Apparatus For Coupling An Energy Storage System To A Variable Energy Supply System

Abstract

A method for coupling an energy storage system to a variable energy supply system includes providing an energy storage system including at least one Vanadium redox battery and at least one battery charge controller. The method also includes electrically coupling the at least one battery charge controller to the variable energy supply system such that the at least one battery is configured to supply a substantially consistent energy output during fluctuating energy loads of the energy supply system.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A power system for supplying power to a grid, said system comprising:
 a variable energy supply system;   a plurality of grid interface units electrically coupled to said variable energy supply system via an electrical bus; and   a Vanadium redox battery electrical storage system configured to store power from said variable energy supply system and supply power to the grid, wherein said electrical storage system is configured to absorb an entire power output of said variable energy supply system as needed for dynamic breaking within said variable energy supply system.   
     
     
         22 . A power system in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said variable energy supply system comprises at least one wind turbine generator. 
     
     
         23 . A power system in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said plurality of grid interface units comprise at least one of an inverter and a converter. 
     
     
         24 . A power system in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said Vanadium redox battery electrical storage system comprises a Vanadium redox battery coupled to a battery charge controller, and wherein said electrical storage system is configured to supply a substantially consistent energy output to at least one of the grid and a critical load when an input to said variable energy supply system prevents said variable energy supply system from generating the substantially consistent energy output. 
     
     
         25 . A power system in accordance with  claim 24  wherein said battery charge controller is configured to direct excess power from said variable energy supply system to charge said Vanadium redox battery, back up the critical load, and power the grid. 
     
     
         26 . A power system in accordance with  claim 24  wherein said battery charge controller is configured to direct electrical power to a wind turbine pitch control system in the event of a pitch control system failure. 
     
     
         27 . A power system in accordance with  claim 24  wherein said battery charge controller is configured to direct electrical power to an auxiliary load. 
     
     
         28 . An electrical storage system comprising:
 a Vanadium redox battery coupled to a variable energy supply system; and   a battery charge controller in electrical communication with said battery and said variable energy supply system, said controller configured to direct electrical power from said variable energy supply system to at least one of said battery and a utility grid, wherein said battery and said battery charge controller are configured to absorb an entire power output of said variable energy supply system as needed for dynamic breaking within said variable energy supply system.   
     
     
         29 . An electrical storage system in accordance with  claim 28  wherein said variable energy supply system comprises at least one wind turbine generator. 
     
     
         30 . An electrical storage system in accordance with  claim 28  wherein said battery charge controller is a bidirectional buck and boost converter. 
     
     
         31 . An electrical storage system in accordance with  claim 28  wherein said battery charge controller is configured to direct electrical power from said variable energy supply system to a critical load, said battery configured to supply a substantially consistent energy output to at least one of the utility grid and the critical load when an input to said variable energy supply system prevents said variable energy supply system from generating the substantially consistent energy output. 
     
     
         32 . An electrical storage system in accordance with  claim 28  wherein said battery charge controller is configured to direct electrical power to a wind turbine pitch control system in the event of a pitch control system failure. 
     
     
         33 . An electrical storage system in accordance with  claim 28  wherein said battery charge controller is configured to direct electrical power to an auxiliary load. 
     
     
         34 . A battery for use in an energy storage system, said battery configured to be coupled to a variable energy supply system and configured to absorb an entire power output of the variable energy supply system as needed for dynamic breaking within the variable energy supply system. 
     
     
         35 . A battery in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein said battery comprises a Vanadium redox battery. 
     
     
         36 . A battery in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein said battery is configured to supply a substantially consistent energy output to at least one of a utility grid and a critical load when an input to the variable energy supply system prevents the variable energy supply system from generating the substantially consistent energy output. 
     
     
         37 . A battery in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein said battery is configured to charge and discharge at the same rate. 
     
     
         38 . A battery in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein said battery is configured to be coupled to at least one wind turbine generator. 
     
     
         39 . A battery in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein said battery is configured to supply electrical power to a wind turbine pitch control system of the at least one wind turbine generator. 
     
     
         40 . A battery in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein said battery is configured to supply electrical power to an uninterruptible power system.