Multi-throw or multi-pole switching systems and methods for providing modular switching combinations for enabling flexible home energy management
Multi-throw or multi-pole switching systems and methods are provided for providing modular switching combinations for enabling flexible home energy management. A switching system comprises an energy management system configured to switch between a plurality of energy sources (e.g., a utility, backup energy source(s) and energy storage component(s)) automatically/manually to enable flexible configurations thereof. The switching system further comprises one or more modular transfer switches configured to add to the energy management system one or more energy sources. If a module is made of n poles then adding each module can add n-1 energy resources. The one or more modular transfer switches are multi-throw or multi-pole switches.
1 . A double-throw switching system in that double-throw switches add energy resources, the double-throw switching system comprising:
an energy management system configured to switch between a plurality of energy sources to enable flexible configurations thereof, wherein the plurality of energy sources includes a utility, a solar power energy source and an energy storage component including a battery; and
a plurality of double-throw switches as modular transfer switches configured to add to a load one or more energy sources that are configured to be coordinated by the energy management system,
wherein each modular transfer switch is a double-throw switch such that by using multiple double-throw switching modules, the double-throw switching system realizes substantially the same functionalities as in a quadruple switching system,
wherein each double-throw switch is made of n throws, and wherein adding each double-throw switch adds n-1 energy resources including the utility, the solar power energy source and the energy storage component including the battery,
wherein the switching system includes a net-metering switch to allow energy from the solar power energy source to be sold back to the utility, and a charging switch to select the battery, and
wherein the double-throw switches are interlocked with one connection possible at a time so that only one energy resource is connected to an output of each double-throw switch at the time.
2 . The double-throw switching system of claim 1 , wherein the energy management system is configured to automatically coordinate between different switches of the plurality of double-throw switches.
3 . A method of providing a double-throw switching system in that switches add energy resources, the method comprising:
providing an energy management system configured to switch between a plurality of energy sources to enable flexible configurations thereof, wherein the plurality of energy sources includes a utility, a solar power energy source, and an energy storage component including a battery; and
providing a plurality of double-throw switches as modular transfer switches configured to add to a load one or more energy sources that are configured to be coordinated by the energy management system,
wherein each modular transfer switch is a double-throw switch such that by using multiple double-throw switching modules, the double-throw switching system realizes substantially the same functionalities as in a quadruple switching system,
wherein each double-throw switch is made of n throws, and wherein adding each double-throw switch adds n-1 energy resources including the utility, the solar power energy source and the energy storage component including the battery,
wherein the switching system includes a net-metering switch to allow energy from the solar power energy source to be sold back to the utility, and a charging switch to select the battery, and
wherein the double-throw switches are interlocked with one connection possible at a time so that only one energy resource is connected to an output of each double-throw switch at the time.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the energy management system is configured to automatically coordinate between different switches of the plurality of double-throw switches.