Abstract:
A method and apparatus for visualization of power generated by a plurality of distributed generator (DG) components. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving power information representing an amount of power generated by each DG component in the plurality of DG components; displaying a two-dimensional image showing an image representation of each DG component in the plurality of DG components; associating a color with each image representation; and varying at least one characteristic of the color associated with each image representation in accordance with the amount of power generated by the DG component that is represented by the image representation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 12/381,301 filed Mar. 10, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/068,921, filed Mar. 11, 2008, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a method and apparatus for visualization of electrical power data. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Use of distributed generators (DGs) to produce energy from renewable resources is steadily gaining commercial acceptance due to the rapid depletion of existing fossil fuels and the increasing costs of current methods of generating power. One such type of distributed generator is a solar power system. Solar panels within the solar power system are comprised of photovoltaic (PV) modules that convert solar power received into a direct current (DC). An inverter then converts the DC current from the PV modules into an alternating current (AC). The power generated by the solar power system may then be used to run appliances at a home or business, or may be sold to the commercial power company. 
         [0006]    Variations in energy produced by the PV modules in a solar power system may be attributed to various causes such as variations in the inverters, PV module mismatch (i.e., variations in power output within the manufacturer&#39;s tolerance), PV module or inverter damage, or different insolation profiles for the PV modules. In some cases, differences in insolation profiles may be due to a cause that cannot be altered or fixed, such as an immovable obstruction shading a PV module. In other cases, differences in insolation profiles may be due to correctable causes, such as dust or dirt on the surface of a PV module. However, current monitoring systems do not provide sufficient granularity to remotely gather and analyze operation information per solar panel. Thus, an operator may only know whether the overall system is operating properly. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for providing electrical power data related to a DG in a readily understandable format for performance analysis of the DG. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for providing a visualization of power for display. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving power information representing an amount of power generated by each DG component in a plurality of DG components; displaying a two-dimensional image showing an image representation of each DG component in the plurality of DG components; associating a color with each image representation; and varying at least one characteristic of the color associated with each image representation in accordance with the amount of power generated by the DG component that is represented by the image representation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system for providing electrical power visualization in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a controller in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a representation of a display for electrical power visualization in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a representation of a power visualization scale in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a representation of a power visualization scale in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of a method for displaying a visualization of electrical power in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of a method for displaying a visualization of electrical power production in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system  100  for providing electrical power visualization in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The system  100  comprises a plurality of distributed generators (DGs)  102   1 ,  102   2 , . . . ,  102   n , (hereinafter, DGs  102 ), a plurality of controllers  104   1 ,  104   2 , . . . ,  104   n , (hereinafter, controllers  104 ), a user  106 , a master controller  108 , and a communications network  110 . The controllers  104 , the user  106 , and the master controller  108  are communicably coupled via the communications network  110 , e.g., the Internet. 
         [0018]    The DGs  102  generate power from a renewable resource, such as solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, and the like. In some embodiments, a DG  102  is comprised of a plurality of solar panels arranged in groups as solar arrays, where each solar panel is comprised one or more inverters coupled to one or more PV modules in a one-to-one correspondence. Additionally, a DC-DC converter may be coupled between each PV module and each inverter (e.g., one converter per PV module). In one or more alternative embodiments, multiple PV modules may be coupled to a single inverter (i.e., a centralized inverter); in some such embodiments, a DC-DC converter may be coupled between the PV modules and the centralized inverter. 
         [0019]    The PV module generates a direct current (DC) relative to the amount of solar energy it receives. The inverter converts the DC current generated by the PV module to an alternating current (AC). The generated AC current may be used to operate appliances in a home or business, coupled to a commercial power grid and sold to the commercial power utility, or a combination of both. In other embodiments, one or more of the DGs  102  may additionally or alternatively comprise a plurality of wind turbines, as in a “wind farm”, for generating the DC current. 
         [0020]    Each DG  102   1 ,  102   2 , . . . ,  102   n  is coupled to a controller  104   1 ,  104   2 , . . . ,  104   n , respectively, in a one-to-one correspondence. The controllers  104  collect data on the health and performance of the DGs  102 , such as measurements of power generated by one of more components of the DG  102 , power consumed from one of more components of the DG  102 , and the like. Data may be collected at various levels of granularity; for example, for a DG  102  comprising a solar energy system, data may be collected for one or more individual PV modules, solar panels, and/or solar arrays, as well as for the entire solar energy system. 
