Method and apparatus for controlling power based on predicted weather events

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling power production. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a predicted weather event; determining a predicted power production impact for a distributed generator (DG) array based on the predicted weather event; and controlling power production from one or more components of the DG array to compensate for the predicted power production impact.

1 . A method for controlling power production, comprising:
 determining a predicted weather event;   determining a predicted power production impact for a distributed generator (DG) array based on the predicted weather event; and   controlling power production from one or more components of the DG array to compensate for the predicted power production impact.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the predicted weather event comprises comparing power produced by one or more DG array components that are geographically proximate the DG array. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the predicted weather event comprises using at least one of a previously generated weather prediction map or a previously generated weather prediction algorithm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the power production comprises managing wiring capacity within the DG array to prevent circuit protection devices from triggering when operating in an over-drive mode, wherein during the over-drive mode one or more power converters of the DG array are operated over their rated power levels. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the predicted power production impact comprises determining a predicted amount of power reduction by the DG array and a predicted rate of the power reduction. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein controlling the power production comprises reducing the power production at a controlled rate based on the predicted amount of the power reduction and the predicted rate of the power reduction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining the predicted power production impact further comprises predicting a rate of power increase, subsequent to the power reduction, by the DG array; and wherein controlling the power production comprises increasing the power production at a second controlled rate based on the predicted rate of the power increase. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for controlling power production, comprising:
 a distributed generator (DG) master controller for (i) determining a predicted weather event; (ii) determining a predicted power production impact for a distributed generator (DG) array based on the predicted weather event; and (iii) controlling power production from one or more components of the DG array to compensate for the predicted power production impact.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein determining the predicted weather event comprises comparing power produced by one or more DG array components that are geographically proximate the DG array. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein determining the predicted weather event comprises using at least one of a previously generated weather prediction map or a previously generated weather prediction algorithm. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein controlling the power production comprises managing wiring capacity within the DG array to prevent circuit protection devices from triggering when operating in an over-drive mode, wherein during the over-drive mode one or more power converters of the DG array are operated over their rated power levels. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein determining the predicted power production impact comprises determining a predicted amount of power reduction by the DG array and a predicted rate of the power reduction. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein controlling the power production comprises reducing the power production at a controlled rate based on the predicted amount of the power reduction and the predicted rate of the power reduction. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein determining the predicted power production impact further comprises predicting a rate of power increase, subsequent to the power reduction, by the DG array; and wherein controlling the power production comprises increasing the power production at a second controlled rate based on the predicted rate of the power increase. 
     
     
         15 . A system for controlling power production, comprising:
 a distributed generator (DG) sub-array comprising (a) a controller, (b) a plurality of power converters communicatively coupled to the controller, and (c) a plurality of renewable energy sources, wherein the plurality of renewable energy sources and the plurality of power converters are coupled in a one-to-one correspondence; and   a distributed generator (DG) master controller, communicatively coupled to the DG sub-array, for (i) determining a predicted weather event; (ii) determining a predicted power production impact for the DG sub-array based on the predicted weather event; and (iii) controlling power production from one or more power converters of the plurality of power converters to compensate for the predicted power production impact.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein determining the predicted weather event comprises comparing power produced by one or more DG array components that are geographically proximate the DG sub-array. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein determining the predicted weather event comprises using at least one of a previously generated weather prediction map or a previously generated weather prediction algorithm; and wherein the previously generated weather prediction map and the previously generated weather prediction algorithm each predicts shading patterns over time. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein determining the predicted power production impact comprises determining a predicted amount of power reduction by the DG array and a predicted rate of the power reduction; and wherein controlling the power production comprises reducing the power production at a controlled rate based on the predicted amount of the power reduction and the predicted rate of the power reduction. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein determining the predicted power production impact further comprises predicting a rate of power increase, subsequent to the power reduction, by the DG array; and wherein controlling the power production comprises increasing the power production at a second controlled rate based on the predicted rate of the power increase. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein controlling the power production comprises managing wiring capacity within the DG array to prevent circuit protection devices from triggering when operating in an over-drive mode, wherein during the over-drive mode one or more power converters of the DG array are operated over their rated power levels.