Back-up generator and associated electric power systems
An electric power system is disclosed herein. The electric power system may manage and store electric power and provide uninterrupted electric power, derived from a plurality of electric power sources, to an electric load. The electric power system may contain an energy storage unit and generator assembly. The electric power system may connect to a power grid and renewable energy sources, and may charge the energy storage unit using the power grid, renewable energy sources, and/or generator assembly. The electric power system may be configured to determine load power usage and environmental factors to automatically and continuously modify a charging protocol to, for example, provide high efficiency and/or self-sufficiency from the power grid. The electric power system may operate entirely off-grid and may provide electricity to the load without interruption to power.
1. An electric power system, comprising:
an energy storage device;
an inverter, comprising:
an input in electrical communication with the energy storage device;
an output in electrical communication with an electrical load;
power electronics configured to convert direct current power into alternating current power, the power electronics comprising:
one or more transistors;
at least one of a transformer or inductor; and
one or more processors for regulating and adjusting the power electronics and an alternating current waveform produced by regulating and adjusting the power electronics;
a non-grid-following alternating current power source that is configured to yield alternating current power having a waveform with a voltage and operating frequency;
an additional input in electrical communication with the non-grid-following alternating current power source, the output, and the processor, wherein the additional input is configured to:
sense information defining the alternating current waveform of the non-grid-following alternating current power source;
communicate information defining the alternating current waveform of the non-grid-following alternating current power source to the processor;
electrically connect or disconnect the alternating current power of the non-grid-following alternating current power source to the output.
2. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the inverter is configured to synchronize or desynchronize one or more grid-following power devices at least by:
receiving a direct current input from the energy storage device;
producing an alternating current output for an electrical load; and
altering the frequency or voltage of its output waveform to either synchronize or desynchronize one or more grid-following power devices.
3. The electric power system of claim 2 , wherein the grid-following power devices comprise grid-tied renewable energy sources.
4. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the inverter operates bi-directionally.
5. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the system operates as one or both of a grid-forming device and grid-following device.
6. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the non-grid-following alternating current power source comprises a generator or generator set.
7. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the non-grid-following alternating current power source comprises an electrical grid or microgrid.
8. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the system features more than one additional input.
9. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the inverter contains one or more single or multi-core processors.
10. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the system commands the non-grid-following alternating current power source to turn on or off.
11. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more transistors comprise silicon carbide transistors.
12. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the transformer or inductor, or combination thereof, utilizes amorphous or nanocrystalline soft magnetic material.
13. An inverter, comprising:
an input for electrical communication with an energy storage device;
an output for electrical communication with an electrical load;
power electronics configured to convert direct current power into alternating current power, the power electronics comprising:
one or more transistors;
at least one of a transformer or inductor;
one or more processors for regulating and adjusting the power electronics and an alternating current waveform produced by regulating and adjusting the power electronics;
an additional input in electrical communication with the processor and output, the additional input comprising:
a sensing feature configured to:
sense information defining the alternating current waveform of a non-grid-following alternating current power source that is connected to the additional input;
communicate information defining the alternating current waveform of a non-grid-following alternating current power source that is connected to the additional input to the processor; and
a switching mechanism to electrically connect or disconnect the alternating current power of a non-grid-following alternating current power source that is connected to the additional input to the output.
14. The inverter of claim 13 , wherein the inverter is further configured to synchronize or desynchronize one or more grid-following power devices at least by:
receiving a direct current input from the energy storage device;
producing an alternating current output for an electrical load; and
altering a frequency or voltage of its output waveform to either synchronize or desynchronize one or more grid-following power devices.
15. The inverter of claim 14 , wherein the grid-following power devices comprise grid-tied renewable energy sources.
16. The inverter of claim 14 , wherein the synchronization or desynchronization of one or more grid-following power devices is conducted according to voltage and frequency waveform matching.
17. The inverter of claim 13 , wherein switching mechanism comprises at least one of an electro-mechanical or solid-state relay.
18. The inverter of claim 13 , wherein the sensing feature comprises a voltage or current sensor.
19. The inverter of claim 13 , wherein the one or more transistors comprise silicon carbide transistors.
20. The inverter of claim 13 , wherein the transformer or inductor, or combination thereof, utilizes amorphous or nanocrystalline soft magnetic material.
21. The inverter of claim 13 , wherein the non-grid-following alternating current power source comprises a generator or generator set.
22. The inverter of claim 13 , wherein the non-grid-following alternating current power source comprises an electrical grid or microgrid.
23. The inverter of claim 13 , wherein the inverter can command the non-grid-following alternating current power source to turn on and off.