         [0021]    The collected data is communicated from the controllers  104  to the master controller  108 . Additionally, the controllers  104  and/or the master controller  108  may communicate operational instructions to the DGs  102  for purposes of operating the DGs  102  and their components. 
         [0022]    Using a conventional web browser  112 , the user  106  may access a website  114  supported by the master controller  108  (or a server having access to the master controller  108  data) to obtain a data display based on the collected data, where the data display represents the operation of the DG  102  in a readily understandable format as described in detail with respect to  FIG. 3 . Additionally, a multitude of users may access one or more of such displays representing the DG  102  operation via a password protected portal. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a controller  104  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The controller  104  comprises a transceiver  202 , at least one central processing unit (CPU)  204 , support circuits  206 , and a memory  208 . The CPU  204  may comprise one or more conventionally available microprocessors. Alternatively, the CPU  204  may include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASIC). The support circuits  206  are well known circuits used to promote functionality of the central processing unit. Such circuits include, but are not limited to, a cache, power supplies, clock circuits, buses, network cards, input/output (I/O) circuits, and the like. 
         [0024]    The memory  208  may comprise random access memory, read only memory, removable disk memory, flash memory, and various combinations of these types of memory. The memory  208  is sometimes referred to as main memory and may, in part, be used as cache memory or buffer memory. The memory  208  generally stores the operating system  214  of the controller  104 . The operating system  214  may be one of a number of commercially available operating systems such as, but not limited to, SOLARIS from SUN Microsystems, Inc., AIX from IBM Inc., HP-UX from Hewlett Packard Corporation, LINUX from Red Hat Software, Windows 2000 from Microsoft Corporation, and the like. 
         [0025]    The memory  208  may store various forms of application software, such as data collection software  212  for collecting operational data (e.g., measurements of electrical power data) from the subtending DG  102 . In addition, the memory  208  may also store data  210  related to a subtending DG  102 . Such data may be collected and stored at various levels of granularity; for example, for a DG  102  comprising a solar energy system, data may be collected and stored for one or more individual PV modules, solar panels, and/or solar arrays, as well as for the entire solar energy system. 
         [0026]    The transceiver  202  couples the controller  104  to the DG  102  to facilitate command and control of the DG  102 . Data  210  regarding operation of the DG  102 , such as power generated by one or more components of the DG  102  and/or power consumed, is collected by the controller  104  via the transceiver  202 . The transceiver  202  may utilize wireless or wired techniques for such communication. 
         [0027]    The master controller  108  is a type of controller  104  that may contain additional elements, such as application software for managing a plurality of DGs  102 , application software for managing the website  114 , and/or application software pertaining to generating the data display representing the DG  102  operation. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a representation of a display  300  for electrical power visualization in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In one such embodiment, the DG  102  is comprised of a plurality of solar panels arranged in one or more solar arrays, where each solar panel is comprised of one or more of inverters coupled to one or more PV modules in a one-to-one correspondence. The PV modules generate DC power that is subsequently converted to AC power by the inverters, where the power at the output of the inverters is relative to the level of solar energy the PV modules receive. U. S. Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0221267 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Converting Direct Current to Alternating Current” and filed Sep. 27, 2007, which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference, discloses an example of such inverter technology. 
         [0029]    In one specific embodiment, the display  300  graphically comprises a plurality of display images  302   1,1 ,  302   1,2 , . . . ,  302   n,m , collectively known as display images  302 , where each display image  302  represents one of the solar panels in the DG  102  in a one-for-one correspondence. The display images  302  are arranged in accordance with the physical layout of the solar panels comprising the DG  102 ; additionally and/or alternatively, a tabular representation of the display images  302  may be provided. For each solar panel of the DG  102 , the corresponding display image  302  displays a visualization of associated electrical power data. 
         [0030]    In order to produce a visualization of a type of electrical power associated with the solar panels of the DG  102 , a power visualization scale is established. In one or more embodiments, the power visualization scale is based on a hue, saturation, and intensity (HSI) color description where a specific hue (e.g., blue) is assigned to represent a specific type of power to be visualized, such as an absolute power generated by the solar panels of the DG  102 . In alternative embodiments, blue (or any other hue) may be assigned to represent a different type of electrical power from any one of a myriad of types of electrical power pertaining to one or more components of the DG  102 , such as relative power generated by the solar panels or PV modules. In some embodiments, electrical power data related to consumption of power generated by the DG  102  may also be visualized. For example, power consumption for one or more branch circuits of the DG  102  may be tracked on a sub-hourly basis and scaled by a time-of-use (TOU) rate schedule prior to being visualized. A visualization of power consumption cost such as this may help users optimize their power consumption against the TOU rate schedule to achieve the greatest financial benefit. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the power visualization scale establishes a level of color saturation and intensity for the selected hue as a function of the absolute power generated at the output of a solar panel of the DG  102 . To achieve this, a linear scale of the absolute power generated by a solar panel is established, for example ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 represents a minimum power value, such as no power output, and 100 represents a maximum power value, such as an absolute maximum power output (i.e., the nominal power output rating of the solar panel). In some embodiments, a minimum and/or maximum power value of the electrical power data to be visualized may be obtained utilizing data collected from the DG  102 . Additionally and/or alternatively, the minimum and/or maximum power value may be dynamically defined. 
