Smart Phase™
Micro-parallel grids System
Arnold Kravitz
VP Commercial Businesses,
Technology Research Corporation
Clearwater, FL
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Micro parallel inverters are a new class of Inverter
1.
String inverter - Converts DC to AC for a string of panels
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High voltage DC inputs
Largest in class
Conveniently placed near the service box
PV panels are connected in series. Voltage builds with each panel.
MPPT tracking for the string
Smart Data limited to an average across the string
String inverter with digital optimizer- adds a component to each panel to provide smart data, and improved MPPT
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Size of a micro inverter (small cigar box) Mounted like a micro inverter
Provides MPPT tracking and Smart data for each panel
Power generation continues with the loss of any given panel
The string can drop out if an optimizer fails
PlCC communications
2.
Micro- Parallel inverter - Converts DC to AC for up to 4 panel
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Low Voltage DC voltage inputs < 50V
Each panel handled as an individual
Medium sized (Width of a panel, (designed for single handed blind tool less installation and removal))
Conveniently located as desired ( Panel, frame, or near service box)
MPPT tracking of the inverter for each panel
Smart data to the individual inverter and panel
Intelligent alerts emailed to the maintainer/owner isolates failure to panel or inverter.
Graceful degradation ( continues to operate with as few as 1 panel powering the inverter)
Thermal survival mode (throttles power generation to survive abnormal ambient temperatures)
Remote power throttling by the owner/ or power authority to mitigate over production
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Micro parallel inverters are a new class of Inverter
3.
Micro Inverter - Converts DC to AC for each panel
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Low Voltage DC voltage inputs < 50V
Size of a small cigar box
Mounted on the panel or just below it on the frame
MPPT tracking of the inverter for each panel
Smart data to the individual inverter and panel
Power generation continues with the loss of any given panel
4.
Micro- Parallel inverter - Converts DC to AC for up to 4 panel with each panel handled as an individual
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Low Voltage DC voltage inputs < 50V
Medium sized (Width of a panel, (designed for single handed blind tool less installation and removal))
Conveniently located as desired ( Panel, frame, or near service box)
MPPT tracking of the inverter for each panel
Smart data to the individual inverter and panel
Remote password secured activation and termination by the owner
Autonomous monitoring and alerts
Intelligent alerts emailed to the maintainer/owner isolates failure to panel or inverter.
Graceful degradation ( continues to operate with as few as 1 panel powering the inverter)
Thermal survival mode (throttles power generation to survive abnormal ambient temperatures)
Remote power throttling by the owner/ or power authority to mitigate over production
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Comparison of the 3 Inverter technology systems
EMC
Breaker
Panel
EMC
Breaker
Panel
Disconnect
Grid
Disconnect
Grid
µ- Inverter
Micro Parallel - Inverter
DC
Combiner
Inverter
String Inverter with
DC optimizers
Breaker
panel
Disconnect
Grid
DC
Optimizers
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
µ-parallel inverters are the solution when maintenance
and cabling, and hardware costs are the driving factor
EMC
Breaker
Panel
µ-parallel inverters provide an advantage re;
Hardware, cabling, Installation and Maintenance costs
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Disconnect
Grid
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Micro Parallel - Inverter
DC
Combiner
Inverter
Breaker
panel
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Disconnect
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Grid
DC
Optimizers
No need for DC combiner's
No need for Optimizer's
Graceful degradation when panels fail
DC optimizers on each panel provide
the smart data to a string array but
increase installation labor and H/W
Simplified low voltage AC cabling
Self mapping array automatically maps
inverter location to their physical
location in the grid map. DC Optimizers
mounted on each panel require manual
mapping.
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Time saving during installation
Eliminates “hunting the field” for the
failed inverter or panel if mistakes
occurred during a manual mapping..
Intelligent alerts diagnostics and
prognostics
Field reparable components
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
µ-parallel inverters are the solution when maintenance
and installation costs are the driving factor
µ-parallel inverters provide an advantage re:
Installation and maintenance costs Benefit
EMC
Breaker
Panel
Disconnect
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¼ the inverters to install
Install where convenient
Self launching web page and system setup guided
by wizard launched from the EMC
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Grid
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Micro Parallel - Inverter
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Breaker
Panel
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Time saving during installation
Eliminates “hunting the field” for the failed inverter or
panel if mistakes occurred during a manual mapping
Goof proof cabling to panel
Each cable is a different length.
Position on the trunk cable automatically determined
by the EMC.
