System and methods for power generation

Abstract

A power generation system can include a variable speed generation module with a variable speed generator coupled to an AC-DC converter, a power module, an energy management system coupled to the variable speed generation module and the power module, a fixed speed generator, a DC bus wherein the variable speed generation module is coupled to a DC bus via the AC-DC converter, and the power module is coupled to the DC bus via the DC-DC converter and via the DC-AC converter, and an AC bus wherein the fixed speed generator is coupled to the AC bus via a breaker and the AC bus is coupled to the DC bus via the DC-AC converter of the power module wherein the energy management system adjusts the electrical power output of the variable speed generator, the fixed speed generator, and the energy storage unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power generation system comprising:
 (a) a variable speed generator;   (b) a power module comprising:
 (i) an energy storage unit; and 
 (ii) a DC-AC converter, 
   (c) an energy management system coupled to said variable speed generation module and said power module;   (d) a fixed speed generator;   (e) a DC bus coupled to said power module via said DC-AC converter;   (f) an AC bus wherein said fixed speed generator is coupled to said AC bus via a breaker, and said AC bus is coupled to said DC bus via said DC-AC converter of said power module, wherein said energy management system adjusts the electrical power output of said variable speed generator, said fixed speed generator, and said energy storage unit; and   (g) an alternative energy source coupled to said DC bus.   
     
     
         2 . The power generation system of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage unit is coupled a DC-DC converter. 
     
     
         3 . The power generation system of  claim 1  wherein, said variable speed generator is coupled to an AC-DC converter. 
     
     
         4 . The power generation system of  claim 1  wherein said variable speed generator is part of a variable speed generation module. 
     
     
         5 . The power generation system of  claim 4  wherein said variable speed generation module is coupled to said DC bus. 
     
     
         6 . The power generation system of  claim 5  wherein said variable speed generation module is coupled to said DC bus via an AC-DC converter. 
     
     
         7 . The power generation system of  claim 1  wherein said power module is coupled to said DC bus via a DC-DC converter. 
     
     
         8 . A method for operating a power generation system to generate electrical power wherein said power generation system comprises:
 (a) a variable speed generator;   (b) an energy storage unit   (c) a DC bus; and   (d) an AC bus;   wherein said method comprises:   (a) adjusting a speed of said variable speed generator to increase the fuel efficiency of said power generation system; and   (b) adjusting the electrical power supplied by said energy storage unit in response to detecting a step load change, wherein adjusting the electrical power supplied by said energy storage unit includes:
 (i) monitoring a speed of said variable speed generator; 
 (ii) monitoring a load on at least one of an AC bus and a DC bus; 
 (iii) adjusting the speed of said at least one variable speed generator, based at least in part on said load; and 
 (iv) governing the rate at which power is drawn from said energy storage unit, based at least in part on said load. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said power generation system further comprising:
 (e) an energy management system. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said power generation system further comprising:
 (e) a fixed speed generator. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said power generation system further comprising:
 (e) an energy management system; and 
 (f) a fixed speed generator. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said energy storage unit is coupled to a DC-DC converter. 
     
     
         13 . A power generation system comprising:
 (a) a variable speed generator;   (b) a power module comprising:
 (i) an energy storage unit; and 
 (ii) a DC-AC converter, 
   (c) an energy management system coupled to said power module, wherein said energy management system operates said power generation system in micro-grid mode;   (d) a fixed speed generator;   (e) a DC bus wherein said power module is coupled to said DC bus via said DC-AC converter; and   (f) an AC bus wherein said fixed speed generator is coupled to said AC bus via a breaker, and said AC bus is coupled to said DC bus via said DC-AC converter of said power module, wherein said energy management system adjusts the electrical power output of said variable speed generator, said fixed speed generator, and said energy storage unit.   
     
     
         14 . The power generation system of  claim 13  wherein said variable speed generator is part of a variable speed generation module. 
     
     
         15 . The power generation system of  claim 13  wherein said variable speed generator is coupled to an AC-DC converter. 
     
     
         16 . The power generation system of  claim 13  wherein said energy storage unit is coupled to a DC-DC converter. 
     
     
         17 . The power generation system of  claim 14  wherein said energy management system is coupled to said variable speed generation module. 
     
     
         18 . The power generation system of  claim 14  wherein said variable speed generation module is coupled to said DC bus. 
     
     
         19 . The power generation system of  claim 14  wherein said variable speed generation module is coupled to said DC bus via an AC-DC converter. 
     
     
         20 . The power generation system of  claim 13  wherein said power module is coupled to said DC bus via a DC-DC converter.