         [0032]    The power visualization scale is then established by mapping color saturation and intensity to the linear scale. A linear interpolation of color saturation of the selected hue from 100% to 50% saturation is mapped to the range of values from 50 to 100 on the linear scale and a color saturation of 100% is mapped to values from 0 to 50 on the linear scale. In conjunction with the saturation, a linear interpolation of intensity from 0% to 100% intensity is mapped to the range of values from 0 to 50 on the linear scale and an intensity level of 100% is mapped to values from 50 to 100 on the linear scale. By utilizing the resulting scaled color saturation and intensity levels, the absolute power generated by the solar panel of the DG  102  can be visualized by a color at a particular saturation and intensity, thereby creating a readily understandable display representing the operation of the DG  102 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the power visualization scale is established by mapping a linear interpolation of red/green/blue (RGB) components of a particular color to the linear scale of absolute power. In such embodiments, three colors (C 1 , C 2 , and C 3 ) of the same hue are selected, where C 1  is generally low-intensity and high-saturation, C 2  is high in both intensity and saturation, and C 3  is high-intensity but less saturated than C 2 . For example, C 1  may be black, C 2  may be blue, and C 3  may be bluish-white. A linear interpolation of C 1  and C 2  is mapped to the values from 0 to 50 on the linear scale of absolute power, and a linear interpolation of C 2  and C 3  is mapped to the values from 50 to 100. For example, colors C 1 , C 2 , and C 3  having RGB component values of (0, 0, 0), (0, 137, 237), and (162, 219, 255), respectively, would result in the following linear power scale/RGB component value mappings: 0=&gt;(0, 0, 0); 25=&gt;(0, 68, 118); 50=&gt;(0, 137, 237); 80=&gt;(97, 186, 248); and 100=&gt;(162, 219, 255). 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, C 1  may be selected as a color other than black, for example to reflect that a displayed value of “0” on the power visualization scale (i.e., a display of C 1 ) depicts a minimum-performance in terms of the corresponding type of electrical power rather than an absolute value of zero power. 
         [0035]    Based on capabilities of the display  300 , the values on the power visualization scale may be continuous (e.g., each distinct scaled value maps to a different color value) or quantized to obtain a small number (e.g., 128) of distinct values for display. 
         [0036]    The absolute power generated by each solar panel of the DG  102  may be obtained by the master controller  108  on a periodic basis and mapped to the power visualization scale for display; in some embodiments, individualized power visualization scales may be utilized for one or more of the solar panels based on their characteristics. The corresponding levels of color saturation and intensity are displayed in each of the display images  302  of the display  300 , providing a visualization of the absolute power generated by each solar panel of the DG  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , different levels of color saturation and intensity are depicted by different densities of cross-hatching. Additionally, a numerical value of the absolute power generated by each solar panel of the DG  102  may be included in the corresponding display image  302 , and/or a visual depiction of the power visualization scale may be included in the display  300 , for example a display of the color saturation and intensity range from the minimum to the maximum power value. 
         [0037]    The periodicity of obtaining the absolute power generated by each solar panel of the DG  102  can be varied as needed. For example, the absolute power data may be obtained on an hourly basis in order to observe variations in power generated per solar panel as the position of the sun changes throughout the day. In addition to or as an alternative to a live display, data such as this obtained over successive time periods may also be displayed at a later time using time-lapse animation. Viewing the absolute power generated by each solar panel of the DG  102  over an extended time period as a time-lapse animation can help identify external shading obstacles. As shadows of the external shading objects move from west to east during the day, the associated changes in the absolute power generated by the affected solar panels of the DG  102  are clearly depicted in the time-lapse animation. 
