Power Generation and Load Balancing
Navy SBIR FY2010.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1
Topic No.: N101-055
Topic Title: Power Generation and Load Balancing
Proposal No.: N101-055-0670
Firm: Physical Optics Corporation
Information Technologies Division
20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg. 100
Torrance, California 90501-1821
Contact: Kevin Degrood
Phone: (310) 320-3088
Web Site: www.poc.com
Abstract: To address the Navy need for an advanced power management system that will provide the capability to monitor and adjust energy generation sources, energy storage, and dynamic loads for enhanced shipboard distribution performance, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Power Generation and Load Balancing (PGLOBAL) system. This proposed technology is based on distributed sensors, matrix switches, and digital signal processing. The innovation in controlling and monitoring both sources and loads will enable the PGLOBAL system to adaptively match available source capacities with load demands. As a result, this system offers enhanced hybrid electric drive capability for DDG-51 Class destroyers and single-operator ease-of-use, which directly address the Fleet Support Office requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of PGLOBAL by connecting heterogeneous power sources and diverse loads with specific requirements to the prototype system, and then validating its operation through: dynamically changing, disconnecting, and connecting some of the loads; inducing additional impulsive and oscillatory transients if required; and switching the power sources between EPS and PDSS modes. In Phase II, POC plans to develop an enhanced prototype that meets specific shipboard installation requirements.
Benefits: The PGLOBAL technology can be easily adapted to the control and monitoring of commercial power systems. Industrial facilities could achieve improved energy efficiency through configurable power switching that closely matches loads to resources. Residential applications include converting a home to use a mix of "green" power sources, with a greater reliance on alternate energy resources during times of peak demand on the local grid. Critical branch circuits in hospitals would benefit directly from PGLOBAL's ability to switch in alternate or even additional power sources to preserve the quality of service delivered to uninterruptible loads.

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