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Programmable DC power controller?

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fett5

Electrical
Feb 12, 2005
5
Hello all,

I'm involved in small-scale, renewable energy project for a house and attached Hydrogen fuelling station, sponsored through my university. Here's a brief overview of what we're doing:

Inputs:
Solar panels -> Charge Conroller -> Battery Bank
Wind turbine -> Charge Controller -> Battery Bank
Battery Bank -> Main Controller
Grid (ComEd, etc.) -> Main Controller
Hydrogen Fuel Cell -> Main Controller

Outputs:
Main Controller -> Electrolyzer (for H2 production)
Main Controller -> House Load
Main Controller -> Grid (for power sell back)

There are some components missing here (inverters, transformers, etc.), but this is still in the preliminary planning stages. My team has to come up w/the Main Controller unit. Basically we need a device that can take several inputs and serve several outputs (DC) and can be programmed to work w/each input and output. For example, if the battery bank has discharged, draw power from the Fuel Cell, and anything else that may be needed from the grid. Something that can be responsive to multiple power inputs and outputs. Is there anything lik that available commercially?

The goal of our project is to come up w/a design for the house and power system that can be easily reproduced from commercially-available products.

If anyone has any suggestions or products, please let me know.

I really appreciate the help,

Mike
 
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Maybe not always cheap, but what about a PLC? There are several manufacturers in the world today.
 
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