>126 supplies power to but does not receive power from the AC grid 130. For example, when selecting power converter 126, there might not be a need to consider synchronization, islanding, grid tied, voltage source limitations (since power converter 126 may supply power to the AC grid 130 and not receive power from the AC grid 130), etc. In some examples, for example in certain geographic areas where there are strict rules or regulations for supplying power to the grid, power converter 126 may be omitted from the power system 100 (see, for example, power system 100D in FIG. 1D), and might not supply power from the DC bus 102 to the AC grid 130. In some examples, for example if DC sources are able to supply sufficient power or where AC connection is not possible, power converter 124 may be omitted from the power system 100 (see, for example, power system 100E in FIG. 1E), and might not receive power on the DC bus 102 from the AC grid 130.

In some examples, power converter 124 might be rated higher than power converter 126. In some examples, there may be a plurality of power converters 124 or power converters 126 (see, for example, power system 100B in FIG. 1b). The manager of the power system 100 may be energy storage devices 104 [(e.g., battery) that supply and receive power to and from the DC bus 102. For example, the energy storage devices 104 may be configured to manage the power system 100 using control circuitry included in one or more of the energy storage devices 104. Energy storage device 104 may be configured to balance the DC bus 102 and keep it at a relatively stable substantially constant voltage (e.g., about 400 volts DC, 800 volts DC, etc.). Energy storage device 104 may be configured to have a relatively quick ability to receive charge and discharge energy to be able to dynamically manage and keep the DC bus voltage substantially steady and substantially constant. Power system 100 may be designed based on energy storage device 104. Power system 100 may decide when to use generator 112A based on when noise is desired. Energy storage device 104 may also function as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). For example, when one of the DC bus sources (or AC grid source) falls, then energy storage device 104 may supply additional power to the DC loads and keep the DC bus at a steady voltage (e.g., for a certain amount of time).

Energy storage device 104 may sum power taken from DC bus by DC bus loads and provided by DC bus sources and balance the power (e.g., to keep total power consumed by all loads together at about 20 kw, and total power produced by all sources together at about 20 kw). If additional power is to be supplied, it may be supplied to DC bus from energy storage device. If excess power is produced, it may be supplied to the energy storage device from the DC bus. Some loads may be DC loads and may get DC from the DC bus 102 without needing to convert AC (e.g. from AC grid 130) to DC first. Each load that needs AC may have a DC/AC converter (e.g., an inverter) that is designed specifically for that load's needs and might not have certain limitations that may be associated with getting power from the AC grid. DC bus 102 may be regulated and might not convert to DC (can use directly). DC bus voltage might not depend on PV voltage production, as the DC bus may be regulated (e.g., by energy storage device 104). Each converter may be independent.

Power converters 136A or 136B may be connected between DC bus 102 and AC bus 134. Power converters 136A or 136B may be configured to provide power from DC bus 102 to AC loads 138A-C. Power converters 136A or 136B may include converter circuitry (e.g., DC to AC converter circuitry) configured to convert DC power from the DC bus 102 to the AC grid 134. Power converters 136A or 136B may include communication circuitry configured to communicate with other devices connected to DC bus 102. Power converters 136A or 136B may include control circuitry configured to connect and disconnect the power converter to and from the DC bus 102, and/or control communication with other devices connected to the DC bus 102. Power converter 136C may be connected between DC bus 102 and AC bus 140. Power converter 136C may be configured to provide power from DC bus 102 to AC loads 142A-B. Power converters 136A-C may be relatively small power converters. Separate AC buses may be configured to ensure power is provided to certain AC loads depending on different situations. Each AC bus may include a plurality of AC bus lines (e.g., first phase, second phase, third phase, neutral, etc.).

Reference is now made to FIG. 1B, which shows an example power system 100B. Elements of power system 100B may be the same as, or similar to, elements of power system 100A of FIG. 1A, power system 200 of FIG. 2, power system 300 of FIG. 3, or of other power systems 100. Power system 100B may include: a DC bus 102, energy storage devices 104A-B, power sources 110A-C, and DC loads 116A-B. Power system 100 may also include: AC buses 122, 134, 140, power converters 136A-C, AC load 132, 138A-C, 142A-B, or AC power source 130.

