Novel Energy Router with Multiple Operation Modes

Abstract A novel energy router with multiple operation modes is presented for energy prosumers with distributed energy sources and battery units. The energy router has two alternating current (AC) buses, one of them is connected to the renewable energy sources and battery unit, the other is connected to the grid. The novel feature of the energy router is facilitated by a “switch array” between the two AC buses. Besides the grid-connected and islanded modes, the energy prosumer can also operate under a “parallel mode”, in which the loads are enabled to be connected to different AC buses and can even be switched between the two AC buses, through proper operation of the switch array. The MATLAB/Simulink model of an energy router with multiple operation modes for a residential energy prosumer is established, and a hierarchical control scheme is proposed for the energy router. A fuzzy logic strategy is designed to control the switch array. Simulation results show that the parallel mode has ensured: 1) The AC loads can be chosen to be connected to either of the two buses according to their power quality requirements; 2) Renewable energy can be consumed within the energy prosumer itself, so the negative effects of harmonic components caused by power electronics devices and fluctuation of renewable energy to the power grid can be reduced as much as possible.