         [0038]    In an alternative embodiment, power consumption data, such as absolute or relative power consumption, may be obtained periodically, for example sub-hourly, and mapped to a Time-of-Use (TOU) rate schedule in addition to being mapped to a power visualization scale for display. A visualization of power consumption in this manner may help users optimize their power consumption against the TOU rate schedule. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a representation of a power visualization scale  402  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Values of a type of power  406  for a component of a DG (e.g., values of absolute power generated by a solar panel of the DG) are mapped to a linear scale  404 . In some embodiments, values of absolute power generated by a solar panel ranging from a minimum (e.g., 0) to a maximum (e.g., a manufacturer&#39;s nominal power output rating for the solar panel) are linearly mapped to a linear scale  404  ranging from 0 to 100, where the minimum and maximum values of absolute power generated correspond to values of 0 and 100, respectively. 
         [0040]    A level of color saturation  408  for a particular hue ranging from 50% to 100% is linearly mapped to values from 100 to 50 on the linear scale  404 , where 50% color saturation corresponds to a value of 100 on the linear scale  404  and 100% color saturation corresponds to a value of 50 on the linear scale  404 . Additionally, a color saturation of 100% for the hue is mapped to values from 50 to 0 on the linear scale  404 . 
         [0041]    An intensity level  410  ranging from 0% to 100% is linearly mapped to values from 0 to 50 on the linear scale  404 , where 0% intensity corresponds to a value of 0 on the linear scale  404  and 100% intensity corresponds to a value of 50 on the linear scale  404 . Additionally, an intensity level of 100% is mapped to values from 50 to 100 on the linear scale  404 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a representation of a power visualization scale  502  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Values of a type of power  406  for a component of a DG are mapped to a linear scale  404 , as previously described. 
         [0043]    Colors C 1 , C 2 , and C 3 , each comprising a different level of saturation and intensity of a particular hue  504 , are mapped to values 0, 50, and 100, respectively, on the linear scale  404 . In some embodiments, C 1  is a color having low-intensity and high-saturation, C 2  is high in both intensity and saturation, and C 3  is high-intensity but less saturated than C 2 . A linear interpolation of C 1  and C 2    506  (i.e., a linear interpretation of C 1  and C 2  red/green/blue (RGB) components) is mapped to linear scale values ranging from 0 to 50. A linear interpolation of C 2  and C 3    508  (i.e., a linear interpretation of C 2  and C 3  red/green/blue (RGB) components) is mapped to linear scale values ranging from 50 to 100. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of a method  600  for displaying a visualization of electrical power in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The method  600  begins at step  602  and proceeds to step  604 , where a hue is assigned to represent a particular type of power associated with one or more components of a DG. For example, a particular hue such as blue may be assigned to represent absolute or relative power generated by one or more solar panels or PV modules of the DG, or absolute or relative power consumption. 
         [0045]    At step  606 , a linear scale is established, such as the linear scale  404 , and values of the type of power ranging from a minimum value to a maximum value are mapped (e.g., linearly mapped) to the linear scale. For example, values of absolute power generated by a solar panel ranging from 0 to a maximum value (e.g., a nominal power output rating for the solar panel) may be linearly mapped to linear scale values from 0 to 100, respectively. Alternatively, values of relative power generated by a solar panel ranging from a minimum value to a maximum value may be linearly mapped to linear scale values from 0 to 100, respectively; in such an embodiment, the minimum and/or maximum values may be determined from analysis of actual data and in some cases may be dynamically determined. For example, a maximum value of relative power production may be dynamically defined as the harvest of the best-producing solar panel of the DG during a particular interval. 
         [0046]    The method  600  then proceeds to step  608 , where a power visualization scale is established. In some embodiments, as previously described, a level of color saturation ranging from 50% to 100% is linearly mapped to values from 100 to 50 on the linear scale, where 50% and 100% color saturation correspond to linear scale values of 100 and 50, respectively, and a color saturation of 100% is mapped to linear scale values from 50 to 0. 
         [0047]    In conjunction with the color saturation, an intensity level is mapped to the linear scale such that intensity levels ranging from 0% to 100% correspond to linear scale values from 0 to 50, respectively, and an intensity level of 100% corresponds to linear scale values from 50 to 100. In some embodiments, as previously described, the power visualization scale is established by mapping a linear interpolation of red/green/blue (RGB) components of a particular color to the linear scale. The established power visualization scale provides a means for generating color saturation and intensity levels for a particular hue relative to the level of the type of power to be visualized. 
