Power load-leveling system and packet electrical storage

• US 20030160595A1
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ali Nourai, Brendan J. Ware, John H. Provanzana, John M. Schneider, Warren W. Walborn
• Original Assignee: Ali Nourai, Brendan J. Ware, John H. Provanzana, John M. Schneider, Warren W. Walborn
• Inventors: Walborn, Warren W., Nourai, Ali, Ware, Brendan J., Provanzana, John H., Schneider, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,900,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/166
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

Abstract

A large-scale, capacitor-based electrical energy storage and distribution system capable of effectuating load-leveling during periods of peak demand on a utility, and of effectuating a cost savings associated with the purchase of electrical energy. A capacitor or multitude of capacitors may be charged with electrical energy produced by the utility, such as during periods of low demand or low cost, and discharged during periods of high electrical energy consumption or high electrical energy cost. One or more capacitors may be located at a consumer'"'"'s residence or business. Alternatively, a farm of capacitors may be provided at or near a utility, or at or near a location experiencing high demand. In another embodiment, one or more capacitors may be located in or on a vehicle, such as an automobile, a truck, or a train of a light rail system.

Claims

1. A method of storing and distributing electrical energy to achieve a cost savings associated with the purchase thereof, said method comprising:

providing a source of electrical energy;

providing at least one electrical energy storage capacitor capable of storing a significant amount of electrical energy, said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor in communication with said source;

supplying an amount of electrical energy to said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor to charge said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor during a period of low electrical energy cost;

discharging, during a period of high electrical energy cost, at least a portion of said electrical energy stored in said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor to a load normally supplied by said source; and

repeatedly charging and discharging said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor during periods of low and high electrical energy cost respectively.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein electrical energy discharged from said at least one high energy storage capacitor is sold back to said source by said owner of said at least one high energy storage capacitor

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising deducting the value of said electrical energy sold back to said source from any costs of purchasing electrical energy from said source incurred by said owner of said at least one high energy storage capacitor.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing control equipment to monitor and analyze said electrical energy cost, to predict future cost, and to determine when to charge or discharge said at least one high energy storage capacitor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said load is an electric power transmission and distribution grid that is connected to said source.

10. The electrical energy storage and distribution system of claim 5, wherein electrical energy is delivered from said source to said high energy storage capacitor at a time when said vehicle is not in use.

6. A cost-saving system for storing and distributing electrical energy, comprising:

a source of electrical energy;

at least one electrical energy storage capacitor capable of storing a significant amount of electrical energy, said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor in communication with said source;

control equipment to monitor and analyze the real-time cost of purchasing electrical energy from said source, predict future cost, and determine when to charge or discharge said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor;

an amount of electrical energy delivered from said source to said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor, as a result of a signal from said control equipment;

an amount of discharged electrical energy delivered from said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor to a load normally supplied by said source, as a result of a signal from said control equipment; and

another amount of electrical energy delivered from said source to said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor, as a result of a signal from said control equipment, to recharge said electrical energy storage capacitor after said electrical energy storage capacitor has been at least partially discharged.

7. The cost-saving system of claim 6, further comprising a means by which electrical energy discharged from said at least one high energy storage capacitor is sold back to said source by said owner of said at least one electrical energy storage capacitor

8. The cost-saving system of claim 7, further comprising a deduct meter for recording the value of said electrical energy sold back to said source and allowing said value to be deducted from any costs of purchasing electrical energy from said source incurred by said owner of said at least one high energy storage capacitor.

11. The electrical energy storage and distribution system of claim 6, wherein said electrical energy is delivered during off-peak hours.

9. An electrical energy storage and distribution system for a vehicle, comprising:

a source of electrical energy;

at least one high energy storage capacitor associated with said vehicle;

an amount of electrical energy delivered from said source and stored at said at least one high energy storage capacitor;

discharged electrical energy from said at least one high energy storage capacitor to a drive means of said vehicle; and

another amount of electrical energy delivered from said source and stored at said at least one high energy storage capacitor to recharge said high energy storage capacitor after said high energy storage capacitor has been at least partially discharged.

12. The electrical energy and distribution system of claim 9, wherein said vehicle is part of a light rail system.

13. The electrical energy and distribution system of claim 9, wherein said vehicle is an automobile.

14. The electrical energy and distribution system of claim 9, wherein said vehicle is a truck.