Dispatch Controller for an Energy System

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided to optimize the performance of energy resources interconnected in an energy system to provide an economic benefit to a customer. A dispatch controller and method of operation therefor provides for delivery of power from a number of energy resources to ensure acceptable operation of all components of the energy system while compensating for short-term fluctuations of loads or power generation from renewable resources. Optimized energy systems include an electric load, dispatchable sources of energy such as an electrical grid, diesel generators, combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy such as photovoltaic cells and wind turbines; and storage resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves. The energy controller operates in one or more different modes, each of which is configured to operate an energy system according to different operating conditions.

主权项

1. An energy system controller for an energy control system, the energy system controller being configured to be coupled to at least one renewable energy source and to at least one electrical load, the energy system controller comprising:
a predictor module configured to generate predictions of an amount of power to be generated by the renewable energy source during a time period and an amount of power required by the electrical load during the time period; a dispatch planner module configured to generate reference power profiles based in part on the predictions generated by the predictor module; and a dispatch control module configured to generate command signals that are configured to control a flow of energy from the renewable energy resource to the electrical load during the time period, wherein the dispatch control module is configured to operate in a plurality of modes of operation, each of the modes of operation defining a different control scheme that is used by the dispatch controller to route energy in the energy control system, the plurality of modes of operation including at least a normal operating mode, a secure operating mode, and a manual operating mode, wherein, in the normal operating mode, the dispatch control module is configured to generate the command signals based in part on the reference power profiles generated by the dispatch planner module, wherein, in the secure operating mode, the dispatch control module is configured to generate the command signals using a secure dispatching scheme without reference to the reference power profiles generated by the dispatch planner module, the secure operating mode being activated in response to a secure mode command signal, and wherein, in the manual operating mode, the dispatch control module is configured to generate the command signals based on input received via a user interface.