Simplified cabling system
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Disconnect
Grid
µ- Inverter
Self mapping array automatically maps inverter
location to their physical location in the grid map
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EMC
EMC S/W wizard guides administration password and
Internet setup.
EMC S/W wizard guides install.
4 panels/ trunk
1trunk / breaker
Intelligent alerts diagnostics and prognostics
Field reparable components
4 x the panels monitored per EMC due to
decreased inverter bandwidth requirement.
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1 µ-parallel inverters vs 4 µ-inverters
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Technology selection based on
installation specifics
Utility level
generation
Utility
Scale Central
Inverter (1000V)
1 MW and above
String inverter
500 KW
Commercial
generation
Residential
generation
300 KW
µ- parallel Inverters
((240V and below)
20 KW
5 KW
µ- inverters
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
SmartPhase™ Micro Parallel Inverters
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A new paradigm in inverter technology
Developed to ;
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Harvest the maximum amount of available energy.
Eliminate hardware
Reduce installation operations and maintenance costs
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Self launching easy access open web interface
Self mapping array
Simplified cabling
Remote activation and termination control for the owners
Autonomous system monitoring with automated alerts
Does not require the internet for component initiation or re addressing
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Taxonomy of a PV investment
* Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
Residential and small commercial systems <10kW
• Framing
0.68/W
1.10/W
0.70/W
1.00/W
0.70/W
1.00/W
• Panels
• Inverters
• Installation
1.82/W
2.8/W
• Total cost $
3.90/W
5.90/W
Installation is largest cost driver by a factor of 2 to 3
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Key features
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Installation: modular quick-connect & map system design
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Communication: granular autonomous monitoring & real-time fault alerts at panel/inverter level Data
Capacity: higher signal packet transfer capability allows full-feature monitoring of panels in installation.
Control: Secure Remote Activation/De-Activation – (patent pending)
Power Capacity: >300watt capacity highest in market; lowest $/watt
Flexibility: handles 100w->300w
Efficiency: what is power conversion efficiency? 96%
High-Heat Tolerant Ruggedized Design:
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Physical (75% faster install of inverters)
Auto-mapping of all panels/inverters in array & auto reset to quickly reconfigure) (patent pending)
Active Thermal Management eliminates heat-related damage/failure;
Failsafe self-throttle & restart
Thermal Survival mode (patent pending)
Intelligent fault auditing/self-diagnostics/triple-redundant: fault alerts at panel / inverter level.
Maintenance: field replacement of inverter channel/board maintenance
Upgrade: remote upgrade of EMS and Inverter firmware to extend/optimize effective life of unit
Reporting: tracking dashboard at module level or through cloud; Layered reporting options.
Monitoring: real-time energy yield monitoring
Quick install Trunk Cable (patent pending)
Designed for Micro-grid integration
10
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Micro Parallel Inverters Summary
Maintenance & installation
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Simple ergonomic and flexible installation.
Automatic grid mapping of panels and inverters
Home installation (16 panels, 4 inverter 1 trunk)
Commercial 3Φ (48 panels, 12 inverter 3 trunk)
4.8KW
14.4KW
Electricity Monitor and Control
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Smart grid data collection, Autonomus self-diagnostic, alerts
Web-based reporting,.
Remote control and upgrades.
System sizing
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500KW and below grid tied or off grid system
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Cost trade begins to swing in favor of String inverters
1664, 300 W Panels, 416 inverters, 104 trunk cables, 1 EMC
Approximatly ¾ of an acre (35000 sq feet )
Performance
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1.2KW instantaneous and 1.1KW continuous output power.
120/240V 1 Phase AC / 208V/240V 3 Phase AC
Robust performance and graceful degradation
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Up to 4 panels per inverter. (operate with as few as 1channel.)
AC power (no need for DC combiner boxes.)
Survival mode; throttles generation for high temperature
Trunk Cables
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Simplified installation I trunk per service breaker
Y and Δ Connectors
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Three types Micro Grids can be constructed with
Smartphase™
1. Off grid
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Provides power to a building with out connection to a utility power grid.
Requires generator to serve as the grid (fueled or battery).
If battery powered a fueled generator is recommended to recharge the batteries
should inclement weather prevent timely recharging.
2. Grid tied
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Provides supplements solar power to a building that is tied to the utility power grid.
Anti islanding circuits shuts off the inverters when the grid fails or browns out.
