SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHUNT POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
Systems and methods are disclosed that operate to correct the electrical characteristics of an electric distribution system based on analysis at a particular point in the system, for example, at a customer's meter. To do so, the subject characteristic may be measured at the meter. The subject characteristic may be provided to a power inverter controller, which responds by modifying the characteristic of the inverter output to achieve the desired measurement at the meter.
1 . A power inverter system, comprising:
a controller capable of generating signals based on an analysis of current measured electrically proximate a meter operatively coupled via a grid power line to an electric distribution grid and via a load power line to a load;
a power inverter comprising:
a power input for receiving DC power;
a signal input for receiving signals from the controller;
a power output for providing AC power to at least one of the load and the electric distribution grid;
a voltage converter for converting a voltage level of the DC power to an effective voltage level of the AC power;
a current converter for converting a current of the DC power to an effective current of the AC power; and
a plurality of components electrically responsive to the signals received from the controller.
2 . The power inverter system of claim 1 , further comprising a photovoltaic array capable of providing the DC power to the power input.
3 . The power inverter system of claim 1 , wherein the voltage converter comprises one of a buck and a boost inverter.
4 . The power inverter system of claim 1 , wherein the power inverter further comprises a grid frequency transform.
5 . The power inverter system of claim 1 , wherein the load further comprises a DC load, and wherein the DC voltage received at the power input is at least partially provided unconverted to the DC load.
6 . The power inverter system of claim 5 , wherein the DC load comprises at least one battery.
7 . The power inverter system of claim 1 , wherein the signals generated comprise a modification to a power factor for execution by the plurality of components.
8 . The power inverter system of claim 7 , wherein the modification comprises an injection of reactive power.
9 . The power inverter system of claim 7 , wherein the modification comprises a harmonic distortion counteraction.
10 . The power inverter system of claim 1 , further comprising an analyzer capable of executing the analysis.
11 . The power inverter system of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the analyzer and the controller comprises a wireless communicator.
12 . The power inverter system of claim 11 , wherein the analysis further dictates signals by the controller responsive to power at a second meter remote from the meter.
13 . The power inverter system of claim 10 , wherein the analyzer comprises a spectrum analyzer,
14 . The power inverter system of claim 1 , wherein the power inverter is bi-directional.
15 . The power inverter system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical measure proximate the meter comprises a clamp probe placed about a conductor supplying the meter.
16 . The power inverter system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a direct current (DC) power source coupled to the power inverter;
a spectrum analyzer coupled to the controller;
a current clamp coupled to measure the current of the grid power line proximate the meter.
17 . A method for operating a power inverter, comprising:
receiving DC power at a power input;
receiving, at a signal input, signals from a controller, the signals based on an analysis of current measured proximate a meter operatively coupled via a grid power line to an electric distribution grid and via a load power line to a load;
providing, at a power output, at least AC power to at least one of the load and the electric distribution grid;
converting a voltage level of the DC power to an effective voltage level of the AC power;
converting a current of the DC power to an effective current of the AC power; and
configuring a plurality of components based on the signals received from the controller.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing, at the power output, DC power to the load.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the receiving of DC power comprises receiving DC power from at least one photovoltaic cell.
20 . A method for operating a solar power system, comprising:
receiving direct current (DC) power from a solar source coupled to an inverter;
measuring a current of a grid power line proximate a meter, using a current clamp coupled to a spectrum analyzer;
analyzing a spectrum of the measured current using the spectrum analyzer; and
modifying alternating current (AC) power provided by the inverter in accordance with the analyzing.