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;
a generator for generating alternating current electricity;
an active rectifier in electrical communication with the generator and the energy storage device, the active rectifier configured to:
receive the alternating current electricity from the generator;
provide active rectification of the alternating current electricity; and
output direct current electricity to the energy storage device; and
an inverter comprising:
an input in electrical communication with the energy storage device; and
an output for electrical communication with an electrical load;
wherein the inverter is configured to produce an alternating current waveform, using direct current power from the energy storage device, according to a desired voltage and operating frequency; and
wherein the electric power system is configured to:
provide alternating current power to the electrical load; and
perform one of:
a synchronization of one or more synchronizeable alternating current power sources in electrical communication with the electrical load; or
a synchronization to, or with, a pre-established alternating current waveform that is in electrical communication with the electrical load.
2. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the electric power system operates as a grid-following or grid-tied device.
3. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the electric power system operates as a grid-forming device.
4. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the electric power system is in electrical communication with a microgrid or an electrical grid.
5. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the electric power system is bi-directional and can reverse-feed any power in excess of a demand of the electrical load through the inverter and back to the energy storage device.
6. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the synchronizeable alternating current power sources comprise grid-following or grid-tied renewable energy sources.
7. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the synchronizeable alternating current power sources comprise grid-following or grid-tied generators and/or generator sets.
8. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises a fuel-powered generator.
9. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises a wind or water turbine.
10. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises a linear motor/alternator.
11. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the electric power system comprises a wind or water turbine.
12. The electric power system of claim 1 , wherein the electric power system features an additional input in electrical communication with the output of the inverter, the additional input configured to:
receive alternating current power from an alternating current power source;
sense information defining a waveform of the alternating current power source; and
electrically communicate the information to the inverter, wherein the inverter is further configured to:
alter the alternating current output waveform of the inverter to be in synchronization with the waveform of the alternating current power source; and
control a switching mechanism that electrically connects and disconnects the additional input to the output of the inverter;
wherein the additional input allows the electric power system, and any synchronizeable alternating current power sources synchronized thereto, to be in synchronization with a further alternating current power source connected to the additional input, whereby the electric power system can integrate the alternating current power of the alternating current power source as-needed according to one or more conditions.
13. The electric power system of claim 12 , wherein the electric power system comprises at least two additional inputs.
14. The electric power system of claim 12 , wherein the additional input senses at least one of a voltage and a current of the alternating current power source.
15. The electric power system of claim 12 , wherein the alternating current power source is a generator or generator set.
16. The electric power system of claim 12 , wherein the alternating current power source is an electrical grid or microgrid.
17. The electric power system of claim 12 , wherein the system connects or disconnects the additional input to the output of the inverter according to one or more conditions relating to a charge state of the energy storage device or according to conditions relating to a demand of the electrical load.
18. The electric power system of claim 12 , wherein the switching mechanism comprises an electro-mechanical or solid-state relay.