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Senses power resonances and shuts the system down.
critical safety feature that allows power crews to safely work on restoring power and prevents the
3. Grid tied with automatic emergency power
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A grid tied system with automatic transfer switches automatically disconnects from
the grid when the grid voltage drops below a set level and then turns on a battery
powered wave form generator of the same size as the anticipated load that allows
the grid tied system to behave as an off grid system
Requires a wave form generator of the same size as the anticipated load that is
incorporated into an off grid only inverter or a separate wave form generator
where the inverter can be used in a grid tied application.
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Off grid, micro grid architecture
30A
trunk
cable
30A
trunk
cable
30A
trunk
cable
Service panels
Diesel
Generator
Breaker panels
Transformer
240/120 V
EMC
CAT 6
Ethernet
Internet
Server
coax
Remote Web site
Sat phone link
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Off grid, micro grid architectureusing solar charged battery
48 VDC solar battery
charge controller
48 VDC to 240V
AC pure sign
wave inverter
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Single breaker
service panels
2.
21’
EMC
30A
trunk
cable
3.
Distribution
Breaker panels
8’
64”
39”
13’
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
4.
Features
Self launching
website
Auto mapping by
• Using a wizard
• throwing
breaker
• Viewing on the
display the
web site
Fault detection
• by covering a
panel
Battery based
solution.
Grid tied micro grid architecture
30A
trunk
cable
30A
trunk
cable
30A
trunk
cable
CAT 6
Ethernet
Breaker panels
Transformer
240/120 V
EMC
Internet
Server
coa
x
Remote Web
site
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Master
Emergency
power Off grid
manual
transfer switch
Power Meter
Grid power
Grid
3 Φ grid tied micro grid architecture
3 phase
Connector
With PLCC
coupling
50A
trunk
cable
50A
trunk
cable
50A
trunk
cable
CAT 6
Ethernet
3 phase
EMC
Phase A
Phase B
Phase C
Transformer
240/120V
Internet
Server
coa
x
Remote Web
site
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Master
Emergency
power Off grid
manual
transfer switch
Power Meter
Grid power
Grid
3 Φ grid tied micro grid architecture
14’ 3Ø connector cable
28’ 3Ø connector cable
3 phase
Connector
With PLCC
coupling
50A
trunk
cable
50A
trunk
cable
50A
trunk
cable
CAT 6
Ethernet
3 phase
EMC
Phase A
Phase B
Phase C
Transformer
240/120V
Internet
Server
coa
x
Remote Web
site
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
Master
Emergency
power Off grid
manual
transfer switch
Power Meter
Grid power
Grid
Building a ground mount system
Prep the field
Install electrical
infrastructure
Install gravel base
Install the panels
Run the cables
Install the inverters
and power up
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
install the frames
Auto map the array
Contact
Arnold Kravitz
VP Marketing and Sales
4525 140th avenue N
Suite 900
Clearwater, FL 33762
1800 780 4324 x 328
akravitz@trci.net
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
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Provide:
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TRC Commercial Markets
Safe and controlled; generation, distribution and storage of power
High reliability, and High availability products
Market Segments
1. Mobile Power (Surge protection, Transfer switches, power and water
distribution, cord sets)
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Vehicle (RV, Marine, Heavy Construction Equipment, Public transport,
Amusement)
Traveling shows and events, (Carnivals, Circus, Concerts, Theater, Celebrations)
2. Electrical Safety (GFCI,ELCI,RCD, HD-Pro, distribution box, voltage booster)
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Industrial ,Construction , and manufacturing, equipment and infrastructure
Amusements Safety; lighting and fountain shows
Marina power and water distribution equipment
3. Energy ( High efficiency Solar inverters, cables, connectors)
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Grid tied , Emergency and off grid Solar power
4.8KW to 200KW ( homes to commercial building s, roof top and ground mount)
Roles
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Innovative Design, Engineering, Manufacturer, Logistics, and Support
Providing the safe and controlled, generation, distribution, and storage of
energy
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending
TRC Military products
 Military Micro grid Power Control and
Monitoring components
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Mobile Generator Sets Components
Battery Chargers
Militarized Portable GFCI
Complete Control Panels
Power Inverters
DC Power Supplies
 Patco Batteries and Chargers
 Batteries
 Rechargeable Li-ION & NiMH
 Battery Chargers
 Li-ION, NiMH, NiCd & Lead Acid
 Pack Electronics
 Battery Charging & Management Circuitry
 Complete Power Systems
 Standard or Customized Solutions
35 Years of military micro grid dependability
TRC proprietary. Multiple patents pending