System and method for conserving energy resources in a power-distribution network

1 . A power compensator comprising:

a power interface configured to be coupled to a power-distribution network;

an inverter coupled to the power interface;

a ripple filter coupled to the inverter;

a compensation capacitor coupled to the power interface; and

at least one controller configured to

determine a target output current for the power compensator to provide to the power-distribution network via the power interface,

determine a capacitor compensation current provided by the compensation capacitor, and

control the inverter to provide an inverter current to the power interface, the inverter current being a difference between the target output current and the capacitor compensation current.

2 . The power compensator of claim 1 , wherein the compensation capacitor is coupled in parallel with the inverter.

3 . The power compensator of claim 1 , wherein the ripple filter includes at least one filter capacitor.

4 . The power compensator of claim 3 , wherein a capacitance of the compensation capacitor is between 200 mF and 300 mF, and a capacitance of the at least one filter capacitor is between 20 mF and 40 mF.

5 . The power compensator of claim 3 , further comprising at least one bank capacitor coupled to the inverter.

6 . The power compensator of claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller is further configured to receive, from one or more sensors coupled to the power-distribution network, power information indicative of a reactive current on the power-distribution network.

7 . The power compensator of claim 6 , wherein the target output current is equal and opposite to the reactive current.

8 . The power compensator of claim 6 , wherein the target output current is a leading reactive current and the reactive current on the power-distribution network is a lagging reactive current.

9 . The power compensator of claim 6 , wherein the at least one controller is configured to determine the compensation capacitor current based on a capacitance of the compensation capacitor and based on the power information.

10 . A method for controlling a power compensator including a compensation capacitor and an inverter, the method comprising:

determining a target output current for the power compensator to provide from the power compensator to a power-distribution network;

determining a capacitor compensation current provided by the compensation capacitor;

determining a difference between the target output current and the capacitor compensation current; and

controlling the inverter to provide an inverter current to the power-distribution network, the inverter current being a difference between the target output current and the capacitor compensation current.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein controlling the inverter to provide the inverter current includes controlling the inverter to draw power from at least one bank capacitor.

12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising receiving, from one or more sensors coupled to the power-distribution network, power information indicative of a reactive current on the power-distribution network.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the target output current is equal and opposite to the reactive current.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the target output current is a leading reactive current and the reactive current on the power-distribution network is a lagging reactive current.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein determining the compensation capacitor current is based on a capacitance of the compensation capacitor and based on the power information.

16 . At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing thereon sequences of computer-executable instructions for controlling a power compensator including a compensation capacitor and an inverter, the sequences of computer-executable instructions including instructions that instruct at least one processor to:

determine a target output current for the power compensator to provide from the power compensator to a power-distribution network;

determine a capacitor compensation current provided by the compensation capacitor;

determine a difference between the target output current and the capacitor compensation current; and

control the inverter to provide an inverter current to the power-distribution network, the inverter current being a difference between the target output current and the capacitor compensation current.

17 . The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the instructions further instruct the at least one processor to receive, from one or more sensors coupled to the power-distribution network, power information indicative of a reactive current on the power-distribution network.

18 . The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the target output current is equal and opposite to the reactive current.

19 . The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the target output current is a leading reactive current and the reactive current on the power-distribution network is a lagging reactive current.

20 . A power compensator comprising:

a power interface configured to be coupled to a power-distribution network;

an inverter coupled to the power interface;

a ripple filter coupled to the inverter;

a compensation inductor coupled to the power interface; and

at least one controller configured to

determine a target output current for the power compensator to provide to the power-distribution network via the power interface,

determine an inductor compensation current provided by the compensation inductor, and

control the inverter to provide an inverter current to the power interface, the inverter current being a difference between the target output current and the inductor compensation current.