of all the load terminals.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The target device is also used to obtain the operating mode of the power converter, the operating mode including any one of: zero power grid feeding, power-limited grid feeding, power dispatching or power-limited power extraction; The target device is specifically configured to: generate the power command based on the power of the load terminal during zero-power grid feeding, such that the output power of the power converter is equal to the power of the load terminal; generate the power command based on the power of the load terminal during power-limited grid feeding, such that the output power of the power converter is greater than the power of the load terminal and less than or equal to the sum of the power of the load terminal and the power limit; generate the power command based on the power of the load terminal and the power scheduling command during power scheduling; and generate the power command based on the power of the load terminal and the power threshold for grid power extraction during power-limited extraction.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The load terminal includes at least one of the following: a smart socket, a smart switch, or a smart load; The load terminal communicates with the target device via WIFI, Bluetooth, or power line communication.

10. A power converter, characterized in that, include: Controller, first communication interface, and power circuit; The DC side of the power circuit is used to connect to a DC source; The AC side of the power circuit is connected to the grid connection point; The grid connection point is used to connect the power grid and the load terminal; The first communication interface is used to communicate with the target device, which is the power converter or intermediate device; The controller is used to control the output power of the power circuit according to the power command obtained from the first communication interface, wherein the power command is obtained by the target device according to the power sent by the load terminal.

11. The power converter according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the target device is an intermediate device, the first communication interface communicates with the load terminal through a home router; or, the first communication interface communicates with the load terminal through a central controller. When the target device is the power converter itself, it communicates with the load terminal through the first communication interface, or communicates with the load terminal through the first communication interface of another power converter.

12. The power converter according to claim 10, characterized in that, When there are multiple load terminals, all of the load terminals communicate with the target device; the power command is obtained by the target device based on the sum of the power of all load terminals.

13. The power converter according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The first communication interface is also used to obtain the operating mode of the power converter, the operating mode including: zero power grid feeding, power-limited grid feeding, power dispatching or power-limited power extraction; Specifically, the controller is configured to: control the output power of the power circuit according to the power command during zero-power grid feeding, wherein the power command makes the output power of the power circuit equal to the power of the load terminal; control the output power of the power circuit to be greater than the power of the load terminal and less than or equal to the sum of the power of the load terminal and the power limit during power scheduling; control the output power of the power circuit according to the power command obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power scheduling command during power limiting power extraction; and control the output power of the power circuit according to the power command obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power extraction threshold from the grid during power limiting power extraction.

14. A central controller, characterized in that, include: A second communication interface and a processor; the second communication interface communicates with the load terminal and receives power sent by the load terminal; The processor is configured to send the power command to the power converter according to the power generation power converter.

15. The central controller according to claim 14, characterized in that, The load terminal includes at least one, and the power converter includes multiple; The processor is configured to generate power instructions for each power converter based on the sum of the power of all load terminals and the parameters of each power converter, and send the power instructions of each power converter to each power converter respectively, wherein the power instructions are used to instruct each power converter to control its own output power according to its own power instructions.

16. A control method for a power converter, characterized in that, The DC side of the power converter is used to connect to a DC source; the AC side of the power converter is connected to the grid connection point; the grid connection point is used to connect to the power grid and the load terminal. The method includes: The system communicates with a target device to obtain a power command sent by the target device, which is a power converter or intermediate device; the power command is obtained by the target device based on the power of the load terminal. Control its own output power according to the power command.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The target device is a power converter, and the method further includes obtaining the power of the load terminal through the following means: The power is received from the load terminal via a home router; or, the power is received from the load terminal via the power converter's own communication network.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The power converter includes a main power converter and at least one slave power converter; The main power converter obtains power commands in the following manner: The main power converter communicates with the load terminal to obtain the power of the load terminal; Based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each slave power converter, a power command is generated for each slave power converter.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The target device is a central controller; the power converter includes multiple components. Any of the power converters mentioned above obtains power commands in the following manner: The system receives power commands sent by the central controller; these power commands are generated by the central controller based on the power of the load terminal and the parameters of each power converter.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16-19, characterized in that, The operating modes of the power converter include: zero-power grid feeding, power-limited grid feeding, power dispatching, or power-limited power extraction. Controlling its own output power according to power commands includes: In the zero-power grid operation, the output power is controlled according to the power command, which makes the output power of the power circuit equal to the power of the load terminal. When feeding the power-limited grid, the output power is controlled to be greater than the power of the load terminal and less than or equal to the sum of the power of the load terminal and the limited power, according to the power command. During power scheduling, the output power of the power circuit is controlled according to the power command, which is obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power scheduling command. When power is limited, the output power of the power circuit is controlled according to the power command, which is obtained based on the power of the load terminal and the power threshold for power draw from the grid.

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