         [0048]    The method  600  proceeds to step  610 . At step  610 , power data to be visualized, for example measurements of absolute power generated by each solar panel of the DG, is obtained. In some embodiments, such power data may be periodically obtained by a master controller communicably coupled to the DG. At step  612 , the power visualization scale is utilized to determine values of color saturation and intensity corresponding to the obtained power data and generate a display visualizing the obtained power data, such as the display  300 . Additionally and/or alternatively, the resulting color saturation and intensity values may be applied to a tabular representation of the obtained power data presented to the user. 
         [0049]    The visualization of the obtained power data may be displayed in real time; in some embodiments, the visualization of power data over a period of time may be displayed in a time-lapse animation. Additionally and/or alternatively, the obtained power data may be scaled by a TOU rate prior to being displayed. 
         [0050]    The method  600  proceeds to step  614 , where a determination is made whether to continue. If the result of such determination is yes, the method  600  returns to step  610  to obtain additional power data for display. In some embodiments, the minimum and/or maximum power values utilized to generate the power visualization scale may be dynamically defined, requiring the range of power values from the minimum to the maximum to be re-mapped on the power visualization scale. 
         [0051]    If the result of the determination at step  614  is no, the method  600  proceeds to step  618  where it ends. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of a method  700  for displaying a visualization of electrical power in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment described below, one or more DGs are each coupled to a controller in a one-to-one correspondence. A master controller is communicably coupled to the DGs via their respective controllers for facilitating command and control of the DGs and the visualization of corresponding electrical power. 
         [0053]    The method  700  begins at step  702  and proceeds to step  704 . A user logs into (e.g., enters a user name and password) a website supported by the master controller, either locally or via a communications network, and selects one or more DGs of interest. In one embodiment, each DG is comprised of a plurality of solar panels arranged in groups of solar arrays, each solar panel being comprised of one or more inverters coupled to one or more PV modules in a one-to-one correspondence. At step  706 , the user selects a type of electrical power and a granularity level that they would like displayed, for example an absolute power generated by each solar panel of the selected DGs. In alternative embodiments, the electrical power to be displayed may be a relative power generated, an absolute power consumed, a relative power consumed, or a similar type of electrical power. Additionally, the granularity level of data to be displayed may correspond to one or more individual components, a group of components, or a set of groups of components of one or more DGs. 
         [0054]    The method  700  proceeds to step  708 . A power visualization scale is established as previously described, where color saturation and intensity values for a particular hue are established as a function of the desired electrical power to be displayed (i.e., absolute power generated by the solar panels of the DGs). The hue to be employed in the display may be pre-set or selected by the user as part of the method  700 . Additional data to establish the power visualization scale, such as a nominal power output rating of the solar panel or actual power output from one or more solar panels, may be obtained from the controllers, the master controller, and/or an alternative source. In some embodiments, the power visualization scale may be dynamically defined; for example, a maximum power generated by a solar panel may be dynamically defined as the harvest from the best-performing solar panel in the DGs over a particular interval. 
         [0055]    At step  710 , the user selects a periodicity for the desired power data to be obtained and displayed. In alternative embodiments, the periodicity may be pre-set. The method  700  then proceeds to step  712 , where the controllers coupled to the selected DGs obtain the desired power data. At step  714 , the obtained electrical power data is mapped to the power visualization scale. The resulting levels of color saturation and intensity are displayed as display images, such as display images  302 , providing a visualization of the desired power data. Such display images may be displayed as a two-dimensional grid corresponding to the layout of the selected DGs and/or as a tabular representation. In some embodiments, the obtained electrical power data may be further scaled by a TOU rate prior to being displayed. 
         [0056]    The method  700  proceeds to step  716 , where a determination is made whether to continue collecting the desired electrical power data for display. If the result of such determination is yes, the method  700  proceeds to step  718 . At step  718 , the method  700  waits the appropriate amount of time to begin the next cycle of electrical power data collection/display and then returns to step  712 . In some embodiments, the minimum and/or maximum power values utilized to generate the power visualization scale may be dynamically defined, requiring the range of power values from the minimum to the maximum to be re-mapped on the power visualization scale. In alternative embodiments, the electrical power data collected over a period of time may be displayed in a time-lapse animation. 
         [0057]    If, at step  716 , the result of the determination is no, the method  700  proceeds to step  720  where it ends. In one or more embodiments, multiple users at one or more distinct locations may simultaneously perform the method  700  based on at least different types of power data, different granularities of power data, different hues, and/or different data displays (e.g., real-time display vs. time-lapse display). The users may remotely access the website to select their desired criteria, as described above, and remotely obtain the resulting displays of the desired power visualization. 
         [0058]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.