In FIG. 1B there are shown a plurality of power converters 124 connected between the AC bus 122 and the DC bus 102, and a plurality of converters 126 connected between the DC bus 102 and the AC bus 122. Each of the different power converters 124, 126, or 136 may be connected between the DC bus and an AC bus. Each of the different power converters 124, 126, or 136 may have a different rating depending on whether the power converter supplies power or receives power. Each of the different power converters 124, 126, or 136 may have a different rating based on the requirements of the AC loads 132, 138, or 142 of the respective AC bus 122, 134, or 140.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1C, which shows an example power system 100C. Elements of power system 100C may be the same as, or similar to, elements of power system 100A of FIG. 1A, or of other power systems 100, 200, or 300. Power system 100C may include: a DC bus 102, energy storage devices 104, power sources 110, or DC loads 116. Power system 100C may also include: AC bus 122, power converters 124, 126, or AC power source 130. Power system 100C may include multiple power converters 124, 126 (for example, as shown in FIG. 1B). Power system 100C may include one or more energy storage devices 104, power sources 110, or DC loads 116 (only one of each is shown for the sake of simplicity).

In some instances, power system 100C might not include certain components, such as any of AC buses 134 and 140, power converters 136A-C, and AC load 132, 138A-C, and 142A-B. For example, power system 100C might not have other AC buses aside from AC bus 122, and might not provide backup to AC loads connected to other AC buses.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1D, which shows an example power system 100D. Elements of power system 100C may be the same as, or similar to, elements of power system 100A of FIG. 1A, or of other power systems 100, 200, or 300. Power system 100D may include: a DC bus 102, energy storage devices 104, power sources 110, or DC loads 116. Power system 100D may also include: AC bus 122, power converter 124, or AC power source 130. Power system 100C may include multiple power converters 124 (for example, as shown in FIG. 1B). Power system 100C may include one or more energy storage devices 104, power sources 110, or DC loads 116 (only one of each is shown for the sake of simplicity).

In some instances, power system 100D might not include certain components, such as any of AC buses 134 and 140), power converters 126, 136A-C), and AC loads 132, 138A-C, or 142A-B. For example, power system 100D may include power sources 112 that don't produce a lot of excess power that may be supplied to AC grid 130, and might not provide power from the DC bus 102 to the AC grid 130. As another example, due to certain geographical limitations (e.g., weather or rules restrictions) power system 100D might not include an inverter that is rated and designed to provide power to the AC grid 130.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1E, which shows an example power system 100E. Elements of power system 100E may be the same as, or similar to, elements of power system 100A of FIG. 1A, or of other power systems 100, 200, 300. Power system 100E may include: a DC bus 102, energy storage devices 104, power sources 110, or DC loads 116. Power system 100E may also include: AC bus 122, power converter 126, or AC power source 130. Power system 100C may include multiple power converters 126 (for example, as shown in FIG. 1B). Power system 100C may include one or more energy storage devices 104, power sources 110, or DC loads 116 (only one of each is shown for the sake of simplicity).

In some instances, power system 100E might not include certain components, such as any of AC buses 134 and 140, power converters 124 and 136A-C, and AC loads 132, 138A-C, and 142A-B. For example, power system 100E may include power sources 112 that produce a lot of excess power that may be supplied to AC grid 130, and might not supply power from the AC grid 130 to the DC bus 102. As another example, due to certain geographical limitations (e.g., weather, or rules restrictions) power system 100E might not include an inverter that is rated and designed to receive power from the AC grid 130.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1F, which shows an example power system 100F. Elements of power system 100F may be the same as, or similar to, elements of power system 100A of FIG. 1A, or of other power systems 100, 200, 300. Power system 100F may include: a DC bus 102, energy storage devices 104, power sources 110, or DC loads 116. Power system 100C may include one or more energy storage devices 104, power sources 110, or DC loads 116 (only one of each is shown for the sake of simplicity).

In some instances, power system 100F might not include certain components, such as any of AC buses 122, 134, and 140, power converters 124, 126, and 136A-C, AC loads 132, 138A-C, and 142A-B, and AC power source 130. For example, power system 100F might not supply power to or from the AC grid 130. As another example, due to certain geographical limitations (e.g., weather, or rules restrictions) power system 100F might not include an inverter that is rated and designed to provide power to or receive power from the AC grid 130.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which shows an example power system 200. Elements of power system 200 may be the same as, or similar to, elements of power system 100A of FIG. 1A, power system 300 of FIG. 3, or of other power systems 100. Power system 200 may include DC bus 202A-B, energy storage device 204, loads 220A-B, or power sources 222.

