Systems and methods for real-time dc microgrid power analytics for mission-critical power systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for performing power analytics on a microgrid. In an embodiment, predicted data is generated for the microgrid utilizing a virtual system model of the microgrid, which comprises a virtual representation of a topology of the microgrid. Real-time data is received via a portal from at least one external data source. If the difference between the real-time data and the predicted data exceeds a threshold, a calibration and synchronization operation is initiated to update the virtual system model in real-time. Power analytics may be performed on the virtual system model to generate analytical data, which can be returned via the portal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for performing power analytics on a microgrid, comprising:
 at least one processor, comprising a virtual system modeling engine and analytics engine; and a microgrid portal;   wherein the virtual system modeling engine is operable to generate a virtual system model of the microgrid;   wherein the microgrid portal is operable to connect at least one data source via at least one data acquisition system to the virtual system model and to communicate real-time data from the at least one data source to the virtual system model;   wherein the virtual system model is synchronized with the microgrid topology based on the real-time data;   wherein the analytics engine is operable to generate analytical data by performing power analytics required for a size and a scope and a mission of the microgrid;   wherein the analytical data are presented through the microgrid portal.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the microgrid comprises a direct current (DC) network element. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the microgrid further comprises an alternating current (AC) network element. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the microgrid portal is an abstract interface or an Application Program Interface (API) which enables non-proprietary, as well as proprietary, software systems to interface with the virtual system model of the microgrid. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the microgrid portal is operable to connect two or more data sources via two or more data acquisition systems to the virtual system model and to communicate real-time data from the two or more data sources to the virtual system model. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein predicted data is generated by simulating the virtual system model of the microgrid, and wherein the virtual system model is calibrated in real time when a difference between the real-time data and the predicted data exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the virtual system model is calibrated in real time when a change in power network topology is detected between the real-time data and the virtual model. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the virtual system model is continuously synchronized with the microgrid topology based on the real-time data; 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analytical data comprises predictions and pattern recognition. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the real-time data are from market pricing technologies. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor further comprises a decision engine, and wherein the decision engine is operable to filter and interpret real-time data relating to the health, performance, reliability, stability and availability of the microgrid. 
     
     
         12 . A method for performing power analytics for a microgrid, comprising:
 generating a virtual system model of the microgrid;   connecting at least one real-time data source with the virtual system model of the microgrid via a microgrid port;   synchronizing the virtual system model of the microgrid with the actual microgrid topology based on real-time data from the at least one real-time data source;   generating analytical data by performing real-time power analytics required for a size and a scope and a mission of the microgrid; and   presenting analytical data through the microgrid portal.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the microgrid comprises a direct current (DC) network element. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the microgrid comprises an alternating current (AC) network element. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the microgrid portal is an abstract interface or an Application Program Interface (API) which enables non-proprietary, as well as proprietary, software systems to interface with the virtual system model of the microgrid. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising generating predicted data by simulating the virtual system model of the microgrid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising updating the virtual system model in real time when a difference between the real-time data and the predicted data exceeds a threshold, or when a change in power network topology is detected between the real-time data and the virtual model. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the analytical data comprises predictions and pattern recognition. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the real-time data are from market pricing technologies. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising filtering and interpreting real-time data relating to the health, performance, reliability, stability and availability of the microgrid.