US6512966B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System, method and computer program product for enhancing commercial value of electrical power produced from a renewable energy power production facility
Assignee: Hitachi Energy Ltd
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Filing: 2001-04-23
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Granted: 2003-01-28
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Expires: 2021-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A method, system and computer program product enhance the commercial value of electrical power produced from a wind turbine production facility. Features include the use of a premier power conversion device that provides an alternative source of power for supplementing an output power of the wind turbine generation facility when lull periods for wind speed appear. The invention includes a communications infrastructure and coordination mechanism for establishing a relationship with another power production facility such that when excess electrical power is produced by the wind turbine facility, the excess may be provided to the power grid while the other energy production facility cuts back on its output production by a corresponding amount. A tracking mechanism keeps track of the amount of potential energy that was not expended at the other facility and places this amount in a virtual energy storage account, for the benefit of the wind turbine facility. When, the wind turbine power production facility experiences a shortfall in its power production output it may make a request to the other source of electric power, and request that an increase its power output on behalf of the wind turbine facility. This substitution of one power production facility for another is referred to herein as a virtual energy storage mechanism. Furthermore, another feature of the present invention is the use of a renewal power exchange mechanism that creates a market for trading renewable units of power, which have been converted into “premier power” and/or “guaranteed” by secondary sources of power source to provide a reliable source of power to the power grid as required by contract.
Inventors
- 👤 Per-Anders Kristian Lof
- 👤 Lars Gustaf Ingolf Gertmar
- 👤 Lars Anders Tommy Andren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:44
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D7/00; F03D7/02; F03D7/028; F03D7/0284; F03D7/04; F03D7/042; F03D7/048; F03D9/00; F03D9/20; F03D9/25; F03D9/255; F03D9/257; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/04; G06Q40/06; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06; H; H02; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/008; H02J3/38; H02J3/381; H02J3/46; F05; F05B; F05B2210/00; F05B2210/16; F05B2260/00; F05B2260/82; F05B2260/821; F05B2260/8211; F05B2270/00; F05B2270/10; F05B2270/20; H02J2101/00; H02J2101/20; H02J2101/22; H02J2101/24; H02J2101/28; H02J2101/40; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/56; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/72; Y02E10/76; Y02P; Y02P80/00; Y02P80/20; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/90; Y04; Y04S; Y04S10/00; Y04S10/50; Y04S50/00; Y04S50/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for enhancing a commercial value of a unit of electric power produced by a renewable power production facility, comprising steps of: identifying a predetermined amount of power predicted to be produced from the renewable power production facility at a predetermined future time; converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to a unit of premier power for application to a power grid at a standard frequency; selling on a market said unit of premier power for delivery at the predetermined future time; delivering to the power grid the unit of power at the predetermined future time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for enhancing a commercial value of a unit of electric power produced by a renewable power production facility, comprising steps of: identifying a predetermined amount of power predicted to be produced from the renewable power production facility at a predetermined future time; converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to a unit of premier power for application to a power grid at a standard frequency; selling on a market said unit of premier power for delivery at the predetermined future time; delivering to the power grid the unit of power at the predetermined future time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of guaranteeing the unit of power with supplemental power produced at a remote facility so as to supplement an amount of actual premier power that is delivered by said renewable power production facility so that a combination of the supplemental power and the actual premier power substantially equals the unit of premier power.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said guaranteeing step includes obtaining a contractual obligation from the remote facility to provide the supplemental power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of obtaining transmission rights to transfer the unit of premier power from the renewable power production facility to a portion of the power grid to which a purchaser of the premier power unit is obligated to provide the premier power unit at the predetermined future time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said converting step includes converting the predetermined power using a co-active converter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said converting step includes providing to said power grid a predetermined quantity of reactive power.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising a step of providing a short circuit power to the power grid when a fault occurs in the power grid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said converting step includes suppressing harmonics in the unit of premier power.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said converting step includes providing supplemental power from a prime mover to the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of collecting electrical power from multiple renewable power production facilities prior to performing said converting step.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for enhancing a commercial value of a unit of electric power produced by a renewable power production facility, comprising: means for identifying a predetermined amount of power expected to be produced from the renewable power production facility at a predetermined future time; means for converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to a unit of premier power for application to a power grid at a standard frequency; means for selling on a market said unit of premier power for delivery at a predetermined future time; and means for delivering to the power grid the unit of power at the predetermined future time.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for enhancing a commercial value of a unit of electric power produced by a renewable power production facility, comprising: means for identifying a predetermined amount of power expected to be produced from the renewable power production facility at a predetermined future time; means for converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to a unit of premier power for application to a power grid at a standard frequency; means for selling on a market said unit of premier power for delivery at a predetermined future time; and means for delivering to the power grid the unit of power at the predetermined future time.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for prognosticating an electric power output from a renewable power production facility and converting the electrical power output into a unit of premier power configured for sale on a market, comprising: means for receiving at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data from a forecasting and data analysis system; means for receiving other data from at least one sensor positioned locally relative to the renewable power production facility; means for predicting an electrical power output from the renewable power production facility from the at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data and the other data; and means for converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to the unit of premier power for application to a power grid, said unit of premier power being configured for sale on a market.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for prognosticating an electric power output from a renewable power production facility and converting the electrical power output into a unit of premier power configured for sale on a market, comprising: means for receiving at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data from a forecasting and data analysis system; means for receiving other data from at least one sensor positioned locally relative to the renewable power production facility; means for predicting an electrical power output from the renewable power production facility from the at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data and the other data; and means for converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to the unit of premier power for application to a power grid, said unit of premier power being configured for sale on a market.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein said at least one of the meteorological and oceanographic data being from at least one of a regional, a national and an international forecasting and data analysis system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein said at least one sensor is positioned within one mile of said renewable power production facility.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein said at least one sensor is positioned at said renewable power production facility.