Energy converting apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an energy converter for converting energy received from at least one energy source, wherein the at least one energy source includes a first photovoltaic generator, wherein the energy converter is configured to be connected to a second photovoltaic generator; the energy converter further includes a sensing unit configured to sense an open circuit voltage (VPVSS) of the second photovoltaic generator; and the energy converter is configured to convert energy received from the first photovoltaic generator based on the open voltage circuit sensed by the sensing unit. Moreover, the present invention relates to an energy conversion and storage system including the energy converter and least one energy storage element.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An energy converter connectable to at least one first generator, for converting energy received from the at least one first generator,
 wherein the energy converter is further connectable to a plurality of energy storage elements; and   the energy converter includes a charge sequencer configured to manage the charge/discharge order of each of the plurality of energy storage elements to at least one of:
 discharge a first energy storage element being the one having a highest charge value among the plurality of energy storage elements, and 
 charge a second energy storage element being the one having a lowest charge value among the plurality of energy storage elements. 
   
     
     
         20 . An energy conversion and storage system comprising:
 a. an energy converter according to  claim 19 ;   b. at least one energy storage element connected to the energy converter,   wherein the at least one energy storage element comprises:   i. at least one battery, and/or   ii. at least one super-capacitor.   
     
     
         21 . The energy conversion and storage system according to  claim 20  wherein the energy converter and the at least one energy storage element are realized with bio-compatible materials. 
     
     
         22 . An energy conversion method for converting energy received from the at least one first generator,
 wherein a step of managing the charge/discharge order of each a the plurality of energy storage elements comprises:
 discharging a first energy storage element being the one having a highest charge value among the plurality of energy storage elements, and 
 charging a second energy storage element being the one having a lowest charge value among the plurality of energy storage elements.