DC bus 202 may be similar to DC bus 102 described above. DC bus may include a positive DC bus line 202A and a negative DC bus line 202B. Different elements of power system 200 may be connected to the DC bus 202 via the positive DC bus line 202A or the negative DC bus line 202B. Elements of power system 200 may be connected to the positive DC bus line 202A via a positive terminal T+. Elements of power system 200 may be connected to the negative DC bus line 202B via a negative terminal T−. For example, energy storage device 204 may be connected to the positive DC bus line 202A via positive terminal T1+ and connected to the negative DC bus line 202B via negative terminal T1−. Power source 222 may be connected to the positive DC bus line 202A via positive terminal T2+ and connected to the negative DC bus line 202B via negative terminal T2−.

Loads 220 may be similar to DC loads 116 or AC loads which may include a power converter as described above. Energy storage devices 204 may be similar to energy storage devices 104 described above. For example, energy storage device 204 may be a bi-directional energy storage device, similar to bi-directional energy storage devices 104 described above. Energy storage device 204 may have a bi-directional connection to supply power to or receive power from DC bus 202 at terminals T1+, T1−.

Power source 222 may have a uni-directional connection to supply power to DC bus 202 at terminals T2+, T2−. Load 220A may have a uni-directional connection to receive power from DC bus 202 at terminals T3+, T3−, and load 220B may have a uni-directional connection to receive power from DC bus 202 at terminals T4+, T4−. Energy storage device 204 may include converter circuitry 206, control circuitry 210, sensor circuitry 212, communication circuitry 214, or memory 218.

Converter circuitry 206 may be similar to converter circuitry 108, 114 described above. For example, energy storage device 204 may be a bi-directional power device, like bi-directional power device 104, and converter circuitry 206 may be similar to converter circuitry 108 and configured to convert power in both directions (e.g., to and from the DC bus 202).

Converter circuitry 206 may include, for example, one or more: DC to DC converters (e.g., buck converters, boost converters, buck/boost converters, buck+boost converters, etc.), DC to AC converters (also referred to as inverters), combiner and/or monitoring boxes, etc. The inverters of power systems 100, 200 may be for one or more phases (e.g., one phase inverter, two phase inverter, three phase inverter, etc.), and may include lines or phases that are not shown herein for the sake of simplicity. Converter circuitry 206 may be configured to convert an input power to an output power.

Sensor circuitry 212 may be configured to obtain measurement data related to an electrical parameter of the DC bus. For example, the electrical parameter may be voltage, power, current, etc. Sensor circuitry 212 may provide the measurement data to control circuitry. Control circuitry may receive measurement data related to a first electrical parameter and measurement data related to a second electrical parameter and determine electrical parameter data related to a third electrical parameter. For example, control circuitry may receive measurement data related to voltage and measurement data related to current and determine electrical parameter data related to power.

Communication circuitry 214 may be configured to perform wired (e.g., power line communication (PLC)), or wireless (e.g., wi-fi) communications. Communication circuitry 214 may include transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry. The transmitter circuitry may be configured to transmit communication signals, and the receiver circuitry may be configured to receive communication signals.

Memory 218 may be configured to store data. For example, memory 218 may be configured to store data related to one or more devices connected to the DC bus 202. For example, memory device may store a configuration profile or a power profile of power devices or loads connected to the DC bus 202. Energy storage device 204 may access and use the stored data to manage the voltage on the DC bus 202. For example, energy storage device 204 may increase a voltage threshold to a higher voltage level based on the stored data. Power device 204 may also decrease a voltage threshold to a lower voltage level based on the stored data. For example, the stored data may indicate a time of day or year or certain device, that dictates a higher voltage level or a lower voltage level.

Converter circuitry 206 may also be referred to as a power converter. Converter circuitry 206 may include direct current (DC) output terminals. One or more of the DC output terminals of converter circuitry 206 may be connected to DC bus 202 (e.g., at a terminal of DC bus 202, such as terminal T1). For example, one or more of the DC output terminals of converter circuitry 206 may be switchably connected to DC bus 202 via one or more switches.

Control circuitry 210 may also be referred to as a controller. Control circuitry 210 together with sensor 212 may be configured to measure a voltage of the DC output terminals of converter circuitry 206. Control circuitry 210 may be configured to balance the voltage of the DC bus by maintaining the DC bus voltage according to one or more voltage thresholds. Based on a determination that the measured voltage is greater than the voltage threshold, the control circuitry 210 may control the energy storage device to receive power from the DC bus and lower the DC bus voltage closer to the voltage threshold. Based on a determination that the measured voltage is less than the voltage threshold, the control circuitry 210 may control the energy storage device to provide power to the DC bus and raise the DC bus voltage closer to the voltage threshold.

Control circuitry 210 may be configured to obtain power values and determine a total power produced on the DC bus and a total power consumed on the DC bus. Control circuitry 210 may determine which of the total power produced and the total power consumed is greater, and to balance the power of the DC bus accordingly. For example, when the total power produced is greater, control circuitry 210 may control energy storage device 204 to receive power from the DC bus to balance power of the power system. when the total power consumed is greater, control circuitry 210 may control energy storage device 204 to provide power to the DC bus to balance power of the power system. Control circuitry 210 may balance the power of the DC bus while maintaining the voltage of the DC bus according to one or more voltage thresholds (e.g., according to a voltage threshold, within a range of voltage thresholds, etc.).

Control circuitry 210 may communicate with the additional devices using PLC communications or wireless communications. For example, control circuitry 210 may communicate with the additional devices using wireless communications before or after the additional devices are connected to the DC bus 202. The communications may be power line communications on the DC output terminals. The communications may be wireless communications. The power converter may include input terminals configured to connect to a DC power source. The power converter may include DC-DC converter circuitry. The power converter may include input terminals configured to connect to an AC power source, and wherein the power converter comprises AC-DC converter circuitry.

Memory may be configured to store data related to the additional devices. Control circuitry 210 may be configured to use the data related to the additional devices and set the power converter to output the second voltage. The data may be related to at least one of: state of charge, power usage, time usage, or weather usage. State of charge data may include data related to a level of charge of an energy storage device. The level of charge may be relative to the total capacity of the energy storage device. The level of charge may be a specific numeric indication of level of charge, e.g., 10%, 40%, 70%, etc. The level of charge may be a more general indication of level of charge, e.g., low, medium, high, etc. For example, the level of charge may be a range. For example, low charge may be between about 0% to about 20%, medium charge may be between about 20% to about 70%, high charge may be between about 70% and about 100%, etc. The state of charge data may be used to determine an expected power consumption (e.g., energy usage) or power usage of the additional device. Power usage data may include data related to typical power usage. The power usage data may be a specific numeric indication, e.g., about 80 W, about 500 W, about 1 kW, etc. The power usage may be a more general indication of power usage, e.g., low, medium, high, etc. For example, low power usage, medium power usage, high power usage. For example, the power usage may be a range. For example, low power usage may be between about 0.5 W to about 200 W, medium power usage may be between about 200 W to about 1 kW, high power usage may be between about 1 kW and about 3 KW, etc.

The power usage data may be used to determine an expected power consumption (e.g., energy usage) of the additional device. Time data may be related to time of typical usage of an additional device. For example, the time data may include minutes, hours, days, time of day, month, year, etc. For example, the time data may be a specific numeric indication, e.g., about 10 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 3 hours, about 8 am, about July, etc. The power usage may be a more general indication of power usage, e.g., short, medium, long etc. For example, the time may be a range (e.g., of minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etc.). The time may be morning, afternoon, evening, weekday, weekend, season (e.g., summer, winter, etc.) The time data may be used to determine an expected power consumption (e.g., energy usage) of the additional device. Energy usage data may be determined using power data and time data to determine typical expected power consumption data of an additional device. Weather data may be related to weather of typical usage of an additional device. For example, the weather data may include specific numeric indication, e.g., about a certain temperature, humidity, wind speed, irradiance from the sun, etc. The weather may be a more general indication, e.g., warm weather, cold weather, rain, snow, cloudy, sunny, etc. The weather data may be used to determine an expected power consumption (e.g., energy usage) or power usage of the additional device.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which shows an example power system 300. Elements of power system 300 may be the same as, or similar to, elements of power system 200 of FIG. 2, or of other power systems 100.

Power system 300 may include DC bus 202A-B, energy storage device 304, loads 220A-B, or power sources 222. Power system 300 may also include converter circuitry 306, control circuitry 310, sensor circuitry 312, communication circuitry 314, or memory 318. One or more of the elements of power system 300 may have their own housing, or may be housed together with other elements of the power system 300 in a common housing. For example, control circuitry 310 may be housed in the same housing as converter circuitry 310, a system power device (e.g., inverter or rectifier), senor 312, power source 222, etc. Each of the elements of power system 300 may be connected to at least one other element of the power system 300 electrically and/or communicatively.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows an example method 400 for managing a DC bus 102 or 202. Method 400 may be performed by control circuitry 210 or 310.