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein said means for predicting includes means for refining and calibrating the electric power output prediction using at least one of Multivariate data analysis, a neural network and a Fuzzy Control-based mechanism.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein said means for predicting includes a processor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein said at least one sensor being configured to provide at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data from a vicinity local to said renewable power production facility.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 12 , further comprising: means for forwarding a prognosticated electrical power output from the means for predicting to a renewable energy exchange.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 12 , further comprising: means for forwarding a prognosticated electrical power output from the means for predicting to an operator of a renewable energy production facility.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 12 , further comprising: means for forwarding a prognosticated electrical power output from the means for predicting to an operator of another power production facility.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein said another power production facility being one of an energy-limited power production facility and a power-limited power production facility.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein said means for predicting electrical power output from the renewable power production facility includes means for predicting the electrical power output within 5 days in advance of an actual production date.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein said means for predicting electrical power output from the renewable power production facility includes means for predicting an amount of energy to be delivered more than 5 days in advance of an actual power production date.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for prognosticating an electric power output from a renewable power production facility and converting the electrical power output into a unit of premier power configured for sale on a market, comprising steps of: receiving at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data from a forecasting and data analysis system; receiving other data from at least one sensor positioned locally to the renewable power production facility; predicting an electrical power output from the renewable power production facility from the at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data and the other data; and converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to the unit of premier power for application to a power grid, said unit of premier power being configured for sale on a market.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for prognosticating an electric power output from a renewable power production facility and converting the electrical power output into a unit of premier power configured for sale on a market, comprising steps of: receiving at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data from a forecasting and data analysis system; receiving other data from at least one sensor positioned locally to the renewable power production facility; predicting an electrical power output from the renewable power production facility from the at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data and the other data; and converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to the unit of premier power for application to a power grid, said unit of premier power being configured for sale on a market.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said at least one of the meteorological and oceanographic data being from at least one of a regional, a national and an international forecasting and data analysis system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said at least one sensor is positioned within one mile of said renewable power production facility.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said at least one sensor is positioned at said renewable power production facility.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of predicting includes refining and calibrating the electric power output prediction using at least one of Multivariate data analysis, a neural network and a Fuzzy Control-based mechanism.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said at least one sensor being configured to provide at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data from a vicinity local to said renewable power production facility.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising a step of: forwarding a prognosticated electrical power output to a renewable energy exchange.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising a step of: forwarding a prognosticated electrical power output to an operator of a renewable energy production facility.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising a step of: forwarding a prognosticated electrical power output to an operator of another power production facility.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of predicting electrical power output from the renewable power production facility includes predicting the electrical power output within 5 days in advance of an actual production date.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of predicting electrical power output from the renewable power production facility includes predicting an amount of energy to be delivered more than 5 days in advance of an actual power production date.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer program product for prognosticating an electric power output from a renewable power production facility and converting the electrical power output into a unit of premier power configured for sale on a market, comprising computer readable instructions that when executed on a processor perform steps of: receiving at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data from a forecasting and data analysis system; receiving other data from at least one sensor positioned locally to the renewable power production facility; predicting an electrical power output from the renewable power production facility from the at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data and the other data; and converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to the unit of premier power for application to a power grid, said unit of premier power being configured for sale on a market.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer program product for prognosticating an electric power output from a renewable power production facility and converting the electrical power output into a unit of premier power configured for sale on a market, comprising computer readable instructions that when executed on a processor perform steps of: receiving at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data from a forecasting and data analysis system; receiving other data from at least one sensor positioned locally to the renewable power production facility; predicting an electrical power output from the renewable power production facility from the at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data and the other data; and converting the predetermined power from the renewable power production facility to the unit of premier power for application to a power grid, said unit of premier power being configured for sale on a market.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , wherein said at least one of the meteorological and oceanographic data being from at least one of a regional, a national and an international forecasting and data analysis system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , wherein said at least one sensor is positioned within one mile of said renewable power production facility.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , wherein said at least one sensor is positioned at said renewable power production facility.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , wherein said step of predicting includes refining and calibrating the electric power output prediction using at least one of Multivariate data analysis, a neural network and a Fuzzy Control-based mechanism.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , wherein said at least one sensor being configured to provide at least one of meteorological and oceanographic data from a vicinity local to said renewable power production facility.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , further comprising a step of: forwarding a prognosticated electrical power output to a renewable energy exchange.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , further comprising a step of: forwarding a prognosticated electrical power output to an operator of a renewable energy production facility.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , further comprising a step of: forwarding a prognosticated electrical power output to an operator of another power production facility.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , wherein said step of predicting electrical power output from the renewable power production facility includes predicting the electrical power output within 5 days in advance of an actual production date.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , wherein said step of predicting electrical power output from the renewable power production facility includes predicting an amount of energy to be delivered more than 5 days in advance of an actual power production date.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-01-27 | 2006-07-29 | 2007-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-27 | 2010-07-29 | 2011-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-27 | 2014-07-29 | 2015-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |