MODULE-BASED ENERGY SYSTEMS HAVING CONVERTER-SOURCE MODULES AND METHODS RELATED THERETO
Module-based energy systems are provided having multiple converter-source modules. The converter-source modules can each include an energy source and a converter. The systems can further include control circuitry for the modules. The modules can be arranged in various ways to provide single phase AC, multi-phase AC, and/or DC outputs. Each module can be independently monitored and controlled.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A module-based energy system, comprising:
an array of N converter-source modules, wherein N is 2 or greater,
wherein each of the N converter-source modules is connected in series,
wherein each of the N converter-source modules comprises: a first energy source; an energy buffer coupled with the first energy source; and a converter coupled with the first energy source and the energy buffer, wherein the converter comprises a plurality of switches configured to select an output voltage of the module, and
wherein the array includes a first output terminal of a first converter-source module and a second output terminal of an Nth converter-source module.
22 . The system of claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of local control devices, each of the plurality of local control devices communicatively coupled with one or more of the N converter-source modules, wherein the local control device is configured to generate a plurality of switching signals for the plurality of switches.
23 . The system of claim 22 , further comprising a master control device communicatively coupled with the plurality of local control devices
24 . The system of claim 21 , further comprising a load connected between the first and second output terminals.
25 . The system of claim 24 , wherein the load is one of a DC load or a single-phase AC load.
26 . A module-based energy system, comprising:
M arrays of converter-source modules, wherein M is 2 or greater,
wherein each of the M arrays comprises N converter-source modules, wherein N is 2 or greater,
wherein each of the N converter-source modules is connected in series in each of the M arrays,
wherein each of the N converter-source modules comprises: a first energy source; an energy buffer coupled with the first energy source; and a converter coupled with the first energy source and the energy buffer, wherein the converter comprises a plurality of switches configured to select an output voltage of the module,
wherein each of the M arrays includes an individual output terminal of a first converter-source module, and
wherein an Nth converter-source module of each of the M arrays is connected to a common output terminal.
27 . The system of claim 26 , further comprising a plurality of local control devices, each of the plurality of local control devices communicatively coupled with one or more of the N converter-source modules of each of the M arrays, wherein the local control device is configured to generate a plurality of switching signals for the plurality of switches.
28 . The system of claim 27 , further comprising a master control device communicatively coupled with the plurality of local control devices
29 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the M arrays includes first and second arrays.
30 . The system of claim 29 , further comprising a load connected between the individual output terminals of the first and second arrays.
31 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the common output terminal is coupled to a neutral of the load.
32 . The system of claim 29 further comprising a load connected between the common output terminal and a joint coupling of the individual output terminals of the first and second arrays.
33 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the load is one of a DC load or a single-phase AC load.
34 . The system of claim 36 , wherein the M arrays includes first, second and third arrays.
35 . The system of claim 34 , further comprising a three-phase load connected between the individual output terminals of the first, second and third arrays.
36 . The system of claim 35 , wherein the common output terminal is coupled to a neutral of the load.
37 . The system of claim 34 , further comprising a DC or single phase AC load connected between the common output terminal and a joint coupling of the individual output terminals of the first, second and third arrays.