In step 402, control circuitry 210 or 310 together with sensor circuitry 212 or 312 may measure a voltage related to DC output terminals (e.g., across DC output terminals, between a DC output terminal and a ground terminal or a neutral terminal, etc.).

In step 404, control circuitry 210 or 310 may compare the measured voltage to a voltage threshold and may determine whether the measured voltage is above or below the voltage threshold.

Based on a control circuitry 210 or 310 determining that the measured voltage is above the voltage threshold (e.g., for a predetermined amount of time), control circuitry 210 or 310 may proceed to step 406. In step 406, control circuitry 210 or 310 may control the energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 to receive power from the DC bus 102 or 202 (also referred to as a charging mode of operation). For example, energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 may balance the DC bus voltage and maintain the DC bus voltage close to a voltage threshold. Control circuitry 210 or 310 may return to step 402.

Based on control circuitry 210 or 310 determining that the measured voltage is below the voltage threshold (e.g., for a predetermined amount of time), control circuitry 210 or 310 may proceed to step 408. In step 408, control circuitry 210 or 310 may control the energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 to provide power to the DC bus 102 or 202 (also referred to as a discharging mode of operation). For example, energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 may balance the DC bus voltage and maintain the DC bus voltage close to a voltage threshold. Control circuitry 210 or 310 may return to step 402.

For example, the voltage threshold may be about 400 V. In step 402, the measured voltage may be 380 V. In step 404, the determination may be that the measured voltage is below the voltage threshold. In step 408, the energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 may provide the DC bus 102 or 202 with power to raise the DC bus voltage closer to the voltage threshold. As another example, in step 402, the measured voltage may be 410 V. In step 404, the determination may be that the measured voltage is above the voltage threshold. In step 406, the energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 may receive power from the DC bus 102 or 202 to lower the DC bus voltage closer to the voltage threshold. In some examples, the voltage threshold may be controlled. For example, the voltage threshold may be about 200 V, about 300 V, about 400 V, about 800 V, about 850 V, etc. In some examples, the voltage threshold may be a range of voltages. For example, the voltage threshold may be about 200 V to about 300 V, about 300 V to about 400 V, about 390 V to about 410 V, about 400 V to about 800 V, etc.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows an example method 500 for managing a DC bus 102 or 202. Method 500 may be performed by control circuitry 210 or 310.

In step 502, control circuitry 210 or 310 together with sensor circuitry 212, 312 may measure a voltage related to DC output terminals (e.g., across DC output terminals, between a DC output terminal and a ground terminal or a neutral terminal, etc.).

In step 504, control circuitry 210 or 310 may compare the measured voltage to a high voltage threshold and a low voltage threshold (to keep the DC bus voltage within a voltage range) and may determine whether the measured voltage is above the high voltage threshold, between the high voltage threshold and the low voltage threshold, or below the low voltage threshold.

Based on control circuitry 210 or 310 determining that the measured voltage is above the high voltage threshold (e.g., for a predetermined amount of time), control circuitry 210 or 310 may proceed to step 506. In step 506, control circuitry 210 or 310 may control the energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 to receive power from the DC bus 102 or 202 (also referred to as a charging mode of operation). For example, energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 may balance the DC bus voltage and maintain the DC bus voltage between the voltage thresholds. Control circuitry 210 or 310 may return to step 502.

Based on control circuitry 210 or 310 determining that the measured voltage is between the high voltage threshold and the low voltage threshold (e.g., for a predetermined amount of time), control circuitry 210 or 310 may proceed to step 508. In step 508, control circuitry 210 or 310 may control the energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 to neither receive power from or provide power to the DC bus 102 or 202 (also referred to as a monitoring mode of operation). For example, energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 may balance the DC bus voltage and maintain the DC bus voltage between the voltage thresholds. Control circuitry 210 or 310 may return to step 502.

Based on control circuitry 210 or 310 determining that the measured voltage is below the low voltage threshold (e.g., for a predetermined amount of time), control circuitry 210 or 310 may proceed to step 510. In step 510, control circuitry 210 or 310 may control the energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 to provide power to the DC bus 102 or 202. (also referred to as a discharging mode of operation). For example, energy storage device 104, 204, or 304 may balance the DC bus voltage and maintain the DC bus voltage between the voltage thresholds. Control circuitry 210 or 310 may return to step